Guide to Southwest Chief stops: 2,265 miles of history and sites
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- Don't take Amtrak's Southwest Chief without watching this first! This video is full of strange stories, crazy history, notable people, and amazing things to see at each of Southwest Chief's 32 stations, across nine states. Take a virtual trip on Amtrak through the American countryside from Chicago to Los Angeles.
There is so much more than meets the eye on Southwest Chief. Don't let it pass by without knowing what you're seeing!
Covered in this video:
0:00 Southwest Chief intro and map
0:34 Chicago, IL and Southwest Chief basics
1:53 Naperville, IL
4:07 Mendota, IL
5:24 Princeton, IL
7:04 Galesburg, IL
9:33 Fort Madison, IA
10:55 La Plata, MO
13:12 Kansas City, MO
15:14 Lawrence, KS
17:00 Topeka, KS
19:11 Newton, KS (and Wichita)
20:59 Hutchinson, KS
23:57 Dodge City, KS
26:21 Garden City, KS
27:45 Lamar, CO
29:11 La Junta, CO
31:46 Trinidad, CO
33:31 Raton, NM
35:38 Las Vegas, NM
37:41 Lamy, NM (and Santa Fe)
40:10 Albuquerque, NM
42:47 Gallup, NM
45:08 Winslow, AZ
47:33 Flagstaff, AZ
50:03 Kingman, AZ
51:21 Needles, CA
54:40 Barstow, CA
57:21 Victorville, CA
58:58 San Bernardino, CA
1:00:08 Riverside, CA
1:01:14 Fullerton, CA
1:02:22 Los Angeles, CA
I tried to get the pronunciation of local place names right. Let me know what I screwed up in the comments.
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![A Train So Luxurious - Amtrak Forced To Change The Name / Southwest Chief [S2: E12]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QZd9b9S6swY/mqdefault.jpg)
Took amtrak from Cleveland to Los Angeles in 2022. Rode the chief from Chicago to LA. then the coast starlight to Seattle after a week in LA.great trip. Stopped in Kansas city for 28 hours and enjoyed the city. The station was real nice there.
Great, informative, and interesting. So nice to see a travel video without constant close ups of the creators face. Many of those faces are....um...Best suitable for radio. Thanks much! Thinking of taking this journey. This gives lots of informative commentary.
Thanks! Not sure I'd recommend some of my other videos though ;)
This was a great video! I can only imagine the work that went into it. I want to ride the southwest chief and am so lucky to have found your video. Thanks, and subscribed!
I wish I could give two thumbs up
Wonderfully made video! Thanks so much
Great tour of this classic rail line. I took my first trip (which was a round trip) on The Southwest Chief this past year.
As you said, over the decades there have been both large and small route changes. When I was a kid in the 1980s, The Southwest Chief through Southern California went from Los Angeles to Pomona (then through my hometown of Upland) and on to San Bernardino, rather than its current route through Fullerton and Riverside then on to San Bernardino. Part of my love for trains came from watching both AT&SF freights and the nightly eastbound Southwest Chief run a block from my home. We still have thriving Metrolink service along the line, with a somewhat irregular BNSF local freight.
Extremely well done documentary 👍
this was really great! Excellent geography information, as well as a relaxing tone and presentation. this was just what I needed.
Took it from Flagstaff AZ to Chicago. Had agreat trip. As a voting American I vote we fully restore passenger train travel to the nation. Passenger only tracks; passenger centered schedules. Upgraded amenities. I would never board another commercial airline again for domestic travel.
Raton is also a surprisingly busy station in the summer months, when the Chief is the preferred method of travel for Boy Scouts travelling to Philmont Scout Ranch, located in nearby Cimarron.
Great information! Note: Amtrak doesn't stay long at most stops so stepping off to explore isn't an option unless you purchase individual tickets for each connection, meaning you have to remove all your things and board a new train after exploring. Just an FYI:)
My memory of the smoke/stretch stops on this line are Barstow, Flagstaff, Gallup, Albuquerque, Raton, La Junta, Dodge City(not announced on the speaker since its overnight, but you can smoke/stretch here), Kansas City, and Fort Madison. Albuquerque and KC are the longest stretch/smoke stops the Southwest Chief makes, if I remember correctly.
When I was in boy scouts our troop took the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Raton and back when we went to Philmont Scout Ranch in nearby Cimarron, NM. Now I’m helping my son’s troop plan the same trip, and apparently the Southwest Chief remains a very popular choice for scouts transportation to and from Philmont.
