Tuesday, January 14, 2014

the 'Abraham Lincoln' train between Chicago and St Louis, 1936


According to the back: "The Abraham Lincoln first streamlined diesel electric train between Chicago via Bloomington and Springfield to St Louis [Missouri] Completely Air-Conditioned. First Streamlined Train operating on the fastest schedule between Chicago and St. Louis ... offers a superior service,-safe-comfortable-convenient-dependable... There is nothing miniature or cramped about this outstanding train. Eight roomy cars - Individual Reclining Seat Chair Cars, Drawing-Room Parlor Cars, Observation-Lounge Parlor Car, Buffet Lounge Car with radio. Seating capacity 282. The Dining Car, including the popular Lincoln Tavern, accommodates 40 guests ... and remember - No Extra Fare."

It was actually semi-streamlined; a "shovel nose" applied to the power unit on one end of the train belonging to the Baltimore & Ohio (which owned the Chicago and  Alton, the operator of this train) - an EMC (EMD) built Bo-Bo type of 1800 hp from August 1935.   It is now in the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis.

The Abraham Lincoln continued to operate following the Alton Railroad's merger with the GM&O in 1947 and this train lasted into the 1960s.

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