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Auto-Train (pre-Amtrak) Presentation.........

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  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,357 posts
Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 1:58 PM

Advertising from 1965 indicates all the cars rode the end of 9 and 10, but passengers could take 'any train they liked'.

Fare was given as $82.15 on "Red Circle" days (Mon/Tue/Wed) and a few cents higher (back when cents had more meaning!) other days.  That included one passenger (normally the driver, I suppose)

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,480 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 9:58 AM

If memory serves me correctly, passengers rode the "Capitol Limited" while the cars were on an auto-rack tacked onto the "Washington-Chicago Express".

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    September 2017
  • 5,547 posts
Posted by charlie hebdo on Monday, May 23, 2022 7:07 PM

B&O still operated out of the old (sadly it was demolished and was vacant land for many years) Grand Central Station back then. Probably the few autos were loaded near the station.

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,834 posts
Auto-Train (pre-Amtrak) Presentation.........
Posted by CMStPnP on Monday, May 23, 2022 12:25 PM

So who knew the Chessie System ran it's own Auto-Train between Chicago and D.C. before Mr. Garfield started his up?    Interesting history here worth a watch....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zMoUJEZkYU

If anyone knows, I would be curious where Chessie loaded the cars in Chicago.

 

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