If you had the chance to...............

[JanOlov]

build any of the old streamliners (money wouldn't be a problem [:D] ), steam or diesel.
Or maybe the money would go to any of the old PULLMAN heavyweight limiteds, which train would build?
I can't decide myself becaus I like so many of the old REAL trains, it's too many that I'd like to bring back to life, but I can tell you that the Milwaukee Road's Hiawatha from 1935, 36 or 37 is on the list, of course with the an class A 4-4-2 and a spare F-7 4-6-4 up front.

All the best my friends,

Jan
Glasgow/Scotland

[Anonymous]

Tough decision... guess i'd have to choose the later version of the california zephyr with 3 burlington route E-9's on the nose...those dome obs cars are hard to beat..which makes it a class act on the nose, middle and end.

[Anonymous]

Tough decision... guess i'd have to choose the later version of the california zephyr with 3 burlington route E-9's on the nose...those dome obs cars are hard to beat..which makes it a class act on the nose, middle and end.

[Anonymous]

Would have to be the Powhatten Arrow with a J in charge.

[Anonymous]

Would have to be the Powhatten Arrow with a J in charge.

[Anonymous]

For old pullman heavyweight, I would say the Orange Blossom Special. Why? Just because it lived out its days as a classy heavyweight, which had in most cases become a contradiciton in terms by that time....yet she held on, proudly and bravely, as a classy heavyweight till the end. Now, if one went back few years before her demise when they were many classy heavyweights, she would not necessarily have stood out so much.

[Anonymous]

For old pullman heavyweight, I would say the Orange Blossom Special. Why? Just because it lived out its days as a classy heavyweight, which had in most cases become a contradiciton in terms by that time....yet she held on, proudly and bravely, as a classy heavyweight till the end. Now, if one went back few years before her demise when they were many classy heavyweights, she would not necessarily have stood out so much.

[Anonymous]

Mine would be neither steam nor diesel. It would be the PRR leg of the Champion. A set of matched stainless steel cars with purple letterboards and pulled by one of the silver GG1s. Even in the PC age it was still a class act.

[Anonymous]

Mine would be neither steam nor diesel. It would be the PRR leg of the Champion. A set of matched stainless steel cars with purple letterboards and pulled by one of the silver GG1s. Even in the PC age it was still a class act.

[Anonymous]

....ride the post war 20th Century Limited. The NYC main was only about 15 miles from where I grew up, but I never got the chance to even see it. I know, obs "Sandy Creek" is kicking around on the American Orient Express, but it's just not the same... MCFarrand

[Anonymous]

....ride the post war 20th Century Limited. The NYC main was only about 15 miles from where I grew up, but I never got the chance to even see it. I know, obs "Sandy Creek" is kicking around on the American Orient Express, but it's just not the same... MCFarrand

[coalminer3]

Let's do it up right; 20th Century Limited (in sections) because "one's never enough."

work safe

[coalminer3]

Let's do it up right; 20th Century Limited (in sections) because "one's never enough."

work safe

[Anonymous]

I'd love to ride the old Lehigh Valley "Black Diamond" of the late 30's. Streamlined steam, Cornel Red Black and Sliver, ..... through the rolling hillis of Pa and NY, all the way from Buffalo to Newark Tower.

[Anonymous]

I'd love to ride the old Lehigh Valley "Black Diamond" of the late 30's. Streamlined steam, Cornel Red Black and Sliver, ..... through the rolling hillis of Pa and NY, all the way from Buffalo to Newark Tower.

[Anonymous]

Bring back the 20th Century Limited. A version from anywhere between about 1935 to 1950. Best train on rails!

[Anonymous]

Bring back the 20th Century Limited. A version from anywhere between about 1935 to 1950. Best train on rails!

[prewardude]

This is a tough one, but I think I would say the Santa Fe's DeLuxe of the 1910's. Now THAT was a classy hunk of varnish.

[prewardude]

This is a tough one, but I think I would say the Santa Fe's DeLuxe of the 1910's. Now THAT was a classy hunk of varnish.

[OhioRailroader]

I'd choose the B&O's "Cincinnatian" in the days of the streamlining of the 4-6-2's before going to diesel and then the short life on Amtrak. In the photos I have found, it's a beaty.

[OhioRailroader]

I'd choose the B&O's "Cincinnatian" in the days of the streamlining of the 4-6-2's before going to diesel and then the short life on Amtrak. In the photos I have found, it's a beaty.

