Welcome to my Blog. The scope of this blog is to record the trials and tribulations of building and maintaining an HO scale layout, the trains and all of the ancillary projects that go with it. In 2017 New York Central subsidiary short line Empire Belt Railroad came into existence. The New York Central / Penn Central and Empire Belt are now the major railroads featured.
Empire Belt GP30s
The EBRR GP30s round a curve on the Empire City Belt Line.
Friday, July 15, 2022
Happy 120th Anniversary to the 20th Century Limited and Broadway Limited
Greetings All,
Happy 120th Anniversary to the
NYC 20th Century Limited and
the PRR Broadway Limited !!
Lets take a look at these two premier passenger trains that once offered opulent first class sleeper car service between New York City and Chicago.
The New York Central launched the 20th Century Limited and the Pennsylvania RR launched the Pennsylvania Special on the same day, June 15th, 1902. Many historians consider this the birthday of the Broadway Limited as the two arch rivals began what came to be known as "the great competition".
Pullman Sleeper Car Palisade stands in for the Century.
Pennsylvania Sleeper Car Paul Revere does the honors for the Broadway.
Arch Rivals New York Central and Pennsylvania race out of Empire City Station for Englewood IL where they would again race side by side as they traveled to Chicago.
The Pennsylvania Special was renamed the Broad Way Limited in 1912 to highlight the PRRs "Broad Way" of Americas Transportation System, a reference to the PRR's multiple track main lines. The Broad Way would later become the Broadway Limited and advertise it's connection with New York City's Great White Way.
Observation car Philadelphia brings up the markers on the Broadway. The Philadelphia, car #180 would become Penn Central Business Car 180 assigned to the Vice President of Transportation. The car would be retired in 1969, sold to a private owner and renamed Philadelphia Starr.
Rival NYC has a numbered observation car standing in for the Century.
In 1938 the Century was upgraded with new equipment. The 1938 Century was designed thru the combined efforts of of industrial designed Henry Dreyfuss and the NYC's engineering department.
In 1938 the PRR introduced the "Fleet of Modernism" streamlining the Broadway and other passenger trains. The new Broadway featured five types of private room accommodations. A Fleet of Modernism baggage car takes on baggage.
GG1 4910 will take the Broadway, Train #29, from Pennsylvania Station in New York City to Harrisburg, PA where it will be swapped for diesel power to continue the trip to Union Station in Chicago, IL.
Continuing a tradition started in 1902, the 20th Century Limited received a full complement of Pullman-Standard Built cars in 1948. interspersed into the Century were some of the newly refurbished 4-4-2s from the Imperial series like this Imperial Fleet 4-4-2 sleeper.
The 1948 Century was inaugurated by none other than General Dwight D. Eisenhower, then president of Columbia University in New York City.
Both the Century and Broadway offered coast to coast through sleeper service via the Santa Fe "Chief" until 1954 when service was transferred to the Santa Fe "Super Chief". The Century ended this service in February 1958.
As passenger losses mounted the New York Central sought to get out of the passenger business which was dragging the railroad down towards bankruptcy. Coaches would be added to the Century for the first time in 1957 and again in 1958.
With little publicity on December 2nd, 1967 a half full west bound train #25, The 20th Century Limited, left Grand Central Station Track 34 and Train #26 left La Salle Street Station for the last time and the Great Steel Fleet passed into history.
On December 3rd, 1967 the NYC instituted Empire Service trains when a coach train left Grand Central Station track #36 for Buffalo NY.
Meanwhile in 1967 after the Century made its last run The Broadway was consolidated with the General and coaches were added and observation car removed. The consolidated train carried the name Broadway Limited but it was renumbered as trains 48 and 49.
In February 01, 1968 the Penn Central took over operation of the Broadway Limited (trains 28 and 29) and continued to operate it with little fanfare. Ex PRR and NYC E7s and E8s handled the train west of Harrisburg.
A handful of coaches and sleepers received the PC green but by March 1970 the PC clearly wanted out of the passenger business. 10-6 Sleeper 4350 "Octoraro Rapids" was part of the Broadway Limited consist and lensed at 21st Street in Chicago on April 23, 1971. Below we see the 1:87 scale version on a different date at Empire City Station.
On May 1st, 1971 Amtrak took over many of the nations intercity passenger trains. The Broadway Limited retained its name and was now numbered as trains 40 and 41. Below Penn Central E8A 4300 powers an Amtrak era Broadway Limited out of Empire City Station.
The Broadway Limited leaves Chicago.
On the 75th anniversary of the Broadway Limited on June 15, 1977 GG1 4935 restored to its earlier splendor thru the efforts of the "Friends of the GG1" brought the Broadway from Penn Station in NYC to Harrisburg PA. GG1 4935 below is seen bringing the Broadway thru Empire City on its 75th Birthday.
The Broadway Limited made its last run on Saturday, September 09, 1995. FP40PHs handled the train laden with headend cars between Philadelphia and Chicago.
Enjoy the New York Central Layout 's 120th Anniversary tribute.
Sources
New York Central's Great Steel Fleet 1948-1967 by Geoffrey H. Dougherty.
The Broadway Limited by Joel Rosenbaum and Tom Gallo.
Passenger Train Annual 2016 from White River Productions.
Penn Central Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment by James Kinkaid.
Non layout photos courtesy of Creative Commons / WordPress.org
That's a nice tribute to both railroads and trains! My favorites on your video were #25, #28 and #45. Of course any train with a GG-1 is one of my favorites, as you know!
Great historic review of two classic trains that nicely showcases your extensive roster of NYC, PRR , PC, and Amtrak passenger equipment through the decades. From the Golden Age of Passenger Trains to the eclectic mix of coaches behind aging E8s, to the silver of the Amtrak era you covered the history so well!
Thank you very much Ralph!!!! The Broadway had a good long life being operated by three railroads and had class thru its final run. I wish the Century had fared better but the facts are what they are.
That's a nice tribute to both railroads and trains! My favorites on your video were #25, #28 and #45. Of course any train with a GG-1 is one of my favorites, as you know!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much 1:1 Sir Neal!!!! GG1s and Sir Neal go together like ham and eggs!!!
DeleteGreat historic review of two classic trains that nicely showcases your extensive roster of NYC, PRR , PC, and Amtrak passenger equipment through the decades. From the Golden Age of Passenger Trains to the eclectic mix of coaches behind aging E8s, to the silver of the Amtrak era you covered the history so well!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Ralph!!!! The Broadway had a good long life being operated by three railroads and had class thru its final run. I wish the Century had fared better but the facts are what they are.
DeleteThis Blog is awesome John.Great info and photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Jimmy!! Glad you stopped by to read and comment!!!
Delete