I have been reading the articles in this months Train's Magazine about the 20th Century Ltd. It's some very facinating reading. It got me wondering who might own the rights to the 20th Century Ltd. name. My 1st thought is Amtrak.
I'd figure that one of two things could be the case.
The name may no longer be protected at all, other than by reputation.
The other option could be some obscure remnant of the NYC that might still hold the TM on such NYC "properties."
I suspect that if Amtrak owned it, they might have already used it (as with the "Lake Shore Limited"). Unless they didn't want to saddle themselves with trying to live up to the expectations such a moniker would involve.
I could easily be wrong.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Don't forget the 20th Century is so last century - we are now in the 21st Century.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD Don't forget the 20th Century is so last century - we are now in the 21st Century.
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
American Century Investments, a mutual fund company, was founded as Twentieth Century Mutual Funds in 1958.
Twentieth Century Fox (films) was formed in a merger in 1935. Theme
If the train name were copyrighted, it would include the word Limited.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
"On Tuesday, May 13, 1980, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for 20TH CENTURY LIMITED by Casablanca Fan Company, Inc."
“20TH CENTURY LIMITED™ Lavished with intricate details, this fan recalls the spirit of one of the most luxuriously appointed trains from America's golden age of railroad travel.”
Excerpt from the Malibu Times, May 28, 2003
Burton Alan Burton, who founded Casablanca Fan Company in Old Pasadena and re-popularized the ceiling fan, died last month in Orcas Island, Wash. He was 75 years old...
Burton's marketing innovations were legendary. He spent more than $1 million to refurbish two old railroad cars-1940s relics of the New York Central and the Rock Island Line. He furnished them with antiques, rosewood paneling, beveled glass and uniformed porters. He toured the country in these traveling showrooms promoting Casablanca Fans. He hosted sales meetings aboard, took the cars to industry conventions and trade shows, got sales reps and dealers so excited about fans they enticed consumers to pay 50 percent more than they'd ever paid for a ceiling fan. Dealers still remember him as "the guy who took us aboard the train."...
Burton rented the Old Pasadena train station for his office and showroom. He even installed old train whistles on the roof, which he tooted whenever the trains came by. Years later, after retiring to Orcas Island, Burton built his own train station and rail line-the Mt. Baker Railroad-designing it after the Lake Elsinore station he had so many fond memories of.
http://www.casablancafanco.com/History
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.418261251605645.1073741825.201945386570567&type=3
Also there's a board game.
http://www.dicetowernews.com/rio-grande-games-releases-coming-soon/16432
Wow, what a great story on Alan Burton. I knew of the fans but not the rest of the story. A railfan dream come true. What a great life.
"20th Century Limited" may be so 20th Century, but what the heck, 20th Century Fox didn't change THEIR name!
They THOUGHT about it, but in the end didn't do it. Good for them!
Firelock76 "20th Century Limited" may be so 20th Century, but what the heck, 20th Century Fox didn't change THEIR name! They THOUGHT about it, but in the end didn't do it. Good for them!
Parent company of Fox News is 21st Century Fox
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fox-news-rupert-murdoch-roger-ailes-sexual-harassment-gretchen-carlson-megyn-kelly/
wanswheel Also there's a board game. http://www.dicetowernews.com/rio-grande-games-releases-coming-soon/16432
Nice illustration, but that's the Empire State Express, not the 20th Century Limted...
The J3a on the "Century" was dark gunmetal grey, much less flashy than the black and stainless locomotives.
Amtrak still use the name "Empire service" don't they?
M636C
It's more interesting than that-it's a J3a in Empire State Express colors with the Dreyfuss 'blade' on the front only installed on 20th Century Limited-styled engines.
And yes, Amtrak still does use the Empire Service name on the same New York City-Buffalo routing as the original.
BaltACD Firelock76 "20th Century Limited" may be so 20th Century, but what the heck, 20th Century Fox didn't change THEIR name! They THOUGHT about it, but in the end didn't do it. Good for them! Parent company of Fox News is 21st Century Fox http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fox-news-rupert-murdoch-roger-ailes-sexual-harassment-gretchen-carlson-megyn-kelly/
So what? I only care what's on the movie screen, not the corporate stationary.
Assuming I even go to the movies, which isn't often anymore, comsidering most of the crap they put out nowadays.
Although I MAY go to see the new "Ben-Hur" that's coming out shortly. I could use a good laugh. Seen any of the trailers, like the ones with Morgan Freeman as Whoopi Goldberg as Shiek Ilderim? Looks like a real howler!
Interesting that there is no record of NYC trademarking "20th Century Limited" or "Twentieth Century Limited" -- or "The Most Famous Train in the World". For ex-patent medicine salesman Daniels not to do this tells us a great deal. (Can anyone tell me if SP tried to register 'The Most Beautiful Train in the World' for the Daylights?)
The Casablanca Fan trademark expired in 2002 (without the privilege of reinstatement) so that version is 'available' for anyone who wants to use it in commerce. More interestingly, there was a trademark issued for 'Twentieth Century Limited' -- in 1933, for a Bulova watch design of all things. Bulova thought enough of this to renew the trademark multiple times, long past the end of the actual train itself, but finally let it expire in 1993, so that version is available too.
OvermodInteresting that there is no record of NYC trademarking "20th Century Limited" or "Twentieth Century Limited" -- or "The Most Famous Train in the World".
Perhaps they didn't feel the need to - that the sheer might of the Central was enough to deter anyone from stealing the service mark. Or, perhaps, if someone (like Bulova) did, it would simply reinforce the mark.
Just thinkin'...
M636C Nice illustration, but that's the Empire State Express, not the 20th Century Limted...
Really? At LaSalle St. Station?
wanswheel M636C Nice illustration, but that's the Empire State Express, not the 20th Century Limted... Really? At LaSalle St. Station?
As pointed out earlier, the locomotive is a combination of the Empire State and Century locomotives. But what is visible of the train behind seems to be the Budd RPO from the Empire State Express and not the grey smoothside Pullman RPO from the 20th Century Limited.
In fact the smoke effect illustrated is quite unlikely on a train moving slowly out of La Salle St. I think the image is from one of Eric Kantona's photos taken of the Empire State in its early days of operation, one of which showed the smoke blowing down as the Express passed a locomotive he was testing on the main line, adjusted crudely with the "nose fin" to represent the other train.
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