A Classic REAL Trains 'n Traction FOTO site!

[siberianmo]

For: cnw4001

While the RR's of old are long gone, the memories remain. That's one thing - along with a model railroad to remind me of what was - that still brings a smile to my face!

Thanx for the info .....

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[cnw4001]

C & O trip was to attend the inaguration, Riley was a vacation, Xplorer was a "what's it like?", Hummingbird was transportation to/from an excursion between Paris (KY) and Frankfort. Think that portion was on the Frankfort & Cincinnati which didn't go to Cincinnati.

[siberianmo]

For: cnw4001

You've logged a few miles ... any stories to tell [?]

President Kennedy was inaugurated on Jan 20th, 1961.......

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[cnw4001]

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

For: cnw4001

Seems like the train deteriorated rather quickly, wouldn't you agree [?]
What other "name" trains have you traveled aboard and when [?]

Back in the 40s, 50s and early 60s, any passenger railroad trips that I took were simply to get from Point A to Point B - never took the time to record or recall the names of those trains. I've spent quite a bit of time in my RR Almanac looking up schedules, trying to figure out which of the trains I may have ridden.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

Don't know that it was so much deterioration as typical characteristic of those lightweight experiments.

Whatever year Kennedy was inagurated I rode the George Washington from Cincinnati to DC and return.

NYC's James Whitcomb Riley, Cincinnati to Chicago 58 or 59. Don't recall if the return trip was on the Riley or another.

L & N's Hummingbird between Paris (KY) and Cincinnati in the mid 50's.

[siberianmo]

For: cnw4001

Seems like the train deteriorated rather quickly, wouldn't you agree [?]
What other "name" trains have you traveled aboard and when [?]

Back in the 40s, 50s and early 60s, any passenger railroad trips that I took were simply to get from Point A to Point B - never took the time to record or recall the names of those trains. I've spent quite a bit of time in my RR Almanac looking up schedules, trying to figure out which of the trains I may have ridden.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[cnw4001]

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo

For cnw4001

At least you rode it! What era are you referrring to [?] The train was instituted in 1956 by NYC, if what I have been reading is correct. It was billed as "The New York Central's Newest Train." Of course as the years passed and passenger railroads had little or no money for maintenance and repair, accounts such as yours became more commonplace, sad to say.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

Can't say a specific year but it would have been between 1955 and 1958, 59 or 60.

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #23

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Santa Fe (AT&SF) from a 1950 advertisement in my personal collection.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

You arrive and depart Down-Town on the Santa Fe – not out in the country

When you’re gong somewhere, you want to be there when you arrive.

Go Santa Fe. You leave on your trip when you plan to leave.

You arrive relaxed, refreshed, at a convenient station right downtown, close to your hotel or office.

Travel Santa Fe and you choose accommodations to suit yourself. You get privacy as you like it. You have room to roam around when you want it. You enjoy wonderful Fred Harvey meals.

You be the judge. Go Santa Fe all the way!

Ride great trains through a great country

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Santa Fe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

For cnw4001

At least you rode it! What era are you referrring to [?] The train was instituted in 1956 by NYC, if what I have been reading is correct. It was billed as "The New York Central's Newest Train." Of course as the years passed and passenger railroads had little or no money for maintenance and repair, accounts such as yours became more commonplace, sad to say.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[cnw4001]

I rode it from Dayton to Cincinnati and watched it arrive and depart Cincinnati many times. Engine was a really rough ride at low speeds. When the trip I rode left Dayton I swore we drug the bottom of the coach going through a switch. Obviously didn't but the thing dropped and banged like the wheels had fallen off. Don't recall anything else about the trip.

[siberianmo]

For: cnw4001

I haven't .... but there's a brief Post about it on page 170 over at "Our" Place ....

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[cnw4001]

Anybody here ever ride the NYC X-plorer?

[siberianmo]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #22

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Southern Pacific (SP) from a 1951 advertisement in my personal collection.


Did you hear what the ‘49er said about the “City of San Francisco”

”WHAT A TRAIN, PARDNER! SHE’S THE FASTEST THING ON WHEELS BETWEEN CHICAGO AND THE GOLDEN GATE! ANOTHER OF SP’S WONDERFUL WAYS WEST!”

