Based on my research, ACL baggage car 151 and diners Philadelphia and Cordele were destroyed in 1957 derailments. Can anyone provide a date(s) and location for these derailments? Thank you.

-- Scott Lofreddo (scott.lofreddo@hq.transcom.mil), September 03, 2003

Answers

Mike Savcheck: You may have gotten crossed up on your Dixie this or Dixie that, but at least you had the foresight not to pull the same blunder as the Dixie Chicks. In 1966 my wife and I made a trip West on the California Zypher. We had a bedroom on either the Dixie Flyer or Dixieland, whichever it was that operated to Chicago Lasalle St. Station from Atlanta to Evansville, Indiana via the L&N thence C&EI to Chicago. Had to go over to Union Station to get the Zypher on which we also had a bedroom all the way to Oakland, Ca. On the return trip from Los Angeles we were on the Santa Fe Super Chief which put us back at Lasalle St. station. The Chief was running late, but no sweat, as the C&EI would hold the Dixie Flyer for first class passengers. And I have to tell about this experience. Leaving LAUPT around the dinner hour, we went to the dining car, which was full. The steward asked us if we would mind dining alone. With a quisical look, I replied "no." He took us to the Turquiose Room (sic) which is a private dining room where all the Hollywood stars used to dine. There we were with our own private dining room courtesy of the Santa Fe Railroad. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the Santa Fe ever since.It doesn't get any better than that. I now have a better understanding of why the Santa Fe retained the rights to the trademarked name "Super Chief" instead of passing it along to Amtrak to be besmirched. Amtrak substituted the name "Southwest Limited."

-- Bill Sellers (was2nd@charter.net), September 04, 2003.

Oops-I meant "New Dixieland". Gotta forgive us Northern folks. We easily get confused with Dixie this and Dixie that, and Dixie Lands and Dixie Flyers!!! Error caught by Larry "Dixie Route Fanatic" Goolsby!

-- Mike Savchak (Savchak@mnr.org), September 03, 2003.

The Philadelphia was wrecked in a side collision at Guthrie KY on June 29, 1957 while it was on the L&N on the New Dixie Flyer. As for the other two cars, I believe the Cordele was burnt in a fire, while I am not sure about the baggage car. The Guthrie wreck involved an L&N freight running into the side of the diner. The baggage car was not lost in that wreck.

-- Michael W. Savchak (Savchak@mnr.org), September 03, 2003.