Monday, February 16, 2015

The Ernest S. Marsh, March 1966

Oh yeah, I love those Disneyland locomotives! Today we're getting two nice shots of the Ernest S. Marsh as it sits at New Orleans Station.

The "Marsh" is the youngest of the antique locomotives - you probably already know that the studio built the first two (the "C.K. Holliday" and the "E.P. Ripley"), while the other three are genuine old narrow-gauge engines, purchased and refurbished. The Ernest S. Marsh was built in 1925, and went into service at Disneyland in 1959. As you can see, it is pulling the original yellow passenger cars.


It's funny to think that this train, as antique as it appeared, was only 34 years old in 1959. That's like seeing a 1980 automobile on the road today! I think you'll agree that this train is way better looking than most cars from 1980.


6 comments:

  1. Major-

    I'll have you know my 1980 motor vehicle has a lovely red tender, not unlike the one on the Ernest S. Marsh-! Now - don't try to tell me that doesn't qualify for "looker" status-!

    Thanks, Major.

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  2. So is that the Pirates of the Caribbean show building a short distance behind the Ernest S. Marsh? It sure looks like it.

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  3. That is the Pirates show building, before the New Orleans facades were put in place.

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  4. These are really wonderful pictures! For a guy like me, I can't get enough! Notice the whitewall tires on all the wheels--even the tender wheels!

    The second shot was taken from an observation platform right next to where the locomotives would stop. It as a great place to sit and watch the trains come and go, take water or blow down. You could even talk to the engineers. This spot was unfortunately eliminated when the HM FastPass area was created.

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  5. Nanook, apparently you (and Jay Leno) have an affinity for steam-powered automobiles! (I have seen Jay driving around on a number of occasions).

    K. Martinez, I was going to answer “yes” to your question, but Steve DeGaetano beat me to it.

    Steve, I had the feeling you would like these. Thanks for pointing out the whitewalls… when did those go away? I thought that both photos had been taken from the same place - except that the photographer had pivoted to the right. Guess that’s not the case?

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  6. Major, I agree--the first one was taken from the platform too. It just seemed more apparent to me in the second shot.

    Not exactly sure when the whitewalls were removed!

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