(I had a hard time deciding where to post this report. Every category seems to not be quite right, but here it is:)

Each Christmas we go "hotel hopping" at WDW to check out the holiday decorations, and if we get lucky, some live entertainment. One treat is the large train that runs around the huge tree in the lobby at the Dolphin Hotel. But the other night we found the tree was up, with the usual fence around it, but no track, and no train. But last night, after the last Candlelight Processional at Epcot, we walked to the Dolphin for a late dinner, and discovered workers were putting the train together.

Here is the Dolphin's large Christmas tree. The Dolphin lobby is huge, looking like a circus tent:



Here you can see the track circling the tree:



When we arrived they were spreading the cotton snow under the tree:



Then I saw the train, in plywood storage boxes:



Workers soon began placing the engine's base on the track. Before they did, one asked which direction they ran the train last year. He said they reverse the train each year to wear the track evenly:



Meanwhile, the cab sat near by:



Here are closeups of the engine's gut's, minus it's batteries:





A gondola and a caboose were added on the track:





We had to go to dinner, so I missed the installation of the batteries. Here is the finished train:



Someone asked if it's possible to ride in it. One of the workers said that one year a girl from reception got in and rode around a few times. I guess Walt would approve, even if it's not stream.

Cool thanks for sharing the photos. I've never seen pictures of that train before. Does anyone know what brand of train it is? Also, what kind of batteries does it take? I would imagine something like 12 V automotive or marine batteries.

Too bad it's a diseasel, but it's better than no train.

Yes, thank you very much for the info and photos. Are the train colors as muted as the photos suggest?

Unfortunately. I didn't get to see the batteries, but the area available suggests that they are pretty large. I was thinking marine batteries also.

Yes, the colors are pretty dull, shades of silver, gold and grey, as are the hundreds of packages under the tree. But the tree is beautiful. The tree is actually built over a fountain that sits in the center of the lobby. The tree has a frame of many, many shelves, and is made of poinsettia plants sitting on the shelves.

I didn't get a picture, but I forgot to mention that before they launched the train, a guy went around with a bucket and a stick with like a rag on the end, and said he was putting wax on the track.

This train set reminds me of a Bill Koster Miniature Railways train, with a "Fesco Lines" toy box caboose. Bill was selling these cabooses in the '70's; and I have three of them that I am going to convert to 7 1/2" someday.http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazine/85.html

The locomotive and car lines went to Cannonball when Bill retired, and I think the F-unit is now available from MDM Locomotive Works.http://www.mdmlocomotiveworks.com/PAGES/F%20unit.htm

Steve Zuiderveen

Wow that's awesome! I never knew that train was there. Thanks!!!