Scott Special - Legacy and Preservation

Legacy and Preservation

The speed record set by the Scott Special stood for many years and was not beaten in regular service until the introduction of the Super Chief in 1936. What makes the Scott Special especially remarkable is that it was run under normal operating conditions:

run was made under normal conditions of track, motive power, and equipment, and practically on a moment's notice. No racing machines were used. The locomotives were the plain, everyday kind, taken from regular runs and manned by employees taking their regular turn. To be sure, the main line was kept clear, and even the exclusive California Limited put on the side track. The Scott Special had the right-of-way. That was the only favor shown it, though the engineers understood they had permission to 'let her out a few notches', and they did so, when they could with safety.

In 1955, on the 50th anniversary of the special's run, the Scott Special was re-enacted for television. For the show "Death Valley Days", the production crew was able to reuse Santa Fe locomotive number 1010, the 2-6-2 locomotive that was used in the original run between Needles and Seligman (and the only unit still on Santa Fe's active roster). Robert Hinze, a fireman on the original Scott Special, was on hand to aid in the recreation as the replica train worked over Cajon Pass in California. In October 1984, the Santa Fe donated locomotive 1010 to the California State Railroad Museum, where it remains on static display.

The 100th anniversary of the Scott Special was commemorated with localized events and interpretive displays along the train's route sponsored by various historical organizations. One such display was shown at Joliet, Illinois, by the Blackhawk Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society; the Scott Special passed Joliet just after 11:00 am on July 11, 1905.

Amtrak's daily Southwest Chief follows nearly the same route as the Scott Special. As of 2006, the Southwest Chief makes the journey in just under 43 hours, departing Los Angeles Union Station at 6:45 pm Pacific Time, and scheduled to arrive at Chicago Union Station at 3:20 pm Central Time on the second day of the trip.