The quality of these scans are absolutely amazing! This was a phenomenal look back at an area of the Santa Fe I don't think I'll ever get a chance to properly cover!
Fantastic video. The curve super-elevation is very noticeable and the "lean" into the curves is incredible. Thanks much for posting this priceless footage! Mike
I LOVE watching videos dedicated to just F-3 or F-7 units, with their "B" units included. I have several HO scale brass F-3/F-7 A-B-A sets from my favorite brass model importer, Overland Models Inc., unpainted. And I also have an F-7 A-B set, factory painted in the famous red warbonnet paint scheme like the ones in this video, also from Overland. Watching this video will give me some ideas on how I can run the models on a layout that hope to build someday. This video provided a lot of GREAT captures of these fabulous "F" units and I'm glad I came across it! I truly enjoyed watching!
There's one sequence where the El Cap is moving in reverse into Dearborn, maybe an equipment move. There doesn't seem to be a provision to Wye trains close to the station.
The 21st street coach yard had a balloon track. The station switcher would hook on the back of the whole train and turn it. Sometimes the power would be cut off at 18th street. Once in 21st street coach yard the cars would be cleaned and serviced. Trains like the fast mail and the Grand Canyon were handled somewhat differently.
ATSF strived to make the Super Chief an all-around first class passenger experience. They were in joint ventures with and operated alongside Fred Harvey (who ran the hotel at the Grand Canyon) and their standards were high.
I can tell the photographer was friends with the late Emery Gulash as I recognized several of the ground shots from the Santa Fe Odyssey series, but taken from different angels.
Excellent 4K digital transfer; film was sharp, well-exposed; photographer did a great job and used his cab rides to great advantage; and ATSF was a class operation with some flashy trains. Everything came together here. Many thanks to Walter W. for sharing his films!
This is an amazing set of films, dating much nearer to 1967 than to 1969. (This was before the US Mail contract cancellations, and the "Great Train-Offs" that followed.) After consulting several timetables from the period (both public and Employee) here follows my best guess as to what we are seeing. Corrections are gratefully received! 0:08 Shopton, Iowa was the crew-change point, about a mile and a half west of the Fort Madison depot. As NRHS Film Archive has said, we will be riding Train #18, the "Super Chief/El Capitan" to Chicago. Upon leaving Shopton, we pass the preserved Steamer in front of the Fort Madison depot, and cross the Mississippi River into Illinois. 0:50 We meet a westbound freight train, pulled by Passenger power (an unusual practice for Santa Fe).We then cross the high bridge over the Illinois River at Chillicothe. 1:25 We meet Train #19, the westbound "Chief." 1:55 Pequot Tower is at milepost 57.2 (as measured from Chicago). The Super Chief here has an unusually short consist for a stand-alone section. 2:25 We meet Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon." 2:35 We approach Joliet Union Station, then thread the trackwork at Alton Junction in Chicago, and finally enter Dearborn Station. ********** 3:30 For the next couple of minutes, we observe the action on a *bitterly* cold winter day. The photographer(s) were risking frostbite to gain these images. First up is Train #19, the westbound "Chief." 3:45 We see a Rock Island freight silhouetted at Joliet, and then what is very likely the westbound "Super C" freight train behind Passenger Diesels. 4:20 I believe this is GM&O's Train #2, the "Abraham Lincoln," departing Joliet a couple of hours late for Chicago, and then a Rock Island commuter train. 5:22 Train #16, the "Texas Chief," looking like it's fought the elements. ********** 5:45 Under gentler skies, we see Train #2, the "San Francisco Chief," at Lockport, Illinois. 6:05 I believe this may be some kind of VIP special, pulled by brand-new FP-45 locomotives. The complete absence of head-end cars suggests this is not a regular Passenger train. 