Great Trains East

The major-league baseball teams of 1950 were all located in an area defined by Boston, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Washington, D.C. This was where the National Pastime took place — the rest of the country had only minor-league teams. In terms of commerce, the primacy of this area could be seen in the name given to it for the purposes of railroad freight rates: “Official Territory.” Now add the region to the south, down to the great cities of Charleston, Miami, and New Orleans, and you’re covering the eastern third of the continental United States (in 1950, the whole United States) — the area of greatest population, industry, culture, learning, and, yes, conflict during the nation’s first, formative 175 years. And, as the map on the previous page…

The major-league baseball teams of 1950 were all located in an area defined by Boston, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Washington, D.C. This was where the National Pastime took place — the rest of the country had only minor-league teams. In terms of commerce, the primacy of this area could be seen in the name given to it for the purposes of railroad freight rates: “Official Territory.” Now add the region to the south, down to the great cities of Charleston, Miami, and New Orleans, and you’re covering the eastern third of the continental United States (in 1950, the whole United States) — the area of greatest population, industry, culture, learning, and, yes, conflict during the nation’s first, formative 175 years. And, as the map on the previous page…

Tickets for the 20th Century Limited—Today Only reads the sign over ticket window No. 3 opposite the information booth in Grand Central Terminal. For one-half hour, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., when the train leaves for Chicago, this window will be selling only 20th Century Limited tickets and Pullman space so that no Century passenger need wait. It is only one of the many small touches which combine to make this one of the most famous trains, if not the most famous train, in the world. “20th Century Limited” was a most timely name on June 15, 1902, when New York Central trains 25 and 26 made their first runs between New York and Chicago. The title has since become timeless, a synonym for luxurious railroad travel. In the business world…

Adam loved Eve because Eve was the only one around that he could love. And by the same token the Deposit people have to love the Erie Railroad because there is no other railroad around to love, but they really do love it, and are proud of it.” So spoke the Rev. Graydon Scott of Deposit, N.Y., on the occasion of the inaugural trip of the Erie Limited in June 1929. The sentiment expressed by Rev. Scott might well be termed a factor for the introduction of the Erie Limited by Erie Railroad officials. Every railroad, small or large, has a drawing power that is felt by the people who live close to it or who use it regularly. Friendliness, and even affection, grows throughout the years, and this is recognized…

Tickets for the 20th Century Limited—Today Only reads the sign over ticket window No. 3 opposite the information booth in Grand Central Terminal. For one-half hour, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., when the train leaves for Chicago, this window will be selling only 20th Century Limited tickets and Pullman space so that no Century passenger need wait. It is only one of the many small touches which combine to make this one of the most famous trains, if not the most famous train, in the world. “20th Century Limited” was a most timely name on June 15, 1902, when New York Central trains 25 and 26 made their first runs between New York and Chicago. The title has since become timeless, a synonym for luxurious railroad travel. In the business…

Can you be in Washington tomorrow?” the telegram asks. Only the Western Union folks know how many millions of similar messages have gone out from our nation’s capital in the five turbulent years since the United States was drawn into World War II. But even Western Union can’t say how many men have grown gray overnight trying to get Pullman reservations there on a few hours’ notice. However, we’re lucky this time and at 1:30 p.m. we arrive at Atlanta Terminal Station with a little pink ticket for Lower 4, Car 94, and with five minutes remaining before departure time for us to look over the Southern Railway’s Crescent, the all-Pullman limited that will carry us to Washington. The West Point Route steam locomotive that brought the train in from Montgomery, Ala.,…