Southwest Chief facts for kids
Amtrak's Southwest Chief at Devil's Throne in New Mexico
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Long-distance higher speed rail |
| Status | Operating |
| Locale | Midwestern and Southwestern United States |
| Predecessor | Super Chief, El Capitan |
| First service | 1974 |
| Current operator(s) | Amtrak |
| Ridership | 1,006 daily 367,267 total (FY15) |
| Route | |
| Start | Chicago, Illinois |
| Stops | 31 |
| End | Los Angeles, California |
| Distance travelled | 2,265 mi (3,645 km) |
| Average journey time | 43 hours, 15 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily each way |
| Train number(s) | 3 (Chicago to Los Angeles) Westbound 4 (Los Angeles to Chicago) Eastbound |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Coach Sleeper |
| Seating arrangements | Airline-style coach seating |
| Sleeping arrangements | Superliner Roomette (2 beds) Family Bedroom (4 beds) Superliner Bedroom (2 beds) Superliner Bedroom Suite (4 beds) Superliner Accessible Bedroom (2 beds) |
| Catering facilities | Dining car On-board café |
| Observation facilities | Sightseer Lounge Car |
| Baggage facilities | Checked baggage (select stations) |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | P42 locomotives Superliner cars |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Operating speed | 90 mph (145 km/h) maximum 55 mph (89 km/h) average (including stops) |
| Track owner(s) | BNSF Railway |
The Southwest Chief is a famous passenger train run by Amtrak. It travels a long way, about 2,265 miles, across the Midwest and Southwest of the United States. This train connects two big cities: Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California.
The train passes through many states. These include Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It offers a unique way to see the American landscape.
Train's Journey
The Southwest Chief travels daily in both directions. One train goes from Chicago to Los Angeles. The other goes from Los Angeles to Chicago. The whole trip takes about 43 hours and 15 minutes.
Onboard Experience
Passengers can choose between different types of seats. There are regular coach seats, which are like airline seats. For a more private trip, there are also sleeper cars. These cars have different kinds of rooms.
- Superliner Roomette: Has two beds.
- Family Bedroom: Can sleep up to four people.
- Superliner Bedroom: Also has two beds.
- Superliner Bedroom Suite: Combines two bedrooms for four beds.
- Superliner Accessible Bedroom: Designed for easy access, with two beds.
The train also has a dining car where you can buy meals. There is also an on-board café for snacks and drinks. A special "Sightseer Lounge Car" has big windows. This car lets you enjoy the amazing views along the route.
History of the Train
The Southwest Chief started running in 1974. Before that, it was known by other names. These names included the Southwest Limited and the Super Chief. Amtrak is the company that operates this train.
The train uses powerful P42 locomotives. It pulls Superliner cars. These cars are known for being comfortable and having two levels.
Images for kids
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Boy Scouts unload their equipment at Raton in 2011.
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Southwest Chief #4 arriving at Trinidad, CO
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Southwest Chief #3 stopping at Albuquerque station
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Southwest Limited dome car, 1974. Photo by Charles O'Rear.
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Amtrak Eng. 69 on the Southwest Chief at Barstow, California in 1999
