al-in-chgo You did a great job! A couple of additional morsels: The Chicago-Omaha leg switched carriers in 1955, from the North Western to the C.M.St.P.&P. (Milwaukee Road). By the time of the Amtrak takeover (1971), most of the "City of" trains, a well as the Challenger, had been lumped into one big train that wags called "The City of Everywhere." I had assumed the Challenger was always an all-coach train. I don't know about the 1935-47 period, but the 1954 train, that had been reintroduced as a "streamliner" to use that period's word, carried sleepers. At least it did in 1955, when consists--at the time of the Chgo-Omaha switchover--show that the Challenger had not only coaches but sleepers, too: one was the 10roomette 6 dbl variety, and the other contained the old sections (upper & lower berths). Since the Challenger had sleepers and coaches as well as a diner of some kind, I don't know if the time of travel or level of service varied significantly between it and the City of L.A.--possibly the Challenger had a cheaper diner? At any rate, Z.O., you get to post the next question. Good goin'! - al
You did a great job! A couple of additional morsels: The Chicago-Omaha leg switched carriers in 1955, from the North Western to the C.M.St.P.&P. (Milwaukee Road).
By the time of the Amtrak takeover (1971), most of the "City of" trains, a well as the Challenger, had been lumped into one big train that wags called "The City of Everywhere."
I had assumed the Challenger was always an all-coach train. I don't know about the 1935-47 period, but the 1954 train, that had been reintroduced as a "streamliner" to use that period's word, carried sleepers. At least it did in 1955, when consists--at the time of the Chgo-Omaha switchover--show that the Challenger had not only coaches but sleepers, too: one was the 10roomette 6 dbl variety, and the other contained the old sections (upper & lower berths).
Since the Challenger had sleepers and coaches as well as a diner of some kind, I don't know if the time of travel or level of service varied significantly between it and the City of L.A.--possibly the Challenger had a cheaper diner?
At any rate, Z.O., you get to post the next question. Good goin'! - al
When the Challenger was advertised as "Everybody's Limited" in the mid 1930's, it was a primarily a coach/tourist sleeper train. When the Challenger was reintroduced in 1954, it was a coach and Pullman train with the appropriate amenities. UP phased out Tourist accommodations in the late 1940's and when the second Challenger appeared it had a different purpose than the 1930's version. In 1954 the Santa Fe realigned their Chicago-West Coast services and in the process, the Chief received coaches for the first time. More importantly, the westbound Chief was rescheduled as a one-night out train, leaving Chicago early on the first day, arriving in Los Angeles late on the second day. The revitalized Challenger matched the Chief's schedule and accommodations. This lasted for a few years - eventually the Challenger was merged with the City of Los Angeles, leaving the Chief as the only Chicago-west coast train with a one night out schedule.
I'll come up with a new question shortly.
ZephyrOverland al-in-chgo: Okay, guys, thanks for the privilege. Tell us the name of the train that was nicknamed "Everybody's Limited" and whose diner, it was said, could provide "three meals for under a dollar a day." Tell us: the name of the train / railroad or railroad companies over which it ran / original end points / dates of first and last runs (that's a little tricky) / and what the train co. did for women & children who rode this train. I think this is one you'll either know or not, but trips to WAG-land are not out of the question! ;) Good luck - allen The answer is: The Challenger C&NW - Chicago-Omaha UP - Omaha-Los Angeles The train started in June 1935, as a coach/Tourist sleeper section of the Los Angeles Limited and in May 1936 it became an independent train. The Challenger became the Los Angeles Challenger when the San Francisco Challenger was established in 1937. The Challengers were discontinued in 1947 when the City fleet became daily but was reestablished as a streamliner in 1954 and operated separately and combined with the City of Los Angeles until the beginning of Amtrak. The train had coaches that were for women and children only and the train had nurse-stewardesses assigned to the train.
al-in-chgo: Okay, guys, thanks for the privilege. Tell us the name of the train that was nicknamed "Everybody's Limited" and whose diner, it was said, could provide "three meals for under a dollar a day." Tell us: the name of the train / railroad or railroad companies over which it ran / original end points / dates of first and last runs (that's a little tricky) / and what the train co. did for women & children who rode this train. I think this is one you'll either know or not, but trips to WAG-land are not out of the question! ;) Good luck - allen
Okay, guys, thanks for the privilege.
Tell us the name of the train that was nicknamed "Everybody's Limited" and whose diner, it was said, could provide "three meals for under a dollar a day."
Tell us: the name of the train / railroad or railroad companies over which it ran / original end points / dates of first and last runs (that's a little tricky) / and what the train co. did for women & children who rode this train.
I think this is one you'll either know or not, but trips to WAG-land are not out of the question! ;)
Good luck - allen
The answer is:
The Challenger
C&NW - Chicago-Omaha
UP - Omaha-Los Angeles
The train started in June 1935, as a coach/Tourist sleeper section of the Los Angeles Limited and in May 1936 it became an independent train. The Challenger became the Los Angeles Challenger when the San Francisco Challenger was established in 1937. The Challengers were discontinued in 1947 when the City fleet became daily but was reestablished as a streamliner in 1954 and operated separately and combined with the City of Los Angeles until the beginning of Amtrak.
