The Passenger Train, 1954

An educational film about train travel in the 1950s. To purchase a clean DVD or digital download of this film for personal home use or educational use contact us at [e-mail]. To license footage from this film for commercial use visit: www.travelfilmarchive.com

[@thatdiegoguy]

Did anyone else get a little nostalgic even though you weren’t born during the 50’s?

[@billolsen4360]

Reminds of Eva Marie Saint & Cary Grant romancing aboard New York Central's 20th Century Limited in North By Northwest, filmed 1958. "I never discuss making love on an empty stomach" says she in the dining car. "How did a girl like you get to be a girl like you?" says he. All the serious lovemaking that took place in Eva's drawing room compartment between them was left to your imagination, this was the 1950's after all.

[@waterboltproductions9082]

yes

[@gretchenlittle6817]

I got a lot nostalgic -- of course I was born during the 50s. My mom took us on a couple of long train trips, from Missouri to Connecticut, but we didn't have a bedroom. My first trip by myself was in an airplane, though.

[@wendirose509]

Absolutely!

[@sasanka7474]

Absolutely

[@fleetwin1]

I still dream of taking a train trip on a vintage train like this, even today, as a full grown kid...

[@johnkramchuck7653]

Such class..From a time in American history that will never be repeated..Those days are gone forever..

[@jagc1969]

Videos like this one are GOLD.

[@3superpar]

Beaver Clever

[@williamgilmore4554]

they certainly are golden. I miss those days.

[@jagc1969]

@@williamgilmore4554 I would like to have been there so I could have ,at least, seen those trains...

[@johnyoung468]

3superpar Yep, he visited aunt Martha .

[@tf1249]

You might like British pathe then

[@TheVaughan5]

I was lucky to travel on the short lived "Orient Express" from Washington to Chicago back in 1990. The cars were restored sleepers, dining and club from the late 40's - absolutely gorgeous! The food was outstanding, the quality of the fittings far superior to anything today and you were on a real train not something that tries to emulate a plane. Unforgettable. It was expensive but worth every penny!!

[@xanadujohn79]

You said it $$$$$$$$$$$$

[@mccoy79productions66]

kzbin.info/door/gWxxUB1ROAXPgdmpxVtuAA

[@powellmountainmike8853]

It's a real shame that the U.S. no longer has this quality of rail passenger service. Trains use much less energy per passenger mile than airplanes. They are also a far more comfortable way to travel, with more room in the seating, and one has the ability to get up and walk around, to go to the dining car or cafe car for a snack. I wish that Amtrack would expand its services to once again be what passenger rail was in the 1950s. I am old enough to remember traveling on trains back in those days. I remember them fondly. I have also traveled on trains more recently. I still enjoy train travel much more than flying.

[@THEFINALHAZARD]

It’s a shame but, not surprising. Even back then the trains made a profit loss and were basically advertisements for the freight side. They are companies after all, so…I don’t like it either though, and wish we had this outside of museum runs

[@drpoundsign]

Their frozen pizza Rules! Still like them detroit to Chicago Florence SC to DC even greyhound quicker b/c of shared track issues even single track with siding some places in 21st century!

[@drpoundsign]

The zephyr was the first diesel Loco back in 1936 they didn't really become common until decades later way cleaner more efficient no fireman...

[@lovelacetunes]

yes they use less fuel, but that’s not good for fossil fuels bottom line, is it? now they’ve allowed electric cars (invented long ago) for control purposes, the 15 minute concentration camp (I mean city) other great nostalgia train docs can be found at National Film Board on youtube. ✌️❤️‍🔥🚂

[@Gotuber126]

However, speeds exceeding 1000 km/h on land would be dangerous and not very efficient. Air travel is more suitable in the United States

[@nikop3571]

The nicest part of youtube. Hello everybody from Malaysia!

[@ttonypayne5077]

So much style, no cost cutting, no rush just good old fashioned service.

[@williamdeka2055]

a time where people were passionate about their Jobs and when life was simple

[@jasonfelix7438]

Life's never been simple.

[@pfs5812]

A time when hard work and honesty were rewarded.

[@jake9854]

@@pfs5812 White Only, u toss a bad dice roll into black, u get lynch

[@tommytruth7595]

@@jake9854 Baloney. Not if you behaved yourself. Or would you prefer the out of control black on black violence of today?

[@Pluviophile218]

@@pfs5812 ...and people took pride in their jobs no matter what they were. Most people realized that not every job was designed to support a family; that some were indeed 2nd income jobs.

[@johnbarthram2761]

I love American trains of the 50s, smashing little film.

