Vintage Amtrak Photos

[SarahZ]

I couldn't find a main thread for "vintage" Amtrak photos, but I stumbled across these and wanted to share.

(All photos by Charles O'Rear)

Empire Builder, somewhere between Chicago and East Glacier, June 1974:

View attachment 1005

Southwest Limited, crossing Central Ave in Albuquerque, June 1974:

Dining car in the Southwest Limited, 1974. I like those single tables!

 

[dabrilloman]

Nice find...Cool pics!

 

[oregon pioneer]

Wow, very neat photos! I may have to dig through my college photos and see if I have any of the California Zephyr in 1968 (pre-Amtrak). Thank you!

 

[NS VIA Fan]

These are great! Thanks

 

[Blackwolf]

Fantastic! I love them all!

 

[Allypet]

Thanks for the pictures. I especially like the kid with the pipe and his feet up on the seats.

 

[SarahZ]

Thanks for the pictures. I especially like the kid with the pipe and his feet up on the seats.

Same here!

 

[railiner]

Great photo's, thanks for posting them....

Those "single tables" in the ex Santa Fe 36 seat diner's are actually tables for two.....

 

[SarahZ]

Great photo's, thanks for posting them....

Those "single tables" in the ex Santa Fe 36 seat diner's are actually tables for two.....

Oh, that's what I meant. "Private" table would have been a better word for it. It would be nice to sit with Brent and enjoy eating in the dining car without feeling pressured to make small talk.

 

[SarahZ]

Here's another cool photo, courtesy of http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/

The Zephyr getting a wash at the 14th St Yard, Chicago, 1948.

 

[Big Green Chauvanist]

Great photo's, thanks for posting them....

Those "single tables" in the ex Santa Fe 36 seat diner's are actually tables for two.....

Oh, that's what I meant. "Private" table would have been a better word for it. It would be nice to sit with Brent and enjoy eating in the dining car without feeling pressured to make small talk.

I have the feeling your conversations are much more substantial than "small talk"!

 

[SarahZ]

I have the feeling your conversations are much more substantial than "small talk"!

Honestly, no. Unless we're sitting with other railfans, I blush and falter my way through conversation, all the while wishing I could just eat in silence. :blush:

 

[Ethan Klapper]

Charles O'Rear's photos (the first set) were taken as part of the EPA's DOCUMERICA project in the 1970s. The National Archives has a full set of those photos here; it's a pretty amazing documentation of Amtrak's early years. The Amtrak photos start around page three. Rainbow consists!

 

[SarahZ]

Those are great! I love seeing the old Coach setup.

Playing BINGO in the lounge would have been fun!

 

[jimhudson]

Outstanding and Nostalgic!

Specialty noteworthy are the St.Louis and Tacoma Stations and the Dome Cars and the Daylight scenes on the Hi-Line!

Notice the staff passing out refreshments and the on-board Service Reps and the Fireman/Brakeman in the Engine with Engineer! All long gone and missed!

 

[Zach]

Amazing photos! Great shots of classic Americana!

 

[railiner]

Great photo's! Sure brings back fond memories of times long gone by....

Loved the views of the old uniform's, especially....