Did you know that you can board a modern streamliner in Chicago and travedl at your ease the same route the ‘49ers struggled over in the Gold Rush? Well, you can. In the crack extra-fare ”City of San Francisco” for instance, or the ”Overland” that shows you California’s lovely High Sierra by day.

Until you’ve done this you’ve never really seen the West.

We’ve just issued a new folder we’re rather proud of, ”Planning Your Overland Route Trip.” Tells you all about accommodations on these great “name trains” (finest Pullman; economical Chair Car).

By the way, at San Francisco these streamliners connect with our famous ”Lark,” “Daylight” and “Starlight” south to Los Angeles, thence with other great S.P. streamliners eastward. Or with the new ”Cascade” and ”Shasta Daylight” northward, right past gorgeous 14,161 foot Mt. Shasta to the lovely Pacific Northwest.

Mail that coupon today for free folders.

”CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO” Chicago-San Francisco via Omaha, Ogden, Great Salt Lake, Reno, Oakland. 40 ½ hours westbound via CNW-UP-SP. Shown here with Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

SP AMERICA’S MOST MODERN TRAINS


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #21

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Southern Pacific (SP) from a 1951 advertisement in my personal collection.


Did you hear what the Colonel said about the “Sunset Limited”

”WHAT A TRAIN, SUN! THE FLOWER OF NEW ORLEANS, THE BOAST OF TEXAS, THE SUNLIGHT OF ARIZONA, THE SENSATION OF HOLLYWOOD. ANOTHER OF SP’S WONDERFUL WAYS WEST!”

We’re happy to say that thousands of Americans are finding our ”Sunset Limited” a new and charming way to go West.

We think that you, too, will enjoy this sensational new ”Streamlined Train With the Southern Accent.” Especially with that New Orleans stopover. Luxury Pullman or Chair Car. Extra fare.

Your connections at New Orleans from, or two, points like Chicago, St. Louis, Washington, New York, etc., are good and offer fine streamliners. (New Orleans is a gourmet’s and shopper’s delight as you know.)

The ”Sunset Limited” takes you in 42 delightful hours through the heart of Texas, Southern Arizona’s winter resort country, Palm Springs & Los Angeles.

There, you can connect with other great new S.P. streamliners, can return by another S.P. route. You see twice as much. The little map shows how.

Why not try it this winter? Or next summer? And meantime, why not let us send you our New Orleans folder, and full information about this new way to California?
Mail coupon below today

”SUNSET LIMITED" New Orleans-Los Angeles via Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Douglas, Bisbee, Tucson, Phoenix, Palm Springs. Connects at New Orleans with streamliners to and from Chicago, New York, Washington, other Eastern points.

SP AMERICA’S MOST MODERN TRAINS


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #20

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Southern Pacific (SP) from a 1951 advertisement in my personal collection.


Did you hear what the Cowboy said about the “Golden State”?

”WHAT A RIDE FER DUDES! SHE’S THE SMOOTHEST AND PURTIEST THING ON WHEELS FROM CHICAGO TO ARIZONA OR CALIFORNIA! ANOTHER OF SP’S WONDERFUL WAYS WEST!”

We think, you’ll enjoy our ”Golden State,” especially if you’re an experienced traveler. We have many friends who repeat, winter after winter, “chasing the sun Southwest” on this smooth, extra-fare S.P. & Rock Island streamliner. It’s convenient. Takes you via El Paso and Southern Arizona’s winter resorts to Palm Springs & Los Angeles.

She’s been re-streamlined, too, from stem to stern. We’ve issued a folder to celebrate the event and would like to send it to you. Helps you choose your accommodations, whether Pullman (Drawing rooms, Compartments, Bedrooms, Roomettes) or Chair Car (economical; Coffee Shop).

By the way, the ”Golden State” is extra fast, too – 44 ¼ pleasant hours, Chicago-Los Angeles or vice versa. Fine connecting streamliners. Perhaps you’d like to try another great S.P. route, going home. That way you see twice as much, usually for no extra rail fare. The little map shows how.

Why don’t you plan on the ”Golden State” for this winter or next summer? And meantime, let us send you that folder?

