| Some notes stored with the photos indicate that this was the inaugural run of the East Bound "El Capitan" from Los Angeles to Chicago. The very first engine with this design and paint scheme was "engine" number E1A.The number "6" on the engine indicates that it was the fifth engine built in this series for the railroad. It's only fitting that a train with a revolutionary style and paint scheme would debut at the Grand Canyon. |
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At the "head-end" is what's considered a first generation streamlined diesel engine. Electro-Motive was the company that designed and built these "E" series engines as early as 1937. This series engine was only built about 3 years and is recognized by its slanted nose. |
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The "Warbonnet" paint scheme was the result of artist Leland A. Knickerbocker who was commissioned by the Santa Fe RR to create a Southwestern image for them. Model train companies like Lionel quickly adapted this theme that made it the most popular train set even today. |
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Streamlining was also applied to the passenger cars as well. Note the "now" old fashion cars on the other sidings in the distance. A freight building shows up at far left. This structure was not there when Mike and I came to the Canyon in the early eighties. There was a time when the railroad delivered most of the food and supplies for the Fred Harvey Company. You can also see a couple of freight cars spotted there for this purpose. |
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A last thought on the concept of the slanted front of this engine. Look back and compare it to the cars from this era. The trend was to have slated grills that came to a point at the bottom like many 1930's autos. Railroaders dubbed this new style of locomotive body as "Covered Wagons". |
| The "EL CAPITAN" ran from Chicago to Los Angeles as train numbers 16 & 17. It was up-dated with hi-level passenger cars in the 50's and billed as the only "All Chair" train in the West. The purpose was to develop fast commuter service between Chicago and LA in competition to Airline travel. The Santa Fe set a standard for passenger trains that must still be held too today by Amtrak for present day trains Nos. 3 and 4. These are the numbers of the Santa Fe's premier passenger train,"The Chief" that also ran the same route. When Amtrak took over the trains, Santa Fe held back their right to use the name "Chief" as the standards had slipped to an all time low in passenger service. That train used the name "Southwest Limited" for ten years until Amtrak introduced their new "Superliner" cars. Now, the train is called the Southwest Chief. |