The Aerotrain and The Viewliner

The Aerotrain was a streamlined train from General Motors that was introduced in 1955. General Motors demonstrated their new lightweight concept on several railroads in 1956, including the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, with the train operating in California between Los Angeles and San Diego as a San Diegan. Its general problems included a rough ride and under-powered locomotive. As a result, not a single railroad ordered a trainset despite extensive testing on both the New York Central and Pennsylvania. They were eventually purchased by the Rock Island and used in commuter service until 1966. The photo above was dated March 5, 1956 and taken at the Santa Fe Train Station in downtown San Diego. Although the San Diego Electric Company sign is gonzo, the building remains…



and now functions as the 43-story tall Electra Condos.



Even though the Aerotrain was a bust, that didn’t stop Walt Disney and Bob Gurr from being inspired by its sleek design when they built the Viewliner at Disneyland. Running from June 1957 to September 1958, it served as the precursor to the much longer lasting Monorail. The shot of the Tomorrowland Viewliner below is from July 1958.



An overhead shot from the Skyway, January 1958:



The Fantasyland Viewliner, from 1957:



August 1958:



The Fantasyland Viewliner Station:



Another Skyway shot, this one showing the Tomorrowland Viewliner Station, circa 1957:



See more Disneyland Viewliner photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: The Princess Meets The Prince

Shirley Temple Black attended the Golden Apple Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in December 1976. Captured here is that awkward moment when you are being stalked by the paparazzi but are between conversations. “Please,” pleads Shirley, “find me someone interesting to talk to.” It’s not going to be the lady below wiping her nose.



But while we’re here, let’s take a look at Shirley’s lovely jewelry!



“No,” replies Shirley with her best tight-lipped smile, “I will not sing ‘On the Good Ship Lollipop’ for you. I’m the Chief of Protocol, Missy!”



Who did Shirley latch onto? None other than heartthrob Nick Nolte, wearing a (gasp) corduroy suit. You could title this, “The (former) Little Princess meets the (future) Prince of Tides.” Nick was still riding on his fame from starring in the “Rich Man, Poor Man” miniseries when this event took place.



“That doesn’t look like a Shirley Temple,” Nick seems to be saying as he stares at Shirley’s glass, attempting to say something witty. “Oh Nick, I’ve NEVER heard that one before! Ha!”



“What - is he bothering me?” Shirley replies to the guest who sense Shirley’s lack of interest in Nick. “Oh honey, I’ve fought off worse bores than this. Remember, I singlehandedly outran both Arthur Freed and David Selznick!”



Nearby were John Wayne and Glenn Ford.



Shirley ditched Nick and quipped to her old friend, The Duke, “Can you believe he asked for my phone number?!?”



Also at the party were Rob Reiner and wife, Penny Marshall. If only this set of negatives had a shot of Penny and Shirley, I could have titled this post, “When Laverne Met Shirley.” A missed opportunity.



In the world of soaps, none were bigger than super couple Bill Hayes and both real and reel wife Susan Seaforth Hayes, posing with Brenda Dickson and…DAVID HASSELHOFF!! The Hoff was in “Young and the Restless” playing Snapper Foster. Who came up with that name?



Patty Weaver joins “Days of Our Lives” costars Bill and Susan for this shot:



If you want to see some color shots from this event, see my previous post.

See more Shirley Temple Black photos at my main website.

The Lady in Orange

In the lower right corner of this August 1966 image at the Court of Angels in Disneyland, there is a very tall “Lady in Orange” statue amidst all the fake flowers for sale (I guess Main Street wasn’t the only place to buy them). Was she decor? Was she for sale? No idea…however, in the image below, also from August 1966, we see either the same lady with a new coat of paint, or a second version by the same artist.



A closeup:



By July 1967, our Lady in Orange had moved to a different part of New Orleans Square.



Back to the Court of Angels by July 17, 1968:



…and then she disappears without a trace. At least in my photo collection! Anybody know her story?

See more Disneyland New Orleans Square photos at my main website.