What appears to be an Amtrak San Diegan with a particularly eclectic set of cars is, in fact, not a train for passengers. From January 20th through the 22nd, 1977, Amtrak operated this train on the Surf Line, making three round trips from Los Angeles to San Diego, for the filming (both inside and out) of television commercials. Pulled by SDP40F 504, the train - which included a former Santa Fe hi-level coach, an ex-ATSF diner, a dome car, a baggage car near the middle, and an assortment of coaches - was unexpectedly* found at San Juan Capistrano on the first day of filming. (* - It was not unexpected by the crew, but was a surprise to me!)
