Fabulous Randos
I just scanned two dozen slides, and there were some really nice randos mixed in. Here are two for your Friday.
Let's begin with this beautiful October 1972 shot looking toward the entrance to Tomorrowland as seen from the middle of the Plaza (aka the "Hub"). The cerulean blue sky really compliments the whites and yellows (and even the reds!). This is truly a "postcard-worthy" view, it's got the rockets up in the air, several colorful Peoplemover trains, Rolly Crump's flowers (not purple and yellow, but orange and yellow!), the GE logo from the Carousel of Progress, and lots of groovy guests.
See? POSTCARD WORTHY!
This next photo is dated "May 1980", and is a nice look at the Disneyland RR's #3 locomotive, the Fred Gurley. This appears to be a backstage photo, and I have no idea who or how somebody was able to take the image. Maybe the park was offering one of those special tours of the Roundhouse, and the Gurley was steaming up before it rolled into the park? Whatever the case, I appreciate the novelty of the picture.
15 comments:
Major-
Take me back, o' time machine - right into that 1st image-! (Do those 'Postcard Worthy' stickers come in people size-? I have ideas...you're not the only one-!)
The angle of the Fred Gurley image makes the engine seem foreshortened, but still lovely to see.
Thanks, Major.
That Tomorrowland pic is beautiful and definitely postcard worthy. It's all wonderfully framed by the two trees in the Plaza Hub. In the eyes of my younger self, Tomorrowland '67 was perfection.
Thanks, Major.
That first pic is a beauty!
I also notice the foreshortening in the second pic, which Nanook pointed out. We can also see just a hint of the backstage Monorail beam at the top of the pic, and one pylon.
Thank you, Major!
My oh my! Tomorrowland as it was, and as it should be today. TRE should be banned in Disneyland! If the photographer had taken a step or two to the left, the flagpole wouldn't have bisected the Rocket Jets. Although, the symmetry does look good here. We can see at least one of those psychedelic shopping bags, and a red-and-yellow striped one. As you said, lots of groovy guests, and they are wearing lots of groovy clothes.
I think we've seen your "Postcard Worthy" medallion before, haven't we? Maybe just once. Of course, now that you've slapped that sticky sticker onto the face of the photo, it's value has plummeted. ;-p
The text on the Fred Gurley sort of runs together, making it a little hard to read. But it sure looks like raised 3D lettering!... Is it? The camera angle adds to the illusion, if it is indeed an illusion. And look! The engine comes with its own swimming pool! With a ladder, so the Drivers can climb in and out of the pool. A great way to escape the heat of the cab!
I guess it must be Friday because you've posted some especially nice photos! Thanks, Major.
Hello, Junior Gorillas - it's about 2:20 in the morning, and I'm going to be driving out to my mom's house in about half an hour. My brother still lives there, and he needs help once in a while (long story). Anyway, thanks to windy conditions, he told me (last night) that SoCal Edison shut off the power yesterday afternoon, in an effort to supposedly help to prevent brush fires. My mom's house is right on the edge of an area that is fire-prone. It's a huge pain!
With no power, there won't be internet access, except via my phone, and I hate doing long texts on my phone, so I thought I would share this preemptive message with you. The winds are hopefully going to die down by early afternoon, so maybe I'll be able to participate in the comments a bit later than I usually do! I hope so, at least. Thank you for your patience!
Wow, it was surprising to see you commenting this early, Major. But now after reading your comment, I see why. Good luck with everything you have to do today. And stay safe!
Sorry Major! Best of luck with everything.
A very interesting view of the Fred Gurley. It looks "foreshortened" because the front end has been completely cut off--maybe because the photographer was hurrying to get the forbidden shot. The stack and smokebox look freshly painted--not a hint of soot. There's no indication that the engine is under steam. No visible steam/smoke; can't see the pressure gauge. It's cool that they used a brass boiler band inside the cab, and there's a weird black box on the roof. The lettering is not 3-D, but is all hand-painted, with several colors on the drop shadows. We rarely if ever have seen this side of the engine with the cab door open. The curved pipe seen through the open door leads to the water sight glass, a visual indicator for the fireman of how much water is in the boiler. Also thought the door, near the ceiling, is the angled face of the speedometer (or "tachometer") that likely bears tiny "SF&D RR" lettering.
I'm going to call that first Rando photo a Grando photo! So many people to watch, a couple of Waldos and a trash can proudly right up front.
I hope the winds don't cause you too much trouble. Do you have a generator for the refrigerator?
Thanks, Major
Zach
Photo PERFECTION. The people and flowers all living up to the beautiful scene.
I hope the tasks of the day go well. Don't worry about us. We'll be here.
MS
Photo 1 is all it’s said to be, and more. Simply wonderful. Thanks Major.
Thank you Steve for the explanation of Photo 2. It’s always fun to learn the details of locomotives, and this backstage “forbidden angle” makes it even spicier.
Major, thanks for the heads-up, I saw you were in the wind region again. Hope all remains well. Best to you and your family.
JG
Oh, it's the old Fred Gurley
Let's make a hurly-burly
And please don't call me Shirley
But I think you're postcard-worthy
I just had to point out the Datsun pickup in the background of the train picture. I had one just like it.
Hope everything goes OK, Maj.
This one time when I'm not embarrassed to say I'm a Gurley man.
Good luck, Major.
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