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For other uses, see Super Chief (disambiguation).
A view of the Super Chief being serviced at the Albuquerque, New Mexico depot in March of 1943. Note the presence of a headlight "blackout shield" (a wartime Civil Defense requirement as the train operated in the Pacific Coast region).
A view of the Super Chief being serviced at the Albuquerque, New Mexico depot in March of 1943. Note the presence of a headlight "blackout shield" (a wartime Civil Defense requirement as the train operated in the Pacific Coast region). Civil defense or civil defence (see spelling differences) is an effort to prepare Civilians for Military attack The " West Coast " " Western Seaboard " or " Pacific Seaboard " are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the Western United States
"Drumhead" logos such as these often adorned the ends of observation cars on the Super Chief.
"Drumhead" logos such as these often adorned the ends of observation cars on the Super Chief. The term drumhead refers to a type of removable sign that was prevalent on North American railroads of the first half of the 20th century
A quartet of EMD FT locomotives powers train No. 17, the Super Chief, west of Trinidad, Colorado on September 1, 1946.
A quartet of EMD FT locomotives powers train No. The EMD FT was a Diesel-electric locomotive produced between November 1939 and November 1945 by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division (the "F" 17, the Super Chief, west of Trinidad, Colorado on September 1, 1946. The historic City of Trinidad is a Home Rule Municipality that is the County seat and the most populous city of Las Animas County, Colorado Events 462 - Possible start of first Byzantine indiction cycle. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The Super Chief was one of the named passenger trains and the flagship of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. In the history of Rail transport, dating back to the 19th Century there have been literally hundreds of named passenger trains. A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along a track ( Permanent way) to transport freight or passengers from one place to another flagship is the lead ship in a fleet of vessels a designation given on account of being either the largest fastest newest most heavily armed or for publicity purposes the most well The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. It was often referred to as "The Train of the Stars" because of the many celebrities who traveled on the streamliner between Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West

The streamlined Super Chief (assigned train Nos. 17 & 18) was the first Diesel-powered, all-Pullman sleeping car train in America, and it eclipsed the Chief as Santa Fe's standard bearer. A Diesel locomotive is a type of Railroad Locomotive in which the prime mover is a Diesel engine. Pullman Porter redirects here For the 1919 film starring Fatty Arbuckle, see The Pullman Porter The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making The Chief was one of the named passenger trains of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The extra-fare Super Chief-1 commenced its maiden run from Dearborn Station in Chicago on May 12, 1936. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Just over a year later, on May 18, 1937 the much-improved Super Chief-2 traversed the 2,227. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 3 miles (3,584. A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States 5 kilometers) from Los Angeles over recently upgraded tracks in just 39 hours and 49 minutes (averaging 60. The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand 8 miles-per-hour (98. 0 km/h), often exceeding 100 miles-per-hour in the process).

From that day forward the Super Chief set a new standard for luxury rail travel in America. With only one set of equipment, the train initially operated but once a week from both Chicago and Los Angeles. However, at the height of its popularity, and with added equipment, the trains of the Super Chief made daily departures from both ends of the line. Adding to the train's mystique were its gourmet meals and Hollywood clientèle.

Direct competitors to the Super Chief during its lifetime were the City of Los Angeles, a streamlined passenger train jointly operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway and the Union Pacific Railroad, and (to a lesser extent) the Golden State, a streamlined passenger train jointly operated by the Rock Island and Southern Pacific railroads. The City of Los Angeles was a streamlined Passenger train that ran between Chicago Illinois and Los Angeles California, via Omaha Nebraska The Golden State was a named Passenger train jointly operated by the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific (RI and Southern Pacific Santa Fe's route from Chicago to Los Angeles was the lengthiest of the high-speed, long distance trains of the day, making its way through mostly sparsely populated areas (which enhanced the train's already distinctive aura). The Santa Fe Super Chief was the next to last passenger train in the United States to carry an all-Pullman consist, only the Pennsylvania Railroad's Broadway Limited survived longer. The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Railroad, founded in 1846 The Broadway Limited was the Pennsylvania Railroad 's (PRR premier named passenger train operating one train daily in either direction between New York The train maintained its legendary high level of service until the end of Santa Fe passenger operations on May 1, 1971. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar.

