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Our California Vacation (1980)

During April, 1980 we took a three-week Vacation, the longest Vacation we have ever taken. We went to California to see Disneyland, Yosemite National Park, Maricopa Grove, and Napa Valley Wine Country. We made the trip entirely on Amtrak, before Superliners were on Long Distance Western Trains. We caught the "Kansas City Mule" out of St. Louis and went to Kansas City, where we boarded the Pullman on "The Southwest Chief" to Los Angeles. From Los Angeles, we took the "Coast Starlight" up to San Francisco. And from San Francisco, we took the connecting bus service from San Francisco to Oakland (16th Street Station), where we boarded the "California Zephyr" which took us to Chicago. This was the "CZ" that went through Wyoming via the Union Pacific, not the Rio Grande. Upon arrival at Chicago, we took the "Texas Eagle" back to Alton, where our trip ended. It was a great Vacation. These are a small portion of some of the photographs I took on that Vacation.
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  • This is a street scene in Kansas City, MO.  We had a small layover in Kansas City before catching the "Southwest Chief" so I took the opportunity to venture out and take a few photographs.

    This is a street scene in Kansas City, MO. We had a small layover in Kansas City before catching the "Southwest Chief" so I took the opportunity to venture out and take a few photographs.

  • This photo shows the interior of the Santa Fe Hi-Level Lounge Car on #3.

    This photo shows the interior of the Santa Fe Hi-Level Lounge Car on #3.

  • We went in and out of patches of snow en route to California.  Because it was early April, the snow was lingering, but not very deep.

    We went in and out of patches of snow en route to California. Because it was early April, the snow was lingering, but not very deep.

  • The Plains were dusted mostly, with little accumulation of snow, but it did make for a beautiful landscape.

    The Plains were dusted mostly, with little accumulation of snow, but it did make for a beautiful landscape.

  • Untitled photo

  • #3 was made up of Santa Fe Hi=Level Chair Cars, Lounge, and Dining Car.  Behind those were the Pullmans, which were standard Heritage Cars.

    #3 was made up of Santa Fe Hi=Level Chair Cars, Lounge, and Dining Car. Behind those were the Pullmans, which were standard Heritage Cars.

  • The train was powered by three EMD F-40 Locomotives, more than enough power to pull the long train.

    The train was powered by three EMD F-40 Locomotives, more than enough power to pull the long train.

  • This semaphore signal was along our route.  It is the only one I saw during the entire journey!

    This semaphore signal was along our route. It is the only one I saw during the entire journey!

  • I shot this photo while making a station stop in Colorado.

    I shot this photo while making a station stop in Colorado.

  • The three F-40s are winding the train down the mountain.

    The three F-40s are winding the train down the mountain.

  • Behind the three F-40s are two Baggage Cars and one Baggage/Dormatory Car.

    Behind the three F-40s are two Baggage Cars and one Baggage/Dormatory Car.

  • I noticed this construction equipment near the right-of-way.

    I noticed this construction equipment near the right-of-way.

  • #3 is preparing to ascend a grade.

    #3 is preparing to ascend a grade.

  • #3 has made a big circle.  Our Pullman was on the rear of the train.  When I shot this photo, we were parallel with the head-end of the train!

    #3 has made a big circle. Our Pullman was on the rear of the train. When I shot this photo, we were parallel with the head-end of the train!

  • The train has finally started to straighten out.  This shot shows the majority of the train going around a curve.

    The train has finally started to straighten out. This shot shows the majority of the train going around a curve.

  • I saw this cabin nearby the right-of-way.  It looks like a wonderful place to get away from it all!

    I saw this cabin nearby the right-of-way. It looks like a wonderful place to get away from it all!

  • #3 is preparing to enter a tunnel and cross from Colorado to New Mexico.

    #3 is preparing to enter a tunnel and cross from Colorado to New Mexico.

  • This windmill is barely visible through the window of our Sleeper.

    This windmill is barely visible through the window of our Sleeper.

  • #3 is again descending the mountain into New Mexico.

    #3 is again descending the mountain into New Mexico.

  • We are passing through a cut.  There was not much space between the train and the face of the rock.

