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Back to the Depot Inn & Suites In La Plata, Missouri 12/13-17/2017

To say I was looking forward to this trip would be the absolute truth. I had not been on a long distance train since returning from the National Railway Historical Society convention in August so could not resist the opportunity to go back to the Depot Inn & Suites in La Plata. When I booked this trip, the Southwest Chief was scheduled to have the Grand Luxe passenger cars on the rear, but that did not work out, so I would be able to have a rear door view if I wanted.

I worked hard at McFadden Intermediate and slowly the day of the trip finally arrived. I went home from work and finished packing before my mother drove me to the Santa Ana station and I bought a ticket home from Los Angeles then rode the elevator to get to Track One just as a Metrolink train bound for Los Angeles was departing. A few minutes passed before I heard the horn of my approaching Pacific Surfliner.

It arrived almost on time with Surfliner cab car 6908, coaches 6453 "Pacific Beach" and 6406, café/coach 6303, Pacific Business Class 6807 with F59PHI 450 pushing. I boarded the cab car and settled in for my trip to Los Angeles and here is the "Big A" at Anaheim Stadium, home of the Anaheim Angels. We stopped in Fullerton before making the final sprint into Track 12 a few minutes early.

This Southwest Chief reversed into the station with P42DCs 135 and 95, baggage 1164, transition 39030, sleepers 32091 "Minnesota" and 32078 "Florida", diner 38004, lounge 32028 and coaches 34049. 43038 and 31020. I had Room 4 in the "Minnesota" and my Sleeping Car Attendant was Henry. I was watching "Kissology Volume 2" as we departed on time and made our way to Fullerton. There was a man helping his mother onboard who did not follow Henry's directions and was still in her room as we departed so he had to ride out to Riverside and take a taxi back to Fullerton.

Conductor Alex Poppalopalous stopped by for visit; he holds the record for being the conductor on the most routes I have ridden. At 7:30 PM, I went to the dining car and found the flat iron steak back on the menu, which I ordered and it was fantastic. For dessert, I enjoyed the return of ice cream as I chose chocolate.

Breakfast - Today's Omelette Selection, Scrambled Eggs, Railroad French Toast, Chef's Morning Marketplace Special which was a Belgian Waffle, bacon and sausage.

Lunch - Appetizers - Chicken Wings, Chips and Salsa (Sleeping Car passengers pay for these on this menu}

Dinner - Appetizers- Chicken Wings, Chips and Salsa, Shrimp Cocktail(Sleeping Car passengers pay for these on this menu)

Flat Iron, Seafood Selection, Roast Game Hen, Vegetarian Special, Chef's Marketplace Special was Braised Beef, Build your own Burger.

Desserts - Server will describe. Ice Cream Chocolate or Vanilla.

Dinner lasted until San Bernardino as I dined with a couple from Albuquerque then returned to my room for more Kiss as the train climbed Cajon Pass, after which I made up my bed and called it a night.

12/14/2007 I awoke just after Canyon Diablo and went straight to the dining car, having the Chef's Morning Marketplace Special off the new National Menu, which was a Belgian waffle and pork sausage patties. I returned to my room for more "Kissology" before working on editing the second cut of my Million Mile trip DVD from April.

Coming into a snowy New Mexico before we reached Gallup. I finished with the DVD notes just before arriving early to a 35 degree Albuquerque.

The Southwest Chief just before a quick snow shower forced us all back on the train.

After the snow shower passed.

I saw the New Mexico Rail Runner before returning to the train for more "Kissology". We departed on time then at 1:00 PM, I went to the dining car for lunch and had the Chef's Luncheon Special, which today was Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes. Any appetizers on this new menu one must buy, even if you are in a sleeping car. I was back in my room by a white Lamy before passing through Apache Canyon in a light snow, which continued to the top of Glorieta Pass and at Fox, we passed the westbound Southwest Chief in the siding. I continued to enjoy "Kissology" as we crossed the Pecos River and rounded the "S" curves before reaching Las Vegas.

The train ran through Shoemakers Canyon on a dark overcast late afternoon as we made our way to Raton, our next fresh air stop of this trip.

It was a cold evening in Raton. Back aboard the train, I watched more of the Million Mile Trip DVD until about 6:15 PM, when I had a repeat of last night's dinner, which took me past Trinidad. I finished "Kissology" just before La Junta, where I stepped off into the very cold breezy night air.

La Junta was busy, but we departed on time en route to Kansas. I set my watch ahead an hour before making up my room for the night.

