Disneyland Casey Jr Circus Train
Dumbo’s Train was a Theme Park Original.
Trace the evolution of Casey Jr., Disneyland's little train that could from dirt banks to picturesque countryside through postcards.
When Disneyland first opened on July 17, 1955, Casey Jr. Circus Train was one of the original attractions. The little blue and red locomotive was a favourite when he first appeared in the 1941 Walt Disney classic Dumbo. Hauling the circus animals and equipment from town to town over all sorts of terrain, the little engine was a natural for a roller coaster thrill ride in the newly constructed Disneyland Theme Park.
Unfortunately, as opening day drew closer, safety concerns were encountered. A test run over the new tracks led to the engine almost tipping over backwards as it attempted the 25-percent grade. To counteract the issue, lead weights were added to the front and the train as able to run on opening day. The next day it was shut down and Casey Jr. did not run again until July 31 after work crews had leveled the grades and slowed down the ride. (Postcard 1)
Since then Casey Jr. has run without problems around the perimeter of Storybook Land giving guests a good view of the many miniature buildings in the attraction. The three and a half minute ride chugs past Alice in Wonderland’s cottage, the London Park of Peter Pan, Aladdin’s Agrabah palace, the cottage of the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella’s Castle and others. As Casey Jr. climbs the low grade hills he puffs "I think I can, I think I can". (Postcard 2)
Building Casey Jr.
When Casey Jr. was being built a carrousel was also under construction. Walt Disney insisted that only horses cavorted on this carrousel and so the other animals and sleds on the original 1875 Dentzel model were removed. Not wanting to throw them away the engineers converted them into cars for Casey Jr., they remain to this day as the open sleigh like cars Casey pulls. In addition to these cars there is also a circus music organ car directly behind Casey Jr. that actually contains the motor that propels the train. Casey does not pull the cars, instead he is pushed and the music car pulls the others.
Only five of the cars hold guests. The car after the circus music car is one of the open sleighs created from the carrousel ride. The next two cars are cages with "Wild Animals" printed over the door, (a favourite for parents taking pictures of their kids) followed by another open sled car and finally the closed-in caboose. (Postcard 3)
When Fantasyland was revamped in 1989 the track for the Casey Jr. Circus Train was completely replaced.
Casey Jr. in Paris
Almost 40 years later at Disneyland in Paris, the original concept of a Casey Jr. roller coaster thrill ride finally became a reality. The attraction was added in 1994 as part of a rapid expansion program.
For more on Disneyland postcards see Splash Mountain and Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Disneyland`s Casey Jr. Circus Train on Postcards
- Postcard 1 – "Casey Jr. smiles his way up hill and down dale as Fantasyland weaves its magic spell at Disneyland."
- Postcard 2 – "Dutch canal boast and the Casey Jr. Circus Train travel through Storybook Land…a quaint miniature remembrance of Walt Disney’s animated film classics."
- Postcard 3 – "A ride aboard the lovable Casey Jr. train offers a panoramic view of all Fantasyland as it passes the giant’s patchwork quilt on a trip through Storybook Land."
Bibliography:
- Steve Birnbaum Brings You the Best of Disneyland, Steve Birnbaum, 1986
- Disney A to Z, Dave Smith, Disney Editions, 2006
- Disneyland, Then, Now and Forever, Bruce Gordon and Tim O’Day, Disney Editions, 2005