[Anonymous]

How about the Milwaukee's nos. 5900 and 5901? Homebuilt streamlined motorcars, with a late 30's ribside baggage-RPO-coach, the ones with streamlining and open vestibules? Or a Shops-built Skytop Lounge? Put all three together, only on the CMSt.P&P!

[Anonymous]

How about the Milwaukee's nos. 5900 and 5901? Homebuilt streamlined motorcars, with a late 30's ribside baggage-RPO-coach, the ones with streamlining and open vestibules? Or a Shops-built Skytop Lounge? Put all three together, only on the CMSt.P&P!

[Anonymous]

"Somewhere deep buried in the consciousness of every American there lies the image of a steam locomotive..." Unattributed quote from The Age of Steam, Beebe/Clegg 1957

[Anonymous]

"Somewhere deep buried in the consciousness of every American there lies the image of a steam locomotive..." Unattributed quote from The Age of Steam, Beebe/Clegg 1957

[Anonymous]

Based on when I started liking trains(born in 57) in 67 I would love to ride in one of those 1st or 2nd generation diesels from EMD Geep 38,SD-40 something of that nature.Did get the chance to ride on the seaboard E-7 or E-8 before passenger service was drop.don't hold me on the Loco but I do know it was a coverd wagon as you called it today.

[Anonymous]

Based on when I started liking trains(born in 57) in 67 I would love to ride in one of those 1st or 2nd generation diesels from EMD Geep 38,SD-40 something of that nature.Did get the chance to ride on the seaboard E-7 or E-8 before passenger service was drop.don't hold me on the Loco but I do know it was a coverd wagon as you called it today.

[Anonymous]

I thought I answered berfore but I don't see it here. I would like to see a cab forward just for the novelty of it.
Paul

[Anonymous]

I thought I answered berfore but I don't see it here. I would like to see a cab forward just for the novelty of it.
Paul

[gbrewer]

Tarwheel38

Did you know that for an extra fee you can ride the cab on the Royal Gorge Route in Colorado?

Now a ride in a stem locomotive is really a thrill.

[gbrewer]

Tarwheel38

Did you know that for an extra fee you can ride the cab on the Royal Gorge Route in Colorado?

Now a ride in a stem locomotive is really a thrill.

[vsmith]

The PIONEER ZEPHYR isn't being restored, BUT....

The FLYING YANKEE is...almost as good!!

Its one of the earliest streamliner trainsets and its being restored to operating condition. Cant wait to see it running.

www.flyingyankee.com

[vsmith]

The PIONEER ZEPHYR isn't being restored, BUT....

The FLYING YANKEE is...almost as good!!

Its one of the earliest streamliner trainsets and its being restored to operating condition. Cant wait to see it running.

www.flyingyankee.com

[JoeKoh]

ride in the cab of the J-611 or a Nkp berkshire.that would be fantastic.I'm happy I could see the J-611 when I could.
stay safe
Joe

[JoeKoh]

ride in the cab of the J-611 or a Nkp berkshire.that would be fantastic.I'm happy I could see the J-611 when I could.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

The PIONEER ZEPHYR isn't being restored, BUT....

The FLYING YANKEE is...almost as good!!

Its one of the earliest streamliner trainsets and its being restored to operating condition. Cant wait to see it running.

www.flyingyankee.com

It's great to see that the Flying Yankee is getting restored! It will be incredible to see it run. I too would like to see the Pioneer Zephyr run. The one thing I would really like to see happen, though, is for a railroad museum/preservation group get those Zephyr cars that are in Saudi Arabia back to the US where they belong! Unfortunately with all the tensions in the Middle East it probably won't happen. We can still dream, though!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

The PIONEER ZEPHYR isn't being restored, BUT....

The FLYING YANKEE is...almost as good!!

Its one of the earliest streamliner trainsets and its being restored to operating condition. Cant wait to see it running.

www.flyingyankee.com

It's great to see that the Flying Yankee is getting restored! It will be incredible to see it run. I too would like to see the Pioneer Zephyr run. The one thing I would really like to see happen, though, is for a railroad museum/preservation group get those Zephyr cars that are in Saudi Arabia back to the US where they belong! Unfortunately with all the tensions in the Middle East it probably won't happen. We can still dream, though!

