Preparing the Trains at the SDC Roundhouse Behind the Scenes | Confessions of a Theme Park Worker

There is a lot of work that goes into preparing the steam train engines on Frisco Silver Dollar Line every day. I was given amazing access to show it all- from the time the lights go on until they are loading up and rolling with passengers, from lighting the fire, inspections, and a close look at the engines. Along with some amazing views that have to be seen to be believed.
If you like trains, Silver Dollar City, or mechanics at parks, you have to watch this video.
A huge thank you to Silver Dollar City, Lisa Rau, Andrew Dean and Noah Bentley for making this possible!
A behind the scenes look at what a former worker at Disney World, Silver Dollar City, and Busch Gardens Florida experienced in his time working at the parks. From driving large safari trucks around live wild animals while cracking one silly joke after another, to spending 5 years as a #PhotoPass photographer at #WaltDisneyWorld and seeing and experiencing all sorts of things, to being a conductor and #trainrobber on the famous Frisco Silver Dollar Line at #SilverDollarCity. With 10 years of working in the parks, there's lots of stories to tell. Here is some of them...
Not only did I work in theme parks for 10 years, I've visited a whole lot of them as well. Here's some stories of great visits, not so great visits, favorites, reviews, and much more.
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Пікірлер: 118

  • @SirWillow
    @SirWillow3 жыл бұрын

    a HUGE thank you to Silver Dollar City, Lisa Rau, Andrew Dean and Noah Bentley for all of their help and for making this possible. I've wanted to do this ever since I started making videos, and I'm so happy that I was finally able to do it. I hope you enjoy it.

  • @chasesrailwaylinesrr6447

    @chasesrailwaylinesrr6447

    3 жыл бұрын

    Find it funny that you stood in front of engine #76

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    ok, not sure what that would be funny... I've stood in front of all of the engines, and actually did with a few of them in this one. :-) You can see 14, 76, 504 and 43 all behind me at different points

  • @chasesrailwaylinesrr6447

    @chasesrailwaylinesrr6447

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SirWillow I meant it's kind of interesting because you always say that you love engine 76

  • @mrs6968

    @mrs6968

    3 жыл бұрын

    Everyone involved with this project is da real MVP!!!

  • @weaponizedtoast2134

    @weaponizedtoast2134

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@SirWillow when you went there was 13 still outside the roundhouse waiting for overhaul?

  • @markreno2252
    @markreno22523 жыл бұрын

    As a railfan, I enjoyed this greatly. I finally understand the basics of how a steam engine works too! Really appreciate these engineers' passion and feel happy for them.

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @FlybyStardancer
    @FlybyStardancer3 жыл бұрын

    That was an amazing look at the trains! And when you went underneath to show that angle… no way you could get that at places that have formal tours! Thank you!

  • @TweetsieRailroader
    @TweetsieRailroader3 жыл бұрын

    George, you seriously are a lucky man! As a train guy myself, I would kill to do something like this! Seems like the guys at SDC are good bunch, and they certainly do their part to keep the railroad running!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    trust me, I know how lucky I am. :-)

  • @tokin0127
    @tokin01272 жыл бұрын

    He can drive that train very well . My grandad ordered parts for the engines in the shop at Radnor yard in Nashville untill the 80s. It was a sight for a kid with all those huge engines in a huge building .

  • @jamescolter308
    @jamescolter3082 жыл бұрын

    This was really interesting video on how you keep this train going for this fun ride too

  • @user-fw1wc9ve3b
    @user-fw1wc9ve3b4 ай бұрын

    That is awesome I 😍🥰 it.I love #504 2 Sdc..I love trains i have an ho scale railroad Hope I get to ride # 504 When we go to SDC on April 8 for the new fire 🔥 😀 in the hole 🕳

  • @WPUpioneer
    @WPUpioneer2 жыл бұрын

    I'm just getting back into setting up my HO scale models, and a lot of the newer control systems have digital sounds with the blowdown included. Love videos like this. Someone asked me once how they start one of these and I didn't quite know at the time, of course now I do, but I replied with "I'm not sure but I dont imagine there's an ignition to stick a key into!"