”GOLDEN STATE,” Chicago-Los Angeles, via El Paso, Douglas, Bisbee, Tucson, Phoenix, Palm Springs, 44 ¼ hours. Through Pullmans, Minneapolis and St. Louis to Los Angeles. Through Chair car, Minneapolis-Los Angeles. Connecting service to San Diego.

SP AMERICA’S MOST MODERN TRAINS


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #19

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the RDC’s from Budd from a 1954 advertisement found in my personal collection.

. . . . . RDC – Car with a Future for Canada’s Future . . . . .

The Canadian Pacific – world’s greatest travel system – has just bought four Budd stainless steel RDCs. (The letters RDC stand for Rail Diesel Car.)

The cars were bought because of their proved ability to reduce costs, improve service and attract traffic. But also with an eye to Canada’s growth, which presages an increase in the need for transportation as Canada’s vast mineral, oil and natural resources are developed.

Operating experiences with RDC usually reveals potentialities not originally envisioned. Nobody has yet found their limit, though RDC is now operating in a searching range of services in Australia, Cuba and Saudi Arabia, as well as on our own country’s leading railroads. The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Detroit, Gary.

Automobile and Truck Bodies and Wheels. Railway Passenger Cars and Plows. Budd

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PIONEERS IN BETTER TRANSPORTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #18

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the RDC’s from Budd from a 1953 advertisement found in my personal collection.

40 RDC’S FOR THE PROGRESSIVE NEW HAVEN

If anybody should know how to carry passengers profitably it’s the New Haven. Nearly half its income is derived from this source in contrast with most railroads where freight is king.

This adds significance to the fact that the New Haven has become the largest purchaser of Budd RDC’s – stainless steel, self-propelled, rail diesel cars.

In the nearly three years RDC’s have been operating in this country and abroad they have compiled an impressive record. In performance, they have improved every schedule they were assigned to. In operation they have proved both reliable and economical – two RDC’s saved one railroad $600,000 in a year. In the comfortable, air-conditioned service they render, RDC’s have increased passenger patronage – one RDC, operating in a new service between Worcester and New London, picked up 944 passengers in its first week.

Both New England and the New Haven will benefit from expanded RDC operation.

. . . . . . . . . . The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Detroit, Gary. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . PIONEERS IN BETTER TRANSPORTATION . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

For: cnw4001 and anyone else interested:

One of my favorite books on the RDC is written by Donald Duke and Edmond Keilty, "RDC - The Budd Rail Diesel Car." Excellent history, progression, and numbers of cars along with great photo's. Very well worth the purchase.

A couple of interesting URLs:

http://www.sisterbetty.org/rdc/rdc1.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_Rail_Diesel_Car

Enjoy!

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[cnw4001]

Only RDC ride was between Washington and Baltimore lots of years ago.

Many trips to Chicago and in and out of the city on the northwest line (Arlington Heights) and never saw the CNW RDC's.

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #17

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Budd RDC’s from a 1950 advertisement found in my personal collection.

RDC – All-purpose Railway Passenger Coach

RDC, introduced a year ago, is the new all-stainless steel, self-propelled Budd rail diesel car. It is good looking, quiet, smooth riding. It is comfortable, clean and air-conditioned.

The New York Central now has two Budd RDC’s operating express service between Springfield and Boston, and a third, providing local service between western Massachusetts and Albany.

Western Pacific has two RDC’s covering the 924 miles which separate Oakland and Salt Lake City.

Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines have just placed six RDC’s in operation between Camden, Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May. They leave Camden as a six-car train and end up as two-car trains at each of the three Jersey cities.,

Chicago & North Western has three RDC’s in commuter service; the Baltimore & Ohio will soon haves two and New York, Susquehanna Western, four.

These varied uses to which RDC is being put cover almost every kind of service a railway passenger coach can render.

The general acceptance of the Budd all-stainless steel RDC suggests that the development of railway passenger coach equipment may be headed in a new direction.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Budd Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Philadelphia, Detroit, Gary. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[BudKarr]

Hello Captain Tom,

Sure do appreciate those nostalgia posts of yours. They look just as good over here as they did at the bar!

Been reading through the pages and I offer this: yours is simply to get a conversation going, some others seem more inclined to debate. Stick with your approach, it works.