[@Aviationsim4862]

Do yu liek twaiinz?

[@Sirphil-dj9dh]

If you enjoy looking at American passenger train videos of the 1950's you should really think about getting a streamlined passenger train from Lionel trains. I got one 6 years ago and periodically I am rushing home at night to play with my trains. Go figure....And I am 52 by the way!!!

[@packingten]

@@Aviationsim4862 Yes more than smart asses

[@tspenceriii]

Our trains then were somewhat run down at the heel but acceptable compared to others. Now we sadly trail most 3rd world countries in availability, quality, speed, and service. Acela seems to be the pinnacle. Even that is less compared to the best of Europe...not to mention China and Japan.

[@ignorecorporatenews]

Cheerio

[@ronmartin3755]

I remember this period of time! I was the same age as Bob in 1954. I rode these trains and visited Uncles, Aunts and Friends. Too bad times changed!

[@lavalampluva55401]

I watched this and said that Bob's father wouldn't let Bob travel allow by himself today!!!

[@alexp3752]

A simpler, more civilized time that will never come again...

[@sandeegrey5977]

A simpler time? Ok.

[@JRNipper]

But it will come again and will be better than before when Jesus returns and sets things straight, which, according to prophecy won't be much longer.

[@SnickasBah]

JRNipper pray some more gay away. You’re falling way behind.

[@JRNipper]

@@SnickasBah Will do, always glad to accomodate such requests.

[@alcopower5710]

Sandee Grey .....yes a much simpler time.

[@pradeepgalgali]

The charm, elegance, luxury and majestic train travel

[@toneechestnut1938]

In the sixties I worked on the Santa Fe for a summer as a waiter, a couple of years ago I spent a month travelling on Amtrak and in many ways things have hardly changed. So those of you who yearn for the old days , they still call out " all aboard" and arrive several hours late . But the city stations have been restored and you can imagine being in the glorious fifties.

[@tommytruth7595]

In the old days, the trains did not arrive several hours late. Most ran on time.

[@davidhoffman1278]

Tommy Truth, The freight lines constantly violate the rules on passenger priority and that explains why some passenger trains are late.

[@tommytruth7595]

That is true.

[@Gail1Marie]

Took the Southwest Chief from LA to Chicago and Capitol Limited to Washington DC two years ago on AMTRAK. The terminals ARE beautiful. Thoroughly enjoyed it except for one stretch of rough track in Kansas that could only be compared to the "Shaky Quaky Schoolhouse" earthquake simulator. The desert southwest was especially beautiful (and I already live in the desert). Met interesting people (including Amish, whose religion prohibits travel by air). Do it if you get the chance.

[@Porsche996driver]

Charming film. Simpler times for sure. Trains remain relaxing. You can have real conversations, enjoy the views, and not curse at traffic. California has some great routes including Santa Barbara station just 3 short blocks to the beach, pier, and quaint hotels. Free shuttle bus around town or down to the zoo. Great long weekend. Leave the car at home.

[@billolsen4360]

Our family used to take the train to Glenwood Springs, Colorado for a couple days in the mountains & stay at an old hotel, Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge, just a short walk from the station & adjacent to the big pool. Didn't even need a car & us kids swam until we were out of energy, which was about 4 hours a day.

[@62636263c]

How in the World did that poor boy survive such a long trip, without a gameboy, TV, laptop, cell phone, MP3 player, or even a radio. We where totally abused as children. I remember having none of these things growing up. It may sound nuts, but we did things like, read books, draw, write stories, and played with our friends in person. When not on a train, we would ride our bikes, build hide outs, fish, play with our dog, work in the garden and do chores around the house. We had it good.

[@marcgilbert1497]

62636263c yes we did. Best of times.

[@killerzracing71]

Crazy how its 2018 and you can sit on your phone and watch videos of trains from the 50's on your phone anywhere in the world. We have it good............. get with the times, things advance.

[@marcdewey3848]

That stuff wasn't even thought of then.

[@SocialistView]

Its probably even worse in 2019!

[@pascalcs]

And child obesity issues were uncommon....

[@AndrasOtto]

Interesting, there are two actors in this film that are also in the Sante Fe Railroad "The Super Chief" promo film. The guy with a cigarette that opens the wash basin also opens a wash basin (while holding a cigarette) on the SuperChief film, and the woman in the dome car at 5:16 is also the main character in the Super Chief film. She's wearing the same outfit on that film, and the two people in the seats behind her are the same also. The Super Chief film is in color, but apparently filmed at the same time as this one.

