Most of the time, things on the Santa Fe go very smoothly. The story that dad shares today is one time it did not.

We also talk about the famous picture that many people have seen of the Santa Fe engine hanging out over Aliso Street. It is the photograph that The Original Whistle Stop model train store uses for their advertisements. 

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Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

Dad clarifies why they couldn't turn the trail around near Tehachapi and shares what it was like going through those tunnels backwards.

Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

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Dad continues on with more characters he came across during his time on the railroad. 

Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

Today, Dad talks about visiting Disneyland the day before it opened. He also shares how he almost took a job there.

We did forget to go back to my question about the train at Disneyland. I asked him if it was a real train or if it was made specifically for the park. His answer is this: They were built new for Disneyland but I don't know who built them. The Knott's Berry Farm trains are real one from the narrow gauge train equipment haul to California from the Rio Grand Souther Railroad from Durango, CO. (Dad's friend George Sapp worked on them at Knott's for quite some time)

Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

In the last episode, I talked about some of the characters on the railroad. In this episode, I'll talk about the characters that were the "higher ups" in the company. They aren't all bad. 

Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

Working on the railroad for over 40 years, you meet a lot of people. Here are some of my favorites.

Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

Today, I talk about the utterly boring Union Pacific run from LA to Las Vegas. Well, I did get to meet a dragon, learn what to do with a run away train, drink Dr Peppers with Frank Sinatra Jr., and I met one of the most amazing friends I've ever had, Peter Robinson. I'd like to dedicate this episode to him. 

Episode 17 Colorado Blvd. and the Rose Parade https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-589qf-1a0ad02

Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

Tommy talks about qualifying to work on the Union Pacific section of the Dessert Wind. He also tells a typical Tommy story about a Red Flag.

Once you take all the written and oral tests or attend Choo Choo U, you are qualified to run a train. But how do you actually learn how to make it move? Today, Tommy shares how he learned to actually run a train, both Steam and Diesel. 

Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54 

Tommy received a question from a listener:

Why did you become a Santa Fe locomotive engineer three times and were the procedures and examinations the same each time? 

Intro and Outro: Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54