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I would go to a not-so-old streamliner, CNW's Peninsula and Flambeau 400's as re-equipped in 1958. They were the first HEP equipped trains and were a mix of new and rebuilt. The use of bi-level gallery coaches for a medium-haul train was imaginative and provided a lot of extra capacity.
The Peninsula 400 was also my first non-suburban train ride and it has stuck in my mind ever since.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I would go to a not-so-old streamliner, CNW's Peninsula and Flambeau 400's as re-equipped in 1958. They were the first HEP equipped trains and were a mix of new and rebuilt. The use of bi-level gallery coaches for a medium-haul train was imaginative and provided a lot of extra capacity.
The Peninsula 400 was also my first non-suburban train ride and it has stuck in my mind ever since.

[Anonymous]

Likewise a tough decision for me but I think I would settle on the original SP Daylight for a streamliner and the GN's Oriental Limited for a heavyweight.[8D]

[Anonymous]

Likewise a tough decision for me but I think I would settle on the original SP Daylight for a streamliner and the GN's Oriental Limited for a heavyweight.[8D]

[MACADO]

It's really not a streamliner, but if I had the money I would restore a H20-44 in the Pittsburgh & WestVirginia R.R. paint job. I would run it on the old lines that the Wheeling & Lake Erie use now.

[MACADO]

It's really not a streamliner, but if I had the money I would restore a H20-44 in the Pittsburgh & WestVirginia R.R. paint job. I would run it on the old lines that the Wheeling & Lake Erie use now.

[wallyworld]

Electroliner on the Skokie Valley Route.

[wallyworld]

Electroliner on the Skokie Valley Route.

[Anonymous]

NYC 20th Century Limited or any Pennsy GG1 passenger train.

[Anonymous]

NYC 20th Century Limited or any Pennsy GG1 passenger train.

[espeefoamer]

I would like to see a SP AC9 pulling a long Golden State consist in its red&silver scheme.[:D][:p]

[espeefoamer]

I would like to see a SP AC9 pulling a long Golden State consist in its red&silver scheme.[:D][:p]

[Anonymous]

I would want to turn back the Hands Of Time and take a tour of all the Railroad Towers. I'd like to see how the switches were hand-thrown from inside those long towers. To see the way the dispatchers and tower operators communicated with each other. If I could only go back to the days "I" was a tower operator, and lined up the trains as I was told to. To remember the snow storms that knocked everone's power out, but mine. To watch from a distance, the Smoke bellowing from another tower that caught fire...and hope that the operator got out okay. Those were some of the Good Old Days as a Tower Operator, watching all those beautiful trains and crews going passed me. Ralph Zimmer

[Anonymous]

I would want to turn back the Hands Of Time and take a tour of all the Railroad Towers. I'd like to see how the switches were hand-thrown from inside those long towers. To see the way the dispatchers and tower operators communicated with each other. If I could only go back to the days "I" was a tower operator, and lined up the trains as I was told to. To remember the snow storms that knocked everone's power out, but mine. To watch from a distance, the Smoke bellowing from another tower that caught fire...and hope that the operator got out okay. Those were some of the Good Old Days as a Tower Operator, watching all those beautiful trains and crews going passed me. Ralph Zimmer

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see the old Rock Island Rocket come back to life. I saw it once or twice when it first appeared and the next thing I knew it was gone. I'd love to get a look at the controls in that engine. I have ridden in many engines (usually IHB or the old B & O which is now the CSX)! The good old days have come and gone, but I can still dream! Ralph Zimmer Alsip, Il

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see the old Rock Island Rocket come back to life. I saw it once or twice when it first appeared and the next thing I knew it was gone. I'd love to get a look at the controls in that engine. I have ridden in many engines (usually IHB or the old B & O which is now the CSX)! The good old days have come and gone, but I can still dream! Ralph Zimmer Alsip, Il

[Anonymous]

Mine would be the Union Pacific's CIty of Los Angles with a whisle stop at Kelso California so I could visit my parents in 1947! That would be fun!

[Anonymous]

Mine would be the Union Pacific's CIty of Los Angles with a whisle stop at Kelso California so I could visit my parents in 1947! That would be fun!

[Anonymous]

Of course a PRR headed by a T1!

[Anonymous]

Of course a PRR headed by a T1!

[Anonymous]

Well, that's a piece of cake for me. By far the Southern Pacific Daylight train with a beutiful GS4 running with 16 daylight cars. At least for me, it wouldn't get any better than that. Living here in California, the Daylight train was the most famous by far and after watching videos of them steam by at 80 mph is a sight unparalleled in today's world (with the exception of the 4449 which is still operational).

[Anonymous]

Well, that's a piece of cake for me. By far the Southern Pacific Daylight train with a beutiful GS4 running with 16 daylight cars. At least for me, it wouldn't get any better than that. Living here in California, the Daylight train was the most famous by far and after watching videos of them steam by at 80 mph is a sight unparalleled in today's world (with the exception of the 4449 which is still operational).