When Amtrak took over operation of the nation's passenger service on May 1, 1971 it ended the 35-year run of the Super Chief on the Santa Fe, though Amtrak would continue to use the name along the same route for another three years. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Doing business as Amtrak, is a Government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971 Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. In 1974 the Santa Fe forced Amtrak to drop the train's name due to a perceived decline in service. Amtrak replaced the train over the same route with its Southwest Limited. The name Southwest Limited has been used by the following American passenger trains: a Chicago-Los Angeles train operated by Amtrak, and now known as the Following the delivery of new Superliner equipment, the Santa Fe compromised with Amtrak and the train became known as the Southwest Chief in 1984. The Southwest Chief (formerly the Southwest Limited) is a Passenger train operated by Amtrak along a 2256-mile (3631-km route through

Contents

History

Timeline

A print ad from the 1950s promoting the "new" Super Chief.
A print ad from the 1950s promoting the "new" Super Chief. The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive
The logo of the Super Chief.
The logo of the Super Chief.


Equipment used

The first motive power set on Super Chief-1 consisted of a pair of blunt-nosed, diesel-electric units (EMD 1800 hp B-B) designated as Nos. Electro-Motive Corporation (later Electro-Motive Division produced five 1800 hp B-B experimental Passenger train -hauling Diesel locomotives in 1 and 1A. Santa Fe employees quickly hung the nicknames "One-Spot Twins" and "Amos & Andy" (from the popular radio show of the day) on the units, which were always paired and ran back-to-back. Amos 'n' Andy was a situation comedy based on Stereotypes of African-Americans and popular in the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s In a little over a year the EMD E1, a new and improved 3,600 hp (2. The EMD E1 was an early passenger-train Diesel locomotive developing 1800 hp with an A1A-A1A Wheel arrangement, and manufactured by General 7 MW) streamlined diesel-electric locomotive set (one hood unit and the other a cabless booster unit) would be pulling Super Chief consists. A locomotive is a railway Vehicle that provides the motive power for a Train.

A variety of state-of-the-art locomotives (including ALCO PAs, EMD E6s, FTs, F3s, F7s, and FP45s, along with Santa Fe's only ALCO DL-109/110s and FM Erie-built units) would make their appearances on the line in the succeeding years. ALCO PA refers to a family of A1A-A1A Diesel locomotives built to haul Passenger trains built in Schenectady New York in the United The EMD E6 was a, A1A-A1A, passenger train Locomotive manufactured by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division of La Grange Illinois The EMD FT was a Diesel-electric locomotive produced between November 1939 and November 1945 by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division (the "F" The EMD F3 was a, B-B Freight -hauling Diesel locomotive produced between July 1945 and February 1949 by General Motors The EMD F7 was a, B-B Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1949 and December 1953 by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division The EMD FP45 is a Cowl unit type of C-C Diesel locomotive produced in the United States by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. The ALCO DL-109 is one of six models of A1A-A1A Diesel locomotives built to haul passenger trains by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO between The ALCO DL-109 is one of six models of A1A-A1A Diesel locomotives built to haul passenger trains by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO between The Erie-built was the first streamlined cab-equipped dual service Diesel locomotive built by Fairbanks-Morse, introduced as direct competition to such models as All wore the now-familiar Warbonnet paint scheme devised by Leland Knickerbocker of the GM "Art and Color Section" that debuted on the Super Chief-2. General Motors Corporation ( GM) ( is a multinational automobile manufacturer founded in 1908 and headquartered in the United States.

