Prior to November 27, 1993, the train left Los Angeles using the Pasadena line, switching to the Fullerton line on that date; westbound service continued through Pasadena until January 14, 1994.
Santa Fe Pasadena Line
- 1950 Route Description
- 1993 Route Description
Until October 2, 1979, the train ran directly from NR Junction to Holliday; from October 3, 1979, it started running via Topeka to replace the Texas Chief/Lone Star's stops on that line.
Prior to the construction of the connector at Cameron after the BN-ATSF merger in 1995, the Southwest Chief continued to Chicago on the ATSF Transcon:
Galesburg (Cameron) to Streator
Streator to Pequot
Pequot to Joliet
McCook to Joliet
Bridgeport to McCook
21st Street to Bridgeport
Chicago Union Station to 21st Street