RailPictures.Net Photo: AMTK 50 Amtrak UA TurboTrain at San Luis Obispo, California by Craig Walker

Community Response

Locomotive Details

Location/Date of Photo


Views: 17,255 Favorited: 54
Since added on August 22, 2016

+ Add to Favorites

+ Subscribe

+ Add to Photo Album

+ Post a Photo Comment

» Amtrak (more..)
» UA TurboTrain (more..)

» Unknown
» San Luis Obispo, California, USA (more..)
» August 25, 1971

Locomotive No./Train ID

Photographer

» AMTK 50 (more..)
» Westbound Special (more..)

» Craig Walker (more..)
» Contact Photographer · Photographer Profile

Remarks & Notes

Even After 45 Years, I Still Have a Lot of Great Memories of This Day

Almost immediately after it took over passenger train operations from the private railroads In 1971, Amtrak sent a TurboTrain set off on a tour around the country to promote both the new carrier, but also new railroad passenger technology. On August 25, 1971, the TurboTrain carried dignitaries and invited guests from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo (and, once the guests detrained, the train continued on to Oakland). I got a chance to ride this train the day before, when it operated as a second section of a San Diego to Los Angeles San Diegan. While talking to one of the crew, and mentioning that I was taking the Coast Daylight to SLO the next day, I was stunned when I was offered a trip on the TurboTrain instead - and for free! As it was a verbal agreement, I wasn't sure if I - a geeky 16-year-old - would be really be allowed to ride it, but upon my arrival in Los Angeles the next morning, but the crew was more than happy to welcome me aboard. Even after 45 years, I still have a lot of great memories from this trip - not the least of which was when the crew stopped near a nude beach and repeated blew the horn until the sunbathers came running trackside. (Remember - I was only 16, so this was a treat on par with the railfanning!) Large crowds were at the stations in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo to see this train. The crowds, perhaps, caused the train to linger, and after getting off I was able to hustle to the north end of the station platform to get this "going away" shot as the TurboTrain headed for Cuesta Grade and the crossing of California's Coast Range.

Photo Location Map

Photo Comments (4)

View Larger Map

User Photo Albums Containing this Photo (12)

+ Add to Album

Amtrak Album created by member Ty Kaneshiro	Album Views: 381,583

Back in those days Album created by member E.Glorg	Album Views: 218,051
The time is gone, the song is over, snapshots and memories remains... Some things we remember, some we see now - and will not forget...

A Look Back at the Future of HSR Album created by member Mitch Goldman	Album Views: 108,210
High Speed Rail from the Past: Streamliners and early bullet trains!

Gone but not forgotten Album created by member David H	Album Views: 82,710
Railroads that have passed, but are remembered in photographs.

The Way it Used to Be Album created by member ckeefer58	Album Views: 452,907
Things change. Railroads are no different. A collection of images showing the railroads as they used to be.

Train Passion Album created by member Senna Forever	Album Views: 54,027
With Passion for trains and special creations on rails.

Exotic Album created by member Nathan Richters	Album Views: 1,736,794
Looking for rare, obscure, or otherwise exotic locomotives? Look here!

Paint Schemes Album created by member Nathan Richters	Album Views: 1,819,024
Not just heritage schemes, not just commemorative schemes - this album is devoted to some of the world's most interesting paint schemes, past or present.

DreamTrains Album created by member coco13cos	Album Views: 5,012,844
Over 50.000 of RP's most appreciated and beautiful photos.

Classic Railroading Album created by member Chessiefan2	Album Views: 1,059,175
Railroading in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, basically anything but the 2000s.

Amtrak Album created by member ollie	Album Views: 269,783

The UA Turbo Train Album created by member Mitch Goldman	Album Views: 45,308
Photos of the United Aircraft Turbo Train Still the current North American speed record holder for a production /non-experimental train (170.8 mph December 20th, 1967).

Add to Photo Album or Get Your Own Photo Album

EXIF Data for this photo: [What's this?]

This image contains EXIF headers - Click Here to show the data.

Photo Copyright © 2016 Craig Walker. All Rights Reserved. Photo Usage Policy
This website Copyright © 2002-2025. All Rights Reserved.