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Classic Railroad Quiz (at least 50 years old).

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Posted by al-in-chgo on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 10:19 AM

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.

 

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

 

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 5:29 PM

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.

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Posted by al-in-chgo on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 6:43 PM

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.

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

 

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 7:31 PM

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

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.

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Friday, December 17, 2010 3:44 PM

Next Question:

This train named for a flower was a "Star" on one RR and a "Limited" on another.  Give the full train names, railroads and endpoints.

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Posted by KCSfan on Saturday, December 18, 2010 4:41 AM

ZephyrOverland

Next Question:

This train named for a flower was a "Star" on one RR and a "Limited" on another.  Give the full train names, railroads and endpoints.

The Magnolia Star  - ICRR - Chicago and New Orleans

The Magnolia Limited - PRR/RF&P/ACL/FEC - New York and Florida (Miami/Tampa/St. Pete)

I think of the magnolia as more of a tree and have a large one in my yard but of course it has large white flowers so I think these may be the trains you have in mind.

Mark

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Saturday, December 18, 2010 6:57 AM

KCSfan

 

 ZephyrOverland:

 

Next Question:

This train named for a flower was a "Star" on one RR and a "Limited" on another.  Give the full train names, railroads and endpoints.

 

 

The Magnolia Star  - ICRR - Chicago and New Orleans

The Magnolia Limited - PRR/RF&P/ACL/FEC - New York and Florida (Miami/Tampa/St. Pete)

I think of the magnolia as more of a tree and have a large one in my yard but of course it has large white flowers so I think these may be the trains you have in mind.

Mark

Mark you got the trains.  I think though, that the Magnolia Limited was only a Washington-Jacksonville train.  In the 1929-1930 season, the southbound train carried a number of through cars from various eastern and midwestern points such as Buffalo and Cleveland.  The through cars were carried from Washington and the cars operated northbound to Washington only.  (An example of the Pullman national pool car concept at work.)  The train carried cars from north of Washington and south of Jacksonville via connecting trains.

Mark, you have the next question.

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Posted by KCSfan on Monday, December 20, 2010 12:27 PM

Here's my question. This train was a whirlwind but it was not the tornado. What was name of the train, its end point terminals and the railroad over which it ran.

Mark

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 5:33 PM

KCSfan

Here's my question. This train was a whirlwind but it was not the tornado. What was name of the train, its end point terminals and the railroad over which it ran.

Mark

Im going to guess the Gulf Wind  SAL/LN  New Orleans-Jacksonville

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Posted by KCSfan on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 2:55 AM

Sorry, but not the Gulf Wind. The train I have in mind ran at an earlier time and in a different part of the country.

Mark

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Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 9:06 AM

There is also the East Wind, Washington, DC - Bar Harbor, Bangor, and Brunswick Maine, PRR, NYNH&H, B&M, MC.

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 11:00 AM

What about the Chinook CP Calgary Edmonton?

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Posted by KCSfan on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 11:55 AM

Sorry, but no one has gotten the correct answer yet. Neither this train nor this question is a breeze.

Mark

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Posted by al-in-chgo on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 1:28 PM

KCSfan

Sorry, but no one has gotten the correct answer yet. Neither this train nor this question is a breeze.

Mark

 

How about a hint?  -  al

 

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Posted by henry6 on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 3:35 PM

Are you playing with the gods of the Zyphers?

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.

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Posted by KCSfan on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 6:03 PM

henry6

Are you playing with the gods of the Zyphers?

Oh no Henry. The name of this train was much more powerful than a zephyr or a breeze or a wind.

Mark

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Posted by Mikec6201 on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 6:18 PM

Cyclone seems to fit although I don't know if there was such a train.....Mike

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Posted by henry6 on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 7:44 PM

That leaves Hurricain, Tornado, Mother-in law, and WIfe.  Er, did I write that out loud?

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.

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Posted by KCSfan on Thursday, December 23, 2010 2:55 AM

Mikec6201

Cyclone seems to fit although I don't know if there was such a train.....Mike

You've nailed it Mike. The Cyclone was a Pennsy train running between Chicago and Cincinnati. It was inaugurated in 1884 but I have no idea how long it carried that name. The next question is yours.

Mark

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Posted by Mikec6201 on Thursday, December 23, 2010 3:45 PM

I'll defer the honor to someone with  more knowledge here.  Just like to play along when I am able. Thank you

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Friday, December 24, 2010 10:54 AM

Mikec6201

I'll defer the honor to someone with  more knowledge here.  Just like to play along when I am able. Thank you

Go ahead and jump in and ask!  Your question may stump us all!  Big Smile

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Posted by Mikec6201 on Friday, December 24, 2010 5:40 PM

Ok I'll give it a shot.  Name the interurban company that had the same name as one of todays regional railroads that runs through Columbus Ohio.

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Posted by daveklepper on Sunday, December 26, 2010 4:21 AM

Cleveland, Southwestern, and Columbus, generally known as Southwestern?

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Posted by Mikec6201 on Sunday, December 26, 2010 2:28 PM

No sorry.

This interurban ran through Columbus 

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Posted by daveklepper on Monday, December 27, 2010 3:27 AM

If the interurban ran through Coumbus but the regional does not, then there is the Ohio Valley which was an interurban that was absorbed into another system, and the regional Ohio Valley which operates in Indiana, not Ohio.  Is that what you are looking for?

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Posted by narig01 on Monday, December 27, 2010 6:50 AM

I remember reading somewhere their was an interurban named Ohio Central. Also the current name of a regional.

Rgds IGN

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Posted by Mikec6201 on Monday, December 27, 2010 3:42 PM

 Sorry Dave, they did both run through Columbus, maybe I could have been clearer.

Yes IGN you are a winner Ohio Central it was.

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Posted by ZephyrOverland on Friday, December 31, 2010 9:44 AM

Just wanted to wish everyone here a healthy, prosperous and

Happy New Year!

Here's to more interesting and engaging classic train questions in 2011!

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Posted by Deggesty on Friday, December 31, 2010 9:44 PM

narig01

I remember reading somewhere their was an interurban named Ohio Central. Also the current name of a regional.

Rgds IGN

Back in 1893, the Ohio Central was a trunk line that ran from Toledo, Ohio, to Charleston, W. Va.; it became a part of the New York Central Lines--and it may have re-emerged as the Ohio Central.

Johnny

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Posted by Mikec6201 on Saturday, January 1, 2011 11:04 AM

narig01 has the correct answer.if he would like to ask the next question.

 

Johnny, I was not aware of a trunk line with the same name in the 1890's. Was this a steam road?

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