Rolling along the Los Angeles River under a web of high tension power lines, and about to pass under the bridge of the 101 Freeway (and beyond that, the much fancier bridge Cesar Chavez Avenue Bridge), with the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance. The setting sun provides a golden glow on the equipment for Amtrak train 4, the eastbound Southwest Chief, backing into Union Station from the nearby Redondo Junction servicing facility. It is 7:32 pm and this train was due to depart Los Angeles at 6:00, yet the equipment is just now backing into the station. This may be because this morning’s #3, the westbound Chief, arrived in Los Angeles 8 hours behind schedule. Note the deadlined Metrolink F59PHs and F59PHIs visible under the 101 Freeway bridge alongside the mainline. (Los Angeles, California – July 6, 2021)
California-bound rail travelers from the east have three choices to reach the Golden State: California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle. A look back through the years including the now-defunct Desert Wind
