Another major step forward in the ongoing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment at Magic Kingdom has been spotted - the first of the new ride trains is now on the track. While the train remains mostly covered by a tarp, visible portions confirm that it is a newly manufactured train.
Though mostly covered, the visible details of the train are similar in style of the updated trains introduced during Disneyland’s 2014 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment. That project included new ride vehicles with improved ergonomics, enhanced safety systems, and updated materials designed for smoother and more reliable performance.
The installation of the first new train follows several months of heavy construction and system upgrades, including:
- Complete track removal and replacement
- Ongoing queue area work, still covered in tarps
- Ride envelope testing vehicles
With new trains arriving on-site, Disney will begin system integration testing, where new trains are cycled through the full track to test timing, safety, and show elements. While Disney has not announced a specific reopening date, the project is expected to conclude sometime in 2026.
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