Super Chief

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to research the consist of the mid-1950s Super Chief prior to the combination with the El Capitan. I'm probably new enough at finding information that I'm looking in all the wrong places. I've tried the Sante Fe Railroad Historical Society and Modeling Society web site, but couldn't find anything there. I haven't been able to find what I want to know anywhere else, so I'm asking for help. I have the consist for 1937, but not the types and number (how many) of the engines and cars for the mid-1950s.

I recently found a Walthers model of the observation car for the mid-1950s, and the box shows two F-7A&B units (total of 4 F-7s), a Budd 73' baggage car, a Budd 63' RPO, a Budd "Pine" series 10-6 sleeper, a P-S Pleasure Dome, a P-S 36-seat Diner, a P-S 29-seat Dormitory-Lounge, a P-S 4-4-2 Sleeper, and a P-S "Vista" Series Observation-Lounge.

Does anyone know if that is the correct consist for that era? I would think there would be at least another sleeper or two, and possibly another diner, but I can't find that information. Was another F-7B added for the mountain areas? If engine(s) and/or cars were added or deleted enroute between Chicago to Los Angeles, where were the places this was done? I would think (trying to be logical?) extra cars might be added around major holidays such as Christmas.

Thanks for the help.

Pete

[Anonymous]

Hey Pete
Found this on the railfan forums you might find it interesting
Keep doing research thats a great looking train you can model!
http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=ATSF;action=display;num=1081891703

[Anonymous]

Thanks, "Flyer".

You're right on the Super Chief being a great looking train. I've got several conflicting consist suggestions--a couple of replies, the Walther set, and "Streamliner Pioneers". I'd sure like to be able to talk with someone who was part of the crew. What a book that would make!

I'm posting this for anyone else interested in this question. I've visited the site recommended above, and a two page exchange between two "historians" details each consist from the beginning in 1937 to well into the Amtrak era. The article begins with an acknowledgement of the reference material used--several Santa Fe sources. An explanation of the train and times accompanies the various consists.

Thank you again. That was an excellent source.

Pete

[SSW9389]

Ol' Norman does get into the Santa Fe doesn't he? [8D]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Heartland Flyer

Hey Pete
Found this on the railfan forums you might find it interesting
Keep doing research thats a great looking train you can model!
http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=ATSF;action=display;num=1081891703

[tigerstripe]

There is a special edition of Classic Trains.....Streamliner Pioneers.
The article is about the 1937 version, and shows car types, numbers, &
names. Not sure if this helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to one and all for the helpful information. One of the more complete descriptions was the information on the “Railfan” web site:

http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=ATSF;action=display;num=1081891703

There were excellent comments on the Classic Trains Forums, the Model Railroad General Discussion Forum, and the Model Railroad Prototype Forum. I’m posting this to all three so that no one will miss the link above. I’ve also “distilled” the various posts in the Railfan Forum—there were some comments by others in the middle of Norm Anderson’s post, and he had to post the original message in several parts—so I’ve reduced it to his full story and his list of reference material. If anyone is interested, please send me an e-mail, and I will reply with the story as an attachment. It prints out to nine (9) pages.

I’ve chosen to concentrate on the consist used from 1951-1956. After 1956, the Super Chief and the El Capitan were combined, and some of the eastern cars were added. Here is basically the consist as Norm presented it:

“INTO THE '50s...


Just three years later (the 1948 equipment likely hadn't even been paid-off yet!) Santa Fe decided to again re-equip the Super Chief with brand-new equipment. The big news for this 1951 upgrade was the arrival of six "Turquoise Room/Pleasure Dome Lounge Cars" from Pullman-Standard. For nearly four years, these would be the only Domes into Los Angeles. Unlike most Domes before and since, which offered two-and-two seating in the upstairs Dome area, the Pleasure domes provided extra-wide, swiveling individual seats under glass. This Parlor-Car approach to Dome seating was unique to these six cars. Downstairs, the cars contained a main lounge area in the "long end", a serving bar in the "step-down" area underneath the Dome, and even boasted a private dining room (billed as "The Turquoise Room") which could be reserved in advance for private dinner parties of up to twelve guests. Pullman-Standard also provided seven companion Diners for this service. Over the next twenty years, right up to the advent of Amtrak in 1971, these Diners (Nos. 600 - 606) were paired with the Pleasure Domes, and were never, ever assigned to any other Santa Fe service. Operationally, the Pleasure Domes were run "long-end-forward", so that the Turquoise Room in the "short end" would be positioned right next to the Diner, which was operated "kitchen-forward".


