North American Passenger Trains

[eastcoulee]

I seek assistance and advice on those Named Passenger trains with regard to destination, Company and any detail re closure and final operating dates. I have a list of those trains that I've found info on and am willing to submit to interested members who also feel that they can add to / or edit the entries. Any help greatly appreciated.

[CG9602]

Well, let me think.
For the Chicago and North Western: Their premier trains were:
the 400 (Chicago - St. Paul),
Northwestern Limited (same destinations as the 400, only the 400 was a day train. NW LTD was the night counterpart),
The Duluth - Superior Ltd (Twin Ports - Chicago),
The Kate Shelley 400 (Chicago - Omaha),
The Capitol 400 (Chicago - Madison, WI),
The Chicago Express (Omaha - Chicago),
Chicago Limited (Duluth, MN - Chicago),
Chicago-Northwestern Limited (Duluth, MN - Chicago),
The City of Milwaukee 400 (Chicago - Milwaukee),
Commuter 400 (Chicago - Milwaukee),
The Dakota 400 (Chicago - Rapid City),
The Flambeau (Chicago - Ironwood, MI)
The Iron and Copper Country Express (Chicago - Ishpeming, MI),
The Los Angeles Limited (Chicago - Los Angeles; operated via Union Pacific west of Omaha)
The Minnesota 400 (Chicago - Mankato, MN)
The Minnesota & Black Hills Express (Chicago - Rapid City, SD)
The Peninsula 400 (Chicago - Ishpeming, MI),
The Viking (Chicago - Twin Cities, via Madison, WI),
The Victory (same route as the Viking),
The Fast Mail ( Chicago - Duluth MN),
The Arrowhead (same as the Fast Mail),
The Mondamin (Twin Cities - Omaha),
The Nightingale (same as the Mondamin),
The North American (ditto),
The Namekagon (Minneapolis - Ashland, WI),
The Ashland LTD, the Northwoods Special, and the Wisconsin Lakes Special (all Chicago - Ashland, WI),
The Mountaineer (Chicago, Vancouver, BC, via St. Paul; operated west of St. Pual via the Soo Line and Canadian Pacific. Summers only; discontinued in the late 1950s).
The Streamliner 400 ( Menominee, MI - Chicago),
The Shoreland 400 ( Chicago - Green Bay, WI),
The Soo-Dominion (Chicago-Vancouver, BC, via St. Paul)
The Portland Rose ( Chicago - Portland, OR)
The City of Portland, The City of Denver, City of San Francisco, City of Los Angeles (like the Portland rose, these trains were operated in conjunction with the Union Pacific, each train went from Chicago to its respective city)
The Gold Coast (Chicago - San Francisco, CA)
The Indianhead Special [alias Mountaneer - Indianhead Special (Chicago - Drummond, WI) Summers only]
The National Parks Special (Chicago - Denver; operated summers only, with Union Pacific west of Omaha),
The Pacific - Pony Express ( two sections - one to Portland, OR, the other to Los Angeles, CA, operated in conjunction with Union Pacific)

Most of these trains were discontinued by the early 1960s, with the exceptions of the Kate Shelley, and the Ashland 400, which ran until April 30, 1971. It is also noted that the "City " series of trains were transferred to the Milwaukee Road between Chicago and Omaha from 1955 until thier discontinuance in 1971.

[coalminer3]

Pennsylvania Railroad (1942)

Chicago-East Most of these ran to New York, but many of these trains carried cars to Washington, DC)
"New Yorker"
"Manhattan Limited" NOTE: This was combined with the "Statetsman" and the "Philadelphia Express" Statesman operated to Washington Philadelphia Express ran between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with a sleeper to Atalantic City
"Trail Blazer"
"Admiral"
"Liberty Limted" (Chicago-Washington)
"General"
"Broadway Limited" This was PRR's premier service
"Rainbow" (to Philadelphia)
"Pennsylvanian"
"Pennsylvania Limited"
"Gotham Limited"
"Valley Special" Chicago-Pittsburgh; ran with Gotham Limited
"Golden Triangle"
"Juniata"
"Pittsburgh Express"
"New Englander"

