El Capitan was one of the named passenger trains of the Santa Fe railroad and second only to the Super Chief in terms of popularity and level of service provided. Its route ran from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California.
This all-coach, streamlined train began operations in February 1938 in response to the Pennsylvania Railroad's Trail Blazer which offered "low-cost passage with high-speed convenience." Santa Fe's extra-fare all-day coach train operated on Super Chief schedules and required the acquisition of two new Budd-built trains of five cars each out of lightweight stainless steel. Each of the two luxury trains were be capable of accommodating 188 passengers for a mere $5.00 upcharge over the price of a ticket on the Chief. El Capitan was the first of Santa Fe's trains to utilize the "Big Dome" dome car lounges and "Hi-Level" coaches developed by Budd in the early 1950's. These experimental units featured increased seating capacities and boasted better views of the Southwestern terrain the El Cap passed though; it eventually became an all Hi-Level train.
Today the route formerly covered by El Capitan is served by Amtrak's Southwest Chief; many of Amtrak's trains (especially in California) consist of a combination of refurbished former Santa Fe Hi-Level cars along with newer designs.
Equipment used
The initial equipment roster (per train) was as follows:
Timeline
- 1937: El Capitan is conceived to compete with the Pennsylvania Railroad's low-cost, high-speed train the Trail Blazer.
- February 20, 1938: Operations commence with weekly excursions based on the same "over-the-road" time as the Super Chief.
- October 12, 1947: El Capitan trains begin operating on an every-other-day basis.
- February 29, 1948: El Capitan begins its daily schedule between Chicago and Los Angeles.
- 1949: The Union Pacific Railroad reintroduces its popular all-coach Challenger train, set to run on a 39-and-a-half hour schedule in order to compete directly with the El Capitan. The UP also announces that there will be no added fare for this train.
- June 2, 1946: The line reverts to its prewar schedule of 39 hours and 45 minutes.
- September 29, 1946: The Super Chief begins an every-other-day departure schedule from Chicago and Los Angeles.
- February 29, 1948: The AT&SF receives the first post-War equipment order from Pullman-Standard and places these into service on the Super Chief. The railroad now has five Super Chief trainsets and the frequency of operation is upgraded to daily.
- 1952: The Budd Company unveils concepts for a double-decked coach based on similar commuter cars manufactured for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and Burlington railroads. The Santa Fe plans to upgrade the cars on the Chief with the new design.
- December 14, 1953: The extra-fare charges are dropped from both El Capitan and the Chief.
- March 1954: Six full-length dome-lounge cars (called "Big Domes" by Santa Fe's employees) are delivered for use on El Capitan by the Budd Company.
- July 1954: Two experimental "Hi-Level" coaches arrive and are placed directly on El Capitan instead of the Chief. The railroad trial tests the units for over a year.
- March 25, 1955: The Santa Fe orders 47 "Hi-Level" cars (35 chair cars, 6 domed diners, and 6 full-length domes) from Budd, enough rolling stock to equip El Capitan on a daily basis with a few cars as spares.
- July 8, 1956: "Hi-Level" El Capitan trains commence running, simultaneously, from both ends of the line.
- January 12, 1958: The Super Chief and El Capitan are combined into one train during the off-peak travel season.
- February 1963: Santa Fe orders an additional 24 "Hi-Level" chair cars, bringing the total inventory to 71 units (enough for a 12-unit consist per train).
- May 1 1971: Amtrak is formed and takes over operation of the nation's passenger service, thus ending the reign of El Capitan.
References
- . ISBN 0-87095-110-6.
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See also
- Amtrak Southwest Chief
- ATSF California Limited
- ATSF Chief
- ATSF Grand Canyon Limited
- ATSF San Diegan
- ATSF Super Chief
External links
- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
- California State Railway Museum
- Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society
