Desert Wind began at time change in October 1979. The food service car was a Amdinette, not an Amcafe. The Amcoaches were the 60 seat with regret type, not the 84 seat ones that were found on the San Dieagans. Approximately April 1980, the these trains were re-equipped with a combination of Amfleet, Heritage Fleet and Superliner cars. Often in the peak travel season, an extra coach would operate between LA and Las Vegas and UP Switch crews and Mechanical forces were responsible for adding/removing this car. It was fun to see a UP
Superswitcher 1200 series Engine hauling an Amtrak Hi-Level or Superliner car!