No smoke, no smog, no fog...where is it? The picture provided is taken at a location that should be easy to identify. The era might be a bit more difficult. There is significant history at this location. Easy to spot, the Santa Fe mainline has been moved and you can see the former roadbed as it cuts through the new one. The Santa Fe Passenger train has more then one clue as to the era, in the consist. Note the locomotives on the front end. A mixture of F units. Can you identify the second one as to type. I see a lot of "Where is it challenges," on other websites for other rail lines. I figured it was time for one here. The picture I used here is not mine and is used here simply for illustration.
I'll take a shot. For the F-unit question the 2nd unit is a F3B. As for location I would say Cajon area maybe Sullivan curve. Era, with the El-cap cars I would say the 60's.
If you look carefully at the single level cars, at least one has AMTK stripes, so I would say the era is post 71, but I agree with everything else you said...
You guys are good. Thank you for feeling free to jump in. At first glance this looks like one of Santa Fe's crack passenger trains, it isn't. Instead it is an Amtrak passenger train...unsure as to which one. The location is Sullivan's curve Cajon Pass, California. In case you missed it in the first posting. Sullivan's curve was relocated and you can see the original sub roadbed crisscrossing the new curve. Amtrak era 71 or 72. You can see the new SP tracks the Colton Cutoff, over Cajon Pass in the background, up against the rocks.. ATSF relocated Sullivan's Curve shortly after SP finished laying track through Cajon Pass. The intent was to lessen the grade. The second unit in the locomotive consist is an F3 B unit. Mix and match. There is an Amtrak car in consist, just in front of the duplex sleeper. Amtrak brought the duplex sleepers back to the ATSF's passenger consists. If we could zoom in on the sleeper we'd find the imprint of another railroad herald. Not bad, not bad at all.
More about the Duplex Sleeper. I've attached a picture of a Santa Fe Duplex Sleeper. Complaints regarding the usable space in the duplex sleepers prompted Santa Fe to remove them from their top of the line, all pullman trains.