The Amtrak Chief

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: LA, Cajon Pass, San Bernardino, Barstow

Timeframe: 1972

Length: 40 minutes

Source: Nick Muff

An early Amtrak show. The Chief is pulled by leased Santa Fe Electromotive F7A and various B units. This 1972 Amtrak Chief was aka Train 20. Departed Los Angeles at 1:00pm. Final destination of Chicago. It was like a combined Super Chief- El Capitan.

A single DVD. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Super 8mm film source with sound. Original audio for the soundtrack.

Play video or preview section choice. On-screen graphics for locations. No maps. Narration by David Drui.

At first glance, the trains appear to be Santa Fe. The occasional foreign road or an Amtrak painted car are seen. Watch for Chesapeake and Ohio or Union Pacific liveries to spotlight a couple of roadnames.

To the Trains…

Alco S4 1520 is switching passenger cars at the 8th Street coach yard in Los Angeles. Shoves the assembled train into LAUPT.

The Chief is seen departing at the same location. Four Santa Fe F units are the standard power at this time.

Examine this F7B unit oddity. Some of the Santa Fe F7A diesels were repainted with a yellow warbonnet. This B unit seems to match that late scheme.

Train 20 arrival at San Bernardino station.

Route 66 and a pacing sequence.

Blue Cut.

The Chief has its air horn sounding at Cajon.

Summit before the construction project that would permanently alter this area. A rare 3 engine lash-up hauls 9 cars.

Passing the still standing Victorville Depot in 1972.

A train ride is included from San Bernardino station. Witness Sullivan’s Curve before this was altered. The camera is onboard the passenger cars with various views. The Chief behind engine 307 is leaving Barstow and our cameraman to end the show.

The Amtrak Chief

First, this is rare material. For a Pentrex production, it is a lesser quality than their usual high standards.

The original film appears to be unrestored. I highlighted scenes without flaws. The focus is nowhere near a modern standard. So, historical value.

Soundtrack is very disappointing. Yes, the original natural recording is here. However, the audio level is mixed low. Problem is when the narrator speaks, he is significantly louder versus the train sounds. Script is on the thin side with information. Unbalanced sound levels.

The oddity is an attempt to focus on the original audio. If the viewer raises the low level volume. The narrative comes in too loud At 40 minutes, it is a rather short release.

Overall, an adequate tour of an early Amtrak ex: Santa Fe type train. Best suited for hardcore railfans.

Rating: 3 Stars