The Super Chief-1's mostly-heavyweight original consist included:

In May 1937, the heavyweight equipment used on the Super Chief was replaced with all lightweight stainless steel cars built by the Budd Company (the heavyweight cars were placed back in service with the Chief). This article is about railroad equipment For other cars see Automobile and Wiktionary definition of passenger car. A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a An observation car/carriage/coach (often abbreviated to simply observation) is a type of Railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This article is about railroad equipment For other cars see Automobile and Wiktionary definition of passenger car. In Metallurgy, stainless steel is defined as a Steel Alloy with a minimum of 11 The Budd Company (now ThyssenKrupp Budd) is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the Automobile industry For the new lightweight train (the Super Chief-2), the equipment used was as follows:

The cramped, yet efficient galley aboard former Santa Fe dining car #1474, the Cochiti. The car (now restored to its mid-1940s condition) made its debut as a part of the Super Chief-2's inaugural consist.
The cramped, yet efficient galley aboard former Santa Fe dining car #1474, the Cochiti. A galley (from Greek γαλέα - galea is an ancient Ship which can be propelled entirely by human oarsmen, used for Warfare A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a The car (now restored to its mid-1940s condition) made its debut as a part of the Super Chief-2's inaugural consist. The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949 Events and trends The 1940s was a period between the radical 1930s and the conservative 1950s which also leads the period to be

The sleeping cars in this consist were operated by Pullman but were owned by the Santa Fe. The EMD E1 was an early passenger-train Diesel locomotive developing 1800 hp with an A1A-A1A Wheel arrangement, and manufactured by General In the United States a railway post office, commonly abbreviated as RPO, was a Railroad car that was normally operated in passenger service as a means to sort The San Diegan was one of the named passenger trains of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and a " Workhorse " of A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento is a tribute to the role of the " Iron horse " in connecting California to the rest of the An observation car/carriage/coach (often abbreviated to simply observation) is a type of Railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train Pullman Porter redirects here For the 1919 film starring Fatty Arbuckle, see The Pullman Porter The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The car names were chosen to commemorate the Native American tribes, pueblos, and cities found along the railroad's route. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States Pueblos are traditional communities of Native Americans in the southwestern United States of America.

On February 26, 1938 the consist was modified somewhat:

The railroad also added another trainset (the Super Chief-2½) utilizing sleeping cars borrowed from the Chief in order to handle the high demand for passage aboard the train. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 1938 ( MCMXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The EMD E1 was an early passenger-train Diesel locomotive developing 1800 hp with an A1A-A1A Wheel arrangement, and manufactured by General A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a An observation car/carriage/coach (often abbreviated to simply observation) is a type of Railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along a track ( Permanent way) to transport freight or passengers from one place to another Its original consist was as follows:

One of five All Aboard! 20th Century American Trains commemorative stamps issued by the USPS in August, 1999. Here, Locomotive #6 (an EMD E1 unit) is seen painted in the Super Chief's distinctive Warbonnet livery.
One of five All Aboard! 20th Century American Trains commemorative stamps issued by the USPS in August, 1999. In August 1999 the United States Postal Service issued a set of 33¢ postage stamps entitled All Aboard! 20th Century American Trains to " pay tribute to Here, Locomotive #6 (an EMD E1 unit) is seen painted in the Super Chief's distinctive Warbonnet livery. The EMD E1 was an early passenger-train Diesel locomotive developing 1800 hp with an A1A-A1A Wheel arrangement, and manufactured by General

On July 2 of that year the permanent Super Chief-3 consist was established:

Beginning in 1947, a typical Super Chief consist:

Santa Fe #19L, leading the Super Chief, comes to rest after smashing through a concrete barrier at Los Angeles Union Station in January, 1948.
Santa Fe #19L, leading the Super Chief, comes to rest after smashing through a concrete barrier at Los Angeles Union Station in January, 1948. Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The EMD FT was a Diesel-electric locomotive produced between November 1939 and November 1945 by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division (the "F" A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a An observation car/carriage/coach (often abbreviated to simply observation) is a type of Railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

A typical Super Chief consist from 1948 to 1951:

