Today seemed like a good day as any to have a little Monorail blowout, starting off with two shots from year one (that's 1959 for the Disneyland newbies) when this sleek new form of transportation first arrived on the scene.
Although most would have zoomed into the Monorail portion of the previous July 1959 photo, being the signage geek that I am, I have chosen instead to hone in on the Richfield Gasoline sign.
A favorite view from July 1962, capturing both Blue and Red Monorails:
And another gem from July 1962:
In this grainy 1962 photo, the Yellow Monorail proudly zips over the parking lot near the Disneyland Hotel:
Here's a February 1964 view, showing the 5-year-old Monorail looking just as shiny and sleek as it did on day one.
Those lucky kids...getting to sit in the bubble!
I have a hard time deciding which Monorail I like best; Blue or Red. This May 1964 shot (from the month and year I was born) makes a good case for Monorail Blue.
What a beauty this one is; taken from a Skyway Bucket, this 1960's shot includes The Autopia, The Monorail, and a Skyway Bucket. I'm sure there's a song title in there somewhere.
In this closeup, the lady in the cone is either shielding her face from the sun, or wishing she didn't have a front view! Sitting in the cone sounded good at first, but maybe her motion sickness kicked in.
See more vintage and current Disneyland Monorail photos on my Monorail web page.
6 comments:
Every shot's a winner! I especially love those first two. Even though the Autopia cars are riderless, it's like a poster for Monorail vs. freeway gridlock! In the second shot, the Monorail train seems to be tearing around a curve at coaster speeds -- which, come to think of it, is exactly what it's doing!
Sure cool post, Dave, love the photos. I believe our face-shielding gal is actually in the back of Monorail Red. That's the cabin they'd lock for people who took a round-trip spin from the hotel (so folks couldn't just sneak into Disneyland; the rascals!). Perhaps she couldn't deal with everything rushing by backward, or she's upset that her plan to jump off in Tomorrowland didn't work. Rats! ;)
Either way, thanks for another fun edition of Daveland!
Whew, that first photo is about as good as it gets.
So, a monoral, an autopia and a skyway bucket walk into a bar, and the bartender says...
Dave, this is just beautiful. Thank you.
JG
I always loved the Richfield sign with the space station.
How did I miss this wonderful post? I love the second to the last pic. Awesome!
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