Amtrak train #5, the westbound San Francisco Zephyr, passes through Emilgrant Gap in the high Sierra on March 18th, 1978. Led by SDP40Fs 598 and 620, this train is just a couple hundred miles from its final destination of Oakland, California. Crossing scenic Donner Pass, as seen here, is definitely the highlight of the trip from Chicago! Too bad that today's 11-car consist didn't include a dome car.
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