Whew, 50 years ago.
Would be neat to see and hear this turbine powered train climb the Cuesta Grade.
"Almost immediately after it took over passenger train operations from the private railroads In 1971, Amtrak sent a TurboTrain set off on a tour around the country to promote both the new carrier, but also new railroad passenger technology. On August 25, 1971, the TurboTrain carried dignitaries and invited guests from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo (and, once the guests detrained, the train continued on to Oakland)."
Photo & text credit: Craig Walker
San Luis Obispo, Ca. August 25, 1971
[
www.railpictures.net]