[@heronimousbrapson863]

Bobby in the 1950's: Gee I'm going to ride on a passenger train! Bobby in 2020: What's a passenger train?

[@flaminglaughter]

This was so much fun to watch! My wife and I just got back from an Amtrak Excersion from Chicago to Flagstaff to the Garland Canyon and back. It was incredible! But the train trip hasn’t changed much. We had a roomette and it was so nice to sleep on a bed as the train moved. We slept well! And the observation car was a great place to play cards and drink a beer! The food in the restaurant was fairly good too. We would highly recommend a trip by train.

[@janetmiller2160]

*Grand*? You gotta watch that auto correct computer.

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

@@janetmiller2160 I remember the Garland Canyon..........not far from Falstaff, Arid Zone. 🙂 🌵

[@janetmiller2160]

@@rizzlerazzleuno4733 ok, I"l) buy that

[@seven6twomm]

I have never been on a real passenger train on a real train trip somewhere, would love to go. It seems to me so idealistic and nostalgic to experience something like this. My experience with riding on trains has been limited to short distance, couple miles up and back, museum type, historic attraction train rides only, like on an old steamer, and then metro rail transportation in cities like DC, etc..., if that even qualifies as a "train" ride. Videos like this make train riding seem so exciting and inspirational!

[@photographylover1238]

I was not born in the 1950s but there is a lot to love about this time. There were far less immature people. People kept their word and if they said they were going to do something they did it. If you made arrangements or plans with people they stuck to them and did not pull out at the last minute unless there was actually some really good reason. The fact it was possible to even live of one wage and live a comfortable life, eat well, buy a house, have children and heat your home as well as have some money for entertainment all on one wage shows how much the cost of living has gone up. Don't get me wrong there are things that are great about today as well such as healthcare being much better and safer cars etc etc all I am saying is there is also a lot to love about the 1950s. Life was more simple, people were less stressed and people had a lot more time to wind down and relax. The work/leisure balance was much better. People were not complaining anything like as much and showed much more basic respect for others as there are too many people that throw offensive names around and feel they can do whatever they want just because they don't get their own way which there was so much less of in the 1950s. The 1950s was way way before I was even born but I have seen and heard a lot about it.

[@alphonsozorro7952]

"Life was more simple, people were less stressed ..." Less divorce, less abortions, less singles, less single-parents, less drug addiction, less alcoholism, less violence, etc. Yeah, more "simple".

[@take942]

Today, unfortunately, people take themselves WAY too seriously. That takes the fun out of day to day living and travelling with other people.

[@gwarlow]

Photographylover Hey, it's 2019 and I still keep my word. Maybe you need some new friends? Good luck.

[@take942]

@@gwarlow FYI...Photographylover's comment/analysis is true and quite accurate.

[@debbied7035]

I was born in the 50's. People didn't expect a brand new anything when they were just starting out. You scrimped and saved for a down payment on a starter home that was modest and the neighborhood was selected for families and children. You drove a used car till you were financially stable then drove it for years. Manners and respect were very important as was being taught to honor a commitment. People have always wanted nice things but young people seemed to accept that they would work their way into nice things. Nobody wanted to live at home at 25. The other thing was it was ver common to have friends who grandmother or grandfather (or maybe an aged maiden aunt) who lived with the family. Now old people are just shipped out to live in old people's assisted living facilities.

[@bobbypickard4454]

My grandmother and I road one of those to Baltimore in the 50's. I was so excited. I only remember standing in the yard looking the steam engine going by about three blocks away.thank for sharing.

[@motherlandone6300]

Dude! Stop showing your age. 😃👍🏾

[@davidfoster8890]

Such a generalization of a train trip. Sixty years ago, the media could get away with a film such as this, but not today. Many errors, most obvious was the final shot at Lamy, showing an eastbound leaving the station. I don't recall the Chief turning there??? (the drumhead on the Navajo read "Chief"). Yes, I have been to Lamy. Also, departing Chicago (based on the Monon trains shown on the arrival/departure board,) the Chief had the Navajo on the rear of the train. The Navajo was removed from regular service shortly after WWII ended, and used is reserve Also, the Chief never had Pleasure dome lounges; not sure about the lunch-counter diners, maybe in peak season. I could go on.

[@jackanthony976]

The other error that I noticed was that the film shows coach chair passengers. How could there be coach chair passengers when the Chief was an all-Pullman train? However, the Chief lost its all Pullman status eventually so maybe by the time this film was made the Chief had added coaches to rectify the losses that passenger trains were starting to incur by the mid 1950's.

