The notice below appeared in this weeks TRAINS internet newsletter. Time to break out your cameras for a rare movement of passenger equipment over the old SL-SF main. GS Rare mileage trips to be pulled by E8 Published: February 6, 2012 WAUNAKEE, Wis. – High Iron Travel Corp. will sponsored a rare mileage trip over freight only lines in the Southwestern United States this spring. The expected motive power for the trips is Arizona Eastern E8A 6070, an ex-Chicago & North Western/Metra unit painted in the former Southern Pacific “Black Widow” scheme. The “Southwest Explorers” special will operate April 28 to May 4 over BNSF and Union Pacific on the following schedule: April 28: Leave St. Louis for Tulsa on the former Frisco via Springfield, Mo. April 29: Tulsa to Ft. Worth (ex-Frisco); layover in Ft. Worth. April 30: Ft. Worth to Monahans, Texas (ex-Texas & Pacific), then on Texas-New Mexico to Hobbs, N.M. May 1: Side trip on West Texas & Lubbock Railroad. Layover in Hobbs. May 2: Hobbs to Monahans, then ex-Texas & Pacific to El Paso, then on former Southern Pacific/Rock Island to Tucumcari, N.M.; layover in Tucumcari. May 3: Tucumcari to Liberal, Kan. May 4: Liberal to Kansas City. Trip ends. The consist is scheduled to be Arizona Eastern E8 6070; Cimarron River, an ex-Frisco sleeper; Scenic View, a former Santa Fe big dome, Golden Mission, an ex-SP bedroom lounge), and open platform business car Caritas.
Wow, and two Friso cars in the consist too (Caritas was rebuilt from a Frisco sleeper ( I believe Pierre Laclede, but I could be wrong). Paul
Will be nice to see an E8 here on the Eastern Division again. And, Cimarron River on the high iron is always good to see. K
I sure hope that all of you along the route planned will snap plenty of photos. My SP friend, Bob H, would enjoy seeing them - I am sure. Thanking you in advance .....
This consist is currently in the Chicago area. Weather permitting, I am going to photograph it on Sunday (2/19) the only time it will appear out on the road in daylight. Friday and Saturday it is operating as a dinner train. If the photos turn out at all I will try to post them to give a bit of a preview of what you can expect. GS
Well, I can answer that. Anyone who has $7,950.00 gets to ride. See below. (Note that not all meals are included.) GS April 28-May 4 THE SOUTHWEST EXPLORER A rail extravaganza covering over two thousand “rare” miles on former Frisco, Texas & Pacific and Rock Island track. SCHEDULE Friday, April 27 Board equipment in St. Louis after 8PM Saturday, April 28 8AM Depart St. Louis Amtrak station via former Frisco line to Tulsa via Springfield, MO and Neosho. Park overnight in Tulsa. Sunday, April 29 8AM Depart Tulsa for Ft. Worth via Ada, Denison, Sherman. Park overnight in Ft. Worth at Amtrak station. Monday, April 30 7AM Depart Ft. Worth for Monahans, TX via former Texas & Pacific. At Monahans, turn north on Texas-New Mexico RR to Hobbs, NM, where we park overnight. Tuesday, May 1 Free day in Hobbs. Optional tour of oil fields. Optional trip on West Texas & Lubbock in a caboose (limited participation. (Additional fare for WT&L trip). Wed., May 2 3AM Depart Hobbs for Monanhans and El Paso. At El Paso we turn north on former SP “Golden State” route to Carrizozo where we park overnight. Thurs., May 3 8AM Depart Carrizozo for Pratt via Tucumcari and Liberal, KS. Park overnight at Pratt. (Ex-Rock Island line from Santa Rosa.) Friday, May 4 8AM Depart Pratt for Kansas City. Arr. about 4PM. This schedule has been approved by the Union Pacific and BNSF, but is, as always subject to change. Equipment: Arizona Eastern E-8 6070; Cimarron River (ex-frisco 14 rmte, 4 bdr. sleeper), Scenic View (ex-Santa Fe “Big Dome”), Golden Mission (ex-SP bedroom lounge), Caritas (open platform business car). Fare includes all on board meals, open bar and oil field tour. Not included is dinner in Ft. Worth. Fares: $7,950 double occupancy (share a bedroom with another passenger); roomette supplement $400. MasterCard and VISA are accepted.
IF an E-8 cab ride is what is wanted, the Iron Mountain down in Jackson offers cab rides in their E-8 for a lot less!! Been there and done that with my G-sons. Dan
That E8 in Jackson is looking rough as hell. It is in dire need of attention. Years ago I rode the steam engine that used to ply those rails. It was an HK Porter locomotive.
I note that the itinerary includes a "free day" in Hobbs, New Mexico. Many years ago I called on a supplier in Hobbs, and I can tell you, there is not much of anything to do there. That one free day will feel like ten. GS
This train came through Tulsa this morning. No E-unit on the point but Amtrak 145 doing the honors. The Frisco passenger car in the consist looked good. The train headed south down the Creek Sub towards Madill. Steve.
Photos in Springfield MO. Footbridge over Northyard, crew change in front of yard office and Nichols Junction
Hobbs isn't that bad. My mother grew up there, and we took periodic trips from springfield to hobbs to visit my grandparents until the mid 1990s. I still have relatives there, which I suppose makes the place more bearable. paul
To All: Here's some links to pictures of the entire train and all of the cars taken in Northeast Oklahoma including a couple when it was parked in Cherokee Yard in Tulsa. Enjoy! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/archivethumbs.aspx?id=79143 http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40018
You know, these are swell photos, but (1) there was supposed to be a "vintage" locomotive up front, and (2) unless these cars and the service are REALLY something special, and I mean on the order of the old American Orient Express that was running around a few years ago, I'm not seeing eight grand worth of value here (even with the free day in Hobbs). GS
I saw that engine when it came through Kansas City late last year. It was not in terrible shape, but did not appear to be up to the task for a trip like this. I was tempted to consider taking this trip, but the price tag scared me off. All things considered, I'm glad that I passed on this one.
I'd rather stand beside the tracks and see an E-8 go by, rather than ride behind one in a train. Tom G.