New York-West
"Metropolitan/Chicago Express"
"Duquesne/Golden Triangle"
"St. Louisan/Golden Triangle"
"Golden Triangle"
"Pennsylvania Limited"
"General"
"Trail Blazer"
"Liberty Limited" (From Washington)
"Broadway Limited"
"Manhattan Limited"
Pittsburgh Night Express/Golden Arrow"
"Iron City Express/Golden Arrow"
"Statesman/Golden Arrow"
"Golden Arrow"
"Golden Arrow/Rainbow"

There's lots more, but this should be enough to get you started.

work safe

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Monon
"Thoroughbred" - Chicago-Louisville - Discontinued 1967
Erie Lackawanna
"Phoebe Snow" - Hoboken-Buffalo, later Hoboken-Chicago - Discontinued 1968
"Lake Cities" - Hoboken-Chicago - Discontinued 1970
Nickel Plate
"Nickel Plate Ltd" - Chicago-Buffalo with through cars to Hoboken - Discontinued mid -1960's

[randybc2003]

Lest anyone forget:
AT&SF: The Super Chief, (I's not sure of termination date); The Chief (now AMTRACK'S Southwest Chief)
Alaska Railroad: The AURORA, Anchorage to Fairbanks, and return. Schedule variable by season. Still runing under Alaska RR ownership & colors.
Southern Pacific's DAYLIGHTs: including the Shasta Daylight from (Portland I think) to Klamath Falls to Oakland. The Lark and Owl between Oakland & LosAngles (at least). They ran complimentary daylight and evening schedules. Northern Pacific's North Coast Limited; Mainstreater
Great Northern's Empire Builder; Western Star - again complimentary schedules 12 hours apart. One went through a piece of country in daylight, the other at night. AMTRACK still runs the Empirebuilder, including the Portland Section that breaks off at Spokane WA.
These are just a handfull I can think of off hand

[eastcoulee]

Thanks to 4 members who responded with the wealth of extra info. Would you want a copy of my existing list prior to adding your info? If so how do I email it; to you or to Classic Trains ? My first time.

[CG9602]

Some more that I remembered:
Trains of the kansas City and Southern:
The Flyng Crow ( Kansas City - Port Aruthur, TX, second section Kansas City - New Orleans)
The Southern Belle (Kansas City - New Orleans)
The Sunshine Special ( Third Section) (Operated in conjunction several railroads east of St. Louis) (Shreveport, LA - New Orleans)

The Flying Crow stopped serving New Orleans after 1957, and the Southern Belle stopped serving Port Arthur, TX at the same time. The Southern Belle's last run was November 3, 1969.

[CG9602]

Trains that were operated by the Milwaukee Road:
The Afternoon Hiawatha (Chicago - St. Paul/Minneapolis)
The Morning Hiawatha (ditto)
The Arrow (Chicago & Milwaukee - Omaha & Souix Falls, SD)
The Chippewa (Chicago - Houghton, MI)
The Columbian (Chicago - Seattle)
The Copper Country LTD (Chicago - Sault Ste Marie, MI)
The Fast Mail (Minneapolis & St. Paul - Chicago)
The North Woods Hiawatha (Chicago - Minocqua, WI)
The Minnesota Marquette ( Chicago - Minneapolis via Madison WI and Austin, MN),
The Midwest Hiawatha (Chicago - Souix Falls, SD)
On, Wisconsin ( Milwaukee - Madison)
Olympian Hiawatha (Chicago - Seattle)
Pioneer LTD ( Chicago - Minneapolis)
The Souix ( Chicago - Rapid City, SD)
The Southwestern LTD (two sections: Chicago - Kansas City, and Milwaukee - Kansas City)
The Tomahawk (Chicago - Woodruff, WI)
The Varsity (Madison, WI - Chicago) discontinued April 30, 1971


Again, I apologise for not having the final discontinuance dates for every single train here. With a few notable exceptions such as the Hiawathas (which remained until April 30, 1971) and the "Citiy" series of trains operated in conjunction with the Union Pacific from 1955 - 1971, these trains were discontinued for the most part by the middle 1960s.

[Anonymous]

and he notes -

Here's a little gem for your collection - "The East Wind" was a deluxe coach train that ran between Washington, D.C. and Bangor, Maine. It was operated jointly by the PRR, New Haven, Boston and Maine and Maine Central Railroads.