    We are passing through a cut. There was not much space between the train and the face of the rock.

  • I photographed this Santa Fe Freight Engine through the window of our Sleeper.

    I photographed this Santa Fe Freight Engine through the window of our Sleeper.

  • We passed this Santa Fe Freight Train in New Mexico.

    We passed this Santa Fe Freight Train in New Mexico.

  • As you can see, the scenery is beautiful.

    As you can see, the scenery is beautiful.

  • One of the first sights we took in was Disneyland.  We had been to Disney World in Orlando, FL, but never to Disneyland.  Disneyland will fit into the Parking Lot of Disney World.  Here is a shot of Storybook Land.

    One of the first sights we took in was Disneyland. We had been to Disney World in Orlando, FL, but never to Disneyland. Disneyland will fit into the Parking Lot of Disney World. Here is a shot of Storybook Land.

  • This scene shows part of Adventure Land at Disneyland.

    This scene shows part of Adventure Land at Disneyland.

  • This is the entrance to "It's a Small World".

    This is the entrance to "It's a Small World".

  • This shows some of the scenery during the Runaway Mine Train.

    This shows some of the scenery during the Runaway Mine Train.

  • Here is more scenery from Adventureland.

    Here is more scenery from Adventureland.

  • On the Saturday before Easter, we visited the Hollywood Bowl.  They were preparing it for Easter Service on Sunday.

    On the Saturday before Easter, we visited the Hollywood Bowl. They were preparing it for Easter Service on Sunday.

  • The shell of the Bowl is huge, but becomes dwarfed when viewed from the back of the seats.

    The shell of the Bowl is huge, but becomes dwarfed when viewed from the back of the seats.

  • We also visited Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.  Originally named Graumann's Chinese Theatre, it is the location of many of the famous Hollywood celebrities feet and hand imprints.

    We also visited Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Originally named Graumann's Chinese Theatre, it is the location of many of the famous Hollywood celebrities feet and hand imprints.

  • Here are some of the imprints of the rich and famous at Mann's Chinese Theatre.

    Here are some of the imprints of the rich and famous at Mann's Chinese Theatre.

  • This shows the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  There are stars inset into the sidewalk for all the celebrities being honored.

    This shows the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are stars inset into the sidewalk for all the celebrities being honored.

  • These trailers house the movie stars who are working at Universal Studios.

    These trailers house the movie stars who are working at Universal Studios.

  • This is one of the attractions at Universal Studios.  It is a collapsing bridge!

    This is one of the attractions at Universal Studios. It is a collapsing bridge!

  • This steamboat was a fixture in a Darren McGavin Series.

    This steamboat was a fixture in a Darren McGavin Series.

  • This is a set from "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming".  The Russian Submarine is shown in the "harbor"!

    This is a set from "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming". The Russian Submarine is shown in the "harbor"!

  • This is a Western Set, supposedly used for "Gunsmoke".

    This is a Western Set, supposedly used for "Gunsmoke".

  • The collapsing bridge in action!

    The collapsing bridge in action!

  • Stored airplace and military equipment at Universal Studios.

    Stored airplace and military equipment at Universal Studios.

  • Looking down onto Universal Studios

    Looking down onto Universal Studios

  • This boat was a prop from the movie "Jaws"!

    This boat was a prop from the movie "Jaws"!

  • This is an example of a burning house!

    This is an example of a burning house!

  • "Jaws" was very big at this time.  This "Great White Shark" was displayed as "Jaws"!

    "Jaws" was very big at this time. This "Great White Shark" was displayed as "Jaws"!

  • Another view of Universal Studios.

    Another view of Universal Studios.

  • CBS Television in Hollywood.

    CBS Television in Hollywood.

  • We have returned to Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal, where we will catch the "Coast Starlight" to San Francisco.  This scene shows one of the gardens at Union Station.  Thirty years later, this scene has changed very little.

    We have returned to Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal, where we will catch the "Coast Starlight" to San Francisco. This scene shows one of the gardens at Union Station. Thirty years later, this scene has changed very little.

  • The "Coast Starlight" our of Los Angeles, en route to Seattle.

    The "Coast Starlight" our of Los Angeles, en route to Seattle.

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