6:25 We see Train #20, the eastbound "Chief," a few minutes away from its arrival into Dearborn Station. ********** 6:50 From here on we are in New Mexico and Colorado, on both sides of Raton Pass. We open with Train #20 climbing through Keota, New Mexico (mp 655, as measured from Kansas city), just shy of the Raton Tunnel. Upon leaving the tunnel, we meet Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon," with a couple of private railcars and a couple of Helpers on the rear. 8:10 At Model, Colorado (mp 615.2) we meet Train #17, the westbound "Super Chief/El Capitan." ********** 8:24 Headed back west again, first we see Train #17 departing La Junta, Colorado. The eastbound train arriving may be #20, the "Chief." 9:05 We see an engine crew waiting to board their assigned train. 9:29 Westbound from La Junta (mp 554.9). For most of the following sequence, we will be aboard Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon." 9:49 This may be the siding at Ormega (mp 558.0). 9:58 At Benton (mp 563.1), we meet a very late Train #8, the eastbound "Fast Mail." 10:40 This is Trinidad, Colorado (mp 636.7) 10:55 Gallinas, Colorado (mp 647.3) 11:07 Climbing toward Raton Tunnel aboard Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon." 11:19 The sign marking Dick Wootton's Ranch, just below the tunnel. 11:28 Train #17, the "Super Chief/El Capitan" at Morley (mp 648.1) 12:20 Train #17 at Wootton (mp 651.8) 13:56 Aboard Train #23 again, approaching Raton Tunnel 14:35 This, to me, is the "money shot" for this tape-- Train #23 (at left), being overtaken by Train #17. 15:02 Approaching the town of Raton, New Mexico-- note the red block, as #17 is not yet very far ahead. 15:21 Watering the Diesels for #23 at what I presume is Raton. 15:26 Under way again, aboard #23 over Glorieta Pass. 15:46 Train #17 in Glorieta Pass. 16:37 Train #17, out of the mountains and allowed to gallop again. 17:06 A bit of freight action, eastbound from Las Vegas, New Mexico 18:24 We end with Train #24, the eastbound "Grand Canyon" at Las Vegas, New Mexico. As it pulls away, notice that the second A-unit has an elongated "Warbonnet"-- this is a bit of a rare catch, as only a few of the earliest postwar F3s were painted this way.
I was 5 when this was filmed, I remember Dearborn station, 21st street junction and the ATSF coachyard off Archer ave. I wanted to take the Super chief, but dad said too expensive and too slow. I hope you could add sound in the future.
Looks like about 88 mph (142 kph). Thanks to Automatic Train Stop, Passenger trains on this stretch were allowed 90 mph (145 kph). That doesn't sound like much today, but in the 1960s that was considered a low-flying jet.
HORSE POWER EQUALS SPEED!! THE F UNITS SHOWN ARE ONLY 1500 HORSEPOWER PER UNIT, YIELDING 7500 TOTAL HORSEPOWER. THE MODERN SW CHIEF, AMTRAK # 3 AND 4, WITH 2 GENERAL ELECTRIC UNITS OF 4000/4300 HORSEPOWER, YIELDS AN MAXIMUM 8600 HORSEPOWER, WITH FAR BETTER FUEL ECONOMY! KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!!👍👍
@@rossbryan6102 They do it today sometimes too. Even on freight trains. I've seen multiple extra units on intermodal trains. The extra units are there for extra speed I suppose. Out west, some of those trains reach 70 mph.
Incredible and being from Colorado the Raton footage brings back so many memories of rail fanning Raton. If only these movies had sound.
This is some good historic footage one of the better ones I've seen
The quality of these scans are absolutely amazing! This was a phenomenal look back at an area of the Santa Fe I don't think I'll ever get a chance to properly cover!
So much eye-candy in this video!! Spectacular/unique meets, Streamliners, F7 lash-ups, and scenery!!🛤️
Fantastic video. The curve super-elevation is very noticeable and the "lean" into the curves is incredible. Thanks much for posting this priceless footage! Mike
I LOVE watching videos dedicated to just F-3 or F-7 units, with their "B" units included. I have several HO scale brass F-3/F-7 A-B-A sets from my favorite brass model importer, Overland Models Inc., unpainted. And I also have an F-7 A-B set, factory painted in the famous red warbonnet paint scheme like the ones in this video, also from Overland. Watching this video will give me some ideas on how I can run the models on a layout that hope to build someday. This video provided a lot of GREAT captures of these fabulous "F" units and I'm glad I came across it! I truly enjoyed watching!