Saw a bunch of scouts on the train in 2022 getting off there
What a terrific video! I’ve done this trip twice, in 2007 and 2011 both times heading East from LA to Chicago. We then caught a separate train from Chicago to New York via Pennsylvania on both occasions. We had a great time and really enjoyed the sleeper cabins and great customer service. Thanks for bringing back so many memories! At all stations we stopped at I got out just so I could say I was on the ground in those towns and cities but most small towns we stopped at for only a few minutes so exploring wasn’t an option. So good to see some of what we missed but were so close to. Craig - Australia
Next time, rent a car after the train ride and go back and see the places that caught your eye :)
Thanks for watching
That was a great ride! I especially liked all the historic and geographic history. A great job.The most interesting and a location I would be very interested in traveling there simply to visit are the prehistoric dinosaur tracks at La Junta. I have a faint recollection of the existence of those track (foot prints) but would have never been brought to mind with out this video, no recollection of La Junta, however I won't forget now. My third journey by rail today. Thanks for the information. Mike Rosen, M.D. Maryland
Excellent, thanks
Having just taken the SW Chief (LA-Chicago), I enjoyed this. Cajon Pass, northeast of San Bernardino, is a pretty interesting challenge for trains, but the Chief traverses it in the dark in both directions, unfortunately.
Also, the La Posada Hotel in Winslow has to be the best hotel for train watching in the US. You sit in the garden of a beautifully restored historical hotel, sipping margaritas while trains pass all day and all night.
Thanks
Now that sounds fun!
Each Amtrak long distance route usually has a complimentary glossy-print Route Guide for passengers that goes into brief detail on stops, scenery, and route history. You have definitely gone above and beyond in furthering that concept in this video, and I look forward to watching more on the other routes you’ve covered.
One minor correction though: the National Park that the route passes through in Arizona is Petrified Forest, not Painted Desert. The Painted Desert is a region west-northwest of Petrified Forest, along US-89 north of Flagstaff.
D'oh! I always get those phrases confused, although I've driven around them myself :/
Thanks for watching!
Very informative
Yes you are correct! The Fort Madison Santa Fe Depot is now in service for the SWC! Awesome video, like always! Looking forward to more like these!
That was fast. Glad to hear that. Thanks!
Superb video. Thought I’d heard it all (I’ve done both SWC and 66) but I learned a lot here. Only one suggestion: some discussion of the Cajon Pass/San Andreas Fault is warranted. What snakes through the pass, every day, is mind boggling. Rail, cars, power lines, etc.
Terrific video. Having taken the Southwest Chief it brought back a lot of good memories.
Excellent, thanks for watching
This was so interesting and informative. I really enjoyed learning about this as making this trip by train has long been a dream of mine. Thanks.
I was 11 when I took this trip from L.A to Chicago
Galesburg had 2 different amtrak stations, one for the burlington rr(the zepher) and santa fe(the chief). Once burrlington northern merged with atsf. They merged the thru tracks and seperate west of galesburg. Also they built a big underpass in the dt so car/ambulances could cross un in peded by slow freights or stopped trains.
Cool. American train history is pretty interesting
Great video, Something to note about Raton is often during the summer you will see many many boyscouts getting on and off at this stop as it the way many scouts get to Philmont Scout Ranch. Often the last few cars on the train are full of scouts.
Awesome video I see the southwest chief all The time in Riverside California and Fullerton so it’s cool to see a lot of cool information about it
Thank you, love your humor also
What a marvelous video. I in fact did this journey. My trip originated in Boston so I went from ocean to ocean on train. I had change trains in Chicago. This video brought back a lot of wonderful memories
Great, glad it helped you reminisce!
Absolutely !! Back in 2015 my wife and I did 18500 miles on Amtrak and Viarail. Exhausting at times but great fun and your work here filled in many gaps !!
Thank you for such an informative and enjoyable video. The Southwest Eagle is on my bucket list.
Really like these videos. Take Amtrak cross country- considering doing coach and breaking the trip up with a good night’s sleep and a wander in a new small town. Rather than just enjoying them from the windows of a sleeper compartment. Giving me some great ideas.
Great video tour ! So much I learned. TY
You did an excellent job on this video! It is helping me plan this trip for me and my family.
Great! Glad it helped
Awesome! Thank You!!
😊 thank you great video
Really enjoyed the presentation. Have always been a fan of railroad history.
This was so well done! We visit Amtrak stations throughout the United States and vlog train station tours for our channel. We have a playlist 'PrimeTrains' to see these. This was so informative and made us want to get out and get moving down the tracks.
Very well done, sir! I truly appreciate the effort you put into this very informative video!
I learned a lot and enjoyed the travel. I'm subscribing!
Thanks!
Well produced, Wanderer. The background stories along the route are interesting. Is this still from last year?
Thanks! I had to cancel my SW Chief trip two years ago; this is to keep my appetite whetted
With every fibre of my being I miss Flagstaff...
That was awesome! I ride the SW Chief quite often and only knew a fraction of that info. Many thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video. Really nice job with the edits and commentary. I ended up here because I'm hoping to do a Flagstaff to KC trip soon.
Thanks! Glad you found the video. Enjoy your trip!
20:14 The best thing about Newton Kansas is the @Carwizard ! Love his channel.
Great video God Willing I will be on it to The Ballon Fiesta
Cool/neat/interesting award🏆for towns I did not see during the nighttime. I'm also fascinated by the first Pizza Hut and I don't know why!
Interesting curio huh. Thanks for watching
There are two swing span bridges at Davenport Iowa, one at Clinton, Sabula and Dubuque Iowa.
