I know that when I was first know as Matt3985 on this forum that I remember a topic about one of the Fort Wilderness Railroad engines and a coach were being restored cosmedically for display use from a private owner. Is the restoration of that engine and coach complete? Plus what about the remaining peices of engine and rolling stock that was still in storage at Walt Disney World? Are they still there or were they sold off to museums or somewhere?

There is 1 car a ticket booth still in the park detrucked, 1 was made into a camping trailer. This is what I know is in CA 2 cars are in San Diego area retrucked 36 inch gauge static, 2 locos plus a few cars in Napa area maybe going to get 36 inch gauged from rumors I heard, I know 1 maybe 2 locos and a few cars are in Ventura area, 1 Loco and 1 car in Orange County maybe LA county this ones restored static in a backyard.

The car and loco belong to our friend CP173 and they are a bit north of LA county He had restoration parties from time to time but life happens and no time for one to one modeling at the moment.

LOL! All 4 engines are in private hands. I talked to Mr Dundas, owner of 2 lf them recently. He was laying track last summer. I do not know how far he has gotten yet. He was having the engines restored and renamed for his private line. The coaches look incredible. Yes he showed me photos at the Combine event in Santa Margarita.

Engine #4 is waiting for another party to happen, and I just so happen to have all summer to help the owner since the wife is gone to New York, hint hint nudge nudge say no more. There is one car and one engine.

The last engine belongs to another private owner whom I do not know nor have I met, so I cannot comment on the status.

WDW has nothing left other than the mentioned cars which were converted. The right of way is still there without the track. The trains and cars were left in the hot Florida sun for years before these folks came forward to save them. There has never been any effort made by Disney to preserve their history and this was attested to by their historian Dave Smith.

Hi Folks,

Well stated, IDMT129.

I might add that a lot of the roadbed can still be found or seen, but it's disappearing too. Sidewalks are laid on old roadbed, and granite ballast on either side is a giveaway. The 1976 extension will mostly be consumed if the new vacation club is built. The vacation club would also affect some of the old roadbed near the stables at Gateway. This would be the new location of the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. The Sunny Sage Way extension eliminated a lot of roadbed in the Meadow Depot area. I've heard rumor the roadbed between the 700-800 Loops may be wiped with new work in that area.

As far as track, yes most of it is gone. For the strong of heart and those who don't mind getting scratched to death, there is still track along the south end of the Chickasaw Creek run.

I think most folks know, but I think it's worth mentioning that Bob Kelso's car (one of the former Brevard Zoo cars) has a new home in Wisconsin. A very nice family now has the car and is taking great care of it.

Take care,
David

IDT where you at the ranch a few weeks ago for the Disney event?

No. I missed that one due to military obligations. I was there for the Together again, May 21-22 2011 event.

Well the speaker at that event who lives in LA has a FWRR loco in his backyard also believe

I can believe you, except that there are only 4 engines and your math works out to 6. I know 3 people bought the enigines and, one person got 2. I was unaware that anyone was retrucking them to a different gauge other than their narrow gauge. I know Bill Dundas, and the spelling may be wrong, has 2, the other belongs to CP, and the last one may be in Ventura now, but I had understood it to be in or around Sonoma/Napa County, but things change.

And i am not trying to start a war, just correcting a possible mis-stated fact and feel free to update my knowledge as well.

Hi Folks,

For my own two bits, yes, there were 4 locomotives. Michael Campbell bought one, Bill Dundas bought two, and Jim Zordich in Oregon bought one. Jim has since sold his equipment to someone in California. May be Ventura or Sonoma, not sure. I do understand Jim's former locomotive is being re-gauged to 36 inches.

Thanks!
David