I was traveling along the I-10 near Palm Springs and saw one engine pulling two UP parlor cars. All the freight was obviously pulling over to the other track to let them continue at around 70 MPH. Too bad we can't get the Sunset going like that! I know at least UP hasbeen adding 1 or 2 sets of rails from Banning to Indio. Everyone here wants DAY passenger service to the east, south and west!
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Those were not parlor cars, they were business cars of some form or other.
UP has a substantial business fleet that can support its executives, engineers, and railfans when it runs steam.
If I were a dispatcher back at Harriman Center in Omaha, you'd bet my next three paychecks that I'd clear the main for the "Officer's Special."
Amtrak just has to pony up more $$$ for a better haulage contract with UP.
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations