| One of Santa Fe's more distinctive stations was the road's depot at San Juan Capistrano. A short walk from the famed California Mission (known for the annual return of the swallows), this station, opened in 1894, was built in a similar "mission" style. This station was closed in 1966, two years before Santa Fe "San Diegans" quit stopping in this city. After Amtrak took over passenger operations in 1971, this stop was reinstated in 1974 (a year after this photo was taken). One year later this station was rebuilt into a restaurant, with additions added to the original structure - including some rail cars converted to become part of the building. This depot is still in service for both Amtrak "Pacific Surfliners" and Metrolink commuter trains, although the original structure is barely visible due the additions and a thick covering of ivy. |