PACIFIC COAST DAYLIGHT Southern Pacifics famed Pacific Coast Daylight, oft referred to as The worlds most beautiful train. Not only was the train itself beautiful, the route was even more beautiful than the train and the fact that it ran on a daytime schedule emphasized the scenery. Introduced in 1937 during the streamline era when modern art deco ruled industrial design. The accommodations were first class all the way. This video picks up the train some distance northwest of Los Angeles and takes us all the way to the southern part of San Francisco...the actual terminal was downtown. San Franciscans will recognize the arched bridge over-crossing under which the train passes since the bridge still stands. At first the train was powered by SPs handsome stream styled GS class steam engines and the gorgeous orange, red, silver and black paint of the engine and train cars was a sight to behold. These engines were a 4-8-4 wheel arrangement know as a Northern type. The skyline casing and lower shrouds combined to lift smoke from the stack up and away from the train. When the fireman has his fire and fuel oil just right, the smoke is minimal compared to a soft coal burning engine. These engines were the acme of modern steam passenger locomotives, fast, powerful and efficient. By the late 50s, diesels had taken over the motive power chores, either the American Locomotive Companys PAs or General Motors Electro Motive Divisions E class diesels, both types streamlined and painted in the Daylight scheme and generally used in four unit lash-ups.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 03:23:35 +0000
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