The El Capitan, Santa Fe's Famous All-Coach Chicago - L.A. Train

The Santa Fe’s El Capitan was another of the railroad’s premier passenger trains connecting Chicago with Los Angeles. However, unlike the Chief and Super Chief the El Cap provided no Pullman sleeper service and was an all-coach operation. Nevertheless the train was extremely popular (partly due to its 1super-scenic route) and is best remembered for the Hi-Level cars it carried, the first application of such cars on a long-distance passenger train. Through the end the Santa Fe retained very high service levels on board the El Capitan until the spring of 1971 when it, along with the rest of the ATSF passenger fleet was handed over to Amtrak.

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.

What led the Santa Fe 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.

The El Capitan (which is derived from the Spanish influences of the Southwest regions during the 1700s), inaugurated in February 1938, was born primarily to help supplement the incredibly popular and luxurious Super Chief as a low-cost, economy-friendly version of Santa Fe’s flagship train. The El Cap came fully equipped with streamlined equipment from the Budd Company. All stainless steel the cars included were coaches with reclining seats, lunch-counter diner, and a coach observation car (a five-car consist in total).

During the 1940s the El Cap received new equipment and upgrading, twice (194 and 1948) so that it could provide daily service in each direction. Then, in the mid-1950s the train was given more upgrades, this time to the extent that the El Capitan earned near legendary status. In 1954 the train received full-length dome cars that the Santa Fe named “Big Domes,” allowing passengers unparalleled views of the spectacular scenery along the Santa Fe’s Chicago – L.A. main line. Then in 1956 the El Cap received its signature cars, Hi-Levels.

Now commonly seen on commuter trains (even back then as well) and long distance Amtrak passenger trains, they were revolutionary on intercity passenger trains at the time. Not only was the car more economical by allowing twice the seating in the same amount of space but also provided passengers a quieter and more comfortable ride from the top level.

The El Capitan remained a popular choice for travelers even through the 1960s due to the scenic views and fast schedule between Los Angeles and Chicago. While downgrades did occur, even on the El Cap, the Santa Fe did not waiver in excellent on board services right until the end when Amtrak took over the Santa Fe’s vast and vaunted passenger operations on May 1, 1971. Today, amazingly, some of the Santa Fe’s Hi-Level coaches remain in operation on the Amtrak system, along with the passenger carrier’s newer Superliners.

For more reading on the Santa Fe you might want to consider Santa Fe Railway from Steve Glischinski. Of course, being that the Santa Fe is our country's most legendary railroad hundreds of publications (many quite good) have been written about it over the years detailing various subjects. However, this book will at least give you a general overview and history of the Santa Fe (filled with many, excellent, historical and colorful photographs) at which point you can decide if you are interested in further books of study on the railroad. Even if you are a historian of the ATSF and have not seen this book I'm sure you will enjoy it!

And, for more reading on the Santa Fe's famous El Capitan you might want to consider the book Super Chief and El Capitan by author Patrick Dorin. The book gives a detailed, comprehensive look, with plenty of photos, of the El Capitan from its beginning through the very end with the startup of Amtrak. If you have any interest in the train you should definitely enjoy Mr. Dorin's books.