Santa Fe Railway The Super Chief

The Super Chief was one of the named passenger trains and the flagship of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was often referred to as "The Train of the Stars" because of the many celebrities who traveled on the streamliner between Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California.

The Super Chief (assigned train Nos. 17 & 18) was the first Diesel-powered, all-Pullman sleeping car train in America, and it eclipsed the Chief as Santa Fe's standard bearer. The extra-fare Super Chief-1 commenced its maiden run from Dearborn Station in Chicago on May 12, 1936. Just over a year later, in May, 1937 the much-improved Super Chief-2 traversed the 2,227.3 miles (3,584.5 kilometers) from Los Angeles over recently upgraded tracks in 36 hours and 49 minutes, averaging 60 miles/hour overall, and often reaching 100 miles/hour.

From that day forward the Super Chief set a new standard for luxury rail travel in America. With only one set of equipment, the train initially operated but once a week from both Chicago and Los Angeles. However, at the height of its popularity, and with added equipment, the trains of the Super Chief made daily departures from both ends of the line. Adding to the train's mystique were its gourmet meals and Hollywood clientele.

Direct competitors to the Super Chief during its lifetime were the City of Los Angeles, a streamlined passenger train jointly operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway and the Union Pacific Railroad, and (to a lesser extent) the Golden State, a streamlined passenger train jointly operated by the Rock Island and Southern Pacific railroads. The Santa Fe Super Chief was one of the last passenger trains in the United States to carry an all-Pullman consist; only the Pennsylvania Railroad's Broadway Limited and the Illinois Central's Panama Limited survived longer. The train maintained its legendary high level of service until the end of Santa Fe passenger operations on May 1, 1971.

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[chiconian49]

These are great train videos. However, it makes me think how awful it would be to go back in time and ride one with everyone smoking. The cars must have smelled something awful. I never noticed as a little kid, because everyone, including my mom smoked and I was used to it. Later, when I moved to my own place and would visit my parents, I noticed their house smelled like an ashtray. I was sure glad when she quit.

[LionelKid18]

@chiconian49 Thanks!! yeah the smoking would have bothered me too. and you are right I bet the cars smelled pretty bad

[aocruiser]

Dang I had no clue how luxurious this train was back then! Thanks for sharing Heath!

[LionelKid18]

@aocruiser yeah they were pretty luxurious, Amtrak has nothing on the passenger trains of the past

[Southerntreatment]

i love when you put these shows on! i have this on tape LOL their french toast was the signature meal! LOL i wish i lived then! thanks for sharing!

[LionelKid18]

@Southerntreatment Thanks!!! I have a few more of these old vintage tapes I'll be posting later

[devildoc225]

@tomkraker Pretty much. I think there was alot more pride in the country though as a whole back then.

[howardkevinm]

@tomkraker and it cost a fortune to travel.

[tomkraker]

There was a lot of pride in train travel back then.

[eoj2495]

Great video. My grandpa made many trips on the super chief.

[Trainmaster189]

Which do you guys think which train is faster and safer? The 30's streamliner, 50's streamliner (Super Chief), Amtrak train, or high speed rail (Shinkansen/TGV)?

[ACLTony]

Although Amtrak will likely never come close to what the Super Chief, Daylight, Broadway Limited, Florida Special, 20th Century Limited, and other streamliners offered, Amtrak has made a lot of good and noticeable improvements. If going to the same destination, I'll take an Amtrak train over a Southwest 737 anytime!

[BlackWolfessUSCM]

This is a silly, but great video. And I bet Great Northern would like to challenge them as the "Greatest Train in America." :D

[WDI2008]

@LionelKid18 But Amtrak has more luxury for passengers than Air Lines do today.Plus the food is better.