Walter E. Disney and Roger E. Broggie Locomotives Turn 100 at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom may be 54 years old, but two of its trains are much older. The Roger E. Broggie and Walter E. Disney are both celebrating their 100th birthdays this year. The locomotives, built in 1925, are still going strong in the park, albeit steaming backwards at times.

“Originally built in 1925, both trains spent decades in service long before arriving at Walt Disney World. Their stories intertwine with Walt’s own fascination for railroads — a passion that helped spark the dream of Disneyland and later, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Through ongoing enhancements and meticulous restoration, the Walt Disney World Railroad remains a shining example of how Disney continues to blend innovation with tradition — honoring the past while keeping the magic moving forward.”

These steam locomotives wouldn’t have lasted this long without the love of dedicated Cast Members. Both were recently restored with the help of Lou Berkheiser, a Transportation Engineering Service Manager. The process involved taking the trains apart, down to their smallest components. In some cases, new parts had to be fabricated since they’re no longer manufactured anywhere else.

Disney shared photos of the Roger E. Broggie restoration. Artists had painted the engine’s stripes, numbers, and letters, and also applied gold leafing. Walt Disney, a lover of trains, would most certainly have approved.

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