This has got to be the best video of the diamond crossovers entering dearborn station. some great shots of the SF rail yard which is now china town
There's one sequence where the El Cap is moving in reverse into Dearborn, maybe an equipment move. There doesn't seem to be a provision to Wye trains close to the station.
@@thenrhsfilmarchive6094 i believe there was a turn around track for that
The 21st street coach yard had a balloon track. The station switcher would hook on the back of the whole train and turn it. Sometimes the power would be cut off at 18th street. Once in 21st street coach yard the cars would be cleaned and serviced. Trains like the fast mail and the Grand Canyon were handled somewhat differently.
What a fantastic video! Even in that time period, Santa Fe put on quite a show for it's passenger trains! I enjoyed watching the video and thank you.
ATSF strived to make the Super Chief an all-around first class passenger experience. They were in joint ventures with and operated alongside Fred Harvey (who ran the hotel at the Grand Canyon) and their standards were high.
Thank you very much. Helps keep my memories alive of most of these places and trains. Highly appreciated.
Great video on the Santa Fe railroad
Very nice, thanks for sharing that. Greetings from Port Saint Lucie, Florida.
Absolutely incredible. Thank you for uploading this for the world.
I can tell the photographer was friends with the late Emery Gulash as I recognized several of the ground shots from the Santa Fe Odyssey series, but taken from different angels.
After I examined, replaced the splices and screen the 16mm film I could not believe how good it looked on the screen
N
Excellent 4K digital transfer; film was sharp, well-exposed; photographer did a great job and used his cab rides to great advantage; and ATSF was a class operation with some flashy trains. Everything came together here. Many thanks to Walter W. for sharing his films!
This is an amazing set of films, dating much nearer to 1967 than to 1969. (This was before the US Mail contract cancellations, and the "Great Train-Offs" that followed.) After consulting several timetables from the period (both public and Employee) here follows my best guess as to what we are seeing. Corrections are gratefully received!
0:08 Shopton, Iowa was the crew-change point, about a mile and a half west of the Fort Madison depot. As NRHS Film Archive has said, we will be riding Train #18, the "Super Chief/El Capitan" to Chicago. Upon leaving Shopton, we pass the preserved Steamer in front of the Fort Madison depot, and cross the Mississippi River into Illinois.
0:50 We meet a westbound freight train, pulled by Passenger power (an unusual practice for Santa Fe).We then cross the high bridge over the Illinois River at Chillicothe.
1:25 We meet Train #19, the westbound "Chief."
1:55 Pequot Tower is at milepost 57.2 (as measured from Chicago). The Super Chief here has an unusually short consist for a stand-alone section.
2:25 We meet Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon."
2:35 We approach Joliet Union Station, then thread the trackwork at Alton Junction in Chicago, and finally enter Dearborn Station.
**********
3:30 For the next couple of minutes, we observe the action on a *bitterly* cold winter day. The photographer(s) were risking frostbite to gain these images. First up is Train #19, the westbound "Chief."
3:45 We see a Rock Island freight silhouetted at Joliet, and then what is very likely the westbound "Super C" freight train behind Passenger Diesels.
4:20 I believe this is GM&O's Train #2, the "Abraham Lincoln," departing Joliet a couple of hours late for Chicago, and then a Rock Island commuter train.
5:22 Train #16, the "Texas Chief," looking like it's fought the elements.
**********
5:45 Under gentler skies, we see Train #2, the "San Francisco Chief," at Lockport, Illinois.
6:05 I believe this may be some kind of VIP special, pulled by brand-new FP-45 locomotives. The complete absence of head-end cars suggests this is not a regular Passenger train.
6:25 We see Train #20, the eastbound "Chief," a few minutes away from its arrival into Dearborn Station.
**********
6:50 From here on we are in New Mexico and Colorado, on both sides of Raton Pass. We open with Train #20 climbing through Keota, New Mexico (mp 655, as measured from Kansas city), just shy of the Raton Tunnel. Upon leaving the tunnel, we meet Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon," with a couple of private railcars and a couple of Helpers on the rear.
