Amtrak train 3, the westbound Southwest Chief, is running 6 hours 15 minutes late as it passes through Esperanza, in the western end of Santa Ana Canyon. This train experienced a 4-hour 30 minute delay in Lamar, Colorado, when, for reasons unknown to me, some of the cars were swapped around in the consist, with coach 34058 moved from the fifth car to the ninth car, following Pacific Surfliner coach/café car 6304, deadheading on the rear, resulting in this consist: AMTK P42DCs 148 and 15 pulling sleepers 32077 and 32050, diner 38068, lounge 33025, coaches 34044, 31003 and 31027, followed by deadheading cars 6304 and the relocated coach 34058. (Yorba Linda, California – November 14, 2020). Thanks to Mike Collins for the info on the "Lamar Switch."
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