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| Seen just before departing Chicago Union Station, Train #3 - The Southwest Chief has GE P42DC #186 as our leader with #44 trailing. |
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| Standing on the platform at Union Station next to my Sleeping Car which was the "0330" car on this trip. |
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| Now heading out of Chicago for points west, we get a great view of the mighty Willis Tower! |
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| BNSF EMD GP50 still in Burlington Northern colors works yard duty. |
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| Time for "Happy Hour" on the Southwest Chief, I would have the $3.00 Pabst Blue Ribbon beer! |
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| Now out of Chicago, we start passing endless farmland, as seen here in Earlville, IL. |
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| A couple former Illinois Central bi-level electric Commuter Coaches at Mendota, IL. |
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| The Amtrak Station stop at Mendota, IL is also home to the Mendota Union Depot Railroad Museum. This Dining Car, of Southern Pacific heritage, is on display at the museum and is undergoing restoration. |
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| Former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Caboose #14451 is also on display at Mendota. |
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| That caboose was coupled up to former Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy 2-8-2 Mikado Steamer #4978. |
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| Another view of the Mendota Union Depot Railroad Museum grounds. |
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| Crossing North Main Street in Princeton, IL near our next station stop in the same town. |
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| Time for dinner on the Southwest Chief. This is Amtrak's new and improved side salad, tasty!!! |
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| And for the main course, yes, I've probably eaten more steaks on this trip than I have anywhere else in years!!! I do happen to like a good steak and tonight's Amtrak Signature Steak with the garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable medley were all good eats!!! |
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| Taking a break now at Kansas City Union Station in Kansas City, MO. Yes, it was very cold and windy here!!! |
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| Part of the platform was under construction, hence the snow fencing on certain parts of it. I like that Kansas City Southern F-Unit!!! |
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| Another view of the Southwest Chief at Kansas City shortly before departing. |
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| Now time for breakfast on the Southwest Chief! The Railroad French Toast with pork sausage patties and a Diet Pepsi, more good eats!!! |
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| The next morning, welcome to Syracuse, not New York, but Kansas! |
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| Well, it can't be too cold, the cows and horses in this photo don't look like they're complaining! |
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| The Southeastern Colorado Co-Op, located in Coolidge, KS. If you know your movie trivia, you'll know the town of Coolidge, KS was the home of "Cousin Eddie" in the very funny movie "National Lampoon's Vacation"! |
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| Now crossed into Colorado, here is the historic Santa Fe station in Holly, CO, though not an Amtrak stop, still a nice station. |
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| Ever wonder what a dry creek bed looks like in the snow??? |
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| The Colorado Mills feed mill in Lamar, CO. |
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| The John Martin Reservoir on the Arkansas River. |
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| Now taking a break at La Junta, CO. At some point along the route, that piece of tumbleweed hitched a ride on the snowplow of our lead unit! |
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| The State Bank of La Junta is located across the street from the La Junta Amtrak Station and features a Santa Fe Caboose on the property! |
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| Our train taking a break at La Junta. I won't soon forget getting off the train and being welcomed to southeastern Colorado with 19 degree temps!!! |
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| The Amtrak Station at La Junta with the parking lot under construction at the time of this trip. |
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| Another view at La Junta just before departure. |
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| Switching tracks and heading south, now out of La Junta Station and heading for Trinidad, CO and Raton Pass! |
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| Now getting closer to Trinidad, the sky is clearing and hopefully the temperature will go up! |
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| Welcome to sunny Trinidad, CO! |
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| Central Park in Trinidad. |
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| I think it's a safe assumption that Ed's Tavern in Starkville, CO served it's last Coors Banquet Beer long ago. I wonder if this place could be saved on the TV show "Bar Rescue"??? |
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| Riding along the old Santa Fe Trail, getting close to Raton Pass. |
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| Now at the Dick Wooton Ranch, the terrain is getting hilly as we get closer to Raton Pass. We're now in the area of the old Santa Fe Trail. |
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| The Dick Wooton Ranch today. |
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| I always find these round-the-bend photos interesting! |
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| The sign says it all! We've reached the top, so to speak! The Raton Tunnel represents the highest point on the old Santa Fe Railway at 7588ft! |
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| LEFT: Heading into Raton Tunnel. RIGHT: Coming out the other side of the tunnel. |
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| These little barns and ranches along the route make for some interesting scenery! |
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| Now over Raton Pass, heading downhill and closing in on our next stop of Raton, NM. |
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