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Recently traveled from Worcester, MA to San Diego and back. Westbound: Dec. 18-21, eastbound Jan. 8-11. No connections missed. Visited the new Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago for the first time.
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Your photos brought back a lot of nice memories. Thank you.
In one of the last photos it looks as if you were passing the Colorado River near Needles in daylight. Was the train that late or am I mixed up on the location?
Did you notice what I believe is a former Santa Fe Super Chief Pleasure Dome stored adjacent to Lamy Station?
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Mr. Nadeau, here is what's parked at the Lamy station - or the last time the Googlemobile went by.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Mr. Norman, no, the Pleasure Dome I saw was shaded by trees north of the station.
I've ridden in a Pleasure Dome (Plaza Santa Fe) on an excursion and know what they look like. http://www.californiarailtours.com/PSF.html I just do not know if Santa Fe used them exclusively on the Super Chief.
All my experiences with other long-distance Santa Fe trains, other than the Grand Canyon Limited (no domes), included big domes (Chief) or high-level sightseeing lounges (TX Eagle, El Capitan, and San Francisco Chief). I miss these trains!
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The Colorado River picture was from a 1997 trip when the train was extremely delayed shortly after leaving LA, I think because of a freight derailment. Normally I never see that river.
I suppose you know that if you click on any picture in the album, a description that I've written comes into view. Then you can continue through those larger pictures by clicking the arrow at the side. You may see a few comments by members of my family.
Posts: 127 | From: Worcester, Massachusetts | Registered: Jan 2007
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All my experiences with other long-distance Santa Fe trains, other than the Grand Canyon Limited (no domes), included big domes (Chief) or high-level sightseeing lounges (TX Eagle, El Capitan, and San Francisco Chief). I miss these trains! [/QB] ********************************
I had chance, in the mid 1960's, to ride the SF Chief from Stockton, Calif to Gallop, NM. I can't remember much about the train. I do remember the dome car, however. That was fun.
The one train I wish I had a chance to ride was the City of San Francisco.
Here is a 1936 photo of the City of SF train. Kind of an unusual design:
Can anyone identify the automobile? It is 1936 brand new sedan, if that is any hint.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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From Mr. Ainsworth's site, which has not been updated since his death some five years ago, are reports of the fate of the Pleasure Dome fleet.
Also, starting with the link in my immediate, do a "ride-along" in the Googlemobile on El Capitan Dr. You will note some passenger rail equipment, but none of such appears to be a Pleasure Dome. Wisely, the Googlemobile does not trespass, so the car you observed could still be to the (TT)East (compass N) of there.
But for myself, not having been near Lamy since riding #18 during June 1962. and sitting in the Dome of "the real deal", I cannot be of further help.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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In the 1930s, with steam still king, I can only imagine how people must have felt seeing of the those City of San Francisco locomotives passing by for the first time.
@ Mr. Norman
Thank you,
Really interesting names on that list, so in keeping with the image Santa Fe wanted to build for its passenger service.
The alleged Pleasure Dome I witnessed may have a private car movement. The Plaza Santa Fe for example does these frequently. And, Lamy of course is the gateway to Santa Fe. Or, perhaps I was just hallucinating.
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"Nice looking photos, Bob. Looks like the lounge in Chicago is inviting."
The lounge is indeed very nice.
Nevertheless, I worry that the lounge features a very startling aspect of Amtrak sleeping car passenger demographics. In my experience, nearly no one is using a laptop or even an iPad-type device while waiting. They are stuck in the past, not in the present or future. Such a contrast to a Delta Sky Club and United Club.
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At age 84, I was definitely in that demographic. I was reading newspapers and then watching Obama's farewell address on one of their TVs.
Posts: 127 | From: Worcester, Massachusetts | Registered: Jan 2007
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