On the American Bicentennial, Amtrak train 5, the San Francisco Zephyr, departs downtown Chicago’s Union Station for a trip to Oakland, California. AMTK SDP40Fs 622 and 627, built two years earlier, are in charge of this long-distance train, which will travel 2420 miles (3894.62 km) and cross two major mountain ranges (the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada) as it does. The view from the two dome cars, currently providing a nice look at the Sears Tower, will no doubt be packed as this train crosses both mountain ranges on the train’s second and third days of westward progress. And perhaps several fireworks displays will be seen as this train crosses Iowa later this evening. (Chicago, Illinois – July 4, 1976). Douglas G. Walker Photograph, Craig Walker Collection