[@arlynsmith9196]

I have taken the Southwest Chief many time from Newton KS to Flagstaff AZ and back. That is the route of the old Chief in this film. Interestingly the little New Mexico town of Lamy (in the video) is the closest that the Santa FE RR got to Santa Fe NM. It never went into Santa Fe proper, but Lamy is only a few miles away. Lamy was named after an early Bishop in Santa Fe.

[@Nairuulagch]

When I was in 7th grade I had almost a similar experience as this train example. In the train I was not sure how to contact the driver that supposed to drive me to my uncles farm. The train was going to reach small town located 250km (150mi) from my city and from there my uncles friend a driver was going to drive me further 10km away. So the train reached the town at 10:30pm. But fortunately in that small town of 10 000 people they knew one another really well and one nice lady guided me to that drivers house in the evening and I met with driver and next morning he drove me to my uncles place. It was during 80s very nice quite time. In the train I was probably little bit nervous and asked few people about whether they know that driver in the town so several adults kind of concerned about my safety and that nice lady was quite sure that knew him so she helped me.

[@offgridcabin1557]

To me, these are the most beautiful train engines ever. I just love them. I can still hear the unique sound of their air horns in the crisp still night air from across the hills where I was raised. Amtrak's new Loco's have nothing on these old engines. They may not be as fast, nor fuel efficient. But man they were beautiful!

[@jdeveraux1027]

ya know what's hilarious? The Lamy station still looks EXACTLY like that and hasn't changed. :)

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

I just checked it on Google StreetView. You're right! Lamy NM. Crazy!

Crazy? Is glorious!

[@tommytruth7595]

And that is a good thing.

[@slobama]

Yeah and the Santa Fe train never did enter Santa Fe, NM. Lamy was as close as it got.

[@scottcolebank9088]

Did not go to Atchison either.

[@robinbaker464]

Wow... childhood memories of my train books, post-war UK. The Santa Fe diesel electric was a big one from an ocean away, but I've never forgotten it. Ahhhh.

[@robyoungquist5803]

I fondly remember traveling on the Santa Fe Super Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles in a compartment with my Grandmother. What a wonderful experience!

[@johnallen2771]

Great to see a train shiny and bright as compared to covered with graffiti. I had the good luck to take a long trip from San Diego to Redding, California. I had my guitar and we played it in the club car just about the whole route. We had a ball and all the while the clickety clack of the tracks.

[@cincercincer9027]

What type of guitar do you used?

[@holidays4825]

I’ve enjoyed Amtrak trips many times and many times ppl had guitars with them, such great times passing a guitar around and letting ppl sing their favorite songs! Always in the club car where you could have a drink and smoke a cigarette! Now I think there’s no smoking allowed on the trains what a bummer. Can you imagine being a smoker and having to go three days without one except at the service stops??

[@ZakWolf]

Pretty cool vintage Santa Fe passenger rail footage here! At least Amtrak tries to keep it going into the 21st century, with their "Vieweliner" and "Superliner" trains.

[@livingroomset2084]

wileyk209zback The low funding from the government makes the Amtrak experience not the best, but at least they are trying like you said.

[@slobama]

Too bad the Santa Fe never made it to Santa Fe, NM

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@slobama They have a branch line.

[@doct0rnic]

Interesting thing is The Santa Fe was the first railroad to use Superliner cars, on the Santa Fe El Capitan.

[@ZakWolf]

@@doct0rnic You're thinking of the Hi-Level cars from Budd. They were similar in concept to the Superliners, but that name was originated by Amtrak when the first set of Superliner rolling stock was built in the late 1970s and early 1980s (originally built by Pullman-Standard), indeed inspired by the Hi-Level cars they had gotten from Santa Fe.

[@Porschedude8]

Trains are making a comeback! The Acela Express serves the Northeast corridor and goes from Washington D.C. to Boston. It is also one of the first train lines to take passengers away from the airlines. I have found the staff and fellow travelers quite pleasant and polite. The Acela is not inexpensive, but the experience of going to Boston from New York in a few hours is exciting. We may never see the innocence of yesterday, but good things are on the horizon in the future of rail travel.

[@tommytruth7595]

Right. But the Acela is the exception.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Trains keep making a comeback, but everytime that R party is in power, they try to cut funding, and the attempted comeback goes out the window.

[@uslines]

Hope so

[@SkipSpotter]

Fascinating stuff. It's always great to watch the past come alive when presented like this. Thanks you sharing!

[@Buzzramjet]

I love this. We traveled by train in 1958 from Minneapolis to L.A. to see my older brothers graduation and got sleeper berths and I loved the trip. I remember looking out at the changing landscape and the eating on the train in the dining car. Walked to the dome car. I WAS HOOKED.