  • @TheDylanJoyce
    @TheDylanJoyce Жыл бұрын

    That Engineer’s a SPY!

  • @kevhuff65
    @kevhuff653 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, George! Andrew, Noah, and the other guys do such a great job!

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac
    @TrevlynTheTrainiac3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome video! I’ve been a follower of the Frisco and years and I’m in close touch with Andrew and Noah and I’ve also wanted to do a video like this for a really long time.

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much. I'm convinced that being a former train guy at SDC helped out a lot. Even then it's been a process to be able to get the opportunity. Happy it finally came together.

  • @travcojim
    @travcojim3 жыл бұрын

    Excellent behind the scenes video. The trains have always been my favorite part of SDC. The sound of the whistle echoing thru the park never gets old..

  • @ladyinhotpink0575
    @ladyinhotpink05753 жыл бұрын

    Sir willow thank you for making this video it was very fun and informative

  • @mrs6968
    @mrs69683 жыл бұрын

    I loved every single second and still cant believe you were able to produce this I'm beyond thankful to everyone at that theme park for allowing this it brought all your past train story videos to life

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks. I'm so grateful that it was finally able to happen. it's been a process but I'm very grateful for them working with me to help it come together.

  • @mrs6968

    @mrs6968

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SirWillow amen i was always hoping for a video like this yet thought it would never be possible

  • @TheRealMr.Higgbottom
    @TheRealMr.Higgbottom3 жыл бұрын

    It looks beautiful amazing work when it comes to restoration

  • @robertbaldwin4429
    @robertbaldwin44292 жыл бұрын

    This was a great documentary! Very informative and entertaining. Nice work.

  • @Throttlejockey94
    @Throttlejockey943 жыл бұрын

    Man, I sure miss when I was an engineer there. That was the best job ever!

  • @Mr.WonderfulGaming
    @Mr.WonderfulGaming2 күн бұрын

    You should see about doing this but at night! Like their closing shift.

  • @SirDufferson
    @SirDufferson3 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video! So glad there’s finally a behind the scenes look at the FSDL roundhouse.

  • @AshAndSteam

    @AshAndSteam

    Жыл бұрын

    You're famous too, I saw you in it!

  • @marymcmaster9189
    @marymcmaster91893 жыл бұрын

    Looks like they all have that down to an exact science. A lot goes into it and it gives me a greater appreciation for all their hard work.

  • @TheThomson8
    @TheThomson83 жыл бұрын

    🚂🚃🚃🚃 Great video!

  • @robertacosta6480
    @robertacosta64802 жыл бұрын

    Very cool video! More PLEASE :)!

  • @CockfightProduction
    @CockfightProduction3 жыл бұрын

    Andrew Dean, the man, the myth, the legend! What an honor to hear him talk about trains.

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    I definitely have to point this comment out to him. lol

  • @seabolt3
    @seabolt33 жыл бұрын

    This was an awesome video. Makes you appreciate the people at the park so much more. Would luv to see more behind the scenes of other areas of the park. Also getting ready for Christmas would be really cool!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    I would love to do more. Getting access and working around liability are some of the limits. We will see what other openings come

  • @chandrawalker9220
    @chandrawalker92203 жыл бұрын

    This was super, super cool! Thanks for thr behind the scenes!

  • @markwright9214
    @markwright92143 жыл бұрын

    Nice behind the scenes video!!!! Don't ever get to see the underside of a train, cool! 😊👍

  • @woodencoasterfan
    @woodencoasterfan3 жыл бұрын

    That was really interesting and very well done. I love history and in turn love steam locomotives so this was really neat to see the what it takes to operate them. As a truck driver, I can tell you that a 7% grade is pretty steep as is the maximum allowable grade on any Interstate highway. Our pneumatic (air) brakes operate the same way. You have to supply air to the system to keep the wheels rolling.

