[1]: 91  There were improved reclining chairs in the coaches, "classic and popular music...on individual, push-button type receivers," and bar service on the upper level of the dome car via a dumb waiter.

[5] Tragedy struck the train on March 2, 1960, just outside of Bakersfield, California, when a tanker truck filled with oil stalled or got stuck on a crossing along the Chief's route.

The engineer hardly had time to slow down, and collided with the truck, resulting in an explosion that could be seen, heard and even felt over a great distance.

[1]: 96 The discontinuance of the San Francisco Chief was the end of passenger service on the Belen Cutoff.

[6]: 129–131  However, moving the train from its current route would deprive passengers of service at the Albuquerque and Santa Fe-Lamy stops.

The sleeping cars included sections, roomettes, double bedrooms, compartments, and drawing rooms.