The 20th Century Limited

This Day in History: December 3, 1967

For all you train enthusiasts, December 3, 1967 marks the 20th Century Limited's discontinuance just before the merger of the New York Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad that formed the Penn Central.

The 20th Century Limited was an express passenger train operated by the New York Central Railroad (NYC) from 1902 to 1967, during which time it would become known as a "National Institution" and advertised as "The Most Famous Train in the World". In the year of its last run, The New York Times said that it "...was known to railroad buffs for 65 years as the world's greatest train". The train traveled between Grand Central Terminal (GCT) in New York City and LaSalle Street Station in Chicago, Illinois along the railroad's "Water Level Route". Read MORE...

"The Most Famous Train In The World" (1912 NYC ad)
Source: en.wikipedia.org

Pre-1920 version of the 20th Century LimitedSource: en.wikipedia.org

Cover carried in the RPO of the first streamlined New York-Chicago run, June 15, 1938
Source: en.wikipedia.org

20th Century at LaSalle Street Station, Chicago – 1963
Source: en.wikipedia.org

A section of one of the famous red carpets, next to the observation car "Hickory Creek".
The 20th Century Limited originally departed New York City
from the right-hand side of this platform.
Source: en.wikipedia.org

"Transportation historians", said the writers of The Art of the Streamliner, "consistently rate the 1938 edition of the Century to be the world's ultimate passenger conveyance—at least on the ground". "Getting the red carpet treatment" passed into the language from this memorable practice.