  • @thejourney1369
    @thejourney13693 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating!

  • @jameskinglion
    @jameskinglion3 жыл бұрын

    Thank thank you for sharing this.

  • @clydediddit5753
    @clydediddit57532 жыл бұрын

    Has SDC ever thought of using deionized water for their steam locomotives? IMHO that would save some serious wear & tear on the locomotive boilers!

  • @roguereality3646
    @roguereality36463 жыл бұрын

    Andrew is right even if you weren't interested in trains when you start you will catch yourself liking them more and more. And Andrew is also right about the best engine being 504 its awesome to run

  • @tomklock568
    @tomklock5683 жыл бұрын

    This was a lot of fun. Saw something like this about Knott's Berry Farm trains. So great.

  • @railhunterproductions
    @railhunterproductions3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome!

  • @jgray5025
    @jgray50253 жыл бұрын

    That was excellent!!! Park steam trains are my favorite!!! Thanks for putting this video together!!! Enjoy all your videos!!!

  • @sgtmyers88
    @sgtmyers883 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! :) Thanks for the video!

  • @TSMGL_Youtube
    @TSMGL_Youtube3 жыл бұрын

    I love to see how other theme parks handle their operations! Something else you should consider doing is mounting your camera onto one of the engines for a trip!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    Not any real good way to do that without it either interfering with their ops, or risking it melting, or both. :-) We were working under a pretty good set of guidelines as well that we'd spelled out ahead of time to help make this possible. :-)

  • @JGanes
    @JGanes3 жыл бұрын

    This is the best video in all of KZread! Awesome job!

  • @kdbosch1971
    @kdbosch19713 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoyed this! I agree with others, and would love to see more of these "behind the scenes" videos if they are possible.

  • @sptraxide
    @sptraxide3 жыл бұрын

    By far my favorite video of yours!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    Easily one of my favorites to have produced and possibly the one I am most proud of.

  • @k001daddy
    @k001daddy3 жыл бұрын

    This was really cool!

  • @garyjones9095
    @garyjones90953 жыл бұрын

    Great video..thanks

  • @iamamanda88
    @iamamanda883 жыл бұрын

    That's so cool awesome cho cho

  • @teresacarosella7624
    @teresacarosella76243 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting. Nice job if filming and editing too. I like these type of behind the scenes videos

  • @colton4064
    @colton40643 жыл бұрын

    I knew something train related was coming from the outfit you posted a few days ago! What an awesome experience (even though you already probably worked behind the scenes anyways ;) Thank you for sharing!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh trust me I learned a ton and had a lot of new experiences myself with this

  • @rossshimer3426
    @rossshimer34263 жыл бұрын

    Amazing I love it so much

  • @rossshimer3426

    @rossshimer3426

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sir willow I am so happy you got to go the round house I got to when I was like 9 years old I remember 76 was getting fire box work on 43 was out of service 13 was running that day I was so honor to go to the round house my mom and dad got to go with me

  • @soundman423
    @soundman4232 жыл бұрын

    Wish there was a video like this of the train shop at Dollywood, this was a great video seeing how things are there.

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    2 жыл бұрын

    that would be great to see them do something like that at some point. Maybe this will inspire them?

  • @Mr.Harland91
    @Mr.Harland913 жыл бұрын

    Really big but thats awesome you got to go do that

  • @samanthadebusk5221
    @samanthadebusk52213 жыл бұрын

    We were there on the train when you were filming 😊

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    be sure to look for yourself then in some of the footage at the end :-)

  • @jtrains310
    @jtrains3103 жыл бұрын

    Cool

  • @ajfalk6364
    @ajfalk6364 Жыл бұрын

    Notice how our roundhouse is square. Yep here at silver dolar city we don't cut coners

  • @thunderfoot223
    @thunderfoot2233 жыл бұрын

    That was a great vid loved it so much great job. Did the train reach 88 mph and wind up in the 1950s lol

  • @jimgreathouse5411
    @jimgreathouse54113 жыл бұрын

    I knew Andrew Dean when he was working on the Iron Mountain and on the Wabash Frisco & Pacific.

