Operations
The train currently consists of two P42 locomotives, one baggage car, one Superliner transition sleeping car, two Superliner sleeping cars, a Superliner dining car, a Superliner lounge car, and three Superliner coach cars (one of which is usually a coach-baggage car). A fourth Superliner coach may be added during peak travel periods.
Unique among all long distance Superliner trains, the Southwest Chief is permitted to run up to a maximum of 90 mph (145 km/h) along significant portions of the route because of Automatic train stop installed by the Santa Fe railroad. Given Amtrak's own projected 41 hour travel time, the average speed is still in excess of 55 mph (including stops).
During the spring and summer months, Volunteer Rangers from the National Park Service travel onboard and provide a narrative between La Junta, Colorado, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
During the months of June, July and August, the Southwest Chief is used by thousands of Boy Scouts traveling to and from Philmont Scout Ranch via the Raton Amtrak Station. During those months Raton station is occupied by Amtrak employees and handles checked baggage.
In the January 2011 issue of Trains Magazine, this route was listed as one of five routes to be looked at by Amtrak in FY 2012 and examined like previous routes (Sunset, Eagle, Zephyr, Capitol, and Cardinal) were examined in FY 2010.
Read more about this topic: Southwest Chief
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