Ghosts of the Super Chief (Pasadena, CA Today w/ Photos)
The famed Santa Fe Railway passenger train called the “Super Chief” ran daily between Chicago and Los Angeles, and passed through Pasadena, California. In that town once a year, normally on New Year’s Day, the Super Chief encountered and cut across the path of the nationally televised Rose Parade. In 1973, the 210 Freeway was constructed through Pasadena, and much of the Super Chief’s route therein was altered. In 1995, the rerouted line was sold to transit interests, who built the Gold Line trolley trackage over part of the route.
The following is Part I of IV-parts that document what that route through Pasadena looks like today, both the cheery and the sad … They are related on a railroad west to east basis …
Part I of IV: Northward Up to Colorado Blvd.
At California St.: Looking south (west). The Santa Fe line was a single-track, automatic block system equipped line. But, Metro’s commuter Gold Line that replaced it is two-tracks
Looking north: Somewhere in this vicinity, behind or in front of the camera, a short siding eastward began. The TURNOUT ROUTE was the main. Both tracks alignment shifted as they proceeded northward (eastbound), and both ends used a LEFT hand turnout. From a distance,
I trust you must be getting bored with the slow progress on the Sunset route so chose to do something a little different. The Pasadena routing of the Super Chief is an excellent choice. I was fortunate enough to ride the Super Chief on several occasions and your photos sure brought back a flood of memories. Thanks!
Jay, you beat me to it. But I’ll add the compliments anyway. The one time our family took the train to California we passed through here. Hard to believe how it looks now!
Nice photos, thanks for sharing. I never had the op to ride the Chiefs, one I missed. I have been on Amtrak SW Chief but that’s not the same. But I’m glad I did get to ride original Zephyr and UP City of LA-all Pullman train.
May sound weird, but that was kind of almost… errie… when you said “Some old railroad logo’s never die.” Sad how it’s covered up with that really ugly light. awesome description Thanks for sharing!
That view of the northward trolley line tunnel under Colorado Blvd. looks more like part of a roller-coaster ride, than a transit system [just foolin’ with ya].
Nice photos, an informative narrative -‘who knew’ - and an interesting concept. Looking forward to the rest of it. Thanks for sharing.
Part II of IV: Colorado Blvd to Where the Tracks were Pulled Up
Looking north (AT&SF eastbound) from Colorado Blvd: One block ahead, where the auto is, the right-of way turned slightly to the right
The trolleys are underground still. The slight right-of-way curve mentioned above is in the background. Just think of all the silver and red warbonnet F, PA, and FP45 units that rounded that curve in past years! This view is from Holly Street, looking southward (AT&SF westbound).
A north Holly Ave. view: The Metro Gold Line trolleys become visible now, though still below surface level. Lowering walkways allow patrons to get to the boarding areas of the Memorial Park station. Some railfans would love such a view as these residences have
Modelcar, in the period after the ATSF tracks were pulled up (1994?) to when the light rail arrived (2003, though work started in 2001??), the right-of-way was still there. Because the ROW was not really changed, they were able to get to the construction.
I live a bit northwest of Pasadena, so I am in Old Town fairly often. Personally, as a railfan, I absolutely hate the light rail.
Supposedly, Metrolink had a chance to purchase the entire right-of-way from Los Angeles to Pomona, but they didn’t. Even though Metrolink has commuter service from LA to Pomona to San Bernardino, having another commuter line that would go via Pasadena would have been better, IMO, than the light rail.
A block southeast of the ending Part II photo’s intersection, a set of house structures has been built onto the old right-of-way. One can see how the house on the right was built 90 degrees to the street, whereas the house on the left diagonals with the path of the old right-of-way
A block further southeast: This housing structure is still diagonally following the old right-of-way. Does the resident occupant know that famous movie stars once rode on the Super Chief right through what are now their front room and/or bedroom?
Looking west at the diagonal Foothill Blvd, near Walnut St. On a personal ride on a westbound Amtrak #3 in 1973, this contributor distinctly remembers rumbling westbound across this grade crossing (in the same direction the camera is facing) at probably 10 M.P.H., likely then the usual practice through here. The track turned leftward slightly on the other side of the street. An auto dealership now occupies the land. On the other side of the dealership, building windows look down onto the old right-of-way
KP…A very interesting recall and photo recording of this Sante Fe route.
Edit: This series reminds me of what I use to see over in Lock Haven, Pa…One could still see {the space}, where the actual Locks and canal crossed the community from the susquehanna River to another water way across town.
KP This series on the AT&SF ROW through Pasadena is really excellent as has been your Cajon and Sunset route coverage. Just wish we had someone doing as extensive a coverage of Abo Canyon which is going on 24 hours a day being rushed to completion.
I understand work on the Sunset route has been slowed in these tough economic times but BNSF is rushing ahead with there last single track area of the transcon to be ready when times return to more normal. Actually I guess if you have the capital now is probably a good time to improve trackage just like the line restored to service by KCS recently.
Part IV of IV: Where the Two Routes Met Again … and Eastward
Then the old right-of-way turns due east. The 210 Freeway is in the distance, with westbound to the left, eastbound to the right. If you look good, the track goes though an underpass to the center of the freeway
The rail line was relocated slightly to the center of the freeway during construction, and followed its center eastward. The trolley trackage from Los Angeles then ends, and the center of the freeway is trackless. Then, in Arcadia, the ex-Santa Fe line went over the eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway, on a somewhat spectacular concrete bridge that dated from the line relocation in 1973. Because earthquake reinforcement of the bridge would cost as much as a new one, it was torn down. The west abutment in this view is in the distant upper center, the east dirt is in the foreground center. The east abutment is lower than the ties (bottom center) and thus unseen
My most sincere compliments on a wonderful series. Even though I live on the other side of the country I can fully appreciate what you have captured. I have explored many abandoned lines myself and your series here was a pleasure to look at. If you have more in the future please do not hesitate to post. As I said, abandoned lines hold a lot of interest too, not just active ones.
