It’s sleek, it’s silver, and it’s shortlived! Yes folks, it’s Disneyland’s Viewliner, originally the transportation of tomorrow, it was quickly switched out for the much larger (and sexier!) Monorail. You’ll note in this closeup that the lettering on the side says "Santa Fe and Disneyland RY." Anyone know what the RY stands for?
Here’s a 1957 photo of its inspiration, the Aerotrain, which was also short-lived:
On another note, saw the "new" Pee Wee Herman show the other night at Club Nokia—it was out of this world, Globey! For the full write-up, go to my Pee Wee Herman web page.
See more Disneyland Viewliner photos at my website.
RY is a rather old fashioned abbreviation for Railway.
ReplyDeleteThe things you learn on the internet. I never knew that the Viewliner had a real-life predecessor.
That train looks vaguely like an old refrigerator I once had.
ReplyDeletegreat shots....ty dave
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say Dave. WOW! WOW! WOW! Great picture of my name-sake.
ReplyDeleteAnd PEE-WEE Rules.
It sure bears a resemblance to its inspiration - and the original Monorail cars to come. Neat-o Dave.
ReplyDeleteBest picture I've ever seen of the Viewliner.
ReplyDeleteNice work :)
Saw Pee Wee last week, and might get to go again... it was awesome! David Hasselhoff sat about 10 seats from us, so I guess we had pretty good seats!
ReplyDeleteI remember riding this at the Magic Kingdom about 1958. A couple of years ago a Disneyland employee told me that this train is still in storage at Disneyland and several workers had considered a restoration project.
ReplyDelete