The Amtrak Chief
SKU: DVD-PNX-AMCHIEFOriginal price was: $29.95.$24.95Current price is: $24.95.
It’s the summer of 1972, a great time to be a railfan in SoCal. For example, this was when Amtrak ran The Chief.
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| Producer | Pentrex |
|---|---|
| Run Time | 40 Minutes |
| Narration | Yes |
| Shrink Wrap | Yes, Brand New |
| Technical Details | NTSC, Region Free, View Worldwide on Computer |
Join Pentrex as we travel back in time to the summer of 1972, a truly great time to be a railfan in Southern California. During Amtrak’s first summer in 1971, the Super Chief/El Capitan enjoyed high ridership levels, which prompted Amtrak to run an additional train between LA and Chicago during the busy summer months. This train, known simply as “The Chief” had a daily 1PM departure from LA that allowed for a daytime run over Santa Fe’s Second District mainline and the majestic Cajon Pass. This became the only time “The Chief” was ever run.
In this fascinating DVD watch leased Santa Fe F Units pulling the Chief eastward out of Los Angeles through a number of communities and over Cajon. Both Summit and Sullivans Curve are shown before major realignments would soon change these areas forever. You don’t want to miss this incredible footage!
The show wraps up with a ride aboard The Chief between San Bernardino & Barstow! All footage was captured on Super 8 film equipped with it’s own recorded sound. Take a time travel adventure with Pentrex on The Amtrak Chief!
Rehab my Railroad, Volume 2 
Union Pacific's Triple Track Main
rickyfreni –
Throughout the rare sound films of Nicholas Muff (who is also the photographer for Covered Wagons of the Cascades), this 2016 title showcases the Early Years of Amtrak using a variety of Santa Fe F-3s in the early 1970s, at locations like the 8th street coach yard in Los Angeles near LAUPT with Alco S4 number 1520 at work, Pasadena, Kaiser, Rialto Ave on Southern Pacific’s Palmdale Cutoff, Mt. Vernon Viaduct, San Bernardino (before 3751 was removed for restoration in 1986) near the 5th street overpass, Baseline, Route 66, Old Keenbrook, Blue Cut, Canyon Road at Swarthout, Cajon, Sullivan’s Curve, Pine Lodge, Tunnel 2, West Summit, the pre-realignment at the summit, Thorn, Victorville with Wig Wag crossings before the depot was burned in 1983, & Barstow with a ride from San Bernardino that has scenes from the cameraman walking through the coaches.
This is a neat companion to other Pentrex titles on the early years of Amtrak: Empire Builders to Milwaukee, & Early Amtrak Across Wisconsin, not to mention both of the Historic Hot Spots videos from 1995 that also has more vintage AT&SF action.
Curtis Watson –
Disappointed we didn’t see a little more of The Chief’s run to Chicago, but it is still amazing to see Cajon Pass back in the “Golden Age” of railroading. Things just aren’t the same, but it’s great to have this record of how it was.
collinvarney24 –
Awesome to watch the old days of Amtrak even if they used Santa Fe F units before Amtrak bought their own motive power it was a great birthday present to me.
Lloyd. –
An interesting video on the opening days of this famous Amtrak train. History preserved for us to enjoy for years to come. Been nice if it was a tad longer in length but still very much enjoyed it. And a fine value for all collectors to enjoy.
T.A.R. –
Travel back in time to the summer of 1972 when Amtrak ran the awesome Chief. During Amtrak 1st summer in 1971–the Super Chief/El Captain which ran from Los Angeles Chicago in the busy summer months, known as “The Chief” had a departure time of 1pm out of L.A. See leased Santa Fe F units pulling the Chief. All footage is captured on wonderful super 8 film with it’s own recorded sound. Great DVD for the money. Running time is 40 minutes.