Since Johnny was the fustest with the mostest (14 trains) he is our winner. I know of three other trains that were not mentioned; The Neptune (New Haven) even though it was named for the King of the Seas not the planet, the Comet (New Haven) and the Sunflower (MP). I still don't get the connection of the Ponce de Leon with any celestial body and am waiting for Mike's translation to explain it for my edification.
Mark
I believe, Mark (and others not "getting" the reference): LEON...as in Leo in the Astrological Zodiac. Not a real celestial body as per astronomical reference.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
In 1230, Don Pedro Ponce married Dona Aldonza de Leon, daughter of Alfonso IX, the King of Leon.
Leo is a northern constellation.
New Haven Comet
For interested a link about Juan Ponce de Leon:
http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/juan-ponce-de-leon.htm
AFAIK, the Spanish name Leon is, as are many places in Europe, based on the Roman presence and their settlements and foundations which they made when they governed a great part of Europe.
My town had a Roman fort on the headland where I live but has a Saxon name.
Accordingly Leon comes from Legio = Legion
Alan, Oliver & North Fork Railroad
https://www.buckfast.org.uk/
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll English author & recreational mathematician (1832 - 1898)
wanswheel Leo is a northern constellation.
Thanks Mike for the explanation. I try to learn at least one new thing each day and you've enabled me to meet that quota for this date. I really wish he had found a fountain of youth 'cause I really could use a swim in it
wanswheelIn 1230, Don Pedro Ponce married Dona Aldonza de Leon, daughter of Alfonso IX, the King of Leon.
Apparently, in the thirteenth century, the royal family of Leon was known simply as "Leon."
Not knowing that it was a part of his family name, I had thought that the "de Leon" simply meant that he was from Leon, as many Spaniards were identified in that manner.
Johnny
KCSfan Since Johnny was the fustest with the mostest (14 trains) he is our winner. I know of three other trains that were not mentioned; The Neptune (New Haven) even though it was named for the King of the Seas not the planet, the Comet (New Haven) and the Sunflower (MP). I still don't get the connection of the Ponce de Leon with any celestial body and am waiting for Mike's translation to explain it for my edification. Mark
Next question: many trains had a compass direction in their names (East, Western, Northeastern, etc.) How many can you name? Edit: add the roads that operated them.
The response here should be enormous! How many Westerners, Easterners, Northern or Southern Expresses, Southwest or Nortwest Limiteds, Zephers or other wind and mail directions can we find...it could tie up this thread for days without end. A more difficult and more precise question would probably be to name a railroad that did not have a train with a direction name!
Well, I suggest we only name one each. Then lots of folks get a go and who knows some lurkers may join in.
Here is my entry:
Northern Pacific.
Great Western Here is my entry: Northern Pacific.
Lackawanna's #7: The Westerner. And there were several other roads, including NKP connection (?), with trains named "Westerner".
Here's a few entries:
Southern Express/IC/Chicago-New Orleans
Southwestern Ltd/NYC/New York-St. Louis
Western Star/CB&Q-GN/Chicago-Seattle
Southerner/PRR-SR/New York-New Orleans
Southern Belle/KCS/Kansas City-New Orleans
North Coast Ltd/CB&Q-NP/Chicago-Seattle
Westerner/NKP/Buffalo-Chicago
South Wind/PRR-L&N-ACL-FEC/Chicago-Miami
As you will see from the length of this list I've had a good bit of free time today. The trains shown are from a mid-fifties OG. I'm sure there were many others in earlier times.
North Wind - NH/B&M/CV/MeC
East Wind - NH/B&M
Southwestern Ltd, Easterner, Northerner, North Shore, North Shore Ltd, South Shore Exp - NYC
Southland - PRR/L&N/CofG/ACL
South Wind - PRR/L&N/ACL/FEC
Northern Arrow - PRR
East Coast Champion - PRR/RF&P/ACL/FEC
West Coast Champion - PRR/RF&P/ACL
West Virginian, West Virginia Night Exp - B&O
Westerner - NKP
Southerner - PRR/Sou
Southern Exp, Southwestern Ltd, Northwestern Ltd - IC
Southern Belle - KCS/L&A
Southerner - MP/T&P
Westerner - T&P
North American, Northwestern Ltd - CNW
Northwest Spcl - UP
West Coast - SP
Grand Canyon-Northern Sec, Grand Canyon-Southern Sec - SF
Midwest Hiawatha, North Woods Hiawatha, Southwest Ltd - Milw
North Coast Ltd - CB&Q/NP/SP&S
Western Star - CB&Q/GN/SP&S
but I didn't realize that the replies had to be 'train name' specific, just thought it was any railroad name.
Back to lurking.
