The Portland Rose

[Dome Rider]

As a youth I spent some summers with my Grandparents in Gorham, Kansas. There was a streamliner that came through town daily eastbound and westbound. I believe it was called the Portland Rose. Does anyone know whether this train ran through Gorham or the next largest town which was Russell, Kansas in the late 40's or early 50's?

Thanks,

Dome Rider

[Anonymous]

In the May 1945 Guide, the Portland Rose ran from Chicago to Portland, on the mainline through Nebraska.  The 'Pony Express' ran from Kansas City to Denver and up to Laramie and thence to Portland.  This train stopped at Russell but not at Gorham; both had telegraph stations, but the train did not connect with the Portland Rose.

 

In the February 1952 Guide, the Pony Express arrived at Denver at 3:30 PM and left at 5:35 PM.  A section of the Portland Rose left 5 minutes later at 5:40 PM.  The two are on the same schedule leaving Green River and arriving at Portland.  Russell has become a flag stop, but only for long distance travellers.

Art

[timz]

Yes, it ran thru those towns; are you asking whether it stopped there? If so, pick a year and we'll check.

(It might well have stopped conditionally-- maybe it wouldn't stop in Russell for someone who wanted to ride just to Gorham, but it would stop if you had a ticket to Denver and so advised the agent.)

[timz]

Looks like it was January 1954 that the Portland Rose replaced the Pony Express between Denver and KC; no idea whether the train looked any different after the change. The eastward train did have a regular stop at Russell.

[Dome Rider]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You're welcome!

Art