Here Comes Walthers Next Hot-Selling Name Train!

If you thought Walthers plated Santa Fe Super Chief went fast, wait 'til you see the all-new El Capitan'. Starting in October, Walthers is rolling out the complete consist of the famous coach streamliner.

This listing is for the Lighting Kit for all Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level Equipment EXCEPT for 932-9761. This kit can be used in cars that are used on both Standard DC and DCC layouts.

Other items in the Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level Equipment Series:

• 63' Budd Railway Post Office - 932-9730          
• 73' Budd Baggage Car - 932-9740           
• 85' Pullman-Standard Baggage-Dormitory Transition Car - 932-9750
  
• 85' Budd Hi-Level 68-Seat Step Down Coach - 932-9760         
• 85' Budd Hi-Level 72-Seat Coach - 932-9770
• 85' Budd Hi-Level "Sky Lounge" - 932-9780   
• 85' Budd Hi-Level Diner- 932-9790           
• 85' Budd Hi-Level 68-Seat Step Down Coach w/Tail Sign - 932-9761
• Lighting Kit for all Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level Equipment EXCEPT for 932-9761 - 932-1055
  
• Lighting Kit for Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-Level Equipment item 932-9761 ONLY - 932-1056
  
•  Proto 2000 - EMD F7A/B Set - Santa Fe - Road Numbers 39L & 39A (DCC w/Tsunami Sound) - 920-40687
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7A/B Set - Santa Fe - Road Numbers 39C & 39B (DCC w/Tsunami Sound) - 920-40688
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7A - Santa Fe - Road Number 41L (DCC w/Tsunami Sound) - 920-40689
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7A - Santa Fe - Road Number 41C (DCC w/Tsunami Sound) - 920-40690
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7B - Santa Fe - Road Number 41A (DCC w/Tsunami Sound) - 920-40691
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7B - Santa Fe - Road Number 41B (DCC w/Tsunami Sound) - 920-40692
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7A/B Set - Santa Fe - Road Numbers 39L & 39A (DCC Ready) - 920-47687
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7A/B Set - Santa Fe - Road Numbers 39C & 39B (DCC Ready) - 920-47688
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7A - Santa Fe - Road Number 41L (DCC Ready) - 920-47689
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7A - Santa Fe - Road Number 41C (DCC Ready) - 920-47690
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7B - Santa Fe - Road Number 41A (DCC Ready) - 920-47691
• Proto 2000 - EMD F7B - Santa Fe - Road Number 41B (DCC Ready) - 920-47692

 

---

The prototype of this train ran the Chicago to Los Angeles route along with the Super Chief. Both trains operated on a fast service schedule between the two cities. While they both offered fast service, the Super Chief was the high end train, while the El Capitan was the more modest train. The El Capitan began service in early 1938 with one weekly round trip in each direction. As time passed, the number of trips per week was increased until 1946, July 8, In 1956, the Santa Fe begins operation of the El Capitan with Hi-Level Equipment. Ticket are marked with "I traveled the HI-LEVEL Santa Fe way" & "Every seat is on the scenic HI-LEVEL."

Initially, Santa Fe purchased only enough Hi-Level Equipment for six nine-car consists. These were combined with six existing baggage-dormitories. Each of these had been modified to aesthetically match the Hi-Level Equipment. All rolling stock rode on four wheel trucks with the exception of the dining cars that rode on special six wheel trucks due to their heavier weight.

Beginning in 1958, Santa Fe combined the Super Chief and El Capitan into one train during off peak parts of the year, the combined train operated on a 39.5 hour schedule.  Santa Fe would continue to operate and expand the El Capitan service with new Hi-Level Equipment until 1971 when Santa Fe passenger service was taken over by Amtrak. Amtrak would continue to operate both the Super Chief and the El Capitan until 1973, then the El Capitan was discontinued. The El Capitan Hi-Level Equipment would continue to be used for years to come and became the inspiration for Amtrak’s SuperLiner cars developed in the late 1970’s.

On July 15, 1956, Santa Fe began Hi-Level Equipment El Capitan service with the following consist:

• EMD F7A Locomotive #327L
• EMD F7B Locomotive #327A
• EMD F7B Locomotive #327B
• EMD F7B Locomotive #44A
• EMD F7A Locomotive #44L
• Budd Railway Post Office (Regional Only)Baggage #3521
• Baggage-Dormitory "Transition Car" 3480
• Hi-Level "Chair" car (68 Seats) #536
• Hi-Level "Chair" car (72 Seats) #714
• Hi-Level "Chair" car (72 Seats) #722
• Hi-Level Diner (80 seats) #653
• Hi-Level "Top Of The Cap" Lounge (88 seats) #577
• Hi-Level "Chair" car (72 Seats) #700
• Hi-Level "Chair" car (72 Seats) #709
• Hi-Level "Chair" car (72 Seats) #717
• Hi-Level "Chair" car (68 Seats) #529

When the El Capitan was run in a combined consist with the Super Chief in the 1960’s, the consists contained:

• EMD FP45 Locomotive #104
• EMD FP45 Locomotive #101
• Baggage #3671
• Baggage #3553
• Baggage-Dormitory "Transition Car" #3478
• Hi-Level "Chair car" / Coach (68 Seats) #549
• Hi-Level "Chair car" / Coach (72 Seats) #731
• Hi-Level Diner (80 seats) #654
• Hi-Level Lounge (88 seats) #575
• Hi-Level "Chair car" / Coach (72 Seats) #725
• Hi-Level "Chair car" / Coach (68 Seats) #542
• Sleeper Pine Cove (10 roomettes, 6 double bedrooms)
• Sleeper Indian Mesa (11 double bedrooms)
• "Turquoise Room"-"Pleasure Dome"-Lounge #504
• Fred Harvey Company Diner #600 (48 seats)
• Sleeper Indian Flute (11 double bedrooms)
• Sleeper Palm Leaf (10 roomettes, 6 double bedrooms)

Reservations Due By: August 30, 2011

Expected Release: January 2012