12/15/2007 We lost time while I slept due to a broken rail that had to be replaced before we could proceed. I awoke at Topeka and visited the lounge car for a cinnamon roll and watched the scenery from a table while we stopped at Lawrence, Kansas before making our way to Holiday and the BNSF mainline, then stopped at the Argentine fuel pads to refuel the engines.

A BNSF train was also refuelling. After that, we arrived at a very cold Kansas City, where I detrained for pictures of the Kansas City Southern Holiday Train on display here for the next two days. I walked very carefully into the station, then made my way out to the north parking lot where the train was located.

Kansas City Southern F9A 2, ex. Independent Locomotive Services 5304, exx. VIA 6304, nee Canadian National 6304 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1954.

Kansas City Southern F7B 3, ex. Independent Locomotive Services 6616, exx. VIA 6616, nee Canadian National 6616 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1957.

I quickly walked back to the Southwest Chief, which today made a very short stop here. Back in the room, I watched Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Beyond the Beginning" which took me most of the way to La Plata.

Some bridge over the Missouri River that was important to me on April 27th of this year! I was glad it was a sunny day when I broke my millionth rail mile on the great day in my life, a moment I would relive every time I cross the bridge eastbound on the Southwest Chief. I relaxed the rest of the way to La Plata and we arrived just under an hour late, ending an excellent trip aboard the train. Harold from the Depot Inn & Suites was there to pick me up and drive me to this fantastic railroad-themed hotel.

I checked in and received one of my favourite rooms, the Pullman Suite. I dropped off my bags before walking down to my lookout point via the former Wabash Railroad grade.

All the tree branches were covered with ice and made interesting sounds as I walked down the snowy path.

My first view of the now-enclosed all-weather "Chris Guenzler Million Mile Lookout Point" with restrooms to the right.

The back of the new building.

There is the Chris Guenzler Lookout Point bulletin board.

I am still amazed that the building was named in my honour.

The view from inside. The Trainweb and TrainParty.com building is across the tracks to the left.

The view looking east; the trees are scheduled to be removed.

Inside, there is a heater to keep one warm on a day such as today.

The foundation of the former Wabash bridge across the BNSF mainline is very visible.

A westbound BNSF freight passed.

Then it went by the Trainweb building. I returned to the hotel but stopped at the Amtrak material handling cars that will house the future Exhibition of Amtrak History.

The two cars are situated behind the hotel.

Ramps and doors have been added and railings will be next.

I returned to the warmth of the Pullman Suite then listened to and called Let's Talk Trains.

I watched Asia's "Fantasia" before going to the Red Rooster for a Porterhouse steak dinner then talked with Kelly Marshall, one of the owners of the hotel, about their trip to California ten days ago before returning to the room and enjoying the wonderful sauna tub which really relaxed me. I started to watch the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, "The Curse of the Black Pearl", before watching the Weather Channel and calling it a night.

12/16/2007 I enjoyed a nice breakfast before walking out to the Chris Guenzler Million Mile Lookout Point.

It was another cold windy morning in La Plata. I had four BNSF freights before a railfan from Kirksville joined me. After we wondered where Amtrak was, he went to the station while I stayed at the heated Lookout Point. It warmed up so well it fogged the window, which made sense as it was only 14 degrees this morning.

Amtrak's Southwest Chief finally arrived over an hour late, after which I returned to the hotel and watched a little NFL football before Tom Marshall came to show me a few locations in town, including what would become the Silver Rails Event Centre. We drove to the old Wheatcraft Motor Company, a company that moved into the building in 1924.

The building from the east side.

The old Wabash Railroad Grade through La Plata.

The loading dock of the former La Plata Wabash depot.

The front of the Wheatcraft Motor Company.

These grain silos will be removed and parking will be around three sides of the building.

The interior is extremely spacious. A new concrete floor will be installed, as well as a stage, a new lobby will be created with a clock room and new bathrooms. In addition, a kitchen and bar will fill out this new Event Center.

This historic item will be kept intact.

A door had stained glass from the original building's owner, the W.C. Arnold Lumber Company built in 1910. We next visited Tom's shop where he has his woodworking business and he gave me a tour then we returned to the hotel.

The Chris Guenzler Million Mile Lookout Point from the southeast. Back to the Inn to obtain the key to our next stop, the cars that will house the future "Exhibition of Amtrak History".

The exterior of the cars.

The interior of the future "Exhibition of Amtrak History" cars waiting for work to commence on installing displays. This Exhibit and the Event Center will both be opening to the public on February 23, 2008, with grand openings planned for both, and I would be back here to cover both events.

We returned to the hotel and I showed Tom the pictures of the French Turbo Train cars I found in Indiana.

Tom alerted me to this scene; Santa Claus talking with a child in the hotel lobby. From now until Tuesday morning, I will be relaxing here.