*NOTE: The nineteen "10-2-3" sleepers in the Blue series had a floorplan configuration unique to the Santa Fe. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January The EMD F3 was a, B-B Freight -hauling Diesel locomotive produced between July 1945 and February 1949 by General Motors A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making Dormitory typically refers in the United States to residence halls which are sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a An observation car/carriage/coach (often abbreviated to simply observation) is a type of Railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train

In the 1940s and into the '50s, the Super Chief occasionally interchanged sleepers with other railroads in order to provide "coast-to-coast" sleeping car service. The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949 Events and trends The 1940s was a period between the radical 1930s and the conservative 1950s which also leads the period to be The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive In those instances, sleepers from eastern connections would take the place of Regal– or Pine–series cars:

A typical Super Chief consist from 1951 to 1956:

A typical Super Chief consist from the early 1960s (all-Pullman section):

A typical Super Chief consist from the late 1960s (combined with El Capitan):

The combined Super Chief / El Capitan, led by locomotive #44C (an EMD F7 sporting Santa Fe's classic Warbonnet paint scheme) pulls into Track 10 at Los Angeles' Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) on September 24, 1966.
The combined Super Chief / El Capitan, led by locomotive #44C (an EMD F7 sporting Santa Fe's classic Warbonnet paint scheme) pulls into Track 10 at Los Angeles' Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) on September 24, 1966. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The EMD F7 was a, B-B Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1949 and December 1953 by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. In the United States a railway post office, commonly abbreviated as RPO, was a Railroad car that was normally operated in passenger service as a means to sort A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making A dome car is a type of Railway passenger car that has a glass Dome on the top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a Dormitory typically refers in the United States to residence halls which are sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for An observation car/carriage/coach (often abbreviated to simply observation) is a type of Railroad passenger car, generally operated in a passenger train The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 The EMD F7 was a, B-B Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1949 and December 1953 by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making A dome car is a type of Railway passenger car that has a glass Dome on the top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a El Capitan was one of the named passenger trains of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The EMD FP45 is a Cowl unit type of C-C Diesel locomotive produced in the United States by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. The EMD F7 was a, B-B Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1949 and December 1953 by General Motors ' Electro-Motive Division Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar.

The "Hollywood mystique"

A magazine ad extols the many virtues of traveling aboard the Santa Fe's Super Chief, "The Train of the Stars."
A magazine ad extols the many virtues of traveling aboard the Santa Fe's Super Chief, "The Train of the Stars. A baggage car (US terminology or luggage van (UK terminology is a type of Rail transport passenger car. Dormitory typically refers in the United States to residence halls which are sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for A Railway coach &mdash also known especially in the UK, as a railway carriage &mdash is a passenger car designed for the conveyance of passengers A lounge car (sometimes referred to as a buffet lounge, buffet car or club car is a type of passenger car on a train where riders can purchase food and drinks The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad passenger car that can accommodate all its passengers in beds of one kind or another primarily for the purpose of making A dome car is a type of Railway passenger car that has a glass Dome on the top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a "

The world-famous Super Chief was an almost-instant success among travelers who appreciated its modern, air conditioned equipment, high amenity levels, and smooth ride, all of which lent the train a certain "snob appeal. " The train was staffed with top-of-the-line crews who were ingrained with the best traditions of the railroad, and not only drew passengers from competing railroads but from other Santa Fe trains such as the Chief as well. Patrons took pleasure in the ability to ". . . Travel Santa Fe — all the way" to their destinations without the need to change trains, or at least railroads, en route.

