Jump to content


Photo

Amtrak "Special" with Steam!


4 replies to this topic

#1 TVRM610

TVRM610

    Engineer

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,169 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Chattanooga TN

Posted 09 March 2012 - 10:33 PM

So I just bought my ticket for the Grand Canyon Limited today. Was wondering if anyone else is excited about this? Departing May 14 from Los Angeles Union Station, arrives Williams Arizona for a trip on the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, and then returns. This is beyond a rare opportunity.

The train will be led by the 85 year old ATSF #3751, a 4-8-4 steam locomotive. The train will also include 2 Amtrak p-42's, and an amtrak horizon cafe car, plus a whole lot of privately owned heritage cars including 7 dome cars. Yes I might be foaming a little bit but seriously, this is a pretty remarkable trip.

Lots of information at www.trantrips.biz, and yes this is technically an amtrak train. Anyone else going?
Cardinal, California Zephyr, Crescent, City of New Orleans, Carolinian, Empire Builder, Capitol, Lake Shore Limited, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Texas Eagle, Illinois Zephyr, Keystone Line, Pennsylvanian, NE Regional, Pacific Surfliner, Talgo Service and Acela Express.

#2 The Davy Crockett

The Davy Crockett

    Engineer

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,942 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:ALX
  • Interests:The Rails, US History, The Great Outdoors, Good Food

Posted 10 March 2012 - 09:02 AM

Yes I might be foaming a little bit but seriously, this is a pretty remarkable trip.

...and yes this is technically an amtrak train. Anyone else going?


They call it an "Amtrak special train." So foamers now ride the 'special' train? :giggle: Wish I could ride it. :angry:

The trip has an interesting, convoluted background. It took a while for all parties to sign off on it, and it is still not 'officially' happening, but that seems to be just a technicality at this point. The original trip included operations in and out of Phoenix, but due to a lack of suitable infrastructure there, and concerns about operating an 86 year old steam engine on BNSF's transcon, those plans were dropped.

Looks like a great trip! :wub: ENJOY!
I wish I was a headlight on a northbound train.

#3 Steve4031

Steve4031

    Engineer

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,634 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Chicago
  • Interests:Riding Trains Often!!

Posted 10 March 2012 - 10:40 AM

This sounds great. Just wish I could be there.

#4 WhoozOn1st

WhoozOn1st

    Engineer

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 4,143 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Southern California

Posted 12 March 2012 - 02:25 AM

Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 3751, and the excursion train, will be on display for National Train Day L.A. at Union Station on 5-12, two days before departure. Team Whooz expects to have some fun chasing the eastbound run.



Posted Image

Team Whooz Executive Director WhoozOn1st with Santa Fe No. 3751 at San Diego, 6-1-08.


WhoozOn1st
See! Whooz Train Video Asylum "It's Raileriffic!!" Now over 300 Steam, Electric, and Diesel clips!
Enjoy! Whooz Rail SmugShots & Videos New & Improved: New Pics & Vids added daily!
Peruse! Whooz Picasa Memory Lane is a nice drive.

#5 gswager

gswager

    Engineer

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,575 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Portales, NM
  • Interests:mountain recreations, scuba diving, Christian,

Posted 13 March 2012 - 12:17 AM

After the police failed to harass you in the picture? :rolleyes:
Entire length in segments- Southwest Chief (LSV-LAX & CHI-LSV), Pacific Surfliner (SLO-LAX & LAX-SAN) & San Joaquin (Oakland stub)
Entire length, end to end- Lake Shore Limited (Boston stub) (11/09), Downeaster (11/09) & Coast Starlight (10/11)
Partial- California Zephyr (SLC-EMY), Hiawatha, Cascades (SEA-PDX) & Acela (BOS-PVD)



Reply to this topic



  


0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users