Sunday, October 16, 2011

Streamliners circa 1936

Back in 1936, the streamliner was the comeback kid in a world where train travel was rapidly looking as worn out as Granddad's old mule. With names like the Burlington Zephyr, The Hiawatha or how about The Rebel for pure panache, these brazen new upstarts of the rails touted greater speed, lower fares and luxury neither the automobile nor the airplane could match. Comparing the steam locomotive like The Lord Baltimore in the photo below to the Hiawatha's new sleek modern design, it's no surprise so many passengers in 1936 were willing to give the train at least one more try. Once on board though, it was level of luxury experienced that really clinched the deal. As these photos indicate, it's not always about just getting from point A to point B - it's about getting from point A to point B in style.

The Lord Baltimore steam locomotive


Hiawatha Streamliner - Milwaukee


Rebel lounge car


Lunch counter on the B. & O. Royal Blue


Sleeping Car - Union Pacific


The tap room on the Hiawatha

______________________________

Also on Florahome USA -
RailFest 2011 Train Show Photos - Palatka, FL

Streamliners circa 1936 - Florahome USA