Based on the 1954 consist with "big dome" cars, this version of the El Capitan ran just before the introduction of the unique Hi-Level cars in 1956. Following the introduction of the Hi-Level cars in mid 1956, the "big dome" cars were transferred to the Super Chief fleet.

Consist possible with either Deluxe car version, can be increased by combining both Deluxe versions:

• Up to four EMD F7 locomotives, in A-B-B-A configuration, purchased seperately of rolling stock
• 73' Budd baggage car
• 85' Pullman-Standard baggage-dormitory
• Three 85' Budd 46 seat coaches
• 85' Pullman-Standard 13 seat lunch counter 20 seat diner
• 85' Budd Big Dome bar lounge
• 85' Pullman-Standard 42 seat coach observation

Passenger Car Features:

• Six authentic Santa Fe cars — four all-new models including:
  
  • As-built Baggage-Dormitory
  • 13-Seat Lunch Counter 20-Seat Diner
  • “Big Dome” Bar Lounge #506-513
  • 42-Seat Coach-Observation
• Fully assembled with Walthers real metal "stainless steel" finish Factory installed grab irons
• Prototypical features of each car type
  
• Prototypically tinted windows
• Correct trucks
• Modeler installed extended drawbar for 22" radius curves included
• Turned metal RP25 wheelsets
• Deluxe version of cars also include:
  • Two consists each featuring different factory printed car numbers
    
  • Baggage-Dormitory & Lunch Counter Diner are factory equipped with exclusive SoundTraxx SoundCar Digital Sound Decoder and speaker
    
  • Factory installed LED interior lighting (as appropriate)
    130+ Preiser passenger & crew figures installed throughout the train
    
  • Exclusive cars arrive the same month as the standard models

To power this train, Walthers is producing a variety of Proto ATSF 300 Class F7s which are perfect for El Capitan and the Super Chief. Finished in Santa Fe's classic Passenger Warbonnet scheme and highlighted by a plated metal finish. Road numbers are available in DCC Ready & DCC w/Sound versions.

Locomotive Features:

• Fully assembled and ready to run
  
• Detailed to match post-1953 cosmetic upgrades featuring:
  
• Vertical Farr-type etched stainless grilles
  
• Door-mounted headlight & Mars light
  
• 36" dynamic brake fan
  
• Two single chime air horns
  
• Plated metal & painted finish
  
• Complete scale fuel tank with skirting, hangers, battery box &
  
• underframe detail
  
• Five-pole, skew-wound, high-torque, high-efficiency can motor
  
• Helical gears with 14:1 ratio for smooth, ultra-quiet running
  
• Proto MAX metal knuckle couplers
• Road numbers available in DCC Ready & DCC w/Sound versions
  

History from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Drumhead" logos such as theseoften adorned the ends of observation cars on El Capitan.

El Capitan was one of the named passenger trains of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was the only coach, or chair car (non-Pullman sleeper) train to operate the Santa Fe main line from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California on the same fast schedule as the road's premier Pullman Super Chief.

This all-coach, streamlined train (assigned Nos. 21 & 22) began operations in February 1938. Not unlike the Pennsylvania Railroad's Trail Blazer, it offered "low-cost passage with high-speed convenience." Originally conceived as the Economy Chief, the name El Capitan was ultimately chosen to honor the Spanish conquistadors and their influence on Southwestern culture, though it didn't hurt that the name seemed to outrank the Union Pacific's Challenger train, with which it was designed to compete. Unique in charging an extra-fare despite being a coach train, it pioneered such features as "RideMaster" seating optimized for sleeping. The original consists were two new Budd Company-built trains of five cars each made of lightweight stainless steel. Each of the two luxury trains were capable of accommodating 188 passengers; fare Chicago to Los Angeles was $5.00 above the $39.50 regular coach fare (in 1938). The 80-foot cars had 52 seats on 41-1/2 inch centers; postwar 85-foot coaches had 44 seats on 52-inch centers.

El Capitan was the first of Santa Fe's trains to utilize the "Big Dome"-Lounge cars, though these were soon given to the Chief in favor of new double-decker "Hi-Level" coaches developed by Budd and the railroad in 1955. These experimental units featured a quieter ride, increased seating capacities, and boasted better views of the Southwestern terrain El Cap passed through and made this train unique and revolutionary. Amtrak's Superliner equipment, which was placed in service along many of Amtrak's long distance routes, were based on the Santa Fe Hi-Level design. The Superliners were designed to be operated along with older Hi-Level cars.

In 1958 the train was combined with the Super Chief and operated under train numbers 17 and 18 through the end of Santa Fe passenger operations. Today the route formerly covered by El Capitan is served by Amtrak's Southwest Chief. Many of Amtrak's trains (especially those in California) consist of a combination of refurbished former Santa Fe Hi-Level cars along with newer Superliner railcar designs. In recent years, four "mothballed" El Capitan lounge cars were removed from storage, refurbished, and placed into service on Amtrak's Coast Starlight as "Pacific Parlour" first-class lounge cars. These refurbished cars feature a service bar, booths, and chairs on the upper level, and a theater on the lower level.