Fort Worth-Los Angeles
Proposed Schedule Change
Updated October 27, 1999

On February 6, 1998, a fourth Texas Eagle frequency began operating between Chicago, San Antonio and Los Angeles to accommodate increased ridership and express traffic. Additional "through" frequencies of the Texas Eagle should operate direct from Fort Worth to Los Angeles via the Union Pacific’s Baird subdivision to El Paso to achieve benefits summarized below.

• Direct operation will reduce operating expenses by reducing endpoint to endpoint trip time by approximately 10 hours, compared to the existing route. The proposed route will be more cost effective than the present arrangement via San Antonio, and the faster trip times should help in solicitations of additional express business.

• Because of shorter trip time, the through route can serve as a viable overflow or alternative routing for Chicago-Los Angeles passengers who are now forced to travel exclusively on the Southwest Chief. The population base Fort Worth-El Paso is substantially larger than the population base San Antonio-El Paso. Both of these factors will work to increase ridership.

• West of El Paso, the approximate 10 hour time differential between the schedule of the Sunset Limited and that of the Texas Eagle will have the effect of providing two train marketability on the route. Passengers desiring to arrive in Los Angeles early in the day would take the Sunset; those desiring to arrive late in the day would take the Eagle.

• The rerouted Texas Eagle would enjoy the benefits of operating over a single carrier from Joliet to Los Angeles, thus eliminating the need for excessive padding of schedules where carriers change.

• Union Pacific’s Baird subdivision (which has been used for Amtrak detour movements on a fairly regular basis) is undergoing a $125 million upgrade which will improve operating characteristics. Inasmuch as this track is an east-west line, it should be less affected than the present Eagle route with interference from continually growing NAFTA freight traffic.

• The revised route would serve an area of west Texas which has not enjoyed train service since the "Missouri Pacific Texas Eagle", and would provide service to several west Texas cities which were particularly active in supporting Amtrak during the Texas legislature’s loan proceedings. The cities that could be served include Weatherford, Ranger, Baird, Abilene, Big Spring, Midland, Odessa, Pecos, Lubbock, and San Angelo, TX. The potential service area has a population of 680,615 between Fort Worth and El Paso versus 37,470 between San Antonio and El Paso based on 1990 census data.

• To avoid "loss of service" at Austin and San Antonio, the new frequencies of the Texas Eagle should be moved to the direct route as soon as a second California frequency is added. At the same time, the Heartland Express be extended to these south Texas cities to maintain current service levels.

Note: Schedule reflects times effective October 31, 1999. The Texas Eagle Schedule has no changes between Chicago, IL & Fort Worth, TX.
 
 

Note: Schedule reflects times effective October 31, 1999. The Texas Eagle Schedule has no changes between Fort Worth, TX and Los Angeles, CA except for days of service.
 
 

Lubbock—Connecting Bus Service, Population: 194,522
Distance from Midland/Odessa: 135 miles    Distance from Abilene: 172 miles
San Angelo—Connecting Bus Service, Population: 89, 421
Distance from Midland/Odessa: 130 miles    Distance from Abilene: 95 miles

Weatherford, Texas
MP 277.3
Population: 17,711 Elevation: 1,052
Stop: Flag

Condition of Depot: The T&P depot is in use by a local business, Peacock's Farm and Ranch. The depot is in pretty bad shape. The restored Santa Fe depot is now a visitor's center not far from the tracks and could be a candidate for use by Amtrak. Restored 1909 all-brick structure was one of first in area to be built with concrete floors. Three blocks east of courthouse at 401 Fort Worth Street.
 

Parker County CourthouseàAfter three previous structures were destroyed by fire, present courthouse was begun in 1884 and dedicated in 1886. Designed by architect Wesley Clarke Dobson of Waco, who designed nine other Texas courthouses, the Victorian building is constructed of limestone quarried locally at a cost of $55,555.55. Seal inside marks the exact center of the county.

Ranger, Texas
MP 340.8
Population: 2,903 Elevation: 1,429
Stop: Flag

Condition of Depot: The Roaring Ranger Museum and Chamber of Commerce are in the depot. Located at Main & Commerce Streets downtown, artifacts and abundant photos of the city's oil boom are housed in the old depot.

When oil boomtowns are recalled, Ranger often leads the list. It was a quiet rural community established near a Texas Ranger camp in the 1870s. In October 1917 a gusher blew in and touched off one of the greatest booms in petroleum history. World War I demand for oil was at an all-time high. The lure of instant riches was irresistible; the town erupted with every kind of frenzied activity. In one year population exploded from 1,000 to 30,000. Small farmers became millionaires. Four railroads raced to complete lines and one railroad's receipts jumped from $94,000 to $8,000,000 in two years. As in most instances, the boom was short-lived and today there is no evidence of that bigger-than-life era. Oil activity is evident in orderly fields, while farming and ranching is major interest of area citizens. Ranger Junior College is here.

Baird, Texas
MP 385.8
Population: 1,751 Elevation: 1,708
Stop: Flag

Condition of Depot: Built in 1911, the former T&P depot is home of the Railroad Heritage Museum and Chamber of Commerce. Located at 100 Market Street, the museum has railroad memorabilia, photographs, and books.
 

Established 1880 with building of Texas and Pacific Railroad. A roundhouse, repair shops, and switches marked railroad division point named for Matthew Baird, railroad director who drove first stake on the Texas & Pacific Railway in 1875. Many antique and specialty shops in restored turn-of-the-century buildings, downtown. Officially recognized as Antique Capital of West Texas by Texas Legislature in 1993.
 

