Nostalgia & History > #15 late into NR Jct

The winter of 1978-79 was brutal to the RR’s in the Great Midwest! Amtrak’s on-time performance went right down the drain! The Southwest Limited and the Lone Star usually came through town between 3 and 4 AM. But during this blizzard episode we were shooting both trains in daylight hours almost every day…

1. 2. & 3. AMTK 524 leads a very late train #15, the ”Lone Star” into Emporia, KS near NR Jct on January 4, 1979. Three scenes taken from the I-35 overpass.

Thanks for looking back!
Lance Garrels
santafe199

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Interesting set of pictures for sure, and besides that standing on a interstate highway bridge?
Was it slip and slide or could you see the pavement?
Train consist seems to be baggage, bag-dorm, diner, lounge, (3) hi-level coaches & (2) sleepers.
That would be some good exercise for the sleeper patrons, up and down the stairs twice for each meal.

jeff56 Wrote: > ... Was it slip and slide or could you see the pavement? 

The pavement was fine. And there wasn't that much traffic. I parked down below and hiked up to start the sequence. Santa Fe's 1st District track cuts under WB I-35 at a very sharp mangle, and starts into the curve underneath. I got the first shot, then cut straight south across I-35 to get the 2nd shot. And since the train wasn't moving very fast I had time to scoot west on the I-35 eastbound side for the 3rd shot...

Lance

Thanks Lance for covering the last winter of #15.

A little clarification about the consist as I see it:
Lead engine from DAL, the second from HOU
baggage car             HOU
Palm Series 10-6     HOU
Diner                        HOU
1 Low level coach    HOU
2 Hi Levels               HOU
1 Hi Level                 DAL
1 dorm/lounge          DAL
1 sleeper                  DAL    That rear sleeper looks like an ex-ATSF Indian series 11bdrm.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/26 15:24 by Hou74-76.