Promoting the Southern Pacific Railroad’s Golden State and Sunset Routes, between New Orleans, Chicago and the Pacific Coast respectively, this vintage 1940s travelogue film shows tourists traveling by both train and motor buses to Carlsbad Caverns.
The film begins with images of El Paso and a journey to Carlsbad Caverns. A motor coach is used to transport tourists at mark 1:20. Guadalupe Canyon is seen at mark 1:45. The highway to this follows the old Butterfield Trail. At mark 1:56, an impressive form of El Capitan and the Butterfield mountains. The Butterfield Trail was made by the pioneers as seen at mark 2:18. Most of the Trail has been obliterated by time but some well-preserved sections can still be seen. At mark 2:42, the ruins of an old butter field sage station is seen along the way. At mark 3:08, a little group of cream stones buildings of the National Park Service. There is also a cafeteria which serves people daily 750ft below the ground. The trip through consists of different parties with each party accompanied by uniformed Rangers as seen at mark 3:45. The King’s Palace is seen at mark 4:00. It is about 150ft in diameter. These marvelous formations are 60 million years in the making as seen at mark 4:15. The age of the rock is computed by scientists. It is beyond any doubt on natures’ greatest achievement. At mark 4:40 is a formation called the Twins Hill. The parties feeling are wonders for the greatest masterpiece of nature’s handiwork. At mark 5:20 is the giant dome which is located in the big room. It is 62ft high and the largest to be found in the world. At mark 5:30 is a room called the Temple of the Sun. It is one of the cavern’s outstanding formations with thousands of delicate stalactites hanging from the ceilings. At mark 5:55 is the Queen’s Chamber. The room is popularly known for its sheet stalactites some of which hangs straight do n. at mark 48 is the largest chamber known as the Big Room. It is 4000 ft long, 625 ft. wide and 350ft high. There is not enough lighting in all Hollywood to photograph it. At mark 7:05 is the Santa Claus formation. When viewed from the top of the formation at close range, the significance of the name is seen. One single drop of after at a time for millions of years as seen at mark 7:48. Some of the formation are still uncompleted as seen at mark 8:05 here Crystal Spring Dome is seen still accumulating drop by drop. At mark 8:20, the shape and sizes of the formation are seen, with the stalactites varying in sizes.
At 8:45, the tourists hit the road again. One of the major cities of Texas, El Paso, is talked about at mark 9:10. At mark 9:35, El Paso is shown on the banks of the Rio Grande. At mark 9:50 are the residential areas and hotels. At mark 10:47, is the public square standard statue, one of the public’s late president. At mark 11:05 is the Mexican marketplace.
At mark 11:30 is the White Sand National Monument, in New Mexico, a dazzling area of pure white sand made of alabaster. The four scenic routes of the Southern Pacific Railroad are seen at mark 12:20 between the East and South coasts including the Sunset Route, the Golden State Route, Overland Route and the Shasta Route. New Orleans is seen at mark 13:15 which is the eastern terminus of the Sunset Route. At mark 13:48, is the plantation country of Louisiana, west of New Orleans. At 14:39 the famed Pacific Daylight steam train is seen. The Santa Barbara Mission is is seen at mark 15:05. California’s famed Monterey Peninsula is seen at mark 15:20, with beautiful resorts and popular hotels. Crater Lake is seen at mark 15:48. At mark 16:00 is the northern terminus of the Shasta Route connecting with Portland. At mark 16:10 is the Colombia River . At mark 16:20 is Lake Tahoe on the overland route sometimes called the “sea in the sky”.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