The Old Rock Jail at 100 W. 5th Street was moved from the former county seat, Belle Plain. Each block was numbered and the jail was rebuilt exactly as it had been. It's used as a Boy Scout meeting place today. Grumpe's candy factory at 206 Market Street, one of only four candy factories producing lollipops for business advertising in the U.S., and one of only two that puts messages on both the stick and candy.

Abilene, Texas
MP 406.6
Population: 116,000 Elevation: 1,738
Stop: Manned

Condition of Depot: The Texas & Pacific Railroad Depot, 1101 North 1^st Street, is one of Abilene's most outstanding landmarks. Built in 1910 it provided passenger service until 1967. In 1994 it was restored to its 1920's appearance to serve as the home of Abilene's Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cultural Affairs Council, and Visitor information Center. The tracks are elevated behind the depot with two sets of stairs to the platform. One set of stairs could be converted to an elevator for baggage and to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 

The Railway Express Agency Building located west of the T&P Depot on North 1^st Street is restored to its original appearance and houses a home made candy store.

The Texas & Pacific Freight House located east of the T&P Depot on North 1^st Street is restored to its original appearance. The Railhead, a 15,000 square foot restaurant with a Railroad-type theme occupies the building.
 
 

Located across the street from the T&P Depot at 102 Cypress Street, the Grace Hotel was built in 1909 to serve as a rest stop for weary railway passengers. Today the restored and renovated Mission-style building serves as the home of the Museums of Abilene, which include an Art, Children’s and Historical museum.
 

The Paramount Theatre, located in the heart of downtown at 352 Cypress Street, was completed in 1930. This beautiful Abilene Historic Landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The theater's interior is rich in detail. The lobby sports arched columns, two grand staircases, hand-blown glass chandeliers, and Pueblo-Deco artwork on the ceiling. The 1,200 seat auditorium features Moorish towers with domed turrets flanking the stage. Slowly drifting clouds and twinkling stars grace the velvet blue ceiling.

The Paramount features live performances, classic and art films, and each April hosts the West Texas Film Festival. The theatre can be rented for private parties and conventions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Big Spring
MP 513.4
Population: 23,308 Elevation: 2,397
Stop: Flag

Condition of Depot: Depot will have to be rebuilt.

Big SpringàSeat of Howard County; name derived from huge natural spring on Sulphur Draw that watered buffalo, antelope, wild mustangs, and Comanche and Shawnee Indians. First white men at site in 1849. Spring today is at center of city park. City is home of Howard College and Dorothy Garrett Coliseum, and Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf.

Heritage walking tour features 26 historic buildings with antique and gift shops, Railroad and Train Display and memorabilia. Railroad Plaza where Union Pacific railroad meets Main Street.

Midland, Texas
MP 553
Population: 98,251  Elevation: 2,891
Stop: Manned

Condition of Depot: Depot will have to be rebuilt.

MidlandàCity lies on former Chihuahua Trail, Emigrant Road to California, and Comanche War Trail; named for location halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso. Established in 1885; predominant economic basis was agricultural until 1923 discovery of oil in Permian Basin. Through "booms" and "busts" city has grown and developed with high-rise buildings, strong educational system and dedication to fine arts.

Odessa, Texas
MP 573
Population: 93,495
Stop: Manned

Condition of Depot: Depot will have to be rebuilt.

OdessaàEstablished 1881 as stop on Texas and Pacific Railroad; City is in heart of vast area that was once an ancient sea. Area today, geologically speaking is known as the Permian Basin, containing tremendous quantities of anhydrite, potassium salt, natural gas and oil. Oil boom beginning in 1929 brought great population growth. City is home of Odessa College and University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Pecos, Texas
MP 646.6
Population: 11,852 Elevation: 2,580
Stop: Unmanned

Condition of Depot: Still in good shape on the outside and presumably on the interior. The grounds were being maintained, but the current use of the depot, if any, was not apparent. Looks like it could be reopened without significant effort.

Established 1881 as stop on Texas and Pacific Railroad, Pecos gained early fame as hangout for rowdy cowboys and fast-draw lawmen. Touted as "Home of World's First Rodeo," Pecos was scene of cowboy contest in 1883 that was forerunner of today's popular sport. (West of the Pecos Rodeo, 4th of July, re-enacts 1883 events.)

Pecos CantaloupesàGrown in irrigated fields, luscious melon is the delight of gourmets throughout the United States. Quality derives from natural combination of alkali soil, western sunlight and altitude. Pecos cantaloupes enjoy comparable status with Maine lobsters, French wines and Swiss cheeses. Harvested late July through Sept. with a festival held in late summer.

West-of-the-Pecos Museum and ParkàMuseum at 120 E. First Street occupies old saloon and three floors of historic hotel, once the area's finest. See restored ornate fixtures, accurate displays of life in the late 1800s, and site where two outlaws were gunned down by quick-draw bartender, Barney Riggs.
 
 

On August 25, 1998, Amtrak #22, Texas Eagle California Service, departed El Paso at 3:20 PM (4:20 Central Time). Due to flooding in the Del Rio/Eagle Pass area, the train was diverted to the Union Pacific Baird Sub Division. The El Paso based crew with pilot arrived in Midland at 11:10 PM (6 hrs, 50 minutes). San Antonio based crew with pilot drove to Midland and relieved them. The train passed through Abilene at approximately 4:00 am on the 26^th. Little Rock based crew with pilot relieved them in Cisco (120 miles from Fort Worth) at 5:30 am. Amtrak #22, Texas Eagle California Service, arrived Fort Worth at 8:20am (5 hrs, 5 minutes early). Total trip time ELP-FTW was 16 hours. Not bad considering the circumstances.