[@TheEarthHistorysConfusing]

Wow such beautiful time. Look how much the people cared about their image. Well dressed and well groomed.

[@heinrichberthold7839]

The good old days. The days when railroading was at its best. The days when people were caring and before the country went to shit. Wish we could go back to a time like this.

[@TCSC47]

+Heinrich Berthold That is your recollection but the truth is that things were just as bad with just as much evil in the world. It was just that we didn't hear about it as much. Meanwhile the past is gone. What can we each do to make the future better?

[@jackanthony976]

From what I have read, little boys get molested mostly by heterosexual males many of them married with children themselves.

[@dubsy1026]

God what a shit show this comments section is. Firstly, I am 13, I've done train journeys alone, and I survived perfectly. Maybe the US is just shit compared to the UK, but I doubt any of you would say that. Secondly, suggesting pedophiles aren't all gay is not a communist statement, you idiot. Neither is disagreeing with racism anti white. You are just trying to cram as many stupid buzzwords in your comment as possible, that or you're drunk. Third, the third world can grow food, it just happens living in a desert where little grows and you can die by not getting under a tree often enough can make developing civilization as fast as a nation where the temperature is perfect, there are no natrual disasters, there are loads of animals, and there is enough rain not to die of dehydration.

[@shadynsx]

Dubsy 102 Don't waste your time with this people lmao

[@marcgilbert1497]

Maximiliano Amaral stop having 15 kids and maybe there would be enough to go around

[@gregmartin3911]

the Golden Age, for sure. Modern AMTRAK is still pretty cool, travel from Chicago to L.A. or anywhere in between...it's a blast.

[@wilhard45]

That was wonderful. This was made in 1954 and in 1957 my family made a trip from california headed east to tennessee. A favorite uncle had passed and his three sisters living on the west coast hopped a train with all the kids to attend his funeral. Complications ended our trip in Albuquerque, NM, just 50 miles southwest from Lamy, the destination for this kid. That was one fun trip for as long as it lasted.

[@granskare]

I rode a Chicago and Northwestern streamliner from Chicago all t he way to Ishpeming, Mich in the UP of Michigan.

[@wesmcgee1648]

When I was in elementary school in the 60s, every Friday was film room day. We would watch these old films all day. When the teacher put on the last one, she left. At 3 o clock we left. All the teachers went home early.

[@bankingbangla1904]

The video shot in 1954 uploaded on yt in 2008 and yt recommends me now 😂

[@motherlandone6300]

I road the L&N Hummingbird to my Grandparents in Louisville Kentucky in the 1960’s. This film makes me think of those wonderful time of my childhood:

[@vickyburton2434]

I wish we could still travel like this all over the US!

[@mccoy79productions66]

kzbin.info/door/gWxxUB1ROAXPgdmpxVtuAA

[@trapezemusic]

Traveled numerous times from Needles, CA to New York, Via Chicago and once from LA. Great experience. Very friendly passengers and crew. If you have the time, you must give it a try.

[@i.b.halliwell7253]

Trains are even in 2017 still a civilized way to travel! I love traveling by train and find it restful. Something about the movement of the car and sounds. (Typically I try to travel in the 1st class car or take a room in the sleeper car (for overnight trips) for the extra room.)

[@arrowguy173]

I noticed that too. I'm a Wabash fan & brightened up when I noticed the Monon & Erie trains listed. Just visited Dearborn last week when the 4449 headed west.

[@foozlefoozle]

Such dressing formality, just to ride on a train. Todays T-shirts and flip-flops are common. And the box-meals.... Good old times.

[@tommytruth7595]

People look like slobs today. And they think that is the way it should be.

[@David-ci1vn]

I sailed accross the Atlantic in 1st, black tie every night and I was only 13! and loved it

[@johnp139]

So uncomfortable

In my country only have people's in t shirts and etc. Trains is entire remove by Highway.

[@sidharthcs2110]

Change is inevitable

[@Rezqewr]

My Grandpa was a railroad man, a car inspector who worked for the Santa Fe, at their (then) hub of Las Vegas, New Mexico. I recall going to the downtown San Diego station with my parents and brothers to pick them up when they came out to visit.

[@BoudiccaBlanc]

Thank you for posting this video. :-) I'm a train fan, I'd rather ride on a train than fly any day! That said, the trains were much more luxurious back then. Ah...I remember when... Thanks again for the video :-)

[@Craiglaca1]

Bob is an old guy with grand kids now.