8:10 At Model, Colorado (mp 615.2) we meet Train #17, the westbound "Super Chief/El Capitan."
**********
8:24 Headed back west again, first we see Train #17 departing La Junta, Colorado. The eastbound train arriving may be #20, the "Chief."
9:05 We see an engine crew waiting to board their assigned train.
9:29 Westbound from La Junta (mp 554.9). For most of the following sequence, we will be aboard Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon."
9:49 This may be the siding at Ormega (mp 558.0).
9:58 At Benton (mp 563.1), we meet a very late Train #8, the eastbound "Fast Mail."
10:40 This is Trinidad, Colorado (mp 636.7)
10:55 Gallinas, Colorado (mp 647.3)
11:07 Climbing toward Raton Tunnel aboard Train #23, the westbound "Grand Canyon."
11:19 The sign marking Dick Wootton's Ranch, just below the tunnel.
11:28 Train #17, the "Super Chief/El Capitan" at Morley (mp 648.1)
12:20 Train #17 at Wootton (mp 651.8)
13:56 Aboard Train #23 again, approaching Raton Tunnel
14:35 This, to me, is the "money shot" for this tape-- Train #23 (at left), being overtaken by Train #17.
15:02 Approaching the town of Raton, New Mexico-- note the red block, as #17 is not yet very far ahead.
15:21 Watering the Diesels for #23 at what I presume is Raton.
15:26 Under way again, aboard #23 over Glorieta Pass.
15:46 Train #17 in Glorieta Pass.
16:37 Train #17, out of the mountains and allowed to gallop again.
17:06 A bit of freight action, eastbound from Las Vegas, New Mexico
18:24 We end with Train #24, the eastbound "Grand Canyon" at Las Vegas, New Mexico. As it pulls away, notice that the second A-unit has an elongated "Warbonnet"-- this is a bit of a rare catch, as only a few of the earliest postwar F3s were painted this way.
Thanks for the commentary!!
I was 5 when this was filmed, I remember Dearborn station, 21st street junction and the ATSF coachyard off Archer ave. I wanted to take the Super chief, but dad said too expensive and too slow. I hope you could add sound in the future.
So many warbonnets 🤩
10:40 - 15:40 would that be the denver - moffat tunnel route?
Nope - This is heading south/west on route to Raton Pass between Colorado and New Mexico
@@jridge16 oh ok, it just looked very similar
Excellent! What quality. Have anymore from Walter Weible?
At 1:41, what is the speed?
Looks like about 88 mph (142 kph). Thanks to Automatic Train Stop, Passenger trains on this stretch were allowed 90 mph (145 kph). That doesn't sound like much today, but in the 1960s that was considered a low-flying jet.
Good stuff! Gotta love war bonnets. Interesr
ting to see a-b units out of order.
Awesome video. Where is Gallinas?
It's about 4 miles east of Wooton, CO (Milepost 647.3 on the current BNSF employee timetable).
Would love to know which SF trains these were; & why one of them seemed to contain an Erie-Lackawanna coach and a Southern Pacific sleeper.
Beautiful footage. I wonder why the passenger trains had so many units though. 5 units for a relatively light train. Seemed like overkill.
HORSE POWER EQUALS SPEED!!
THE F UNITS SHOWN ARE ONLY 1500 HORSEPOWER PER UNIT, YIELDING 7500 TOTAL HORSEPOWER.
THE MODERN SW CHIEF, AMTRAK # 3 AND 4, WITH 2 GENERAL ELECTRIC UNITS OF 4000/4300
HORSEPOWER, YIELDS AN MAXIMUM 8600 HORSEPOWER, WITH FAR BETTER FUEL ECONOMY!
KEEP THEM ROLLING BROTHERS!!👍👍
@@rossbryan6102 They do it today sometimes too. Even on freight trains. I've seen multiple extra units on intermodal trains. The extra units are there for extra speed I suppose. Out west, some of those trains reach 70 mph.