The Super Chief quickly became "the" train to ride between Chicago and Los Angeles, much as New York Central's 20th Century Limited was the favored travel option of the time for the East Coast-bound. The New York Central Railroad, known simply as the New York Central in its publicity was a Railroad operating in the Northeastern United States. The 20th Century Limited was an express Passenger train operated by the New York Central Railroad from 1902 to 1967 during which time it would become known To acquaint passengers with the various points-of-interest located along the route, Santa Fe constructed a series of seven signs marking such notable features as the Continental Divide and Raton Pass. A continental divide is a line of elevated Terrain which forms a border between two watersheds such that Water falling on one side of the line eventually Raton Pass (7834 feet or 2388 meters elevation is a Mountain pass on the Santa Fe Trail along the Colorado - New Mexico border in the

Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his "sidekick" Mortimer Snerd pose in the cab of Santa Fe #51L, lead locomotive on the Super Chief, in 1946. The unit was one of several placed on public display at Los Angeles' Exposition Park prior to entering regular service.
Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his "sidekick" Mortimer Snerd pose in the cab of Santa Fe #51L, lead locomotive on the Super Chief, in 1946. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The unit was one of several placed on public display at Los Angeles' Exposition Park prior to entering regular service. Exposition Park is located in University Park Los Angeles California, across the street from the University of Southern California.

In the mid-1940s, company president Fred G. Gurley went to great lengths to solicit business from California's motion picture industry. The 1940s decade ran from 1940 to 1949 Events and trends The 1940s was a period between the radical 1930s and the conservative 1950s which also leads the period to be Fred G Gurley (1889 &ndash July 4 1976) was president and executive committee chairman of Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. To that end, a passenger agent was located in Hollywood specifically for the purpose of maintaining close contact with the movie studios. Furthermore, the train stopped at the Pasadena station solely for the purpose of allowing celebrities the opportunity to board or disembark away from the "hustle and bustle" of Los Angeles' Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT). Pasadena ( is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. When the Santa Fe was notified that a particular celebrity was going to be traveling on board the Super Chief, a press release was issued to allow the media the opportunity to interview and photograph the star.

In time, the passenger list would resemble a veritable "who's who" of Hollywood stars: Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, James Cagney, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby (to name but a few) all rode the Super Chief. Richard Burton, CBE (10 November 1925 &ndash 5 August 1984 was a Welsh multiple award-winning Actor. Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award -winning English-American actress Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7 1917 &ndash December 25 1995 was an American Singer, Film Actor, television personality Jerry Lewis (born March 16, 1926) is an American Comedian, award-winning actor producer writer and director best-known for his slapstick Desi Arnaz (born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III) ( March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986) was a Cuban American Lucille Ball (August 6 1911 – April 26 1989 was an American comedienne, film television stage and radio Actress, model, film James Francis Cagney Jr ( July 17, 1899 &ndash March 30, 1986) was an Academy Award -winning American Film Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10 1922 – June 22 1969 was an American actress and singer Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular The train's appeal was not limited to those in the entertainment industry, though, as it also played host to Ronald Reagan, former presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and their wives. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general

Three for Bedroom "C"

Silent film star Gloria Swanson and actor James Warren in a scene from the 1952 Warner Bros. film Three for Bedroom "C", shot on board the Super Chief.
Silent film star Gloria Swanson and actor James Warren in a scene from the 1952 Warner Bros. film Three for Bedroom "C", shot on board the Super Chief. Gloria Swanson (March 27 1899 – April 4 1983 was an Academy Award -nominated Golden Globe -winning American Hollywood James Warren ( February 24, 1913 – March 28, 2001) was an American film actor and artist Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and

In June, 1952, Warner Bros. Pictures released Three for Bedroom "C", a romantic comedy starring Gloria Swanson, James Warren, Fred Clark, Hans Conried, and Steve Brodie. Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and Three for Bedroom "C" (sometimes written as 3 for Bedroom "C") is a 1952 Comedy film released by Warner Gloria Swanson (March 27 1899 – April 4 1983 was an Academy Award -nominated Golden Globe -winning American Hollywood James Warren ( February 24, 1913 – March 28, 2001) was an American film actor and artist Frederick Leonard Clark (March 19 1914 &ndash December 5 1968 was an American Film Character actor. Hans Conried ( April 15, 1917 – January 5, 1982) was a comic Character actor and Voice actor. Steve Brodie ( November 21, 1919 – January 9, 1992) was an American movie and television actor born John In the film, an aging movie star (Swanson) hides out in a compartment during a cross-country journey from New York to Los Angeles aboard the Super Chief.

