Hello everyone. Looking for some information on the Southwest Chief. Taking the family out to Arizona in a month or so and wanted to know if they had newer equipment on the SWC or if it is older. Any other suggestions or comments would be welcome also. Thanks
Posted by Kiernan (Member # 3828) on :
The last time I saw the Chief go through Lamy, it looked like the same old equipment to me. But I may be wrong on that.
I'm familiar with the Chief from Raton, New Mexico, to Los Angeles. There isn't much rail traffic from Trinidad, Colorado, to Albuquerque, but after you get on the mainline west of Albuquerque, you'll see lots of freights. You'll pass the eastbound Chief near Lamy, New Mexico, depending on how things are running. You can get off in Albuquerque and walk around a bit. There's an ice cream place across the street from the station. Turn to your right--it's before you get to Central Avenue. You can visit Cheryl's Busstore or browse the Indian jewelers' wares at the station.
From Albuquerque to Gallup, New Mexico, the track goes through several reservations. Sometimes a Indian guide rides the train to Gallup and gives a talk and plays a couple of videos. After Gallup it will be too dark to see much and you'll be pretty tired by the time you get to Flagstaff, Arizona.
Have a fun trip.
Posted by Amtrak Rookie (Member # 4251) on :
Thanks Kiernan. Look forward to the trip back seeing the sites from Flagstaff to Colorado.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
On my SWC trip a month ago I happened to get a refurbished sleeper that was very nice. On the way back it was a Superliner II. Even though the SWC can have a variety of equipment versions/ages, I have always found it to be in fairly good shape.
Posted by Chucky (Member # 2263) on :
Some of the avacado sinks have been resurfaced with a more contemporary look, but basically it's the same ol' Superliners. God bless 'em.
p.s. If you head down Central a bit you'll find a wealth of authentic Indian goods at Maisels. Better take a cab if you have the time. Train won't wait for you.
Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :
Excellent train, amazing scenery. I've never experienced any major mechanical issues with the equipment, and it seems to be running with several refurb. cars. The only major problems I've seen are bad-order cars occasionaly being set out. This seems to usually be diners, and usually in Albuquerque. Kind of a wierd phenomenon. But, have an awesome trip!
Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :
The Chief has been getting refurbished coaches lately (in IVb paint), but the sleepers seem to be the same old mix it’s been for the last few years.
Usually there will be one Superliner I sleeper, and one Superliner II sleeper. But remember I said usually and can really be any combination.
Of what I've seen the Superliner I sleepers used on the Chief are almost always semi refurbished cars. Meaning they have newer upholstery and some new walls (like the infamous waffle siding) and not much else. The Superliner II sleepers on the Chief have typically not been refurbished.
The Diners on the Chief are almost always Superliner II's. I can't seem to figure out why but it is almost always this way.
The Lounges used to almost always be Superliner II's a few years ago, but now older Superliner I lounges seem to be the norm, and many have never been refurbished, although they often wear IVb paint.
The Transition Dorms are typically recently refurbished cars and wear IVb paint.
But again this train’s consist can really change from day to day. Typically the consist changes are made more so in Chicago then LA. Of the train consists I've tracked over 92% of the consist changes occured Chicago and not Los Angeles, and part of this seems to be because the same train consist is used for the Capitol Limited.
Anyway I hope you enjoy your trip on a very classy and fast train.....which happens to be my favorite Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Personally, I much prefer the Superliner I lounge. The downstairs has a much better table arrangement that was designed before wheelchair accessibility was an issue. (I'm still trying to figure out how one gets a wheelchair there in the first place.)
And the splash of color on the ceiling, reminiscent of the pre-Superliner lounges, gives it a warmth the Superliner II lounge lacks.
Posted by PaulB (Member # 4258) on :
It used to be that "premier" trains like the Coast Starlight would get exclusively Superliner II equipment. This is usually not the case any more. They will use anything in the yard that isn't bad-ordered. So you have a 50/50 chance.
Posted by PaulB (Member # 4258) on :
Mr. Toy, a disabled passenger can request to be transferred to/from the lounge car by a train attendant at a station stop. They take the passenger out of their regular car, and put them in the lounge through the vestibule doors.
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