  • @chasesrailwaylinesrr6447
    @chasesrailwaylinesrr64473 жыл бұрын

    I wish I could go to the round house that would be amazing

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac
    @TrevlynTheTrainiac2 жыл бұрын

    I don't know how many times I've watched this.

  • @timbaghurst4066

    @timbaghurst4066

    2 жыл бұрын

    Me too I think I have watched to whole thing like 4-5 times!

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@timbaghurst4066 Those are rookie numbers. Try 20

  • @timbaghurst4066

    @timbaghurst4066

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TrevlynTheTrainiac XD yeah in some cases... Have you seen the new 20 minute cab ride video the SirWillow uploaded it's great!

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@timbaghurst4066 yes

  • @f2535
    @f25353 жыл бұрын

    I’m trying to remember if Andrew was one of the gentlemen from SDC that came over and rode with us one day on the steam trains at camp Dry Gulch. It’s been many years so my memory is foggy, but they were a knowledgeable group that truly enjoyed steam power.

  • @f2535

    @f2535

    3 жыл бұрын

    Obviously Noah was one as he mentions the church camp in Oklahoma. I fired the locomotive for him a couple of times there. I always wondered if the were still working there, so thanks for posting this.

  • @adean1987

    @adean1987

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, I fired and ran the engines at Dry Gulch a couple of times along with Noah. Once during the summer camp and once during Christmas Train. It was a fun time.

  • @TheVolvoline
    @TheVolvoline9 ай бұрын

    Was the 14 steam train, the Davey Crockett express train from adventure town in Alexandria bay? 1955-1961

  • @jamesdurkin1857
    @jamesdurkin18573 жыл бұрын

    Love this video. It is very informative and entertaining. I notice the cabbage stack on one of the locomotives, and I love the look, but, why is it called a cabbage stack? Just wondering. Anyway, keep up these wonderful videos and may God bless you and yours.

  • @noahsarcweldingllc5095

    @noahsarcweldingllc5095

    3 жыл бұрын

    #14 has a diamond stack cabbage stakes are round like a Weber grill lid.

  • @wyatttrainworld
    @wyatttrainworld Жыл бұрын

    Where was the Whistle?

  • @timbaghurst4066
    @timbaghurst40662 жыл бұрын

    I loved it so much I am so glad to see behind the scenes of the FSDL finally! I have a few questions to 1: What is the youngest you can be to work at SDC? 2: If you want to be a engineer on the train which I want to do. Do you have to do one thing at SDC first like do you have to be a conductor/robber to get to the engineer spot? 3: In the cab of engine #14 you have the 2 long levers the Jonson bar and one of the brakes. Well is the Jonson bar the one with the goldish handle of is it the one with the red handle?

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    2 жыл бұрын

    18. Johnson bar is red, handbrake is gold

  • @timbaghurst4066

    @timbaghurst4066

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TrevlynTheTrainiac Thanks!

  • @railhunterproductions
    @railhunterproductions3 жыл бұрын

    14 could use a wash!

  • @jamesdurkin1857
    @jamesdurkin18573 жыл бұрын

    I believe a diamond stack is also considered a cabbage stack, but I may be wrong.

  • @adean1987

    @adean1987

    3 жыл бұрын

    No, a cabbage stack is a very specific term, referring directly to the unique round “cabbage” like shape of the Rushton patent spark arresting smoke stack. You can research all types of steam locomotive smoke stack and cinder catcher designs with the aid of google. It’s amazing how many designs there were over the years.

  • @johngambon9488
    @johngambon94883 жыл бұрын

    No joke, SDC literally tried to call me in to work the day you came but I had already dropped off my car at the shop for a battery change. Wish I could have visited with you. Now here's a serious question: when you were in the engine and at the back of the train, did you have any memories come back to you from your days working there? I bet you did but I just want to know you're thoughts on it. Great Vid!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    LOL oh my good ness yes. I was actually joking with the gentleman who was robbing that day that I was already dressed and ready to do a show. But that wasn't outlined in our proposal that we submitted, so it was a definite no go. But there as a lot of it that felt like coming back "home"

  • @jameskinglion
    @jameskinglion3 жыл бұрын

    Now I'm kind of curious to find out how I can get this experienced myself

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    I can pretty much say you can't. It took a lot of work on multiple levels, and my being a former worker and good friends with many of them were big keys to being able to make it happen. We aren't sure that anything like this has ever been done there before, so it's a very unique situation. But my already knowing the round house, some of the routines, and being able to stay out of the way while there worked were big things.

  • @TheRealMr.Higgbottom
    @TheRealMr.Higgbottom3 жыл бұрын

    Before the invention of the forced draft blower system like steam locomotives steam ships had to use exhaust steam to create the draft

  • @joshuaharper4439
    @joshuaharper4439 Жыл бұрын

    Hi, I was wondering if you could tell me the accident that Silverdollar city just had with their train with the cars falling over how is it that the cars fell over but the wheels are still on a track I believe I seen that right thanks

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    Жыл бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/daNom8miqNm9nbA.html

  • @timbaghurst4066
    @timbaghurst40662 жыл бұрын

    Do you still have all of the footage of the cab ride? If so would you be able to upload it just a question the cab ride was my favorite part of it...well all of it was my favorite XD!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    2 жыл бұрын

    yes. I keep almost all of my footage, and did from that day. So yes, I could upload a complete ride around the tracks from the cab. :-)

  • @timbaghurst4066

    @timbaghurst4066

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@SirWillow Okay that would be really cool you know like for most people you don't often see a real cab ride on the FSDL so that would be great to see!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    2 жыл бұрын

    Maybe I'll try to get that put together to post in the next week or two then. :-)

  • @timbaghurst4066

    @timbaghurst4066

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@SirWillow That would be so cool I have always wanted a cab ride video that is longer then 4 minutes!!!!!

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    2 жыл бұрын

    Will a 20 minute long ride satisfy the itch? :-P

  • @ianstandefer6876
    @ianstandefer68763 жыл бұрын

    Where is 43 at

  • @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    @TrevlynTheTrainiac

    3 жыл бұрын

    In the roundhouse where Andrew and Noah were talking

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's the one sitting on the side in the roundhouse. I have some more clips I didn't include that will likely come later, including some about it

  • @raymondleggs5508
    @raymondleggs55083 жыл бұрын

    German built engines

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    some. others are from Czechoslovakia. and the diesel switch engine is fully American.

  • @Mr.Harland91
    @Mr.Harland913 жыл бұрын

    Six flags st.louis our locomotive is bigger

  • @SirWillow

    @SirWillow

    3 жыл бұрын

    bigger doesn't mean better. :-P LOL

  • @Mr.Harland91

    @Mr.Harland91

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SirWillow that's right if you want the best fuel mileage smaller is always and a lot more fun

  • @noahsarcweldingllc5095

    @noahsarcweldingllc5095

    3 жыл бұрын

    3 foot gauge crown locomotives are quite a bit larger how ever the #14 has the same size cylinders 10" but the drive wheel's are 20" smaller and the axle loading is much higher thus making the #14 have significantly higher tractive effort which means that even though its smaller it will easily out pull a crown.

  • @Mr.Harland91

    @Mr.Harland91

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@noahsarcweldingllc5095 wow I never knew thanks 😊

  • @KieraCameron514
    @KieraCameron514 Жыл бұрын

    His idiot guidance counseler said trains won't exist? So, one of the top most energy efficient modes of transport won't exist? The type of transport which makes extremely efficient use of the land won't exist?