Nostalgia & History > Texas Chief leaving Houston Union Station - '62

I don't know the photographer of this nice shot of the Texas Chief departing Houston Union Station in May 62.
Before the 59 freeway was built over this spot..

Gary

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I like that long view with the REA building in it.

Love that shot!  Rode 15-16 about 40 times between Temple, TX and Newton, KS including the Lone Star to visit my grandparents.  Santa Fe all the way.  Started riding it at 2years of age in 58.

Randy Lundgren
Elgin, TX

The skyline around that area sure has changed now.

gcm Wrote: > ...  I don't know the photographer ...

Alas, another photographer gets no proper photo-credit. But I can sure be happy with Gary Morris collection for stand by credit! There is a whole train load of "stuff" to like about this shot. Wow...

Lance 

The 1962 timetable was

T.C  Northbound   #16 Houston 755-810 am

T.C  Southbound  #15 Houston 700-710 pm

Truly a classic Santa Fe passenger  photo. 
The little REA trailer adds interest.
Thanks for the superb photo posxting.
ALLEN

 

Gary, thanks for posting that!  
I will NEVER tire of vintage Santa Fe streamliners, and the Houston area is something we don't see a lot of here on TO.  This shot is particularly interesting for the view of the Houston skyline, etc. Really a classic scene.  Thanks again.
 

BTW, I am not familiar with the Houston area, and I suppose if I looked at a current map i would not find much that resembled the picture.  Is the brick building in the back part of the terminal?  Was it a stub-end terminal or a run-through arrangement?

hotrail Wrote:
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> BTW, I am not familiar with the Houston area, and
> I suppose if I looked at a current map i would not
> find much that resembled the picture.  Is the
> brick building in the back part of the terminal? 
> Was it a stub-end terminal or a run-through
> arrangement?

It was a stub end terminal to the station building in the back.
It housed offices for the railroads in the upper floors and the passenger station was on the bottom.
This building still exists but everything you see this side of it is the Houston Astros Minute Maid Park.
The building is now part of the ballpark complex.
Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/19 14:09 by gcm.

An "A+" image
Bob

Gary, another very fine slide you have shared with us . THANKS !   --Kelly

I wonder if the photographer is Forest Becht?
In any case, it is a great shot.  I remember standing at that very spot right next to tower 116 and watching Mop trains depart the depot with 5-6 had end cars all painted Jenks blue trailing a few passenger cars.  I think if you look closely you can see FWDC's Sam Houston Zephyr lurking just behind the silver control box.  You know, around 1962 the Texas Chief still ran a few cars down to Galveston, the one time HQ for GCSF.  It would run an ABBA lash up with one or two head end cars, a coach and sleeper.  Just think how over powered that consist was.  Thanks for sharing Gary. That photo even predates the old orange "GULF" disc sign that rotated atop the Esperson building.
Hou74-76

Did this train go Santa Fe all the way, or did it use the SP to Tower 17 in Rosenberg and then get on the Santa Fe?

BlackWidow Wrote:
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> Did this train go Santa Fe all the way, or did it
> use the SP to Tower 17 in Rosenberg and then get
> on the Santa Fe?

It took HB&T trackage to New South Yard then on the SP to West Jct, Rosenberg.
Gary