P
Pat M
Guest
We are traveling from LA to Chicago in November. Will we be able to see any of the scenery? Seem like a lot of the most beautiful part of the route will be in darkness. I wonder if we should reschedule.
Reschedule to what? West coast trains headed east typically depart late afternoon/early evening so, you will be in the same situation on other trains. Your only LA to Chicago choices are the the Texas Eagle which departs LA at 10PM and the SW Chief at 6PM. Unfortunately, you will be in darkness until eastern Arizona/western New Mexico depending on timekeeping.
I meant, try to reschedule to September, when at least the days are longer. But thanks anyway. I guess it doesn't matter. We will just see what we see.
Daytime and nighttime segments are roughly the same areas both directions.
You will have the Red Cliffs near Gallup, Glorietta and Raton Passes in daylight both directions. Kansas and the Mojave desert at night.
What is it you think you are missing?
If you get a chance, try to read some of the history of the region that the Chief covers in the day between Gallup and La Junta. Like the Overland Route through Wyoming, it's a lot more interesting when you have some background on it. Once a week this winter I was on a Denver bus that passes by an old stone building in an industrial area. It was where the Union soldiers assembled for their record-setting march to the battle of Glorietta Pass, furthest west engagement of the Civil War. At Raton Pass you are on the right-of-way bought from Uncle Dick Wooten, toll-road entrepreneur. It was a long, sweaty climb for wagon trains, so he made additional revenue by selling liquor distilled with questionable quality controls. Enjoy your trip!
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/glorieta-pass
I live a few minute's walk from the central library in Denver, so I haven't collected much that I can recommend for you, but for your SWC ride I can suggest some oldies that might still be in your public library system or for sale on-line:
Lavender, David; Bent's Fort; Doubleday; Garden City, NY; 1954. It has been criticized in more recent times for political incorrectness, but it's perfect for the middle day on the Santa Fe. [For non-history fans, it's the story of the collision between three countries - the United States, Mexico and Texas and the sovereign indigenous nations. It's a cultural history as well as covering politics.]
Roberts, Gary L.; Death Comes for the Chief Justice; University Press of Colorado; Niwot, CO; 1990. Political violence in New Mexico, including the VERY distant relative of mine who was a part of it.
Marriott, Barbara; Outlaw Tales of New Mexico; 2nd edition; Twodot - Globe-Pequot Press; Guilford, CT; 2012. True stories of the Land of Enchantment's most infamous crooks, culprits and cutthroats. Be sure to read "Hoodoo Brown and the Dodge City Gang" - organized crime arrived in Las Vegas, NM on the same rails you'll be riding.
Some insight into the legacy of those days comes from the Taylor Ranch Case:
https://www.hcn.org/issues/160/5180
http://larrycalloway.com/taylor-ranch/
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6676185
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