It was a seasonal train, scheduled daily between June and September, catering to the summer tourist trade. It departed Washington at 7:00 a.m. and arrived in Bangor at 9:00 p.m. The return leg took 30 minutes longer, departing at 6:45 a.m. and arriving in Washington at 10:05 p.m.

It operated for a few years prior to W.W II, whereupon it was suspended until 1946 and ran for a few seasons thereafter.

The trains, No. 90 southbound and No. 91 northbound consisted of all reserved reclining seat coaches, a tavern/lounge (between Portland, Me. and D.C.) and a grill car that operated the whole distance.

What is interesting is that the participating railroads painted the cars yellow and silver for the summer service and in the off season, the cars were restored to their original colors...

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The repainting of cars based on their assignment continued into the streamliner era. NP's dome-sleepers were painted in IC colors when they were in winter-season service on the City of Miami and were returned to NP colors for their regular assignment for the balance of the year.

Two PRR all-roomette sleepers were painted in UP colors when they were assigned to the City of Denver as competition for the Slumbercoaches on the Denver Zephyr.

[Anonymous]

Some for the Reading Company

The Crusader Philadelphia to Jersey City

The Wall Street Philadelphia to Jersey City (changed to Philadelphia to Newark with the Aldene Plan)

The King Coal Philadelphia to Shamokin Later Philadelphia to Pottsville

The Williamsporter Williamsport to ?

The Queen of the Valley (Jersey City to Harrisburg) actually a CNJ train mostly run on the Reading

I know that there were others on the Reading. I will look back through some of my timetables and Official Guides.

[cnw4001]

New York Central

20th Century Limited (New York Chicago)
James Whitcomb Riley (Cincinnati Chicag) Continued for a while under Amtrak

Norfolk and Western
Powhattan Arrow (Cincinnati Norfolk VA with connection from Columbus Ohio)

Chesapeake & Ohio
George Washington (Cincinnati Washington with connecting cars from Lexington KY and to Virginia)

I don't have the years these ended but all were done when Amtrak started May 1, 1970.

[eastcoulee]

By Golly, You guys sure giving me just what I asked for and more. Thanks to you all for the response. Would be a pleasure to let you view the list when done I'm sure even you people will be amazed by it all. Thank you.

[eastcoulee]

By Golly, You guys sure giving me just what I asked for and more. Thanks to you all for the response. Would be a pleasure to let you view the list when done I'm sure even you people will be amazed by it all. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

As I said here are a few more. (I know that I am missing many) The trains that I have listed dates for I found in timetables, in Official Guides or in newspaper reports of wrecks.

For the Reading

Pottsville Express Philadelphia to Pottsville (ca 1920)
Shamokin Express Philadelphia to Shamokin (ca 1920)
Cannon Ball Express Philadelphia to Harrisburg
Harrisburg Special Philadelphia to Harrisburg
William Penn Express Camden to Atlantic City (ca 1920)
Quaker City Express Camden to Atlantic City (ca 1920)
The Rocket Camden to Atlantic City (ca 1920)
Boardwalk Flyer Camden to Atlantic City (ca 1920)
Fisherman's Special Camden to Schellenger's Landing (only during fishing season)
The North Penn Philadelphia to Bethlehem (still running in 1972)



For the CNJ

Essex Flyer Matawan to Long Branch (was scheduled to meet boats from New York City)
Sea Shore Express New York City to Long Branch
The Blue Comet Jersey City to Atlantic City



For the Pennsylvania

Western Express New York City to ? (ca. 1900 ) I only found reference to the PA segment as it was involved in a wreck near Harrisburg
Eastern Express ? to New York City (ca. 1900) ) I only found reference to the PA segment as it was involved in a wreck near Lancaster
Dominion Express Washington to Buffalo (This was involved in a wreck in 1945 near Williamsport PA that killed a number of service men returning from the war in Europe)
The Nellie Bly New York City to Atlantic City
The Pony Express Philadelphia to the Garden State Race Track Station (last run 1962)



For the PRSL

The Sea Breeze Philadelphia to Atlantic City (this was still running in 1968)
The Pony Express Philadelphia to the Atlantic City Racetrack Station (last run in 1967) This is not the same train as the Pony Express listed for the PRR even though they had the same name.

