Galveston Chief

Great trip to Galveston last Saturday from Houston! The train was a special operated for the Galveston Railroad Museum's official grand re-opening since Hurricane Ike devastated it. The train consisted of mostly private cars, an Amfleet coach, and a BNSF executive car. Power was two restored F-units in warbonnet scheme and an Amtrak unit. The F-units led the train and then remained as part of the museum exhibit.

The route was the former Santa Fe line to Galveston. The TEXAS LIMITED train that operated in the 1990s used the former GH&H line.

Galveston was once served by the Katy, Missouri Pacific (I&GN), Southern Pacific (T&NO), and Santa Fe. Santa Fe was the last passenger carrier in 1967.

Oooooh! Wish I could have been there for that trip!

I'm not not familiar with the location of the routes you mentioned - did they use the line that parallels I-45?

The former Santa Fe line (now BNSF) is to the west of I-45.

The former GH&H line (now UP) is to the east of I-45.

Neither is in sight of I-45 except right before crossing the viaduct to Galveston Island.