Dining on the Santa Fe Exhibit

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"Regardless of the current hardship and the ever-threatening tension in Europe, this trip to Los Angeles gives a much-needed vacation. Walking into the dining car for dinner, the tables are set with fresh linens, white as the snow from this winter. While making way toward the seat, the sunset light gleams off the silver and glass and gives an attractive glow to the Southwestern décor. The waiter is immediately attentive and offers a menu. After perusing the options, the decision is whether to have the lamb chop or the pork tenderloin, or even possibly the New York sirloin. What luxury the Super Chief offers! Only a short time passes when the waiter comes and serves the famous Fred Harvey food in a professional and courteous manner. The china must be the most attractive part of the experience with the array of pieces and the interesting designs. Mr. Al Dubin was correct when he said, “We’re in the money,” for the most lavish experience is dining on the Santa Fe !"

Establishment of Dining Cars

The first known occurrence of food provided on a train was in 1853 on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad when caterers prepared and served food upon boards prior to leaving. Harper’s Magazine described a later account of this experience as a “dining saloon with a table running the whole length of the car.” In 1867, George Mortimer Pullman established the Pullman Palace Car Co. in Chicago. The next year, Pullman created his first dedicated dining car, which he named Delmonico.

As rail travel gained popularity through the latter half of the 19th century, the dining car experience became more opulent with decorations of gold leaf, carved wood paneling, stained glass, mirrors and, later, electric lamps. Passengers affording these luxuries remained on board the train. However, most passengers and crews still ate their meals at Harvey dining rooms or lunch counters during scheduled stops. As dining car facilities became more accessible, on-train dining was more affordable and eliminated the need for meal stops. By 1901, Fred Harvey provided dining service for more than a dozen Santa Fe dining cars.

Golden Age of Rail Travel

The Santa Fe, along with other rail companies, made a bold move at the height of the Great Depression that revolutionized rail travel. The introduction of the “Superliner” brought rail travel into its golden age. These new trains were lightweight and streamlined, often gleaming and brightly painted and featured themes evident in train names like Super Chief, El Capitan and California Limited. A variety of dining and leisure options existed with dining cars, café cars, lunch counter cars, lounge cars, snack cars and observation cars. Dining was still relatively luxurious but affordable to most passengers. A 1949 Super Chief promotional brochure stated:

       For more than half a century discriminating travelers have recognized Fred 
       Harvey dining car service on the Santa Fe as outstanding in the
       transportation world. Fred Harvey food has always meant food well chosen,
       attractively prepared and carefully served. This famous service reaches its
       finest expression in the beautiful “dining-room-on-wheels” of the new Super
       Chief, with its carefully chosen personnel, its gleaming silver and glassware,
       snowy napery and especially designed china.

As the use of airplanes and automobiles increased, railroads slowly eroded as a primary choice for travel. By the late 1960s, several of the largest railroads were facing bankruptcy. The United States government took over passenger rail service in 1971 with the creation of Amtrak. Amtrak survived despite a wobbly transition, but by the late 1980s, Amtrak service was at least acceptable if not outstanding. The Santa Fe Railway still exists as a freight line, but it merged with Burlington Northern in 1995 to form the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF).  

Brief Timeline of the Santa Fe Railway

 Pictures of the Exhibit

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