"This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Illinois Commemorative Cover postmarked 11 September 1995. The Chicago & Alton Railway -- known for building and operating the first Pullman sleeping car -- was also noted for its fabulous Red Train. The Alton Limited, running between Chicago and St. Louis, was a daylight train distinguished by its luxurious accommodations as well as its distinctive maroon and red exterior. Throughout the six-hour journey between St. Louis and Chicago, passengers on the Red Train had the use of handsomely appointed smoking cars, dining cars and even observation-parlor cars, where afternoon tea was served by Japanese maidens dressed in traditional attire. Introduced in 1899, the Alton Limited was re-equipped in 1905 and again nearly 20 years later.
"On 11 September 1924, the newly-refurbished Red Train was put on display in the Windy City. The public was encouraged to tour the luxurious train, including the impressive observation car appropriately dubbed 'Chicago.' Such an exhibition was intended to drum up business on a route where the competition for riders had long been fierce. The Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Wabash and the Illinois Central all vied with the Alton for a share of the Chicago-to-St. Louis business.
"Displayed here is engine No. 659, a 4-6-2 Pacific type built in 1913 by the American Locomotive Company. It has been handsomely portrayed pulling the famed red-colored cars through a stretch of Illinois farmland."
Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
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