Yup, it's me. Here's my email: mheilmann57702@gmail.com
That's me! My email's mheilmann57702@gmail.com.
Hey Mark. Did you perchance work at Ellsworth AFB in the late 80s? I retired from the Bomb Nav shop there in June of 90.
Don, thanks for the update. I too wish I'd had my camera. I remember very well the open dutch door at 70+ mph in the dark across Kansas.
Mark, Seagrams 7, Class of '71
I remember the trip well. We departed USAFA on the Friday prior to the game at Soldier Field. Two ATSF trains were leased for the trip. The first train, which I rode, was equipped with ATSF's hi level El Capitan cars and pulled by no less than 3 U28CGs! Wish I had taken my camera for that one. The second train was a bit more conventional and had a brace of ATSF stainless steel coaches and was pulled by F units. It was a great trip and I remember standing in the open door of our car, top door of the Dutch type doors open, whilst the train zipped along at better than 70mph, according to the conductor, somewhere around Galesburg, IL. AF won the game 26 - 20. My uncle, a Navy vet, took me to the Boulevard Room following the game for a great meal and entertainment.
Don, Seagrams 7, Class of 70.
I don't have any specific information about your trip, but here's my guess given what you recall. Since your went into Dearborn Station in Chicago, that probably means you were on the Sante Fe. From the Academy your special cars would have gone south to Pueblo, Colorado and probably been attached to one of the many trains from there to Chicago. Maybe this will help stimulate some who actually have some knowledge.
During fall '68 or '69 while attending the the US Air Force Academy, the Air Force chartered at least one Santa Fe passenger train to transport the cadets to Chicago for the Air Force-Navy football game at Soldier Field. Does anyone have any details regarding this trip? My recollections are sketchy at best, but I do recall boarding at the Academy, racing across Kansas at night, and arrival at Dearborn Station, marching to Soldier Field, and returning. Thanks!
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