Viewliner

WALT’S TRAINS

Musings of a Disney Railroad Fan

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THE TRAIN OF TOMORROW

The Sante Fe and Disneyland Railway Tomorrowland Viewliner

For a brief 18 months in 1957 and 1958 the futuristic “fastest miniature trains in the world” operated in Disneyland between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Two - six car classic fifties sleek aluminum trains patterned after General Motor’s Train of Tomorrow were part of Walt’s vision to display public transportation options. Designed and built by Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr the Viewliner trains were built from salvaged 1954 Oldsmobile 88 parts and were powered by Chevy Corvette V-8 engines. The “B” ticket (or $.25) rail attraction traveled along a dog boned track circuit on 2 ft. 6 inch conventional railroad track, with the salmon colored train departing and arriving from the Tomorrowland Station and the blue train from the Fantasyland Station. A portion of the Viewliner right of way paralleled the Disneyland Railroad allowing a dramatic comparison of the traditional old steam trains with the new futuristic trains. The rail journey took you around Tomorrowland Lake, home of the Phantom Boats, circled Lookout Mountain, also known as Holiday Hill and future location of the Skyway tower, past Junior Autopia and over Fantasyland River. The Viewliner operated until construction began on the Matterhorn and Submarine Voyage in September of 1958 making it one of the shortest lived of Disneyland attractions although carrying more than 1-1/2 million park guests. As for “the fastest miniature trains in the world”, the Viewliner was built half scale (50%) and it’s actual 30 mph top speed was promoted to be a scale 60 mph (Nice try!). Disney animator Ollie Johnson salvaged some of the railroad ties from the attraction for use on his Deer Lake Park & Julian Railroad at his vacation home near Julian, CA. After unsuccessfully attempting to donate the orphaned Viewliners as parking lot trams for Dodger Stadium, and after 2 decades in storage, the trains were cut up and scrapped. - Bill Ralph