"Typical" Super Chief Consist, 1951 - 1956

38L EMD F-7A Locomotive [Number Boards read "38"]
38A EMD F-7B Locomotive
38B EMD F-7B Locomotive
38C EMD F-7A Locomotive [Number Boards read "38C"]
3415 Baggage Car
83 Railway Post Office
1385 San Pascal Baggage/Barber Shop/Buffet Lounge Car
Palm Top Sleeping Car-- (10 Roomettes, 6 Double Bedrooms)
Pine Arroyo Sleeping Car-- (10 Roomettes, 6 Double bedrooms)
Regal Corps Sleeping Car-- (4 Compartments, 2 Drawing Rooms, 4 double Bedrooms)
502 Turquoise Room/Pleasure Dome Lounge Car
605 Fred Harvey Dining Car
1395 Dormitory/Club Lounge Car
Regal Hunt Sleeping Car-- (4 Compartments, 2 Drawing Rooms, 4 Double Bedrooms)
Regal Manor Sleeping Car-- (4 Compartments, 2 Drawing Rooms, 4 double Bedrooms)
Palm Lore Sleeping Car-- (10 Roomettes, 6 Double Bedrooms)
Vista Club Observation Lounge Car-- (4 Drawing Rooms, 1 Double Bedroom)

This would be the last major upgrade for the Super Chief, and likely represents the high-water-mark for this service. Indeed, the six Pleasure domes and seven companion Diners would be the last new equipment delivered to Santa Fe by Pullman-Standard, although ACF and Budd would continue to supply new cars into 1964.”

I realize this post is a little longer than I had planned, but I thought you might enjoy Norm’s commentary on that period as well as the consist. Again, thanks to all of you who were so helpful. I’m constantly amazed at the vast sources of information all of you possess. You remind me how much I have to learn.

Pete

[Don Gibson]

I'M NOT a Historian but rode the Santa Fe a number of times - San Diegan, El Capitan, Super Chief., Golden Gate, and do model AT&SF.

NORMAL CONSIST'S:(Sreamlined) Baggage, RPO, Sleeper's, P,Dome, Diner, Sleeper's, Observation . How many 'Sleeper' s and drawing room's depended on the season and booking's. Somewhere in there was A dormitory quarters for the crew..

PULLING POWER (Steamlined) was
E-1AB with helpers-
FT ABBA with helpers (Wartime) E-1's went to Surfeline
F-3ABBA - helper (Raton) FT's returned to freight duty
F-7ABBA
FP-45's;(2)
ALCO PABA's were largly assigned to the El Cap. and Grand Canyon, but filled in on occasion. They ended up doing the Surf line, I can't suppli exact dates .

Box cabs 'Amos & Andy started their career's pulling the Super' but only until the ''Concept' E-1's with their red War Bonnet's were released. This GM design became the Santa Fe' Standard Emblem for passenger equipment..

Side note: In contrast to preseny day U.P., Santa Fe went to model.train maker LIONEL, to ask them to produce a model of their war bonnet. F3. No liscensing,

[randybc2003]

My time on the i-net is limited, but I refer you to:
ttp://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=MR&MO=8&YR=1993&output=3&sort=A
http://www.atsfrr.com/resources/Hoffman/Super%20Chief.htm
M.R. ran an article on the Super Chief in August '93. Pictures, diagrams, consists, etc. There was a lounge/dorm car behind the diner for the crew, and for passengers to wait until dinner was served. A barbershop was in that car too.
I have seen consists lists on the Historical Soc. Web Site. Search Again
Hurredly,
R.B.C. - good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

If you can find it look at the book called SOME CLASSIC TRAINS