BK

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #16

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Budd RDC’s from a 1950 advertisement found in my personal collection.

. . . . . . . . . . Single Car “Limited” . . . . . . . . . .

Here is the new railroad car which is a train in itself – the self-propelled, diesel-powered, all-stainless steel RDC-1. The Budd Company created it to perform a service both to railroads and their patrons, by carrying more passengers on short or long hauls at lower operating cost.

The RDC-1 seats ninety in air-conditioned comfort. With power transmitted hydraulically, from an effortless start it picks up speed like a whippet and stops in a fantastically short space . . . with the easy softness of pushing your hand against a pillow.

Railroad men foresee a wide usefulness for this car. It may be operated as a single unit, or a number of cars can be coupled into a train, operated by one engineman.

Improvement in any field of endeavor begins with imagination. The RDC-1 is another example of Budd practice which is first to envision clearly the need and then bring to bear all the resources of inventive engineering. It follows the modern stainless steel streamliner, the all-steel automobile body, the tapered steel disc wheel and so many other products in which Budd has translated imagination into practical accomplishment. The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Detroit.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[daveklepper]

The streamliner the Southerner rode an all Southern rout between Washington and New Orleans, PRR Washington-NY. It ran via Birmingham. But the Crescent, all Pullman, and the Piedmont Limited used the West Point route between Atlanta and Montgomery, a route made of two railroads that shared equipment, the steam locomotives (4-6-2) ran through between Atlanta and Montgomery, then the Lousivilleand Nashville to Flomaton and New Orleans.

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #15

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the C&O from a 1940 advertisement found in one of my scrap books.


YOU’LL WISH YOU COULD LOOK both ways AT ONCE!

EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS call it “The most beautiful train trip in the East,” this mountain-and-canyon route of Chesapeake and Ohio Lines. On this magnificent journey you look out and down upon waves of mountains – the majestic Alleghanies, the mysteriously tinted Blue Ridge . . . upon valleys stretching like bright carpets to the far, purple hills. The scene changes – and you look up the towering green walls of the New River Gorge as you roll smoothly through the widest and deepest canyon this side of the Rockies. Yes, when you watch this panorama of thrilling beauty from your train windows, you’ll wish you could look both ways at once!

On your next trip east or west GO CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO . . . and enjoy glorious mountain country!

You’ll travel in complete comfort, on the smoothest of roadbeds, in cool, clean air-conditioned cars that invite you to relax by day and Sleep Like a Kitten at night . . . When you travel west or east, plan to ride through The Chessie Corridor on these famous trains- THE GEORGE WASHINGTON – THE SPORTSMAN – THE F. F. V.

Sleep like a Kitten

THE CHESSIE CORRIDOR, The Scenic Route of the East
A NEW BOOK on Chessies Travel Packages will help you plan interesting, economic trips. Write for free copy to Chesapeake and Ohio Travel Services, 829 East Main St., Richmond, Va.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Washington’s Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHESAPEAKE and OHIO Lines
Original Predecessor Company Founded by George Washington in 1785


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

For: ForestRump

All information I have Posted regarding the L&N comes from two key sources:

American Classic Trains and American Classic Railroads. The reference to the Dixeland comes from American Classic Railroads with the period discussed being 1950.

Given that railroads merged, railroads died and railroads came into existence, it would be difficult to make an all encompassing statement about any of the runs these trains made. For example, the reference material I used for the 1950's shows the Crescent being handled by 4 different roads. Doesn't mean that before then there weren't more, or afterwards, less. Absolutes are difficult at best when perhaps mixing different decades of railroading.

Appreciate your participation! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

I don't think the Dixieland ever operated via Louisville. It operated in the 1920s out of Dearborn Station (i.e., C&EI via Evansville on the Dixie Route, the same as the Dixie Flagler and the Dixie Flyer). I don't know when it began or ended operation. An issue of Trains (or Classic Trains) a few years ago had an article on C&EI that listed every C&EI passenger train. That would give the years of operation of the Dixieland. I think it died early in the Depression. Night Train by Peter Malkin has a photo of it in two sections in Dearborn Station.

In the mid-50s the name was revived when the Dixie Flagler was renamed the Dixieland. It bit the dust a few years later. It had been the weakest of the three 1940 streamliners for some time.

