Nostalgia & History > The Glory days of Santa Fe.

On a trip back to1969 we can revisit Santa Fe's Flagship fleet nearig the end of their careers.  23 rd. St. in Chicago.

qman



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/19 10:38 by qman.

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Beautiful shot. Love the Chicago trackwork!!

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD

Wonderful slide from a great era...pre Amtrak Santa Fe passenger service.  In 1969 , I rode the Texas Chief though here . Thanks for sharing. 

Beautiful 3-D appearing image.
Bob

A diamond of a shot in more ways then one!

Very nice composition with the matrix of tracks and a very curious consist of cars and motive power.  Does the photographer know if the last car seen in this image carries the rear marker?  After studying the image I am prone to think it is number 24, the old Grand Canyon. I do not see a dome in the consist that would suggest it is a Chief.
Thanks!

Can't be #24.  Might be # 23 as train is WB.
CJV in Illinois

tex or san fran train

I stand happily corrected! It is not #24.  But hard to believe it is the Texas or San Francisco Chief.   Doesn't really matter though, it is a great shot!

Did #23 run with Hi-Level cars?

Typically, #23 & #24 ran with three or more low level coaches, a lunch counter/dorm car and during some portions of its life, it carried a dormitory lounge. However, there are photos that show the train carrying hi-level coaches.  They could be moving dead head in the consist or pressed into service. If this photo is in 1969 with a departing train from Chicago I suspect it is #23 with dead head coaches or a special group movement west.

The face a railfan can't help but love.
JB

san fran is my best answer i have seen consists that were similar

My best guess is that this train is the San Francisco Chief. According to the semi-accurate consist information on Santa Fe Passenger Trains, the San Francisco Chief could have been run with 2 baggage cars, several low-level coaches, 2 high level coaches, the big dome, and then sleepers to follow. This description appears to match the consist in the photo. The Grand Canyon in 1969 was down to only low-level coaches, a diner, L/C lounge, and a sleeper or two.

Jack Pappas
Spokane, WA