Swanson's first color film also bears the distinction of being one of very few to be shot entirely aboard actual railroad equipment. Santa Fe transported actual passenger cars from the Super Chief to the production company's studio lot for filming. The film met with lukewarm reviews and was not, as had been hoped, a financial success. It did, however, nicely showcase the many features of the Super Chief, which many train buffs feel is the real star of the motion picture.

Honeymoon and Murder on the Super Chief

Is a short story by Woodrow W. Walker, former movie stuntman turned private detective Buck Ames marries his stuntwoman girlfriend Helen Davis. They board the Super Chief for their honeymoon and find a murder.

Dining aboard the Super Chief

The pantry aboard former Santa Fe dining car #1474, the Cochiti. Over a million meals were served in the car, which remained in service through the late 1960s.
The pantry aboard former Santa Fe dining car #1474, the Cochiti. A pantry is a room where Food, provisions or dishes are stored and served in an ancillary capacity to the Kitchen. Over a million meals were served in the car, which remained in service through the late 1960s. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969

Most railroads began offering some form of meal service on their trains as an alternate to the poor fare typically found at trackside establishments even before the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad. This article refers to a railroad built in the United States between Omaha and Sacramento completed in 1869 By the mid-1880s, dedicated dining cars were a normal part of all long-distance train consists departing from Chicago for points westward, save for those of the Santa Fe, who relied on America's first interstate network of restaurants to feed its passengers en route. Events and Trends Technology Development and commercial production of Electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered A dining car (American English or restaurant car (British English also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. The legendary "Harvey Houses," located strategically along the line, served top-quality meals to railroad patrons during water stops and other planned layovers and were favored over in-transit facilities for all trains operating west of Kansas City. The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace Kansas and Hugo Colorado on the Kansas Kansas City Missouri only Items for the metro area Kansas City Kansas or North Kansas City MO should go on their respective pages

The Super Chief included dining cars, staffed by Fred Harvey Company personnel, as part of its standard consist from the outset. In general, the Super Chief operated 36-seat dining cars, although most of them were convertible to 48-seat dining cars with a flip-top (or change of) table and addition of chairs. Dining cars almost always operated with a lounge car coupled to them for bar-lounge service and a waiting area when the dining car was full. Unlike the Union Pacific "City" trains, the Super Chief and other Santa Fe trains did not use the "twin-unit" dining cars. Santa Fe, in general, ran somewhat shorter trains that could be serviced with a single dining car (although the heavyweight trains frequently operated in several sections, the streamlined trains generally did not). The height of Super Chief lounge and dining facilities came in 1951 with the new 600-series Dining Cars bracketed by the 500 series Pleasure Domes in front and a bar-lounge-dormitory unit in back (moved from the front of the trains). The train still operated with the Vista-series 4 Drawing Room, 1 double bedroom observation cars on the rear, albeit without any bar or buffet service.

The bar-lounge cars next to the diner always included dormitory space for the train crew (a staff of 3-4 cooks and 6-7 stewards) required for the two-night and one day trip. The eight Pullmans on the train had a capacity of between 150 and 200 passengers when full but often ran with single occupancy rooms, making the passenger load less.

When Santa Fe rolled out its new "Pleasure Dome"-Lounge cars in 1951, the railroad introduced the traveling public to the Turquoise Room, promoted as "The only private dining room in the world on rails. A dome car is a type of Railway passenger car that has a glass Dome on the top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January " The room accommodated 12 guests, and could be reserved anytime for private dinner or cocktail parties, or other special functions. The room was often used by the era's celebrities and dignitaries while traveling on the Super Chief. As was the case on other railroads, dining car service proved to be a losing proposition financially. Santa Fe, more than any of its competitors, took the concept of using onboard meal service as a "loss leader" to the highest level in order to attract and retain customers. Consequently, the name Super Chief became synonymous with the finest fare available on wheels.