[CBQ_Guy]

...And don't forget the Burlington Zephyrs. Will have to check on the dates each was discontinued (or combined with another), but in 1969, the era I want to model on my HO layout, there were still four in service, IIRC -- California Z., Denver Z., . . . Like I said, I have to check.

Best,

[eastcoulee]

Thanks to all of you. I really appreciate your response & help.

[CG9602]

For the Burlington Route:

The Afternoon Twin Cities Zephyrs (Chicago - MSP)
Ak-Sar-Ben (Chicago - Lincoln, NE)
American Royal (Chicago - Kansas City, KS)
Black Hawk (Minneapolis - Chicago)
California Zephyr (Continued by Amtrak; Chicago - Oakland, later shortened to Emeryville, CA)
Denver Zephyr (Chicago - Denver)
The Empire Builder (Chicago - Seattle & Portland, OR; operated in conjunction with GN until 1971; then operated by Amtrak to the present day)
Exposition Flyer ( not much information regarding this train, just that it ran Chicago - San Francisco, CA)
The Fast Mail (Chicago - Omaha, NE, - Lincoln, NE),
General Pershing Zephry (St. Louis - Kansas City)
Mark Twain Zephry (St. Louis - Burlington, IA)
The Morning Twin Cities Zephrys (Chicago - St. Paul & Minneapolis, started in the 1930s, ended 1971)
Nebraska Zephyr (Chicago - Lincoln, NE)
Night hawk ( operated in conjunction with GM&O, St. Louis, Kansas City, discontinued by 1965)
The North Caost Limited (operated in conjunction with the Northern Pacific; Chicago - Seattle & chicago - Portland, OR) The route was picked up by Amtrak under the guise of the North Coast Hiawatha, eventually discontinued 1979.
Oriental Limited (Chicago - Seattle, discontinued by the early 1960s)
Pioneer Zephry ( Lincoln - McCook, NE)
The Silver Streak Zephyr (Kansas City - Omaha - Lincoln, NE)
Twin Zephyrs ( see Twin Cities Zephyrs; discontinued April, 1971)
Zephyr Rocket ( St. Louis - St. Paul; operated in conjunction with CRIP and discontinued by the early 1960s)
Western Star (Chicago - Seattle, operated in conjunction with GN west of Minneapolis) Discontinued 1971
Mainstreeter (Chicago - Seattle & Portalnd, operated in conjunction with the NP west of Minneapolis) Discontinued 1971
Texas Zephyr (Denver- Dallas, discontinued September 1967)
Sam houston Zephyr (Dallas - Houston, discontinued 1971)

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

...And don't forget the Burlington Zephyrs. Will have to check on the dates each was discontinued (or combined with another), but in 1969, the era I want to model on my HO layout, there were still four in service, IIRC -- California Z., Denver Z., . . . Like I said, I have to check.

Best,

[CG9602]

For the Great Northern:

Afternoon Puget Sounder (Seattle-Vancouver)
Alexandrain (St. Paul/Minneapolis-Fargo-Grand Forks, ND)
Badger Express (St. Paul/Minneapolis-Superior/Duluth)
The Cascadian (Spokane-Seattle)
The Dakotan (St. Paul - Williston, ND)
The Fast Mail (Twin Cities - Seattle)
The Gopher (St. Paul - Twin Ports, counterpart to the Badger) discontinued 1967
Morning Puget Sounder (Seattle - Vancouver), Counterpart to the Afternoon Puget Sounder
The Winnepeg Limited (St. Paul - Winnepeg), discontinued 1968
The Empire Builder (Chicago - Seattle & Portland, OR) operated east of St. Paul, MN in conjunction with the Burlington
The Western Star (Chicago - Seattle, lower prestige counterpart to the Empire Builder)

Many (in fact, the majority of the trains that the GN had offer service to Chicago) of these trains were operated east of the Twin Cities to Chicago in cooperation with the Burlington. Most of them were discontinued after 1967, with just a few operating until the advent of Amtrak in April 1971.