[@kellypenrod2979]

I miss this! Santa Fe passenger service was something to be experienced, CRAM TRAK Really should work to emulate it. Then people would want to ride again!!

[@paulakpacente]

What do you expect? It's run by the government.

[@odiecalodie]

People do ride the trains today, I can remember riding a train from St. Louis to Chicago in the middle of September and the train left at 4:40 in the morning. It was sold out. Their just isn't enough of them to ride and the service isn't as good because of budget. Constraint's.

[@rustymacneil3227]

My parents sent me down east, to New Brunswick, my uncle Joe's. Had to switch train in Montreal. Had my own stateroom. I was 13 and quite the adventure!! Life was so much simpler then.

[@williamschlenger1518]

Love the old Santa Fe.No class today, no observation car.I miss those days.

[@hipocampelofantocame]

As a student, I used to ride the Silver Meteor From Richmond, VA to Stark, FLA to be home for school vacations. Those trips are still with me from 1952-1954. Simply thrilling!

[@dlagrua]

We always take the train. Better service more room, few delays and you are treated like a human being. At the filthy airports you are treated just like an animal. On a train we have privacy in our bedroom, the food is very good and there is plenty of activity. We leave for Florida this week at 4Pm and will arrive (with our own car) at 9:30AM. Its a very pleasant, restful and enjoyable trip. We can't say the same about air travel. Try the train. It's GREAT!

[@AngelSusie57]

Great video, I love videos about trains both old and new.

[@Rocketman1583]

E and F units are my favorite

[@allanadam4553]

My father came from Germany in 1956, aged 21, flew on a Flying Tigers DC-7 at 7000’ above the Atlantic stopping in Greenland and Bangor Maine before arriving at Idlewild Airport in New York. Took a train from there to Tacoma Washington, took 3 days he made friends with the porters as he spoke only a few words of English. They allowed him into the washroom at night to shave and clean up, also getting a pillow, blanket and something to eat so he didn’t have to talk with other travelers, he didn’t want them to know he was a German. He was amazed at how orderly cemeteries were laid out but told later that it was speaker stands from drive- in movies. He was also given a $50 dollar bill to spend but couldn’t because nobody had that much change, remember a coke was .5 cents, burger .10 cents.

[@yaronsteinbuch3956]

The bigger room with a bed was called -- get ready -- a "bedroom." Very appropriate.

[@livingroomset2084]

Yaron Steinbuch I was literally about to say that.

[@bryanmaguire]

"Literally", I was about to say that.

[@rzu7120]

And the car where are you dine is called ...are you ready for this, the dining car

[@Modellbaustammtisch]

... "and sometimes the train goes through a mountain itself, through a tunnel" 😁

[@michaelbenardo5695]

We took the train earlier this year. We had a compartment, so we had a bathroom. Loved it. Much better than a flying bus.

[@Mikey300]

Actually, Uncle Ray works for the AEC at Los Alamos--the "ranch" story is just a cover.

[@Mikey300]

I thought that was “Uncle Roy” on Saturday Night Live.

[@rickrockefeller1367]

great little film! He got off the train at Lamy, New Mexico, the station for Santa Fe, where his uncle met him...I have been at that station several times on the Amtrak Southwest Chief.

[@tigertiger1699]

First & favourite model loco FP9, loved Santa Fe “Chief” scheme.... b4 I knew it was anything 👍

[@InFltSvc]

Boy I wish we had this back in the US. All we have is AmTrash that is subsidized by the government and you can’t go anywhere without 28 stops

[@papabits5721]

The best looking locomotives

[@jhonsiders6077]

The helicopter moms would never allow this now days !! As a kid I rode trains locally out of louisville KY on the L&N my father was a aircraft engineer for the old Eastern airlines I was packed off on a plane out of my parents hair during part of the summer to visit with relatives by myself Had my boarding pass and the gate staff and attendant made sure I changed planes at ATL and got to the right ones was a lot of fun as a kid getting to do that .

[@Thomas1980]

very beautiful old Video!

[@PatrickCrossfire.]

I still remember at the age of 5 in 1970 Myself, my Mom and her Mom went went from Los Angelous to Wisconsin to visit family on a Sante Fe F7 Warbonet passenger train. We actually had to speed way up for about 20 min. to avoid a tornado in Iowa corn country that was going to cross our route. We just missed it as we could see it cross behind up about 2 miles away from the dome car. 😊

[@boandlkramer2539]

I pls want this cool and good,clean times back..😎✌️

[@digimaks]

Lamy... Looks like this is today's Amtrak's Southwest Chief route! But boy the old time trains were so much more cozy!

