#XTRAFINDER EL CAPITAN SERIES#

Of the Santa Fe's Hi-Level coaches remain in operation on the Amtrak Services right until the end when Amtrak took over the Santa Fe's vastĪnd vaunted passenger operations on May 1, 1971. Train with so such a high level service and incredible scenery?ĭowngrades did occur, even on the El Cap (the most notable its combination with the Super Chiefĭuring the late 1960s), Santa Fe did not waiver in excellent on-board What other railroad offered an 'economical' The El Cap remained a popular choice for travelersĮven through the 1960s due to the scenic views and fast schedule between

Los Angeles, CA ( Union Passenger Terminal) (PT) The on-board amenities also surely wowed those in attendance. The train (two sets) was unveiled at Chicago's Dearborn Station alongside a steam-powered Chief (led by streamlined 'Blue Goose' 4-6-4 #3460), and flagship Super Chief.Īn incredible 30,000 folks came out to tour the new trains and they had to be impressed by what they saw streamliners were all the rage at the time and colorful, sleek trains were an entirely new fad the public was not used to, accustomed to diminutive standard black and Pullman green. coaches with reclining seats, lunch-counter diner, and a coach observation car. All stainless steel in nature the consist included a baggage-dormitory coach, two 52-reclining-seat coaches, a lunch counter-diner, an a coach-lounge observation. The El Cap came fully equipped with streamlined equipment from the Budd Company. The El Cap survived until the start of Amtrak on May 1, 1971. In the 1960's the El Cap and Super Chief were typically combined which made for a very long train comprised of Hi-Levels and traditional equipment. Alas, like rail travel in general, the railroad was eventually forced to combine trains in an effort to reduce rising costs. Until the end the Santa Fe retained very high service levels aboard the El Cap. As an all-coach intercity service the train was certainly one of the most luxurious to be found anywhere across the country.

#XTRAFINDER EL CAPITAN SERIES#

It is perhaps best remembered for the Hi-Level cars it employed, the first application of such equipment on a long-distance passenger train.Īmtrak's future Superliner series was based from these cars (the original Hi-Level's were manufactured by the Budd Company). Super-scenic route), running a super fast schedule. Nevertheless the train was extremely popular (partly due to its Provided no Pullman sleeper service and was an all-coach operation. However, unlike the Chief and Super Chief the El Cap Santa Fe’s El Capitan was another of the railroad’s premier passenger trains connecting Chicago with Los Angeles.

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