Explore America on Amtrak's Southwest Chief

CHICAGO TO LOS ANGELES

'THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF' - A FABLED ADVENTURE

Experience this legendary Amtrak journey between Chicago and Los Angeles with "Explore America on Amtrak's Southwest Chief." This must-have guide serves as your personal tour companion, showcasing the breathtaking scenery, sculptured landscapes, and unique history that unfolds outside your window. Immerse yourself in captivating tales of cowboys, Native American tribes, ghost towns, and colonial heritage as you retrace the paths of Spanish Conquistadors, explorers, and pioneer wagon trains through eight diverse states.

This transcontinental adventure is made even more memorable as you track your progress and discover hundreds of points of interest along the way. From vast agricultural fields to vibrant cities and historic adobe missions, from vast deserts with majestic mesas and red canyons to the Old Santa Fe Trail and Route 66. This essential guide brings the Southwest to life with every turn of the page. You won't want to start this evocative trip reflecting the golden age of rail travel without "Explore America on Amtrak's Southwest Chief" by your side.

"Explore America on Amtrak's Southwest Chief" brings to life the stories, trivia, quirkiness, and contradictions of the West. Using short, whimsical insights and fun facts, Baker enlivens hundreds of places in an easy-to-read format to reveal hidden gems. For each scheduled stop on the journey, it highlights:

What is special about the place?

Why is it here?

What's happened here?

What's quirky and fun about it?

Which famous people come from here?

What's of interest between stops?

It turns a long scenic journey into a fascinating transcontinental adventure.

Don't leave the station without it.

INTRODUCTION

1. ALL ABOARD AMTRAK!

What is Amtrak?

What are the Superliners?

Seating, Sleeping, and Sightseeing on Amtrak

Who's Who?

2. THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF

History of the Southwest Chief

The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway

Why Ride the Southwest Chief?

The Southwest Chief Schedule

The Southwest Chief Stations

3. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

4. SIGHTSEEING ABOARD THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF

CHICAGO, IL (CHI)

Chicago: Train City USA

NAPERVILLE, IL (NPV)

MENDOTA, IL (MDT)

PRINCETON, IL (PCT)

GALESBURG, IL (GBB)

FORT MADISON, IA (FMD)

LA PLATA, MO (LAP)

Santa Fe Trail: Highway to the Southwest

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCY)

LAWRENCE, KS (LRC)

TOPEKA, KS (TOP)

Long Cattle Drives and the Chisholm Trail

NEWTON, KS (NEW)

HUTCHINSON, KS (HUT)

Six Myths About Cowboys

DODGE CITY, KS (DDG)

GARDEN CITY, KS (GCK)

LAMAR, CO (LMR)

LA JUNTA, CO (LAJ)

Yes! This Was Once Mexico

TRINIDAD, CO (TRI)

RATON, NM (RAT)

The Harvey Girls Tamed the West

LAS VEGAS, NM (LSV)

The Navajo Nation: America's Most Populous Native People

LAMY, NM (LMY)

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (ABQ)

GALLUP, NM (GLP)

WINSLOW, AZ (WLO)

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (FLG)

KINGMAN, AZ (KNG)

NEEDLES, CA (NDL)

BARSTOW, CA (BAR)

VICTORVILLE, CA (VRV)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA (SNB)

RIVERSIDE, CA (RIV)

FULLERTON, CA (FUL)

Why is Hollywood in Los Angeles?

LOS ANGELES, CA - UNION STATION (LAX)

4. SOUTHWEST CHIEF TRIVIA QUESTIONS

5. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

6. OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

7. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALL ABOARD!