[@joespag26]

You know what ?? Let’s make America Great Again !!!

[@rebelbaron7003]

Well.....I grew up in the 60s in Chicago,and Dad would take me downtown to watch trains. We'd see the Santa Fe Super Chief once in awhile but every train company came into Chicago While I could feel my little heart skip a beat seeing that beautiful red and silver F-3 or F-7 locomotive leave or arrive in Chicago.....now,my heart still skips a beat as my big Lionel Santa Fe F-3s go around in an oval in my living room. Trains keep an old man young....yesssirreeee Bob....and you can take that to the bank.

[@gregghanson6095]

Love this old film!! Now, Bobby would not look out the window, go to the observation car or meet Clyde. He's not interested in scenery or reading or having a new friend because Bobby would have a smart phone and would miss 99% of the trip but complain about how slow the train is. !!

[@gtlfb]

In the 90s, we crossed the US twice by train, on the Empire Builder and the Zephyr, each time in a roomette like this. Wonderful experiences. In a plane, you get in a tube at one place then, after several uncomfortable hours, get out somewhere else. In a train, you relax as you watch the scenery change, city to country, prairie to mountain. It’s a much fuller sense of travel.

[@jasonsmith6408]

no no, lil Bobby is headin west to work his ass off for ol Uncle Ray all summer. ..

[@MrTrainman2003]

The people with "shit jobs" are Pullman company employees, and they probably got more in tips than the engineers and conductors made in salary. In fact, if you were a Pullman Porter back then, you were advised to keep quiet about the tips you got, or another porter with more seniority might bump you out of the job so he could get bigger tips.

[@tedthesailor172]

I hope Bobby enjoyed his trip. I was 3 when he took it, so he might still be kicking. Staff took a pride in their work in those days. And just check out those enormous steaks! The roomettes were an excellent idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnharris7353]

The word "California" used to have a magic ring to it, now it's infamous.

[@stevelee4360]

With all due respect, California just surpassed Great Britain and now has the 5th largest economy in the world. California has a magic ring, but now for people from around the world.

[@tommytruth7595]

Yeah, it's a magic place. That is why it wants to split up into several different states. The place is on its way to bankruptcy.

[@kyleb3754]

The size of the "economy" has nothing to do with whether or not a place is a pile of sh*t

[@marcinna8553]

To each his own.

[@jime3281]

Kyle B Hey, they're UNIQUE. I mean how many states can proudly have an annual tradition of burning everything to the ground?

[@charlesflinnill978]

I like the stream lined look of the front part of the trains of that era.

[@richarddismore7499]

At the 8 minute mark I almost expect to see "The Fugitive" running away fro the train! Ha Ha!

[@bobbypickard4454]

These came out after the steam engine in 50's, and it was so amazing to me, my grandmother and I took a trip to Baltimore on one.

[@filmputzer]

As you can see the US was a great nation back then,

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

In more ways than one. The train station was just as impressive as the luxury liners. If you're ever in Portland, ask permission from the authorities to peak at the public bathrooms upstairs. That's the way we were. The Art Deco is a reminder of those great days!

[@williambishop8680]

Make America Great Again.

[@Clipper1094]

+William Bishop Yes, Trump's going to destroy the interstate system and regulate the airlines so it's impossible for the average Joe to afford a ticket. Then the railroad system will make an amazing comeback and America will be great once again.

[@tommytruth7595]

If only, Clipper. If only.

[@Crusader1815]

If only everyone were still white with the men dressed in suits and ties, and ladies in sensible dresses, it would be a better world.

[@wotan20]

It's interesting for me to relate to this film, because I was born and brought-up in Central Europe, where we had steam engines pulling even passenger trains all the way up to the early sixties. So conditions during the postwar period were nowhere as developed, as in the US. But then accelerated electrification took place from the mid-sixties onward, and general modernisation too, so by the mid to late seventies our railway infrastructure was comparable, or even somewhat ahead of the US. As for the social conditions? Quite similar what was depicted. People were better dressed, more social and more mutually respecting toward each other, even kids better behaved than nowadays.

[@bobtis]

The 1950's when everything was good. Nice to look back at a Country that once thrived.

[@MRSTW-ht1ut]

Wow I had no idea this design went so far back. Our modern freight trains look so similar.

[@davidnajor2222]

Look at how well mannered and well dressed those people were in the dining car. And just compare it to those slobs and pigs that now fly the "Friendly Skies", in what should be troughs instead of seats on those commercial flights anymore. Yes,.. a quick grab of the crotch, and then off you go squealing with delight up the ramp and into the flying arc.