The train had coaches that were for women and children only and the train had nurse-stewardesses assigned to the train.
al-in-chgo Okay, guys, thanks for the privilege. Tell us the name of the train that was nicknamed "Everybody's Limited" and whose diner, it was said, could provide "three meals for under a dollar a day." Tell us: the name of the train / railroad or railroad companies over which it ran / original end points / dates of first and last runs (that's a little tricky) / and what the train co. did for women & children who rode this train. I think this is one you'll either know or not, but trips to WAG-land are not out of the question! ;) Good luck - allen
CSSHEGEWISCH Al does indeed have the correct answer. Chicago Municipal Airport originally occupied only the southwest corner of its existing site and the 59th Street Line connected with BRC's main line near where the Orange Line terminal is located. When the airport was expanded to it's current size, the line was relocated. Al, you have the next question.
Al does indeed have the correct answer. Chicago Municipal Airport originally occupied only the southwest corner of its existing site and the 59th Street Line connected with BRC's main line near where the Orange Line terminal is located. When the airport was expanded to it's current size, the line was relocated.
Al, you have the next question.
I think Al has most of the answer . I think the railroad actually crossed a (or the) runway at Midway and was relocated to avoide this crossing. If this is right, Al still should be credited with the right answer.
CSSHEGEWISCH daveklepper: Enlargement of a water shipping channel? Definitely not.
daveklepper: Enlargement of a water shipping channel?
Enlargement of a water shipping channel?
Definitely not.
To make way for construction of, or enlargement of, Midway Airport?
daveklepper Enlargement of a water shipping channel?
You're too far east. The Midway Plaisance runs from Cottage Grove (800 E) to Stony Island (1600 E), a long way from Clearing.
CSSHEGEWISCH The 59th Street Line of the Belt Railway of Chicago was relocated in the early 1920's. Why was it done?
The 59th Street Line of the Belt Railway of Chicago was relocated in the early 1920's. Why was it done?
That would be just south of and paralleling the the Midway Plaisance, the huge open-air mall that remained a a park after the 1893 Columbian Exhibition.
All I can guess is that the University of Chicago needed room to expand, to the south, and it probably made more economic sense to them if they could condemn (or bully) their way into acquiring an old ROW upon which to build (anything else would involve inviolable city park property, or demolishing highly built-up private housing, which was new and quite expensive at the time).
So my short answer is that the line was moved so that U. of Chicago could put new buildings where the line used to be. My slightly longer answer is that John D. Rockefeller and family pretty much owned the U.of C. in those years, and could bring considerable $$$ and clout to a project they deemed worthy.
(I've always denied the rumor that in the Gothic-inspired Rockefeller Chapel on campus the Doxology is sung, "Praise God from whom oil blessings flow." lol) - al
You GOT IT. Once known as the San Luis Valley Southern, the SSLV had, without a doubt, the ugliest home-built contraption known to 4' 81/2". In the First Diesel Spotters Guide, Jerry listed the tractive effort as "tremendous"....signifying that this beast might even be able to pull a 10 story office building.
It was indeed, a sight to behold. On the way to college in 1967 I detoured through Blanca, CO and caught it switching a brace of insulated boxcars.
YOUR TURN, sir. And congratulations!
The answer is among the ugly diesels pictured in the current issue of TRAINS. The railroad is Southern San Luis Valley, located in Colorado.
As an aside, the one and only Ingalls locomotive was sold to GM&O as their 1900.
FlyingCrow Ok, so it's my turn again? If so...the question is: Jerry Pinkepank described the tractive effort of this railroad's one and only homebuilt locomotive in The Diesel Spotters Guide as "TREMENDOUS". What railroad was he referring to and where was it located?
Ok, so it's my turn again? If so...the question is: Jerry Pinkepank described the tractive effort of this railroad's one and only homebuilt locomotive in The Diesel Spotters Guide as "TREMENDOUS". What railroad was he referring to and where was it located?
Johnny
FlyingCrow I posted a question above...no takers ?
I posted a question above...no takers ?
Not ignoring your question, but have absolutely no clue -- not even a candidate for WAG-land! Sorry. - al
Re: Monon short feature
Thanks for the pudah on FRAPS! A video capture device! I had wondered if computers had something to do with it....I especially got suspicious when the 'camera' panned to the left to follow the passing train.