[Anonymous]

I would pick two; the Twin Cities Zephyr on its original schedule and with its windshield washers and stewardess. And the GN Red River - a neat five car streamliner running between the Twin Cities and Grand Forks.

[Anonymous]

I would pick two; the Twin Cities Zephyr on its original schedule and with its windshield washers and stewardess. And the GN Red River - a neat five car streamliner running between the Twin Cities and Grand Forks.

[Anonymous]

I would pick the class J because of the engine,the Hiawatha because of the scheme and a couple of the British Loco`s since they had some of the best out there.

[Anonymous]

I would pick the class J because of the engine,the Hiawatha because of the scheme and a couple of the British Loco`s since they had some of the best out there.

[Anonymous]

For Tarwheel38: In Union, Il (I think that's the name of the town), there is a "covered wagon" style engine. If that;s the one you are referring to. I'm not sure of the engine manufacturer or model number, but if you have ever seen the movie "A League Of Their Own," based on the women's baseball league during and after Worl War II,
the scene where the 2 sisters are running to catch up to the train pulling out of the station...that is the train used for the movie! Ralph Zimmer Alsip, Il

[Anonymous]

For Tarwheel38: In Union, Il (I think that's the name of the town), there is a "covered wagon" style engine. If that;s the one you are referring to. I'm not sure of the engine manufacturer or model number, but if you have ever seen the movie "A League Of Their Own," based on the women's baseball league during and after Worl War II,
the scene where the 2 sisters are running to catch up to the train pulling out of the station...that is the train used for the movie! Ralph Zimmer Alsip, Il

[Anonymous]

NYC Niagra and Hudson; PRR T1, J1, BP60, Keystone Tubular Train. Somebody please ask Bill Gates!

[Anonymous]

NYC Niagra and Hudson; PRR T1, J1, BP60, Keystone Tubular Train. Somebody please ask Bill Gates!

[Anonymous]

Either the 400 or the Broadway Limited, probably the latter.

[Anonymous]

Either the 400 or the Broadway Limited, probably the latter.

[Anonymous]

Go back in time I would go to Horseshoe curve back in 1944 with a case of Bud Light and a lounge chair............

[Anonymous]

Go back in time I would go to Horseshoe curve back in 1944 with a case of Bud Light and a lounge chair............

[Anonymous]

ride in the cab of an E or F unit on the old B & O between Deshler, OH and Cincinnati, OH.

[Anonymous]

ride in the cab of an E or F unit on the old B & O between Deshler, OH and Cincinnati, OH.

[Anonymous]

.....reconstruct ANYTHING, it would be the 1938 version of the NYC 20th Century Limited. Imagine how wonderful it would be to have a NYC 4-6-4 again! I'd be ecstatic to just have a "plain" J-3a with a consist of Budd stainless and smooth-side cars and a heavyweight or two mixed in.

[Anonymous]

.....reconstruct ANYTHING, it would be the 1938 version of the NYC 20th Century Limited. Imagine how wonderful it would be to have a NYC 4-6-4 again! I'd be ecstatic to just have a "plain" J-3a with a consist of Budd stainless and smooth-side cars and a heavyweight or two mixed in.

[Anonymous]

Maybe get my hands on a small 2 footer to ride around
on the lower forty.

[Anonymous]

Maybe get my hands on a small 2 footer to ride around
on the lower forty.

[Anonymous]

The Frisco MKT Texas Special is my choice any day

[Anonymous]

The Frisco MKT Texas Special is my choice any day

[passengerfan]

I would resurrect the Mid Century Empire Builder It had it all F-units up front four in summer months most often in A-B-B-A sets. The G-N Ranch car three classic short domes for coach passengers. A 36-seat Dining car for pullman passengers, variety in sleeping accommodation, Full dome lounge car for Pullman passengers and and observation bringing up the markers for a short while before they were rebuilt to coaches. Anyway one looked at it the GN Empire Builder was a class act. Even later when the Obs was dropped and the Big Sky Blue paint scheme was introduced they still offered all of the other amenities including most dome seats of any train prior to Autotrain. And the SDP45 diesels seemed to fit in as well. Maybe the North Coast Limited would be a second choice another class act.