[siberianmo]

For: daveklepper

The info I have available indicates the tracks between Louisville and Cincinnati were L&N. Whereas the tracks northeast of Cincy were those of the PRR.

Sources: Rand McNally RR maps; circa 1960s.

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[daveklepper]

Did both L&N trains via Louisville use the PRR north of Lousville? I know the Southwind did because I rode it.

[siberianmo]

G’day All!

PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #14

Here’s something to enjoy regarding the Budd Company and the Wabash from a advertisement (early 1950s) found in one of my scrap books.


New Blue Bird On The Wabash

This is the Wabash Railroad’s new Budd-built, all-stainless steel Blue Bird, on its winging flight between St. Louis and Chicago. The Blue Bird will make the round trip daily between these two great terminal cities, adding to the completeness of Wabash service and presenting to its passengers comfort and luxury in rail travel previously unknown.

For the Blue Bird is the latest in the roster of distinguished name gtrains which Budd has created for the modernization of American railroads. Four of its cars are Vista-Domes, giving passengers an unobstructed view of the rolling prairies, picturesque bluffs and river scenery along the way.

Like all Budd-designed, Budd-built equipment, this train illustrates a principle – that better products are made of ideas as well as steel. This was true of the all-steel automobile body which Budd originated and which has made Budd the largest independent builder of body components in the world. It was true of the steel wheel which Budd developed to take the place of wood. It has been demonstrated in the Budd Disc Brake, and in stainless steel highway trailers.

In the railroad field, Budd ideas were revolutionary. Ideas that attract passengers by making rail travel more inviting. Ideas that permit faster schedules and yield substantial operating economies. It was Budd vision which led to the whole concept of the modern, stainless steel light weight streamliner. And Budd today is the only car builder who employs the superior strength of stainless steel to achieve lightweight construction with safety.

The Budd Co., Philadelphia, Detroit

Budd


Enjoy! [tup]

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[siberianmo]

For: cnw4001

The L&N operated these trains to Florida:

Dixie Flagler (Chicago-Miami via Evansville, Nashville & Atlanta)
Dixie Flyer (Chicago-Florida via Evansville, Nashville & Atlanta)
Dixieland (Chicago-Miami via Louisville, Nashville & Montgomery)
South Wind (Chicago-Miami via Louisville, Nashville & Montgomery)

IC operated:
City of Miami (Chicago & St. Louis-Miami & St. Petersburg, FL; joint with CG, ACL and FEC)

Also, the info from ForestRump is "right on."

Tom[4:-)][oX)]

[Anonymous]

cnw4001:

The South Wind began operation in 1940, one of 3 all-coach 7-car trains each operating every third day over different routes from Chicago to Waycross, GA. South of Waycross they all followed the same route into Jacksonville and Miami. The others were the City of Miami and the Dixie Flagler. The South Wind operated over the PRR from Chicago to Louisville; L&N from Louisville to Montgomery, AL; ACL from Montgomery, AL to Waycross and Jacksonville; and FEC from Jacksonville to Miami. Other trains that I believe also operated over this route were the winter-only Florida Arrow and Jacksonian. I think both were all-Pullman.

PRR also operated the Southland from Chicago to Cincinnati, where it was turned over the L&N as far as Atlanta. It originally operated through Jacksonville (ACL) to Florida points and became primarily as west coast train when the Perry Cut-off was opened. I believe PRR also participated in the Flamingo which in later years was a Cincinnati and Louisville to Atlanta train (via Knoxville, the Southland's route too). But originally, I think it operated through to Florida (probably to Jacksonville, where its through cars would have continued south on locals or trains from New York). At one time it operated in 2 sections: NYC (Big Four) to Cincinnati to L&N to Atlanta; and PRR to Louisville to L&N to Atlanta. I don't know whether the sections operated independently as far as Atlanta or Jacksonville or were combined in central Kentucky.

The Crescent and the Piedmont Limited were actually operated by 5 roads. PRR, then Southern carried them from New York to Atlanta. From Atlanta to the Georgia-Alabama border they road that rails of the Atlanta and West Point; in Alabama, the Western Railway of Alabama carried them as far as Montgomery where the L&N took over.