Menu

The Continental cuisine offered aboard the Super Chief went beyond the typical American fare found on other trains, and often rivaled that served in many five-star restaurants, befitting the train's upscale clientele. A "Wake-Up Cup" of coffee was brought to one's private bedroom each morning, on request, a service exclusive to the Super Chief. Breakfast and lunch were served à la carte, while dinner could be ordered either à la carte or table d'hôte. À la carte or a la carte (a la kart is a French expression meaning "from the card" and it is used in Restaurant Terminology Table d'hôte is a French Phrase which literally means "host's table"

The elaborate dinner offerings generally included caviar and other gourmet delicacies, cold salads, grilled and sauteéd fish, sirloin steaks and filet mignon, lamb chops, and the like. Caviar is the processed, Salted Roe of certain species of Fish, most notably the Sturgeon ( black caviar) and the For the truly discerning palates, elegant champagne dinners were also an option. Champagne is a Sparkling wine produced by inducing the in-bottle Secondary fermentation of Wine to effect Carbonation. Ironically, one of the Super Chief's most popular signature dishes was the AT&SF version of pain perdue, simply and appropriately named Santa Fe French Toast.

Mimbreño china

The decor, linens, and other dining car accoutrements reflected the same Southwestern flair that was prevalent throughout the rest of the train. The Southwestern area of the United States could be defined as the states west of the Mississippi River, with the qualification of a certain northern limit such as the 37 Mary Colter (architect, Indian art expert, and 35-year veteran of the Fred Harvey Company) designed the china and silverware used on the Super Chief. Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter ( April 4 1869 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania &ndash January 8 1958) was an American architect An architect is a licensed individual who leads a design team in the Planning and Design of buildings and participates in oversight of Building Construction Colter, who also designed the interiors of Fred Harvey’s opulent La Fonda, La Posada, and El Tovar hotels, based her dinnerware motif on the Native American pictographs of animals and geometric patterns left behind on clay pots by the ancient inhabitants of the Rio Mimbres Valley in southwestern New Mexico, around 1100 A.D.. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States A pictogram ( also spelled pictogramme) or pictograph is a Symbol representing a Concept, object, activity place or event Pottery is the Ceramic ware made by potters It also refers to a group of materials that includes Earthenware, Stoneware New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America.

The "Mimbreño" pattern was produced between 1936 and 1970 by the Onondaga Pottery Co. of Syracuse, New York under its better-known trade name, Syracuse China. Syracuse (locally ˈsɛrəkjuːs sometimes ˈsɪrəkjuːs or /ˈsɪərəkjuːs/ by non-natives is a city in Central New York, USA. The bottoms carried the inscription "Made expressly for Santa Fe Dining Car Service. " These distinctive pieces made their debut on the dining car Cochiti in 1937. Used on the Super Chief and other named trains until the end of Santa Fe passenger service in 1971, original Mimbreño dinnerware can still be found today in service on BNSF Railway business cars. The BNSF Railway headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the four remaining Transcontinental railroads and one of the largest railroad networks in

Mimbreño has been dubbed "the oldest of all railroad china" as its design concept dates back nearly ten centuries. Demand for surviving original pieces has created a substantial collector's market, and led to the issuance of authorized reproductions in recent years.

Trivia

References

See also

External links

A map depicting the "Grand Canyon Route" of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway circa 1901.
A map depicting the "Grand Canyon Route" of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway circa 1901. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting
May 19, 1937: Train No. 17, the Super Chief-2, in the midst of its first revenue run with new stainless steel cars. Photographed east of Trinidad, Colorado.
May 19, 1937: Train No. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 17, the Super Chief-2, in the midst of its first revenue run with new stainless steel cars. In Metallurgy, stainless steel is defined as a Steel Alloy with a minimum of 11 Photographed east of Trinidad, Colorado. The historic City of Trinidad is a Home Rule Municipality that is the County seat and the most populous city of Las Animas County, Colorado
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