Southern Tier Express (Erie) Jersey City to Buffalo
South Plains Express (AT&SF) Sweetwater to Lubbock
West Texas Express (AT&SF) Amarillo to Lubbock
Eastern Express (AT&SF) Lubbock to Amarillo
North Star (NYC) New York to Cleveland, also the name of a 4-4-0 built in St. Albans, VT in 1872.
http://imagescn.technomuses.ca/railways/index_view.cfm?photoid=20567485&id=49
This is neat...what I expected...a wide open barrage of trian names from all points of the compass....and there are more to come... only question is, who has the answer to start the next question, or are we gonna go with this forever...fun! Love it!
Heres my 3:30 AM list of trins:
North American C&NW
North Coast Limited NP
North Express PRR
North Shore Limited BA/NYC
North Star Limited M&STL
North Star M&STL
North Wind New Haven/B&M
North Woods Hiawatha CMSTP&P
Northeastern Limited IC
Northern Arrow PRR
Northern Michigan Special DM&N
Northwestern Limited C&NW
Southland L&N /CofG/ACL/FEC
South Shore Express LI
South Wind PRR/L&N/ACL/FEC
Southern Belle KCS
Southern Express ACL/N&W
Southern States Sou
Southern States Special Sou
Southern Railway Express Sou
Southern Tier Express Erie
Southerner Sou
Southland Express L&N
Southland (L&N
Southwest Limited (CMST&P
Southwestern Express CGW
Southwestern Limited NYC
West Coast SP
West Pointer NYC
West Shore Express NYC
West Texan C&S/FW&D
West Virginian C&O
Western Express B&O
Western Express CP/MC
Westerner CofG
Eastwind NYNH&H
Thats my list all pre streamlined except for a couple
Al - in - Stockton
The New York Centraol also had a North Star (I think it ran Sat nights NY - Chi) and a South Shore Express (mostly mail Chi - NYC, eventually lost its name and I think was just known as 43)
henry6 This is neat...what I expected...a wide open barrage of trian names from all points of the compass....and there are more to come... only question is, who has the answer to start the next question, or are we gonna go with this forever...fun! Love it!
Henry,
It's was Johnny's question so we need to hear who he declares the winner. I sense your impatience but I'm sure we will hear from him soon so don't get too frustrated in the meantime.
KCSfan Henry, It's was Johnny's question so we need to hear who he declares the winner. I sense your impatience but I'm sure we will hear from him soon so don't get too frustrated in the meantime. Mark
Oh far from impatient! I think this is great. Truly...I do. These answers show the ubiquitousness of railroading and the depth or shallowness of railroad marketing back in the day. Of course, it could be a show of optimisim if not romaticism. Little roads with high hopes and big roads with little budgets. I hope somebody is taking notes and making a list. It will be really interesting.
No, Henry (and everybody else), this will not go on forever. Indeed, unless someone can come up with 25 names that have not yet been posted, it’s over.
You gave us one, CSSHegewisch gave us eight, KCSfan gave us twenty-five new ones plus eight duplicates Wanswheel gave us five new ones, passengerfan gave us twenty-one new ones plus thirteen duplicates, and x2000 gave us two duplicates--sixty named trains with a compass direction in the name.
We have come quite a way from 1851 or thereabouts, when, if a road had more than one train, one was called "first train" and the second one was called "second train."
I learned of several that were quite unknown to me, such as the Texas Santa Fé trains. I will query Southern States and Southern States Special as being Southern; I know that the SAL (and RF&P) operated a Southern States Special (which operated on the same schedule with the Cotton States Special north of Hamlet. Also, I remember the B&O as operating a West Virginian; I can’t say that the C&O did not. For a time, at least, the Southern had two schedules for the Carolina Special, which was two trains east of Asheville (one to Goldsboro, N. C., and the other to Charleston, S. C.). One was called Carolina Special (North Carolina Train), and the other Carolina Special (South Carolina Train). At other times, it showed only one schedule, with all the equipment.
You may notice that passengerfan gave us both Southland PRR/L&N/CG/ACL and Southland L&N. Yes, before the Perry Cutoff was constructed, the L&N had a Southland, which carried various sleepers.
Now for the solution. I doubt greatly that anyone can come up with more than 25 new names. So, the winner is KCSfan (also known to us simply as "Mark.").
I hope you found this more interesting than some of the questions I have propounded.
Our recent questions have entailed some lengthy answers so I'll strive for brevity with this question . I hope one of our less frequent contributors is the first to answer and gets a chance to ask their question.
What was the last narrow gauge (3 ft) common carrier line in the US to carry passengers.? Name the railroad and the end points between which it ran just prior to the end of passenger service.
Johnny, it was one of the best and most fun and enlightening questions in a long time...did anyone mention the Southern Crescent?...and hope there are more to come.
