Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Chicago Rail Fair 1948 Slides Set Number 2

Continuing the exploration of the Chicago Rail Fair with more images from the exhibits and shows. The first is for the Vitarama show. A predecessor to the Cinerama movies, the Vitarama used 11 synchronized projectors to show a film in the semi round. First used at the New York World's Fair in 1939, later adopted in World War 2 for aerial gunnery training. The Vitarama show at the Rail Fair featured Eastern Railroads such as the Nickel Plate Route, B and O and Northwestern. Of course this idea would be refined and altered into a 360 degrees motion picture called Circarama for Disneyland in 1955.

The second shot is from an outdoor play. The set and setting look similar to the Golden Horseshoe Review. I like the railroad lantern as a light on the aisle.

Another nice image of Gold Gulch. This was one of the more scenic areas on the 50 acre fairground and I have more images from that area to share.

The final image is of the Union Pacific station and display. Modeled after the Los Angeles Union Station with displays about railroads in the Pacific.

6 comments:

Major Pepperidge said...

Well, what can I say, except that these amazing slides are about as good as they get. They make me smile! Thanks so much

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

Everything he said.... Wait, you have more?

Chris Merritt said...

Wow - what is that big headed thing in the Vitarama show?

outsidetheberm said...

It looks like a large, mechanical barker, doesn't it, Chris?

Boy, these are some nice images!

Unknown said...

Kudos!

Scott Pitzer said...

That Union Pacific station has little resemblance to Los Angeles Union Station. The one-story section is reminiscent of their smaller depots in California and Nevada, and the tower "looks Union Pacific" but I don't know enough to say what cities might have had something similar.