[passengerfan]

I would resurrect the Mid Century Empire Builder It had it all F-units up front four in summer months most often in A-B-B-A sets. The G-N Ranch car three classic short domes for coach passengers. A 36-seat Dining car for pullman passengers, variety in sleeping accommodation, Full dome lounge car for Pullman passengers and and observation bringing up the markers for a short while before they were rebuilt to coaches. Anyway one looked at it the GN Empire Builder was a class act. Even later when the Obs was dropped and the Big Sky Blue paint scheme was introduced they still offered all of the other amenities including most dome seats of any train prior to Autotrain. And the SDP45 diesels seemed to fit in as well. Maybe the North Coast Limited would be a second choice another class act.

[Anonymous]

I have to go along with "rdganthracite", and do the Champion with a GG1 loco

[Anonymous]

I have to go along with "rdganthracite", and do the Champion with a GG1 loco

[espeefoamer]

I would like to reconstruct a train that was proposed but never acually ran.Some cars were built and lettered for this train. I would build the SP-RI Golden Rocket.The inaugural run would have originated at the corner of Hollywood & Vine over the Pacific Electric. Curves on the route were widened to accomodate the train.Riding a pullman through the streets of L.A. would have been awesome[:D].

[espeefoamer]

I would like to reconstruct a train that was proposed but never acually ran.Some cars were built and lettered for this train. I would build the SP-RI Golden Rocket.The inaugural run would have originated at the corner of Hollywood & Vine over the Pacific Electric. Curves on the route were widened to accomodate the train.Riding a pullman through the streets of L.A. would have been awesome[:D].

[Anonymous]

For a steamliner, I'd pick the 1938 20th Century Limited complete with a Dreyfuss 'Flash Gordon' Hudson. For a heaywight, I'd just continue the journey west from Chicago on the late '30s Overland Limited, complete with a C&NW Hudson, UP Northern, SP Cab Forward, and an SP Mountain.

It would be tempting to continue on to L.A. on the S.P. Daylight, but that would be 2 streamliners. Honarable mention for a heavyweight would be a Hariman era(~1915) Overland Limited with Palace cars.

[Anonymous]

For a steamliner, I'd pick the 1938 20th Century Limited complete with a Dreyfuss 'Flash Gordon' Hudson. For a heaywight, I'd just continue the journey west from Chicago on the late '30s Overland Limited, complete with a C&NW Hudson, UP Northern, SP Cab Forward, and an SP Mountain.

It would be tempting to continue on to L.A. on the S.P. Daylight, but that would be 2 streamliners. Honarable mention for a heavyweight would be a Hariman era(~1915) Overland Limited with Palace cars.

[Anonymous]

The Mercury at night time...you know why...[:D]

[Anonymous]

The Mercury at night time...you know why...[:D]

[passengerfan]

I was fortunate enough to have several rides on the PIONEER ZEPHYR before it went to the museum. But in its last couple of years of service it wasn's the glamor king it once had been. It ran out of St. Joseph its final couple of years and more often than not it would return behind a diesel after breaking down somewhere on its route to Lincoln and return. The St. Joseph mechanical forces had very little good to say about the Pioneer Zephyr and were quite happy to have it donated to a museum. Most parts for the engine had to be hand made as it had been years since the old Winton diesel had been built. The St. Joseph shops were not much on washing the stainless steel streamliner and it often appeared unkempt its last couple of years in service. It was still a thrill to ride this early streamliner and have many fond memories.

[passengerfan]

I was fortunate enough to have several rides on the PIONEER ZEPHYR before it went to the museum. But in its last couple of years of service it wasn's the glamor king it once had been. It ran out of St. Joseph its final couple of years and more often than not it would return behind a diesel after breaking down somewhere on its route to Lincoln and return. The St. Joseph mechanical forces had very little good to say about the Pioneer Zephyr and were quite happy to have it donated to a museum. Most parts for the engine had to be hand made as it had been years since the old Winton diesel had been built. The St. Joseph shops were not much on washing the stainless steel streamliner and it often appeared unkempt its last couple of years in service. It was still a thrill to ride this early streamliner and have many fond memories.

[cnw1995]

I would've loved to ride any sort of passenger train, but I would choose a Zephyr or one of the North Shore Line streamliners.

[cnw1995]

I would've loved to ride any sort of passenger train, but I would choose a Zephyr or one of the North Shore Line streamliners.

