The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Santa Fe All The Way!
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, distinctively known as the Santa Fe, likely is not only this country’s but also the world’s most recognized and famous railroad. It has had its own movie, song, and numerous model trains and other purchasable gifts created in its honor. The railroad’s renowned Warbonnet livery has been made in several variations ranging from the more popular silver and red with yellow trim to the blue and yellow. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, albeit no longer an operating company, is truly a railroad whose name is as common as that of Coca Cola or General Electric. The Santa Fe had its humble beginnings in 1860, originally organized to connect Atchison and Topeka, Kansas with Santa Fe, New Mexico in the southwest and known originally as only the Atchison & Topeka Railroad. After completing its connection to Santa Fe it was renamed as the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, a name it would carry throughout the rest of its history.
At its largest the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway would own well over 13,000 miles and the routes which made up its system would become some of the most heavily and strategically used throughout the West that remains so to this day. Even before the intermodal revolution the Santa Fe’s system was very important in allowing for fast movement of goods in transit from Chicago and other gateway cities to the west coast and vice versa. Coupled with this business the Santa Fe also served a number of manufacturing centers throughout the south and southwest. What led the Santa Fe, however, to becoming an industrial icon was the introduction of the Chief passenger train in late 1926, and then the Super Chief ten years later. In the late 1930s its legendary Warbonnet paint scheme was born, applied to the new streamlined Super Chief led by Electro-Motive’s new EA streamlined passenger diesels (the new motive power was something the Santa Fe was very quick to embrace), and it was an instant hit. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway over the years had become a class act in transportation service, and this was no different with its Super Chief passenger trains which regularly cruised at speeds reaching 90 mph between Chicago and LA covering the distance in around 40 hours (because of its excellent service its no wonder the railroad had many well known figures using its trains, all the way until the Amtrak takeover in 1971). The Super Chief would also have a number of other similar trains like it (such as the Texas Chief and San Francisco Chief) including its sister train the El Capitan.  Much of the railroad’s success throughout its existence was a result of its willingness to embrace new technologies and strive for excellence. Several “firsts” the railroad is credited with include autoracks, a term describing a railroad car built specifically with two or three levels to haul automobiles, and the innovative TOFC or piggyback service (trailer-on-flat-car). As the intermodal revolution took root in the 1980s Santa Fe was quick to jump on board and quickly was perfecting the service, something which carries on today with the BNSF Railway running train after train of containers, literally back-to-back between Chicago and LA. The mid-1990s would finally see this famous railroad’s name come to an end as it agreed in 1994 to merge with northwestern giant, Burlington Northern, to form the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, who recently changed its name to simply the BNSF Railway. Now gone is the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and its famous Warbonnet livery although its legend will forever live on in the products bearing its name and famous paint scheme, including gifts and models.
Few other railroads, and institutions for that matter, are so recognized and respected as the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Its star status can be compared to that of many of today’s Hollywood stars, rich and famous. While the name is gone the Super Chief carries on with Amtrak (as the Southwest Chief) and interestingly many have questioned the BNSF Railway about bringing back the Warbonnet livery and applying the famous paint scheme to its locomotives once more. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway All-Time Locomotive Rosters AT&SF Diesel Locomotive Roster Notable Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Passenger Trains Grand Canyon: (Chicago - Los Angeles) The Scout: (Chicago - Los Angeles) San Francisco Chief: (Chicago - San Francisco) Texas Chief: (Chicago - Houston) San Diegan: (Los Angeles - San Diego) Tulsan: (Kansas City - Tulsa) Chicagoan: (Dallas - Kansas City - Chicago) Golden Gate: (Los Angeles - San Francisco)
And, for more reading on the Santa Fe's famous Super Chief consider purchasing a copy of Santa Fe Chiefs from author Bill Yenne. The book not only covers the famous flagship but also a number of other Chiefs operated by the Santa Fe. For anyone interested in the Santa Fe and/or its passenger operations you will very likely enjoy this book, which is also filled with photographs. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing these books please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".
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