The Grandest Train in the World - December 3, 2008

In a world where even the most remote corners of the globe can be reached in a matter of hours, it's hard remember a time when a train going 60 miles an hour from New York to Chicago was considered the ne plus ultra of travel. But that's the story of the 20th Century Limited, the luxury train that ended its final journey on this day in 1967. When the train began service in 1902, airplanes were still a year and a half away, and automobiles were hardly suitable for long-distance travel. Thus railroads were the only real solution for inter-city journeys. Every town was connected by rail, but the big towns -- New York, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, St. Louis, Washington DC, Los Angeles -- had trains with evocative names like the Broadway Limited, the Daylight Speedliner, the Metropolitan Special, and the Empire State Express.  These trains whizzed like bullets around the country, giving passengers gourmet meals, Pullman compartments, and personalized service. The jewels in the crown were the Super Chief, which carried businessmen and movie stars from Los Angeles to Chicago in 39 hours, and the 20th Century Limited, which took passengers from the Windy City to the Big Apple in a mere 16 hours to finish the transcontinental journey (once passenger air service finally arrived, it still took anywhere from 16 to 43 hours -- with overnight stops -- to fly coast to coast). Passengers on the 20th Century were greeted at New York's Grand Central Terminal or Chicago's La Salle Street Station with carnation boutonnieres for the gents, perfume and flowers for the ladies, and a crimson carpet bearing the train's logo. This touch was soon adopted by other venues hoping to show they offered their patrons "red carpet treatment." Once on board the train, passengers enjoyed amenities like barber shops, personal secretaries, and radio telephones that were unavailable to those on "lesser" trains. The train boasted a $10 million dollar profit in 1928, but by the time the 1950s and 60s rolled around, it was only a matter of time before the 20th Century's days were numbered. The interstate highway system made auto travel safe, efficient, and speedy, and jet planes had reduced cross-country trips to as little as six hours.  The 20th Century held on until 1967, but when the final journey began, the train was only half full and arrived nearly ten hours late. It was an unfortunate preview of Amtrak's schedule troubles, and a far cry from the glory days when nothing -- not even a Superman -- could stop a speeding locomotive. Suggested Sites... Wikipedia: 20th Century Limited - history of the greatest train in the world. Grand Central Terminal - still one of the world's great destinations. One-time home to the 20th Century Limited. Hickory Creek - one of the last rail-worthy cars from the 20th, fully restored and available for private charter. Walthers 20th Century Limited - okay, so it's a video about a toy version, but it's packed with information. New York Central Railroad Company Menu - the lunch menu from from the 20th in 1939. $1.10 for a half fried chicken and potatoes?! Highway robbery!