20th Century Limited

[gmpullman]

Speaking of the Century...
Are there any decals available for the streamlined Hudson?
I have a brass LMB model that I'd like to get painted soon. What's a good match for the 1938 grey paint?

Thanks, Ed

[passengerfan]

NYC
TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED
(June 13, 1938)
by Al

On June 15, 1938 the most famous train in America the All
Pullman All Room Extra Fare pride of the New York Central System TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED began streamlined service. The all new all room Pullman Standard built trains numbered four so that if needed an extra section could be operated daily if needed. But not only did the NYC receive 62 new lightweight streamlined cars for the new TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED but also ten streamlined J3 4-6-4 Hudson Locomotives and Tenders for assignment pulling the new TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED numbered 5445 – 5454. The TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED was the worlds first lightweight all room sleeping car train. The rival PRR BROADWAY LIMITED inaugurated all room Pullman service on the same date but the consists had a couple of modernized heavyweight cars in each consist. The TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITEDS streamlined Hudson Locomotives were operated between Chicago and Harmon pulling fourteen car consists sometimes extended to sixteen cars. It was not at all unusual for two sections of fourteen cars each to be operated in each direction on ten-minute headway on the fast sixteen-hour schedule assigned to the TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED. The lightweight streamlined TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED was one of only four streamlined trains in the United States to ever carry Master rooms the most luxurious Pullman accommodation of all complete with private shower facilities and bathroom annex. The other streamlined trains that carried Master Rooms were the PRR BROADWAY LIMITED, PRR LIBERTY LIMITED, and the Southern CRESCENT. The NYC selected famed industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss to design the new paint scheme and interiors of the feature cars, not to mention the magnificent streamlining of the Hudson Locomotives. The completed train sets were among the most tastefully designed and decorated ever constructed. The paint scheme of the new TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITED was light gray overall with a dark Blue window band with two white stripes centered in this Blue band and a small white separation stripe between the Blue and gray at both top and bottom of the window band. The paint scheme was never repeated on any further NYC trains, management felt it was a little to gaudy for a train of the TWENTIETH CENTURY LIMITEDS prestige. The following is an example train set and is not intended to represent an actual consist although it is possible as all cars were assigned to that train only

5445 J3A 4-6-4 streamlined Hudson Locomotive & Tender

5017 Baggage 60’ Railway Post Office Car

CENTURY CLUB 18 Crew Dormitory Barber Shop Bar 30 seat Lounge Car

CITY OF DAYTON 17 Roomette Sleeping Car

CASCADE DAWN 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom

ONANDAGA COUNTY 13 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

CASCADE GLORY 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

IMPERIAL CANYON 4 Compartment 2 Drawing Room 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

680 38 seat Dining Car

IMPERIAL CASTLE 4 Compartment 2 Drawing Room 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

IMPERIAL FALLS 4 Compartment 2 Drawing Room 4 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

DUCHESS COUNTY 13 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

CASCADE VIEW 10 Roomette 5 Double Bedroom Sleeping Car

CITY OF DETROIT 17 Roomette Sleeping Car

MANHATTAN ISLAND 1 Double Bedroom 1 Master Room Bar 22 seat Lounge 10 seat Lounge Observation

Actually I have a listing of all four inaugural Twentieth Century Limited consists on that date the two departing Chicago and the two departing New York. Will dig it out and send to you via the forum.

There is a collection of books the Pullman Standard Library one of which shows drawings of all of these NYC cars used in the 1938 Twentieth Century Limited.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I´m Christian from Germany,
have anyone photos, pictures or blueprints of the 1938(original consist) of the 20th Century Limited which rod on the NYC?
Thanks forwart!