posted
The UTU reported on Dec. 17th, that the Southwest Chief would no longer feature guides in the observation car between Gallup, NM and Albuquerque.
This turn of events certainly marks the end of an era. I've only been riding the rails for about seven years, but the guides were always a fixture on the train. I'm sure they will be missed.
I wonder if you oldtimers can tell me if the CHI-LAX line always had a guide onboard for that segment of the trip?
I bet Amtrak could find any number of able and willing volunteers to read the script. Of course, it wouldn't be the same having some ol' white guy reading the lines.
Personally, I've done that route so many times I am definitely looking forward to a little peace and quiet.
And oh yeah, I just posted a shameless plug for my sister's new book at my website: www.freewebs.com/chucksville
Please stop by and be sure to sign my guestbook!
Cordially,
Chuck Reuben Proud Mayor Chucksville, U.S.A.
[This message has been edited by Chucky (edited 12-20-2004).]
Posts: 324 | From: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I disagree Mr. Norman. i believe that the AT&SF had them. I seem to remember them being on board The El Capitan in 1953 on my first long train trip and I can see in my mind a print ad with the "Indian Guides" from perhaps the '60's. I'll have to see if I can dig that up. I'm sure there are folks here with more detailed information.
Frank in Sunny, Warm SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
The El Cap had this service as well as the Super Chief.
Real shame the Chief will lose this service. With the Raton line in danger as well as 90mph running, the Chief will really be losing it's identity.
I think it is time BNSF pulls the Chief name once again, before things get out of hand.
BTW, that news article is really poorly done. "Long standing dispute with the Burlington Northern Railroad"? First it would be BNSF, and secondly Amtrak would pay for the service not BNSF, right?
Although if the freight railroad did pay for this, it would explain why it hadn't been cut by Amtrak before. But I can't believe Santa Fe (after abandoning passenger service in 71) and then BNSF would pay for this. It must have been Amtrak.
posted
Santa Fe for many years provided and paid for this service when they operated the passenger trains, all of which ended 33 years ago with the advent of AMTRAK. Santa Fe had and BNSF still has an excellent relationship with the southwest tribes, many of their members have employment with the railroad.
As has been mention above, this has to be AMTRAK with whom there is a dispute.
Here is another example of the poor reporting by news organizations.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks, Southwest Chief, for proving to me that I'm not entirely nuts! That's exactly the ad I was remembering.
Now, though, I'm perplexed. We were Eastbound on the El Cap (Pasadena to Chicago and then on the Grand Trunk to Lansing to pick up a new 1953 Oldsmobile at the factory) but my twelve year old mind remembers an Indian Guide. Maybe we just got lucky!
Again, thanks for the link to a great ad!
Frank, almost misty eyed, in SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
As sbalax and others have pointed out, Mr. Norman is unfortunately wrong in his remarks. The "scenic announcements" on the Cap, Super Chief and the other premier ATSF trains of that route and day were done by the Courier Nurse, a full RN Santa Fe employed aboard that route. Also there was a very good printed route guide from the pre-Amtrak days, of which I still have a few. Our family rode 17/18, (the Cap) almost every summer LAX/CHI. Amtrak has gone through at least half a dozen different route guides since the early 70s. The current one is pretty succinct and gives the main facts.
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
While 42+ year old memories can fade, all I can report to the Forum is that I was sitting in the Pleasure Dome as the Super ascended Raton and I do not recall any Guide, indigenous person or otherwise.
On that particular trip, the Super and Cap were operated separate sections, hence I cannot speak for whoever was aboard the Cap.
During the 1991 trip previously noted, I distinctly recall the indigenous Guide, she was indeed well informed.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: [B]While 42+ year old memories can fade, all I can report to the Forum is that I was sitting in the Pleasure Dome as the Super ascended Raton and I do not recall any Guide, indigenous person or otherwise.
Raton! That's why you didn't see them. The service was provided between Gallup and Albuquerque, not through Raton.
I'm very jealous though that you were able to ride the real Super Chief. Man what a thrill that must have been.
[This message has been edited by Southwest Chief (edited 12-21-2004).]
Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
