The Disneyland Railroad is a railroad line located at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California. Opening on July 18, 1955, this 5-engine, narrow gauge, railroad circles Disneyland, with stops situated at various locations throughout the park. From the Main Street, USA station, riders take the steam-driven, single track, railway around the park, passing through many rides and attractions and making stops in New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/disneyland-railroad/ While the railway is designed as a mode of transportation around the theme park, taking visitors from one area of the park to the next, it is also used for sightseeing, with its “Grand Circle Tour.”

The railroad originally opened as the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, and premiered along with the park in 1955. It was inspired by Walt Disney’s love of trains, and sponsored by the Santa Fe Railroad company until 1974. The railroad features 5 engines, that take a slow-speed, 18-minute, ride around the parks perimeter, these include: the C.K. Holiday, E.P. Ripley, Ernest Marsh, Fred Gurley, and Ward Kimball. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/disneyland-railroad/

While riders are free to board and off-board at any station, those taking the Grand Circle Tour will typically board at the Main Street, USA station. Upon departing from the station, the train travels along the western end of the park, passing through the Jungle Cruise attraction, before entering into New Orleans Square, passing over part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride on entrance. The New Orleans Square station resembles the Main Street station, and plays a continuous loop of Morse code over a speaker system. Once the train has departed the New Orleans station, it enters a tunnel. It continues down the track, passing the Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain rides, where riders can watch the final scene in the ride. The trains travels across a small trestle, as it passes through Critter County and the Rivers of America attraction. After continuing on for a short distance, it enters the Mickey’s Toontown Station. The Toontown station reflects the theme of the land, with a caricatured, cartoon appearance. As the train departs the Toontown station, it passes by the It’s a Small World ride. The ride continues through backstage areas of the park, before passing near the Autopia ride, and entering into Tomorrowland. The Tomorrowland station is designed in a futuristic theme, with the color scheme matching that of the rest of the Tomorrowland area. Leaving the Tomorrowland station, riders pass the Innoventions attraction, before passing through the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas. It continues on for a short ride, before entering back into the Main Street, USA station. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxFyEB8Jiak