It is July, 1959 … parents want to visit family in Auzusa,CA … afraid of airplanes and hate car travel so decide on rail travel … here is the scene:
Depart from Chicago for Los Angelis with daily time not important …
Choices as I recall:
ATSF El Capitan
ATSF Super Chief
Parents decided on El Capitan. Was this a wise decision?
Why not?? If you wanted to go coach, it was awfully hard to beat the El Cap for comfort, facilities and service.
And [#welcome] to the forums, home of a big bunch of nice folks and a few trolls.
Hope this info helps.
Can’t help ya. My Dad was 10 in 59…but welcome anyways!
[#ditto][#welcome]
Either train would has been a good choice.
Actually, the better choice might have been ATSF no. 19, “The Chief,” because this train was only one night out while the “El Capitan” was two. “The Chief,” however, arrived in the Los Angeles basin way after the dinner hour, so arrival in Ausuza (Asuza?) would have been sometime before midnight.
During August 1959 I rode MILW/UP no. 103, the “City of Los Angeles” from Elgin, Ill. to L.A.U.P.T. Besides being a great adventure, it was the first time I ever tasted Dr. Pepper - and I always think of that train every time I enjoy a can of Dr. Pepper today. Upon arrival in Los Angeles I was nearly blinded by the horrible air pollution, a situation that didn’t clear up until reaching Santa Monica.
Between the two choices it’s is simple
Coach or Pullman
El Cap - coach
Super Chief - Pullman
I am not sure but how about the Rock Island? Did the Rock Island provide daily service to the west via Southern Pacific?