Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - July 17 1980
Sue B. has scanned more of Lou Perry's slides (Lou is her dad, of course); these are from 1980, and they feature the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which had opened less than a year earlier (on September 2, 1979). Based on the number of photos Lou took, he was mighty interested in this new attraction!
I can almost hear the fast "chugga-chugga" sound that these runaways trains make - reminds me of a pressure cooker. And the high-pitched whistle keeps ghosts away, as has been proven by science.
Lou was faster on the "draw" and got this locomotive as it screamed past! I can't help thinking of the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland, but I really do like BTMRR - if only there had been a way that we had both. Impossible with Disneyland's limited real estate.
It's comforting to see some of the familiar old Rainbow Ridge buildings, repurposed for the new attraction (I am unclear if the buildings were completely rebuilt or not). We've seen many vintage photos of the El Dorado Hotel, and Miner's Hardware!
THANK YOU, Lou and Sue!
4 comments:
Major-
Who [indeed] amongst us lucky-enough to have experienced every wonderful aspect of the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland doesn't miss it terribly, but the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is hardly chopped liver, either-!
Thanks to Lou and Sue.
It's a good thing the whistles on the Thunder Mountain trains keep ghosts away, with the Haunted Mansion just across the way, and all.
Looking at the train tracks in the last image, I began to wonder what makes the tracks that faded, old-timey reddish gray color. Surely it isn't paint? The paint would rub off after just a few runs of the trains, wouldn't it? Maybe the steel itself has had the coloring added to it? Though I don't know how one colors molten steel. Tis a puzzlement.
It's always a treat to see Lou's photos. Thank you, Mr. Perry, Sue, and Major.
When Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1979 , the mining town of BIG THUNDER was comprised of original 1950’s and 1960’s former Rainbow Ridge building - just refurbished with new color schemes and businesses. When big thunder closed for a few years for its massive overhaul and reopened in 2021 the buildings of Thunder Ridge …. Now renamed back to Rainbow Ridge were all new construction - in fact they are constructed mostly of synthetic materials and could easily last another 50 years .
By the way I remember when Big Thunder was brand new when Lou’s pictures today were taken. The whole attraction had an old musty NEW smell … paints, wood stains … the creosote on the reused vintage mine cribbing … another thing was in the early days of Big Thunder it was hit and miss .. it often broke down several times a day … or the fear : that it would remain closed for the rest of Disneyland’s operating day. Also because of new machinery glitches the attraction often opened a hour or two after the rest of the park opened. While I loved natures wonderland … I was really excited for Big Thunder … all the displays and models at Disneyland Showcase … the coming soon signage and pre opening attraction posters … the big construction wall Clem Hall concept art …. Combined with the monthly changing construction panorama…. And then seeing the red buttes being to appear along the Disneyland skyline ! It was very exciting!!
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