I was born between Apollo 11 and 12 on the day they started pouring concrete on Cinderella's Castle at WDW. That makes me 47 now so when the mooniversary hits the big five-oh I won't be far behind.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
I visited WDW for the first time about 10 months ago, one of the highlights was seeing the Carousel of Progress for the first time since 1971 or early 1972. Back then, Disneyland had the Indian War Canoes - the only ride there that was powered by the people, but the first task was teaching the people how to paddle.
Another highlight was being on the behind the scenes tour of the WDW Railroad.
I was attending summer school in 1969, and remember we got July 21st off as celebration for the first moon landing the night before.
Other reminders of getting old - distant memory of riding the Olympian Hiawatha from Seattle to Miles City at 33 months, reading about the demise of the North Shore in 3rd grade, taking the AT&SF (NOT Amtrak) San Diegan to Disneyland, seeing an Espee freight train roll by the Richmond BART station pulled by a brand new SD45-T2, riding the North Coast Hiawatha and seeing remnants of the catenary on the adjacent Milwaukee line.
I was born the day that SP #1 was dedicated for service on the 3 ft gauge Owens valley line.
Never mind Walt Disney World or Disneyland, I remember the GE "Carousel of Progress" from the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair.
"There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow..."
Yeah, I'm that old!
My mom went to the 64 fair. Needless to say the 82 fair she took me to in Knoxville was a let down by comparison. But I had a ball!
Interresting side note, Walt wanted the Carousel to stay at Disneyland and made those in authority promise that his wishes would be respected. And yet it moved to Florida in 1970 and the building at Anaheim sat empty for years.
I guess ol' Walt didn't mind after all.
Now if they get rid of the live steam railroads at Disneyland and Walt Disney World he's likely to come back from the dead and raise SERIOUS hell!
Becky, your mom reminds me of my mom. She went to the 1939 Worlds Fair in New York and said the 1964 Fair was a letdown! Of course, she wasn't seeing the '64 fair through the eyes of an eleven year old like she did in '39, but still...
Our reaction? "Awwww, Mommmmmmm....."
A frequent poster here Dave Klepper went to the '39 Fair as well. He's never forgotten the "American Railroads" pavilion with that monster S1.
Firelock76"American Railroads" pavilion
That would have been amazing! I would have settled for the 1934 Cleveland Transit Industry Convention. Or this:
The 1936 Great Lakes Exposition. But that was back when the city had a "millionaires row" and Van Sweringen cash. Would have loved to see this too:
But alas, if I had been around and old enough to truly appreciate them back in those days I doubt I'd be here now.
There's a You Tube video of the "Railroads on Parade" from the 1939 World's Fair. If I can find it I'll try to post it, but I never seem to have much luck with that.
OK, here's a 12 minute video (silent) from the 1939 New York World's Fair, "Railroads on Parade."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUZGLL26_e8
HEY, IT WORKED! Enjoy it everyone! and if you're like me, you're probably wondering if there's a young Dave Klepper in the crowds somewhere. I looked for Mom, but didn't see her. Oh well.
^Great Silent
Musical accompanyment
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Jumping ahead a decade
Amazing old films. There wasn't anything that cool at the fair I went to!
You know, I think my mother was right. The 1939 Fair WAS better than the one in 1964!
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