[CG9602]

When I came across this, I just had to mention it here:

For the DRGW: The San Juan (*Narrow Guage* - - - Alamosa, CO - Durango, NM). [:)]

[eastcoulee]

Thanks for additional info, I'm still editing list with it all.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if the "Official Guide" is online, but it would sure help with your project. Such a listing would be of great help, and I'm certain should be well received. Not to add to your difficulty, but freights were named, too.
The Pennsy also fielded (or should I say railed): The South Wind, The Red Arrow, The Buffalo Day Express, The Federal, to name a few more.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Named freights include:
Blue Streak Merchandise (SSW/SP): St. Louis-Los Angeles
Roadrunner (N&W): Chicago-St. Louis
Fastback (IC): Chicago-Memphis
Falcon (CNW/UP): Chicago-North Platte with connections for West Coast
Super C (ATSF): Chicago-Los Angeles

[Anonymous]

Union Pacific Noteable Trains
Butte Special Salt Lake City to Butte
Challenger* Chicago Los Angles
City of Denver* Chicago to Denver
City of Los Angeles* Chicago to Los Angeles
City of Portland* Chicago- Cheyenne- Portland
City of Salina Kansas City to Salina
City fo St. Louis St. Louis to Los Angeles jointly with the Wabash
City of San Francisco* Chicago to Oakland
Columbine Omaha to Denver discontinued in 1950
Fourty Niner* Chicago to Oakland
Gold Coast Chicago to Los Angeles
City of Las Vegas Las Vegas to Los Angeles
Los Angeles Limited* Chicago to Los Angeles
Pony Express Kansas City to Los Angeles discontinued in 1955
Yellowstone Special Pocatello to West Yellowstone

* ran via C&NW unitl 1955 then Milwaukee Road to Chicago
Also the Trains form Chicago in the late 60's and early 70's ran as the City of Eveywhere they all ran as one train

[Anonymous]

Just a quick question...from about 1940 to 47 or so, what kind of equipment was used on the Chicago to MSP Afternoon Twin Cities Zephyrs?

Ed

[eastcoulee]

To WM734 Ed, I'm not able to help you on this as I've not gone in for that sort of detail. I'm sure the other members can help you, as they have helped with all the info to me.
Douglas

[Anonymous]

If you are also collecting named freights here are a few I know about

Alpha Jets (NYC&STL, P&WV, WM, RDG, CNJ) Chicago to Newark NJ (this route was known as the alphabet route) This at one time had been multiple trains, but by Conrail day one it was down to one train daily each way.

The New England (B&O, RDG, LV, D&H, B&M) Alexandria VA to Portland ME One train daily each way.

The Bethlehem Star (RDG) Rutherford PA to Bethlehem PA Ran as needed for Bethlehem Steel. Carried coal, coke, limestone, and scrap to Bethlehem, and finished steel and ingots from Bethlehem.

Apollo (NYC&STL, LV) Chicago to Newark NJ TOFC and COFC mostly but sometimes included perishables.

While not an official name the CNJ had an occasional freight that left Newark NJ in the afternoon bound for Scranton PA that was known locally as "The Maybe"

The Gettysburg Digger (RDG) the local on the Gettysburg branch.

[passengerfan]

Re question about Twin Zephyr consists before Vista-Dome Twin Zephyr entered service in December 1947. Up until November 1947 seven car articulated Train of the Gods and Train of the Goddesses held down assignment. They became the Nebraska Zephyrs in November 1947 and for the month between the new Vista Dome Twin Zephyrs take over and the articulated consists departed the CB&Q operated heavyweigfht head end cars with streamlined coaches from 1940, 48-seat dining cars from 1938 and heavyweight parlor lounge observations. The streamlined cars were Budd stainless steel. This was only temporary as the new service began December 19, 1947 with the seven car Vista Dome Twin Zephyrs. Hope this answers your question.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by WM734

Just a quick question...from about 1940 to 47 or so, what kind of equipment was used on the Chicago to MSP Afternoon Twin Cities Zephyrs?

Ed

Ed,
A lot of dome cars all dome expect dinner Parlor Car service was dumped arould the Q BN merger

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Hello, Does anyone have information on the N&W's small fleet of passenger trains? Does anyone know the names and train numbers??

Thanks very much,
Daniel Edwards