Big Thunder Mountain

The last car on the Western River Railroad train ride can be seen entering the mountain.  Four steam engines, each having a 2-4-0 wheel arrangement, operate on the 762mm (2 feet 6 inches) narrow gauge line.  Other Disney parks have railroad lines, but the one at Tokyo Disneyland is unique for two reasons.  Firstly, the ride only goes around a small section of the eastern side of the park, while the other trains encircle nearly the entire theme park.  Secondly, there is only one station on the route.  Trains pass a Western-themed train station known as Stillwater Junction, but they do not stop there.

Japanese railway regulations are the cause of these unique features of Disney trains in Japan.  If the track were longer, or if the trains made more than one stop, the rail line would have been subject to the strict Japanese rail regulations that cover all of Japan's trains and subways.  These rules would have necessitated that Disney's trains operate on a rigid timetable as well as a requirement to charge fares to each passenger!

©2022 Joel A. Rogers.