[passengerfan]

I was also fortunate to have ridden the Electroliners before all CNS&M service ended and remember the Hamburger was particularly good. I was also fortunate to have ridden the Pacific Electric its last year of operation between downtown Long Beach and Los Angeles. The USO club in LA was only a couple of blocks from the PE terminal and many service men rode the PE to Long Beach returning to their ships. I was probably the only Railfan in the service at the time who rode the PE, Pioneer Zephyr and the Electroliners. I also remember traveling on the American Royal Zephyr overnight between Chicago and St. Joseph in a upper berth and returning to Chicago on the Kansas City Zephyr in the Parlor Observation where I caught the electroliner home. None of these trains are in service today but they talk about the new services available in southern California but it was my understanding that the PE as i remember it took one hour to go from Longe Beach to Los Angeles with numerous stops and they replaced it with the bus service called the freeway flyer between downtown Long Beach and LA and it made no stops and took an hour and one-half and that was called progress.

[passengerfan]

I was also fortunate to have ridden the Electroliners before all CNS&M service ended and remember the Hamburger was particularly good. I was also fortunate to have ridden the Pacific Electric its last year of operation between downtown Long Beach and Los Angeles. The USO club in LA was only a couple of blocks from the PE terminal and many service men rode the PE to Long Beach returning to their ships. I was probably the only Railfan in the service at the time who rode the PE, Pioneer Zephyr and the Electroliners. I also remember traveling on the American Royal Zephyr overnight between Chicago and St. Joseph in a upper berth and returning to Chicago on the Kansas City Zephyr in the Parlor Observation where I caught the electroliner home. None of these trains are in service today but they talk about the new services available in southern California but it was my understanding that the PE as i remember it took one hour to go from Longe Beach to Los Angeles with numerous stops and they replaced it with the bus service called the freeway flyer between downtown Long Beach and LA and it made no stops and took an hour and one-half and that was called progress.

[gbrewer]

I had a chance to ride both the original California Zephyr and the CNS&M Electorliner. I wrote a little article about riding the Electorliner. It is available online if you are interested:
http://homestaydenver.com/northshore

[gbrewer]

I had a chance to ride both the original California Zephyr and the CNS&M Electorliner. I wrote a little article about riding the Electorliner. It is available online if you are interested:
http://homestaydenver.com/northshore

[Anonymous]

Without a doubt, teh 1938 20th Century Limited. In my opinion it was the epitome of railroad excellence in color, interior and service. And I'm a PRR fan!
If I were to rebuild a heavyweight train I'd choose the 1930Congressional. All Pullman parlor car with a buffet at the head end, several parlors, a PRR diner, and the parlor obs buffet at the end.

By the by...The reason North Shore Line's "Electroburger," the hamburger served on the Electroliner, was so remarkable was that it was tenderloin. Not a chopped version of other cuts of beef. In essence a chopped filet mignon with a little extra fat added for frying. That was a good quarter pounder.

Mitch

[Anonymous]

Without a doubt, teh 1938 20th Century Limited. In my opinion it was the epitome of railroad excellence in color, interior and service. And I'm a PRR fan!
If I were to rebuild a heavyweight train I'd choose the 1930Congressional. All Pullman parlor car with a buffet at the head end, several parlors, a PRR diner, and the parlor obs buffet at the end.

By the by...The reason North Shore Line's "Electroburger," the hamburger served on the Electroliner, was so remarkable was that it was tenderloin. Not a chopped version of other cuts of beef. In essence a chopped filet mignon with a little extra fat added for frying. That was a good quarter pounder.

Mitch

[ZephyrOverland]

decisions, decisions........

My streamlined nomination would be the stillborn Chessie. That train had interior design features that made it unique and would have been a delight to ride.

For the heavyweight nomination, it would have to be the late 1920's version of the 20th Century Limited. It epitimized the concept of first class Pullman travel at the height of the American passenger train.

Runners up include:
Super Chief - the first streamlined version
Santa Fe de-Luxe - "extra fine, extra fast, extra fare" - another example of high-end first class train travel

[ZephyrOverland]

decisions, decisions........

My streamlined nomination would be the stillborn Chessie. That train had interior design features that made it unique and would have been a delight to ride.

For the heavyweight nomination, it would have to be the late 1920's version of the 20th Century Limited. It epitimized the concept of first class Pullman travel at the height of the American passenger train.

Runners up include:
Super Chief - the first streamlined version
Santa Fe de-Luxe - "extra fine, extra fast, extra fare" - another example of high-end first class train travel

[Anonymous]

I would go for the best of both worlds with the Olympian Hiawatha of 1947. All but the last 2 cars were the newest of streamliners, painted in that futuristic Brooks Stevens scheme. The last 2 cars were a heavyweight 6-6 Pullman and a 3-2-observation lounge with an open platform on the back.

