"All
aboard," the conductor shouted. At 10:20 am, shortly
after the Northbound Amtrak Coast Starlight (#14) headed north
for Seattle, our excursion train departed Los Angelos Union
Passenger Terminal. The weather was cool, grey and overcast
as passengers boarded our 17 car train, but the weather did
nothing to dampen the spirits of convention goers on the kickoff
event of this 2002 gala convention, hosted by Grand Canyon
Chapter National Railway Historical Society.
Many
previous conventions have had inbound specials, but unlike
this year none were ever and official part of a convention.
Thus our two day journey to the host city of the Convention,
Williams, Arizona, would be a first in the annals of convention
history.
The
star of the show was of course former Atchinson Topeka &
Santa Fe (Santa Fe or ATSF) steam locomotive 4-8-4 #3751.
The sights and sounds, chugs, of this massive workhorse created
an electric air excitement. #3751 is now owned and operated
by the San Bernardino, California Railway Historical Society
(www.sbrhs.org).
It
seemed the excitement of the convention's kickoff event had
captured the attention of much of Southern California. As
we rolled along I-10 towards San Bernardino, a rolling line
of traffic, commutters and railfans alike, seemed to slow
in amazement and almost pace along with the train at the rare
sight of a steam locomotive. And the railfans, photographers,
and gawkers were everywhere; standing trackside, peering off
of bridges, or chasing the train in their automobiles! All
along the people seemed to stop at what they were doing. Jaws
dropped as they pointed and stared at our train. And high
over head a KABC Channel 7 News Chopper flew along side.
For
passengers aboard the train, in coach, dome, or first-class,
it was like stepping back in time. A unique collection of
privately owned, beautifully restored, vintage cars from as
long ago as 1913, represented many of the famous railroads
and name trains. There were cars from the Pennsylvania Railroad,
the New York Central, the Santa Fe, Denver & Rio Grande
Wettern, the Southern Pacific, the "Nickel Plate",
the "Katy", the Clinchfield, the Burlington, and
the Norfolk & Western, collectively begging the question,
"Is it 1950 or 2002?"
Our
first stop of the day was an operational stop in San Bernardino
at the former depot. Across the tracks from the depot is one
of ATSF's biggest yards; The San Bernardino shops at one time
were a major locomotive repair faciity . Today the yards is
a major intermodal yard with much trailer and flat car (piggy
back or TOFC) service.
First
class passengers boarding the train were greeted with complimentary
coffee and sodas, pastries, a fresh fruit platter, and sweets.
In the snack car Royal Gorge a variety of snacks, drinks,
and souvenirs were available throughout the day for all passengers.
UP Engine #2269 leads a freigh train loaded
with Potash down Cajon Pass
About 11:30 the grey morning burned off producing a brilliant,
bright sunny day. At lunch time the train was heading up and
crossed Cajon Pass (pronounced kahown), the locomotive working
hard to climb up the steep grade. One stop on the grade was
attributed to a wayside hot box detector, which was actually
tripped by the heat from the steam locomotive. Several freights
passed in the opposite direction.
Then
it was on for a 16:45 arrival in Barstow, for a water stop
and to lubricate the locomotive. Parked next to the station
beautifully restored Santa Fe depot in Barstow,. the temperature
was a balmy 105 degrees. We left Barstow highballing east
on the high-desert country railroad of the Santa Fe (now Burlington
Northern Santa Fe), at 18:00.
One
of the great things about excursion trains is the ability
to get up, move around, look out the windows, and even occassionally
look out the dutch doors, when safety and track conditions
permit. The rugged scenery and beautiful weather cooperated
along this busy route offered many opportunities for "Dutch
Dooring." The vestibules were often crammed with videographers
and photographers. The passing freights and endless mountainscapes
provides dome car passengers breathtaking views. Excursion
trains also remind us that the story of railroading is more
than locomotives, steel rails, and fast trains; the experience
of train travel, once an integral part of every day life,
was fundamentally an experience of people. Representing this
on-board our train today were several people in vintage uniforms;
among them were:
-
Ms.
Amanda Hatrick, of Santa Anna, CA, representing Stewardesses
in her 1949 era Southern Pacific costume. Stewardesses
were often certified nurses that traveled aboard crack
passenger trains. their duties included first-aid, taking
care of the elderly, helping mothers with infants, and
a variety of passenger comfort and convenience services.
-
Ms.
Christy Hatrick, of Santa Anna, CA, representing Harvey
Girls. Harvey Girls were waitresses for Fred Harvey restaurants
and hotels that originally served at intermediate way
points the Santa Fe Railroad before the advent and widespread
use of the dining car over long-distances. Harvey Girls
were highly trained, single "ladies" and held
to highest standards of service and personal conduct.
After
about an hour in Barstow we continued east towards Laughlin,
NV. We arrived in East 
Needles,
CA a couple hours after a beautiful sunset swept across the
desert sky. The train was serviced at the East Needles shops.
The passengers were overnighted in a hotel in Laughlin, NV.
The
hotel, the Ramada Express, a casino, had a Victorian railroad
theme, making it a most fitting end to a long but enjoyable
day of railroading. The floors of the hotel were all named
after famous railroads, the rooms were referred to as berths,
and there was a miniature train that circled the entire complex.
Breakfast and dinner were included.
Train
Consist :
Train
consist for the inbound trip is provided here.
Additional
Photos :
*
All photos by J. Lilly, Dir. of Internet Services, NRHS
