Disneyland Trains - Souvenirs and photos from the early years

[Anonymous]

 Disneyland Train Author, Steve DeGaetano, wrote about the Disneyland railroad and the associated souvenirs in a blog this week.  What I found most interesting were the pictures.  Steve is an old friend of mine, so the hotlinked photo below is ok for me to post here.

 Here is a snip: 

"In happier times under the sponsorship agreement, the Santa Fe pretty much had free reign to use the Disneyland trains for its own marketing purposes. They issued special tickets to Disneyland that were handed out to children on its name trains like the Super Chief, and ran ads in national magazines suggesting that a good way to get to Disneyland was to take one of their trains. As we can see above, the Santa Fe was also allowed to photograph the Disneyland trains for its own files.

Now, what does the front of this photo look like? Here it is:

Obviously, this is a rather unique shot of Engine No. 1, the C.K. Holliday. It was taken backstage, apparently before such images became verboten, and it depicts the Holliday steaming out of Disneyland's first "roundhouse." Under close examination, it appears the fireman may be Harley Ilgen, the line's first Chief Engineer."

And here is the rest: http://miceage.micechat.com/stevedegaetano/sd050608a.htm

 

I'm sort of a nut about the Disney trains.  When I was a kid, I wouldn't leave the park unless my dad let me ride the trains.  Then I would refuse to get off the train until I was good and ready.  We would sometime ride 4 or 5 times around the park (about 20 minutes for every "Grand circle tour").  

 

-Dusty 

[sffoamer]

      On a 1954 & 1957 trip to Disneyland my family did indeed ride free on the park trains as they honored the Santa Fe passes we had. All the trains, including the monorail, had the circle and cross Santa Fe logo. My mother captured some footage on 8mm which I have since converted to video. I'm sorry to say no paper items survived. Except my father's pass. A diiferent world and time in America. Happy Mothers Day to all, especially those that document history.

[Philcal]

An  Uncle was a subcontractor for Disneyland, and as such was allowed a preview of the park with family members. I spent a large part of the day on the Disneyland & Santa Fe, and i enjoyed every moment of it. Thanks for rekindling a wonderful memory!!