Imagine racing between Chicago and the Twin Cities on one of the fastest schedules in the country (definitely the fastest for a train with an open-platform obs!) If you were really lucky, one of the streamlined F7s would be on the point, substituting for the usual E7 diesels (it happened, sometimes).

Then snake through the Rockies and the Cascade Range behind chrome-faced Erie Builts, waving to the crews from time to time on their box cab freight motors....

[Anonymous]

I would go for the best of both worlds with the Olympian Hiawatha of 1947. All but the last 2 cars were the newest of streamliners, painted in that futuristic Brooks Stevens scheme. The last 2 cars were a heavyweight 6-6 Pullman and a 3-2-observation lounge with an open platform on the back.

Imagine racing between Chicago and the Twin Cities on one of the fastest schedules in the country (definitely the fastest for a train with an open-platform obs!) If you were really lucky, one of the streamlined F7s would be on the point, substituting for the usual E7 diesels (it happened, sometimes).

Then snake through the Rockies and the Cascade Range behind chrome-faced Erie Builts, waving to the crews from time to time on their box cab freight motors....

[Anonymous]

Go back into the time machine. When I was little, we lived in Wichita,KS next to the Santa Fe trks. From 1965-1972 I can recall lots from that span including the pre Amtrks. What I would like to do is sit on the front porch starting in 1887 when that old house was built, and progres say every five yrs until the mid 60's watching the trains, riding trains and seeing the many changes take place. Have always had an interest in what that area was like before my time. Probably sounds corny but that is what I'd like to do

[Anonymous]

Go back into the time machine. When I was little, we lived in Wichita,KS next to the Santa Fe trks. From 1965-1972 I can recall lots from that span including the pre Amtrks. What I would like to do is sit on the front porch starting in 1887 when that old house was built, and progres say every five yrs until the mid 60's watching the trains, riding trains and seeing the many changes take place. Have always had an interest in what that area was like before my time. Probably sounds corny but that is what I'd like to do

[Anonymous]

Broadway Limited with a GG1from NYC to Harrisburg, then K-4 to Chicago. My Grandfather was an executive with the NYC, and is probably turning over in his grave! Sorry Pappi!! [;)][angel]

[Anonymous]

Broadway Limited with a GG1from NYC to Harrisburg, then K-4 to Chicago. My Grandfather was an executive with the NYC, and is probably turning over in his grave! Sorry Pappi!! [;)][angel]

[NW_611]

Good thing someone split it between steam and diesel power; I'll take that one step further and add electric:

Steam: The Norfolk and Western's Powhatan Arrow. It'd be a perfect match for the most elegant 4-8-4 ever designed---no Day-Glo loco need apply.

Diesel: The Pennsylvania's Broadway Limited, circa 1949 or so once they got the E7/E8 motive power in Tuscan red with the similarly-colored lightweight coaches.

Electric: The Pennsylvania's Morning Congressional, with a Tuscan red GG1 on the point and the stainless steel post-war equipment, as profiled in Dream Trains a while back.

Runners-up include: The Lackawanna's Phoebe Snow, the Western Pacific section of the California Zephyr, and perhaps the Northern Pacific's North Coast Limited. Throw the Delaware & Hudson's 1970s Laurentian and the Lehigh Valley's 1950s Black Diamond in there as well; they've got a certain common denominator that would make them worth having.

And just for kicks and to annoy people, resurrect the Broadway Limited with everything in as-new condition, lettered and liveried for the Penn Central.

[NW_611]

Good thing someone split it between steam and diesel power; I'll take that one step further and add electric:

Steam: The Norfolk and Western's Powhatan Arrow. It'd be a perfect match for the most elegant 4-8-4 ever designed---no Day-Glo loco need apply.

Diesel: The Pennsylvania's Broadway Limited, circa 1949 or so once they got the E7/E8 motive power in Tuscan red with the similarly-colored lightweight coaches.

Electric: The Pennsylvania's Morning Congressional, with a Tuscan red GG1 on the point and the stainless steel post-war equipment, as profiled in Dream Trains a while back.

Runners-up include: The Lackawanna's Phoebe Snow, the Western Pacific section of the California Zephyr, and perhaps the Northern Pacific's North Coast Limited. Throw the Delaware & Hudson's 1970s Laurentian and the Lehigh Valley's 1950s Black Diamond in there as well; they've got a certain common denominator that would make them worth having.

And just for kicks and to annoy people, resurrect the Broadway Limited with everything in as-new condition, lettered and liveried for the Penn Central.

