Dudleys Diary

Back in the late 80's the wife and I went to San Antonio Texas for the main purpose of riding this train. It was like a trip back in time to the 1940's or 1950's. The trip started from the beautiful Southern Pacific "Sunset" Depot. I remember being impressed walking up to the huge expansive building and then walking inside and being awestruck by the view up the grand staircase up to the beautiful stained glass window. I could only imagine the steam engines and stream liners and the multitudes of people who passed this way before me. We had dressed up for the occasion but not nearly as much as some of our fellow passengers. there were men in tuxedos and women in evening gowns. We sat down at a table covered by the finest linen table cloth. the table was decorated with a crystal vase with fresh cut flowers. I remember the excitement when the conductor shouted "all aboard" and when the stream liner dining train pulled from the station. I remember looking out the window as we went through some of the roughest neighborhoods in San Antonio, then the city gave way to the wide open country side, the scenic Texas Hill Country. The dinner was served on fine china as we sipped wine from crystal wine glasses and ate our meal using the finest antique silverware. San Antonio's best chef must have been on the train that night. I remember pulling into the depot at Hondo, Texas. This town plays a significant part in one of my favorite movies, "The Newton Boys." If you have not seen this movie, do yourself a favor and see it soon. The train turned around and returned to San Antonio. We were all a little sad as the train pulled up to the depot in San Antonio as we did not want the experience to end.