Western River Railroad
| Western River Railroad | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Tokyo Disneyland | |
| Area | Adventureland |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | April 15, 1983 |
| General statistics | |
| Attraction type | Steam-powered locomotive |
| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Track gauge | 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) |
| Sponsor | Takara Tomy |
The Western River Railroad is Tokyo Disneyland's version of its steam-powered railroad. It does not circle the whole park; it instead passes through Adventureland, Westernland and Critter Country. Additionally, this railroad differs from other Disney railroads because its track gauge is 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge as compared with other Disney railroad track gauges of 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge. At the time that the Western River Railroad was opened, Japanese rail regulations required that any railway line with more than one stop be subject to the same rules as any other conventional rail line. As such, there is only one stop on the Western River Railroad in order to avoid having to charge fares and to allow the use of passenger cars that are not fully enclosed, which would not be allowed otherwise. Guests pass the Jungle Cruise, the Big Thunder Mountain, an old "mining town" featuring an ex Rio Grande Southern caboose, the Rivers of America, Splash Mountain, and passes through a version of the Primeval World before heading back to the station. It is presented by Takara Tomy.
Locomotives
The Western River Railroad has four 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge 2-4-0 steam locomotives named after famous rivers located primarily in the Western United States (hence the name):
- 53: Colorado; operating since 15 April 1983. The number refers to the year 1953 when Walt Disney presented the plans for the original Disneyland.
- 28: Missouri; operating since 15 April 1983. The number refers to the year 1928 when the Disney animated short Steamboat Willie was released, the first cartoon with synchronized sound.
- 25: Rio Grande; operating since 15 April 1983. The number refers to the year 1925 when Walt Disney married his wife, Lillian Disney.
- 20: Mississippi; operating since October 1991. The number refers to the year 1920 when Walt Disney, along with his friend Ub Iwerks, founded his first company, Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists. Some of the design elements on this locomotive are slightly different than those on the other three locomotives.