[jlampke]

Money no object, you say? All the remaining unrestored 4-8-4's in North America that are sitting around rotting in parks or in storage, fully restored to full operational condition, used to pull regularly scheduled excursion trains, the cars of subject trains to be made up of pre-W.W.2 vintage fully restored Pullman passenger equipment.

[jlampke]

Money no object, you say? All the remaining unrestored 4-8-4's in North America that are sitting around rotting in parks or in storage, fully restored to full operational condition, used to pull regularly scheduled excursion trains, the cars of subject trains to be made up of pre-W.W.2 vintage fully restored Pullman passenger equipment.

[trainboyH16-44]

I'd have VIA repaint the Canadian into old CP, and get them to run it with F7s and 9s. All in red and gray, of course.
Trainboy

[trainboyH16-44]

I'd have VIA repaint the Canadian into old CP, and get them to run it with F7s and 9s. All in red and gray, of course.
Trainboy

[PBenham]

Here I go again! I'd bring back the Valley's flagship: the Black Diamond, but which one? The down on its luck [%-)]dieselized version I'd relate to best, or one with brand new pullman parlor cars, a full diner, and standard coaches, with a K5 Pacific leading! Decisions, decisions.

[PBenham]

Here I go again! I'd bring back the Valley's flagship: the Black Diamond, but which one? The down on its luck [%-)]dieselized version I'd relate to best, or one with brand new pullman parlor cars, a full diner, and standard coaches, with a K5 Pacific leading! Decisions, decisions.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mcfarrand

"Somewhere deep buried in the consciousness of every American there lies the image of a steam locomotive..." Unattributed quote from The Age of Steam, Beebe/Clegg 1957

The sound of a steam locomotive is something I hope I never forget.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mcfarrand

"Somewhere deep buried in the consciousness of every American there lies the image of a steam locomotive..." Unattributed quote from The Age of Steam, Beebe/Clegg 1957

The sound of a steam locomotive is something I hope I never forget.

[artpeterson]

I'll vote for the postwar "Century" with "Hickory Creek" on the tail end, E7s up front, etc.

[artpeterson]

I'll vote for the postwar "Century" with "Hickory Creek" on the tail end, E7s up front, etc.

[wallyworld]

Phoebe Snow..in a white blizzard over the mountains and through the gaps, enjoying the view from the observation lounge. Coming out of Dempster with the controller pegged on the straight arrow tangent via the launch pad of the Skokie Valley Route on board enjoying an Electroburger on the CNSM. Tucked in a berth on board The Owl hurtling 80MPH on a summer night all the way to St Louis on the old IT. Too many day dreams to chose from.

[wallyworld]

Phoebe Snow..in a white blizzard over the mountains and through the gaps, enjoying the view from the observation lounge. Coming out of Dempster with the controller pegged on the straight arrow tangent via the launch pad of the Skokie Valley Route on board enjoying an Electroburger on the CNSM. Tucked in a berth on board The Owl hurtling 80MPH on a summer night all the way to St Louis on the old IT. Too many day dreams to chose from.

[CNR1949]

I would restore Canadian National Railway's Super Continental from the mid-1950's. I still remember a trip I took with mother when I was a little duffer - Rivers, MB to Saskatoon, SK - we travelled up the line pulled, or should I say, yanked by a dirty old steam engine (heresy, I know, but as a little kid I wanted modern). For the return trip we walked down the stairway and came out at trackside to find this gleaming green, gold and black coach with glass partitions dividing the day seating. At the front was a sleek F7 (or was it an F3 or an F9?) that accomplished the "takeoff" with a smooth glide that was at first imperceptible. As we gained way the conductor came through and told us we were hurtling across the prairie at 89 miles per hour - what a thrill to a little boy!

[CNR1949]

I would restore Canadian National Railway's Super Continental from the mid-1950's. I still remember a trip I took with mother when I was a little duffer - Rivers, MB to Saskatoon, SK - we travelled up the line pulled, or should I say, yanked by a dirty old steam engine (heresy, I know, but as a little kid I wanted modern). For the return trip we walked down the stairway and came out at trackside to find this gleaming green, gold and black coach with glass partitions dividing the day seating. At the front was a sleek F7 (or was it an F3 or an F9?) that accomplished the "takeoff" with a smooth glide that was at first imperceptible. As we gained way the conductor came through and told us we were hurtling across the prairie at 89 miles per hour - what a thrill to a little boy!

[Anonymous]

hey, santa fe super chief of 30s or 40s a classic

[Anonymous]

hey, santa fe super chief of 30s or 40s a classic