This was the way to travel. The North Coast Limited was one of the first named trains in the United States, and it had a reputation for elegance and impeccable service. It started service in 1900 and operated between Chicago and Seattle until the day before Amtrak started service in 1971. The trip took approximately 45 hours.
The train even provided postcards such as this one, which you could mail from the on-board post office on your way to the on-board barber shop. You can find out much more about the history of the North Coast Limited at
American-Rails.com.
Here's the back of the card.
I remember seeing the on board post office (and sorting room) but a barber shop too ?
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful card.
ReplyDeleteAnd with your love of trains have you ever watched the show Tracks Ahead? I found it a few months ago on a PBS channel so now have my DVR set to get it each week. Toy trains and real trains. Always interesting. They featured one last week I'm going to try and ride next year near Mt. Shasta.
What a superb looking railway engine. Oh to have traveled on that.
ReplyDeleteWe are missing out not having an easy way to travel by rail!
ReplyDeleteI think I was born too late:( Would loved to have ridden on this. I took a momentous train ride from Seattle all the way to New Orleans and back. Amtrak refused to make our scheduled stop in Beaumont, Texas, because they were running late. They just slowed down to a crawl, but wouldn't stop and open our doors. Literally left my mother sobbing at the station, asking to her; said no passengers listed to get off where I was but the conductor wouldn't listen there. In case you can't tell, I've never forgiven Amtrak:)ha!
ReplyDeleteSee, I'm still so upset I don't even make sense!ha! Talk about interrupting myself ... "Literally left my mother sobbing at the station, asking where I was, but the conductor wouldn't listen to her. He said no passengers listed to get off there." That was around 2 a.m.....
ReplyDeleteThe Northern Pacific was known for its famous Baked Potato for some reason. I have seen the potato mentioned in many advertisements during the railroad's heyday. I could think of nothing finer than sitting in their diner, ;-) then sit up in the dome car while crossing through western Montana and looking into people's backyards.
ReplyDelete