#3 At The Roundhouse

These two images from 1980 show the Fred Gurley locomotive parked at the Disneyland Roundhouse. It has been in service at the park since March 28, 1958 but was built back in 1894. It’s the oldest locomotive in operation at the Park.



In September 2011, I was able to capture the Gurley at the Roundhouse again. By this time, it had been converted to burn biodiesel fuel.



A closer view:



Just for the heck of it, here’s a shot of the Roundhouse from June 1969.



Something appears to be parked in there, but I can’t tell what. On the far left you can see one of the signs from the freeway.



See more Disneyland Railroad Roundhouse photos at my main website.

At The Disneyland Roundhouse, June 1955

NOTE: The photos that original accompanied this post have been removed due to legal issues. Hopefully at some point they will return. In the meantime, just use your imagination!

Today's post starts out with a June 1955 pre-Park opening photo of the E.P. Ripley and the C.K. Holliday (aka Engine #2 and Engine #1, respectively) inside of the Roundhouse, receiving a little finishing work in order to get them ready for their first Grand Circle Tour.

Zooming in for a better look at the workers who I believe are Joe Diaz and Hurley Cox:

On Saturday, June 18, 1955, both locomotives were ready to be tested for the very first time. On this historic day, Walt was naturally right on hand. The E.P. Ripley was the first engine tested, and this photo is definitely of the Ripley; whether it's Walt inside the cab or not is difficult to tell.

Can you imagine the thrill that Walt must have felt to have his first engine circle around the park? After all, a train was what it was all about:

“…I just want it to look like nothing else in the world. And it should be surrounded by a train.”

On that day, Walt Disney got his wish.

See more vintage & current Disneyland Railroad photos on my main website.

The Luckiest Kids In The World

It took three years for me to complete this trio of publicity photos. The publicity blurb on the back described 3 images that were shot before the park were opened. It wasn't until recently that I was able to have access to all of them. Talk about patience! So today, I present to you the publicity blurb and photos that document two of the luckiest kids in the world, circa 1955. From the publicity blurb that accompanied these photos:

DISNEY-CONDUCTED PREVIEW OF DISNEYLAND, ANAHEIM, CAL.

TWO OF THE LUCKIEST YOUNGSTERS IN THE U.S. OF A., SYBIL STANTON, NINE, AND BILLY KRAUCH, 12, ARE SHOWN IN THESE PHOTOS AS THEY WERE GIVEN A PREVIEW OF THAT FABULOUS WONDERLAND, BUILT BY THE MASTER OF FANTASY, WALT DISNEY AT A COST OF $17,000,000 NEAR ANEHIM. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE CREATOR OF DISNEYLAND, WALT DISNEY HIMSELF, CONDUCTED THE TOUR. AT LEFT: DISNEY AND THE LUCKY BOY AND GIRL RIDE IN THE LOCOMOTIVE OF THE "DISNEYLAND RR."

THE ENGINE IS AN AUTHENTIC SCALE REPLICA OF THE OLD-TIME PUFFING BILLY.



IN CENTER: THEY TAKE A JAUNT ON A HORSE-DRAWN STREETCAR THROUGH ONE OF THE MODEL STREETS OF THE WONDERLAND WITH DISNEY AT THE REINS.

You'd think little Sybil could at least muster a smile. I mean really...how many tots got the chance to take a tour of Disneyland with the master himself? C'mon Sybil...you even have a life-size Mickey Mouse to cuddle with. Just a teensy smile?



I felt the need to zoom and pan in on the truck lettering; anyone familiar with this company?



My favorite part of this photo shows workmen up in Walt's apartment, watching the proceedings below. You can also see an empty Firehouse and the workmen inside, rushing to meet their construction deadline. Note also that the Town Square gate is wide open.



AND AT RIGHT: ANOTHER TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION - PACK MULES AND BURROS TAKE THE YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR FAMOUS GUIDE THROUGH A BIT OF DISNEYLAND. NOTE DISNEY'S FAVORITE CHARACTER, MICKEY MOUSE, ON THE STEED AT LEFT. DISNEYLAND WILL BE FORMALLY OPENED ON JULY 18. 7.11.55


This last photo seems the most staged to me; the stuffed Mickey on the horse just seems odd. I wonder how long it took to set this one up with cooperation from the Mules?



See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.

Disneyland Construction Series: More Stuff, Pt. 2

It’s the final post in this series, and just like yesterday, totally random. First up is the Adventureland Restaurant that eventually became the Tahitian Terrace. Hard to believe that the Plaza Pavilion is on the other side of this building!

Over at the roundhouse, the Ripley & C.K. Holliday are getting ready to begin the Grand Circle Tour:



And three shots featuring the Mark Twain along a very barren Rivers of America. The last shot is somewhat of a mystery to me, as it appears that there are guests in the park. It was either taken at a later date from the others or is part of an early Park preview:







And of course, Happy Mother’s Day! Take time to appreciate your mother today. See more Disneyland photos at my website.

Early Disneyland, Pt. 1

You probably don’t know who Billy Krauch and Sybil Stanton are, but back in 1955, they were two of the luckiest kids on earth. Walt Disney gave them a preview of Disneyland before it was open, and this is one of the moments caught on film documenting their visit. Here they are, posing on the C.K. Holliday, engine #1. See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website.