Thanks for the info
OUTSTANDING
A well put together history of the route of The South West Chief.......of the train itself and the towns and cities through which it passes/
Technically an outstanding piece of work.
Don't you just wish you could get off the train and visit every stop along the way...?
Many thanks for what you have done here....
James Hennighan
Yorkshire, England
Thank you! I just finished riding this train (finally) and yes, I wanted to get off and explore each stop. The strange conundrum of the train - stepping off would be fun but then the train ride would be over :/
BNSF Railway is the Metra Line that stops @ Naperville
I wanna take this trip
Hey, Jeremy -- This is really wonderful, what you do in each of these towns. Have you done the Coast Starlight? It stops in my town, Sacramento, at midnight. -- Charlie Johnson
Not yet, but I hope to do that one too. Thanks!
I have been on the California Zephyr going east, boarded the train at 3:30am had all the lights out and watched the scenery go by until the sun came up. I was wondering if the Harvey Girls and the Harvey house had a connection and you could not have the Harvey house without the employees "The Harvey Girls." The more you know.
Can you still see the scenery at nighttime? Will be going on SWC in couple weeks and curious if you can see stuff at night time. Thanks
Chicago Union Station is in no way a "monstrosity." It is a beautiful temple to transportation.
Agreed; I used the wrong word
Please do you for the costal star light it’s my favorite Amtrak route
I hope to do that one soon
@@T1DWanderer I have taken parts of that. Friends have taken it between Seattle and the San Francisco Bay area, and it has been late every single time but I think all Amtrak trains are late every single time unless they are "commuter" routes such as between Baltimore and New York
If you travel coach and have multiple carry ons, while you move through the train, do you bring all your bags with you or is it safe enough to leave in the storage areas/above chair racks?
I think most people leave their bags in the rack or chair. I'd probably take a smaller backpack with a laptop or anything valuable in it with me though
I think you can safely leave bags, in the rack above your seat or placed into your seat if you walk around the train. May want to take more valuable items(i.e. laptop or tablet) with you, and not unattended by your seat though. I have left my bag in the rack above my seat before, and had no problems m.
I booked a trip on the southwest chief for April, but I've been hearing that it has been canceled, does anybody know if it is ?
***Just a Curious .....Left seating or right seating from L.A ? Thank you in Advance
At 9 minutes and 28 seconds you say that the swingspan bridge crossing the Mississippi River is the longest swingspan bridge in the world as well as being the last swingspan bridge on the Mississippi River. The first part may be correct but the second part is incorrect. Cebula Iowa lacrosse Wisconsin and goodview Minnesota near La Crosse are all swingspan bridges. Perhaps you meant this is the last double decker swingspan bridge? Here's a video that I shot of the swing bridge near La Crosse Wisconsin. th-cam.com/video/-aFf2QzmNSU/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the info
Pretty interesting comprehensive review. So ... the best way to enjoy the Southwest Chief route is to rent an RV and drive it...? My favorite station on the entire trip is Los Angeles, which lays claim to the unique historical distinction of not having burned down.
Ha, yeah that's the thing, all these interesting places and normally you just pass by them. I'd say maybe take the train to see them all from the window, THEN rent the RV and drive back along the route for a few weeks
@@T1DWanderer Awesome! The bucket list just got longer!
All of these towns that you showed, do passengers have enough time at the stop to see the town and get back on your same train? Or would you have to catch the next days train if you explored a town? Thanks 😊
Usually, there isn't time to get off. But at a few stations, the train does stop a while; you can check the schedules on Amtrak.com (or ask the staff on board!) for details about a particular train
At least at Albuquerque, that stop is long enough where you might be able to briefly do a short walk into town. I have heard travel reports of a LOT of Amtrak passengers do a short walk over to Silver Street Market in Albuquerque during that longer smoke/stretch stop, to quickly buy food/drinks for the rest of their SW Chief trip.
The other stations have stretch stops, that aren't as long. Kansas City has a longer stretch stop too, but if my memory is right there aren't a lot of businesses that are a short walk away from that station.
Have all wood train stations burned down?
Seems like it
The little antique wooden train station in Novato California burned down because they couldn't plan a flood. Of course they wanted to build something else there.
Very informative video for those of us who love history. However, learn how to pronounce "La Junta,"--Its La Whoonta!! Can you do a video on the Lake Shore Limited station stops? Especially Elyria OH?
Thanks. But according to my research, that is the way the locals pronounce it there. I'd love to do the Lake Shore Limited someday. Actually, a trip along it was penciled into my upcoming trip but plans changed a bit. Hopefully soon though
Why is Chicago’s Union Station a monstrosity?
In a *good* way!
Really monstrosity? Monstrosity has a negative connotation for that, you get a thumbs down.
More like grandiose
This video was not up to your usual standards. I much prefer traveling with you, sharing your ride, meals etc. This had none of that.
Thanks for the feedback. I do sometimes make "informational" videos like this. I like both styles :)
Unsubscribed just now!