DeggestyNo, Henry (and everybody else), this will not go on forever. Indeed, unless someone can come up with 25 names that have not yet been posted, it’s over. You gave us one, CSSHegewisch gave us eight, KCSfan gave us twenty-five new ones plus eight duplicates Wanswheel gave us five new ones, passengerfan gave us twenty-one new ones plus thirteen duplicates, and x2000 gave us two duplicates--sixty named trains with a compass direction in the name. We have come quite a way from 1851 or thereabouts, when, if a road had more than one train, one was called "first train" and the second one was called "second train." I learned of several that were quite unknown to me, such as the Texas Santa Fé trains. I will query Southern States and Southern States Special as being Southern; I know that the SAL (and RF&P) operated a Southern States Special (which operated on the same schedule with the Cotton States Special north of Hamlet. Also, I remember the B&O as operating a West Virginian; I can’t say that the C&O did not. For a time, at least, the Southern had two schedules for the Carolina Special, which was two trains east of Asheville (one to Goldsboro, N. C., and the other to Charleston, S. C.). One was called Carolina Special (North Carolina Train), and the other Carolina Special (South Carolina Train). At other times, it showed only one schedule, with all the equipment. You may notice that passengerfan gave us both Southland PRR/L&N/CG/ACL and Southland L&N. Yes, before the Perry Cutoff was constructed, the L&N had a Southland, which carried various sleepers. Now for the solution. I doubt greatly that anyone can come up with more than 25 new names. So, the winner is KCSfan (also known to us simply as "Mark."). I hope you found this more interesting than some of the questions I have propounded. Johnny
Of course when I'm away from the internet for a couple of days that's when the questions become interesting. I know that this question is closed but here are some additional "directional" train names for your interest:
Eastern and Southern Express - PRR - Chicago-Louisville
Eastern Limited - North Shore - Chicago-Milwaukee
Eastern Oklahoma Mail - MKT - Kansas City-Deninson
Eastern Slope - BM - Boston-Intervale
North Adams Special - NYCHR BA - New York-North Adams
North Country Mail - DSSA - Duluth - Marquette
North Texas Express - MKT - San Antonio-Dallas
North Western Fast Mail - CNW - Minneapolis-Chicago
Northern Lakes Special - CNW - Chicago - Cisco Lake
Northern Special - LN - Cincinnati-Louisville
Southeastern Limited - Frisco/SR - Kansas City-Jacksonville
Southern Fast Mail - IC - Chicago-New Orleans
Southern Illinois Express - CEI - Chicago-Thebes
Southern Michigan Express - DM - Cheboygan-Bay City
Southerner - PRR - Pittsburgh-Washington
Southerner - RFP/SAL - Washington-St. Petersburg/Miami
Southwest Empire - B4 - Cleveland/Cincinnati-St. Louis
Southwest Express - RI/SP - Chicago-Kansas City-Los Angeles
Southwestern Day Express - CGW - Oelwein-Kansas City
Southwestern Limited - CGW - Minneapolis-Kansas City
Southwestern Special B4/LSMS/NYCHR - St. Louis/Cincinnati-New York
West Coast Day Limited - SAL - Jacksonville-St. Petersburg
West Coast Limited - CoG/G&SF/Plant System - Atlanta-Tampa
West Indian Limited - RFP/ACL - Washington-Jacksonville
West Taku Arm Speical - White Pass - Skagway-Carcross
West Virginia Express - CO - Cincnnati-Clifton Forge
West Virginian - C&O - Washington-Cincinnati
West Virginian - B&O - Baltimore-Chicago
Western Flyer - RI - Memphis-Oklahoma City
Western North Carolina Speical - SR - Asheville-Jacksonville
ZephyrOverlandOf course when I'm away from the internet for a couple of days that's when the questions become interesting. I know that this question is closed but here are some additional "directional" train names for your interest:
And, had you not been a day late, you would be a dollar ahead, with 29 new (was I ever wrong!) and one duplicate. The duplicate confirmed passenger fan's listing of the C&O's West Virginian. You reached way back into history, naming the Plant System and other roads that have long since been taken into larger systems.
White Pass & Yukon Skagway to Carcross
passengerfan White Pass & Yukon Skagway to Carcross Al - in - Stockton
Al,
Close but no cigar for you yet. You need to tweak your answer a bit.
KCSfan passengerfan White Pass & Yukon Skagway to Carcross Al - in - Stockton Al, Close but no cigar for you yet. You need to tweak your answer a bit. Mark
You are our winner. I've just beem playing mind games with you. Up to the time the WP&Y ceased to operate as a common carrier in 1982 it did indeed run passenger service from Skagway to Carcross. At White Pass the line left Alaska from there north it ran through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory so technically that portion of the route was not a US line.
Interesting developments. Johnny awards Mark the win on grounds of doubt that anyone could top him for quantity. Mark invites a less frequent contributor to be the first to answer his question. Zephyr Overland names dozens more directional trains including West Taku Arm Special. Al sees Alaska and drives a truck right through it. Then today in Trains forum thread, On This Date In Railroad History...
AUGUST 15, 1900
Regular service is commenced over the 3'0" gauge White Pass and Yukon Railway between Skagway, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
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