Amtrak Southwest Chief in 1980

[400exNick]

Very cool video! 

[yarmo28]

Great historic video. Is it still possible to travel out to the west, and in comfort? It's hard to believe that there was only a single track out there for trains.

[rwundrock]

@yarmo28 Of the three trains running to the west coast from Chicago, I rate the California Zephyr 1st, the Empire Builder 2nd, and the Southwest Chief 3rd. All have great scenery. Get a room, don't ride coach if you ride the whole way. Many miles on Amtrak's routes are only single track.

[yarmo28]

@rwundrock Thanks so much. I really owe you. I'm looking up now just which one to take.

[cochranexyz]

@rwundrock Oh yes, forget coach! Pay the extra for the privacy and peace and quiet.

[LostOzarkRambler]

Great bit of history.  Thanks for sharing.

[stickdog100]

the filming at 1:26 is probably from between Lamy and Las Vegas, New Mexico.

[TrainDr101]

Do you have any more footage from the Pasadena area?

[rwundrock]

@TrainDr101

Sorry, I was only in Pasadena once in my life.

[tdvandy2]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing. This is something truly different. The view leaving CUS in Chicago has really changed!

[ma7799]

Are you sure this was shot in 1980? Amtrak's SOUTHWEST LIMITED, (as it was called then), made its last run with steam-heated cars on 11/30/80. After that, it was Superliner, and earned the Chief name back in 1984.

[rwundrock]

It was the SW Chief when I rode it.

It was actually shot in 1981. I just looked at some slides I shot at the time and they're dated 1981.

Thanks for the correction info.

[ma7799]

I am guessing you meant to say LIMITED instead of Chief. Do you know what month this was shot?

[rwundrock]

When presented with historical facts on its name, I can't vouch for my memory accuracy. The trip was in June 1981.

[howardkevinm]

ti was the southwest limited because the Santa Fe RR didnt allow them to use Super Chief because Amtrak service is far below the SFRR standards. after amtrak improved on its time and quality only then did sfrr allow amtrak to change it southwest chief.

[ma7799]

Yes that is true. Amtrak ran it as the SOUTHWEST LIMITED from 1974 to 1984. The TEXAS CHIEF had its name changed to LONE STAR for the same reason. That train was discontinued in 1979.

[KidRocker07]

Chicago at that time was all about the 'FUNK'.

[themic79]

wow...nice footage. I have taken that train trip many times in recent years. I especially enjoyed the Pasadena Freeway scene.

[VideoDotGoogleDotCom]

Awesome footage, especially the part shot in New Mexico. Thank you for posting.

[losdowgg]

cool

[DJGENEX71]

Wow that's some classic footage! I was 9 when this was filmed and going to see The Crescent' on a daily basis here in Georgia! 5***** and Favorite!

[hb120877]

I take it the Amtrak Southwest Chief was formerly the Santa FE SUPER CHIEF.

[howardkevinm]

yes, and it follows the original route as the Super Chief (however it takes 10hrs longer now on Amtrak (Amtrak doesnt care about speed only being late lol).

[nande230231]

@howardkevinm Amtrak isn't really the problem. Since BNSF owns the track and they're a freight company, they don't care to maintain track above Class 3 in most areas. B/ Hutchinson, KS and La Junta, CO, they've told Amtrak they don't care to maintain track above Class 2, which would limit the SW Chief to max speed of 30 mph.

[SouthwestChief]

Great footage! Interesting to see the old Limited with an early mix of Superliners along with venerable Hi-Levels. I love the speed on the freeway...The Limited is beating a lot of the cars :)

[lexmarks567]

how is the southwest back then compared to today.

[rwundrock]

I really don't know. I haven't been on that route since 1980.