Sunset Limited discussion

[Rasputin]

That's the schedule I remember that left LA mid afternoon. I didn't remember when they reverted to the traditional 10 pm LA departure, though.

I quite liked that schedule. I thought you got better scenery with it, Beaumont Pass, the Salton Sea, Pecos High Bridge, though it didn't work well for connections.

I have traveled on the eastbound Sunset under both schedules and liked the previous (pre-early May 2012) schedule much better. Although I enjoyed the scenery east of Tucson in the morning under the present schedule, the earlier schedule offered much better views across Texas. I especially liked the section where the Sunset route runs along a cliff with the cliff overhanging the train in places. I can't recall if that section was between Sanderson and High Bridge or between High Bridge and Del Rio.

 

[Cal]

I can't recall if that section was between Sanderson and High Bridge or between High Bridge and Del Rio.

Assuming the High Bridge is the Pecos River bridge, it's between there and Del Rio. I remember waking up on #1 a few years ago and sipping coffee while watching the sunrise over the PEcos River. It was a lovely view and one of my favorite memories on the train, but the land was very normal desert, no cliffs.

 

[FortCalhoun]

Pre-Amtrak and in early Amtrak, the actual switching would likely take about 20 minutes I suspect.

In 1967 The Sunset Limited was combined with the Golden State in El Paso. The Sunset arrived at 1:35 and the Golden State arrived at 2:35. The combined train left at 3:00.

 

[Sunrobber]

Pre-Amtrak and in early Amtrak, the actual switching would likely take about 20 minutes I suspect.

I I opened one eye very briefly, but basically slept through the stop and reconfiguring the train.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I I opened one eye very briefly, but basically slept through the stop and reconfiguring the train.

Switching used to go much quicker and Smoother back in the day, when there were many more Trains and Crews @ Stations where Switching was done in the Station.

 

[Asher]

I I opened one eye very briefly, but basically slept through the stop and reconfiguring the train.

I never thought I slept well on trains until I missed San Antone completely.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I never thought I slept well on trains until I missed San Antone completely.

Of all the hundreds of times I've ridden thru San Antonio on the Sunset/Eagle in both directions, I've yet to be able to do this!

 

[uncleboots]

In 1967 The Sunset Limited was combined with the Golden State in El Paso. The Sunset arrived at 1:35 and the Golden State arrived at 2:35. The combined train left at 3:00.

The Golden State had a Yuma to San Diego Section

 

[zephyr17]

In 1967 The Sunset Limited was combined with the Golden State in El Paso. The Sunset arrived at 1:35 and the Golden State arrived at 2:35. The combined train left at 3:00.

The Golden State had a Yuma to San Diego Section

Not by 1967.

 

[Harmon Shay]

That combining of the Sunset and Golden State actually happened in April of 1964. An ex-SP passenger guy told me it came as a surprise. Another account said it was technically illegal and caused a lot of confusion and problems. During that first summer it ran as long as 27 cars west of El Paso with a capacity of something like 700 people and was given only the Golden State's diner and lounge cars and the Sunset's automat car for food service. All three were swamped at meal times. Not a fun ride anymore.