El Capitan (passenger train)

*El Capitan*
Overview

The El Capitan depicted on a 1950s postcard at some point after receiving its Hi-Level equipment.
First service	February 22, 1938 (1938-02-22)
Last service	April 29, 1973 (1973-04-29)
Former operator(s)	Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Amtrak

Sample consists
February 1938
Train	Original consists
Locomotive: EMC E1 Locomotive #5 / #6 Baggage-Dormitory-Chair car (32 seats) #3480 / #3481 Chair car (52 seats) #3103 / #3104 Lunch Counter-Diner #1505 / #1506 Chair car (52 seats) #3105 / #3106 Round-end Chair car / Observation (50 seats) #3198 / #3199
Summer 1956
Train	Westbound #21
Locomotives: 4 x EMD F3/EMD F7 Baggage (storage mail) Baggage Baggage-Dormitory (transition car) Hi-Level Step Down Chair Car (68 seats) Hi-Level Chair Car (72 seats) Hi-Level Chair Car (72 seats) Hi-Level Diner Hi-Level Lounge Hi-Level Chair Car (72 seats) Hi-Level Chair Car (72 seats) Hi-Level Chair Car (72 seats) Hi-Level Step Down Chair Car (68 seats)

The El Capitan was a streamlined passenger train operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway ("Santa Fe") between Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California. It operated from 1938 to 1971; Amtrak retained the name until 1973. The El Capitan was the only all-coach or "chair car" (non-Pullman sleeper) to operate on the Santa Fe main line between Chicago and Los Angeles on the same fast schedule as the railroad's premier all-Pullman Super Chief. It was also the first train to receive the pioneering Hi-Level equipment with which it would become synonymous.

The El Capitan debuted on February 22, 1938 on a twice-weekly schedule, using two five-car sets of streamlined equipment built by the Budd Company. Like the Pennsylvania Railroad's Trail Blazer, it offered "low-cost passage with high-speed convenience." Fare Chicago to Los Angeles was $5.00 above the $39.50 regular coach fare in 1938.

Originally conceived as the Economy Chief, the name El Capitan was chosen to commemorate the Spanish conquistadors; it competed for passenger traffic with Union Pacific's Challenger. Unique in charging an extra fare despite being a coach train, it pioneered such features as "RideMaster" seats optimized for sleeping.

On its inaugural run the El Capitan left the main line at Williams and traveled up the Grand Canyon Railway to Grand Canyon Depot. In regular operation passengers bound for the Grand Canyon would connect at Williams.

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Wikipedia