[@charlesflinnill978]

Funny!!😄

[@SuburbaniteUrbanite]

Interesting way to spell commercial airliner. :P

[@Jukebocks]

Damn dude like travelling isn't stressful enough. Now you're saying I gotta get all dressed up for the occasion too? Madness!

[@wincrasher2007]

because travel was alot more expensive back then relative to incomes. the clientele were more wealthy and dressed accordingly. flying was super expensive, so it was basically only rich or businessmen.

[@georgesteele2157]

IN those days, people dressed up to travel by air. What you see on planes today is the same as you see on Amtrak. Anyway, your arrogance is noted.

[@jimnew5813]

I traveled from Jacksonville FL to Washington DC with my parents. It was over night but I don't remember much , I was about 13 , now 73. The dining car was great and me and some other kids spent the daylight hours running up and down the train from car to car.A few years ago my wife and I traveled by train from Tampa FL to Petersburg VA, we rented a car and drove over to Williamsburg. We had a roomette that turned into bunk beds at night, the dining car was still great with good food and good service. On the way back the train came to a very quick stop which woke me up, smelling brakes I looked at my GPS and we were just outside of Columbia SC , not a scheduled stop, I figured we hit something. Well we were stopped about three hours because we had hit and killed a woman trying to beat the 80 mph train across the crossing.

[@biswabratabhattacharya5865]

Old is always gold

[@frankirvine316]

How smartly dressed people were back in the day,like it was quite an excursion Same with air travel Great to see these videos,as back then I was only 3 yrs old🐣 in NewZealand✅

[@gamerkid3289]

And clean

[@luisfedericosala1354]

It makes me remember two Hitchcock ‘s movies: “ Stranger in a train” “ The shadow of a doubt”

[@tommytruth7595]

Don't forget "North by Northwest" with the scene on the Twentieth Century Limited.

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

Oh boy, an edumakational film. I was an AV Monitor in elementary school and got to see all these Encyclopedia Britannica films because I knew how to thread the film and operate the projector. Of course "Our Mister Sun" and "Hemo The Magnificant" were the best. You can watch them on KZbin.

[@ronnyvonallmen6892]

What an Adventure…I love watching this, Imagining myself riding a passenger train….

[@community1949]

Bobby appears to be around 8 or 9 and he's allowed to travel alone? Wow, I don't remember anyone back then doing something like this. It was unheard of. We children were watched like a hawk when we were that young and never were allowed to do something like this. We had a lot of freedom when we played in our yard and riding our bikes but taking a train cross country no one did this. I've got a CSX train track next to my house and the trains are covered in graffiti - just look how clean those trains were back then. People didn't go around marking up buildings and trains back then like now. We've lost civility and order in this country and the world and I don't think we are ever going to get it back. And if I can add if a child were to ride alone now some molester would try and grab the kid and then even kill them. This is a very dangerous time to be alive I think.

[@rogermetzger7335]

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,... II Timothy 3:13

[@garryrainey6300]

Back in the early 90s I was out in Denver on business. At that time the L Ten Eleven kept having problems so I called my agent and she put on a train back to Philadelphia and in a first class sleeping berth! It was the most relaxing four days I ever had! And the food was outstanding!

[@BrendaNegri]

Great film thanks for showing this.

[@steamfans]

Santa Fe (now BNSF) refuses to allow Amtrak to use any of its train names because Amtrak service is so inferior...

[@odiecalodie]

Amtrak is allowed to use the Chief Name on the Southwest Chief.

[@scoobycarr5558]

I don't think that BNSF would allow Amtrak other than "the Empire Builder" to use train names from its predecessor roads Northern Pacific or Burlington. Well, aside from the Zephyr the California and Illinois types. CN allows Amtrak use of the City of New Orleans (Illinois Central) but not the Panama Limited. Union Pacific has given Amtrak rights to the name Texas Eagle due to predecessor Missouri Pacific but not the Katy's Texas Special. Norfolk Southern likewise along with CSX has rights to the names Lake Shore Limited (Penn Central) and Capitol Limited (B&O) respectively.

[@tommytruth7595]

Amtrak can't use the names of many famous trains. It would be an insult to them.

[@thatoneguy611]

You say that like Amtrak can just wish money into existence

[@TheClockwise770]

Great film of those halcyon days of American rail travel , much the same here in Britain ,. Thank you

[@joedebaun4547]

The kid travelling alone? That would never happen today!

[@greggrimer1428]

My children fly to Russia unaccompanied every summer.

[@disneywitchywoman1512]

Awesome 👏