Secondly...the "movie" you see on You Tube is not a 50's cartoon or anything remotely close. This is actually a video created of a Monon passenger train running on Microsoft's Train Simulator by the use of "FRAPS"...a video capture program created for gamers who want to post their exploits.
al-in-chgo FlyingCrow: Also...check out "Up and Down the Monon" on YOU TUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2335WwU_-y0 I was astonished at how good the animation quality is on that "Up and Down the Monon" cilp at You Tube. Was it really made in the Fifties? I usually associated a far poorer animation quality with Fifties cartoons. It looks to me (especially with the pan of the train in motion) more like a modern videotape that had been put into animation mode. The sound . . . well, that's weak. But the picture is wonderful! - al
FlyingCrow: Also...check out "Up and Down the Monon" on YOU TUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2335WwU_-y0
Also...check out "Up and Down the Monon" on YOU TUBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2335WwU_-y0
I was astonished at how good the animation quality is on that "Up and Down the Monon" cilp at You Tube. Was it really made in the Fifties? I usually associated a far poorer animation quality with Fifties cartoons. It looks to me (especially with the pan of the train in motion) more like a modern videotape that had been put into animation mode.
The sound . . . well, that's weak. But the picture is wonderful! - al
FlyingCrow I'm thinking ...On the Boardwalk in ATLANTIC CITY of course ! Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines. Did I pass Go? Do I get to collect $200?
I'm thinking ...On the Boardwalk in ATLANTIC CITY of course ! Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines.
Did I pass Go?
Do I get to collect $200?
Hmmm: right destination and the right railroad--but added a non-existing railroad. Well, step to the pitcher's mound.
FlyingCrow Also...check out "Up and Down the Monon" on YOU TUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2335WwU_-y0
PS: John -- thanks for the heads-up on how to use the "Edit" feature.
Three birds with one stone:
1. Al, click on the "More" button, and you will find the "Edit" button.
2. Mike, I believe that you have more than answered Al's questions. And, consider that nine out the ten roads named in the song are no more.
3. New question (no one else knew/remembered about the Monon and its song): What was the eastern terminus (in 1930) of the Sea Gull, and what road handled the train? There were several western terminii for the sleepers.
Up And Down The Monon was on one side of four 78 RPM records featuring the French Lick Orchestra. Other titles: The Gentleman Who Paid My Fare, Monticello Moon, Indiana Is So Rich, The Belle of the Monon, Sleepy Little Town, Hoosier Time and Last Call for Dinner. Advertised in Billboard Magazine:
http://books.google.com/books?id=xgwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT35
Music and lyrics:
http://images.indianahistory.org/dc011/pdf/ihs-SHMU_31_47-01.pdf
How do I get to the edit feature? My remarks were intended to refernence "Up and down the Monon" only.
- al
Deggesty al-in-chgo: Most jingles have four lines. Do you suppose you could find a link to it? Possibliy with the music included? - al Al, I put "Up and down the Monon" into Yahoo--and came up with nothing remotely resembling the jingle. Now, back in August of 1947 it would have been possible to get sheet music for each of several Monon songs, for thirty-five cents each. The list includes "Up and Down the Monon," "Indiana is So Rich," "Sleepy Little Town," "Last Call for Dinner (Wonderful Monon Meals," "Monticello Moon," Hoosier Time," The Belle of the Monon," and "The Gentleman Who Paid My Fare." I doubt that if you write to the Chicago, Indianapolis Louisville Railway co., 608 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill., you would now be able to obtain copies. The CI&L ad in that issue does give four lines: Up and down the Monon Everything is fine, 'cause that rootin' tootin' Monon She's a Hoosier line, oh I have no idea as to the melody. I did not find the news item about the jingle in any of the four 1947 issues (all small format) I have, but the August, 1947, issue is chock full of articles about this railroad. I expect that it is in one of the early issues in the large format--and I will have to dig to the bottom of a stack to get to it. Note: the first issue of Trains I read was the April, 1952 issue, and I immediuately subscribed. I bought some back issues myself (somehow I found the money therefor), and a friend gave me others, including the 1947 issues I have.
al-in-chgo: Most jingles have four lines. Do you suppose you could find a link to it? Possibliy with the music included? - al
Most jingles have four lines. Do you suppose you could find a link to it? Possibliy with the music included? - al
The CI&L ad in that issue does give four lines:
Up and down the Monon Everything is fine, 'cause that rootin' tootin' Monon She's a Hoosier line, oh
I have no idea as to the melody.
I did not find the news item about the jingle in any of the four 1947 issues (all small format) I have, but the August, 1947, issue is chock full of articles about this railroad. I expect that it is in one of the early issues in the large format--and I will have to dig to the bottom of a stack to get to it.
Note: the first issue of Trains I read was the April, 1952 issue, and I immediuately subscribed. I bought some back issues myself (somehow I found the money therefor), and a friend gave me others, including the 1947 issues I have.
.
Well, I think you did just fine. Arguably it's a four-line jingle, too, lines beginning with the words "Up," "Everything," "'cause," and "She's." I would suggest, just for making it hummable but not accurate, the tune "Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee (and Let's Have Another Piece of Pie)" would work well enough based on those lines, though you'd have to rush the third line a bit. IOW "Just around the corner, there's a rainbow in the sky," could furnish the tune "Up and down the Monon, everything is fine," and then the full title of the 1930s song could fit--with a little squeezing--into the third and fourth lnes.
What think you? - al
al-in-chgo Most jingles have four lines. Do you suppose you could find a link to it? Possibliy with the music included? - al
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