I come from a family of train lovers; I have members of both sides of my family who have worked from the railroad at various times. I also love both the movies North by Northwest and the musical On the 20th Century. So when I heard that the United Railroad Historical Society of NJ was allowing you to take a trip on the historic train, leaving from NYC I just had to do it.
A Brief History of the 20th Century Limited
The 20th Century Limited took its first ride in 1902. It would run from NYC to Chicago with limited stops. Its first ride made the trip in 20 hours, hours less than previous trains. In 1905 it cut 2 hours off of that 20, with first positive results and then a subsequent derailment shortly thereafter in 1905, killing 21 people. The authorities stated it was a purposeful derailment but no one was ever found directly at fault (fishy I say).
In 1938 the train was redesigned in its now distinct Art Deco style and deemed “the most famous train in the world.” Fun fact: the idea of the “red carpet treatment” comes from the famous train. Famous people would walk the crimson carpet on their way onto the train. The rest, as they say, is history.
Our Trip
Our trip on the train was from Penn Station to Albany where we stayed for about 2 hours and came back. Joining me on my journey were my partner LaRena and one of my best friends, Dina.
We had a some lovely sandwiches and some bottles of bubbly and enjoyed the fall leaves.
What better way to see the fall leaves than from a train? It was a perfect day with perfect weather. While we sat in the club car
we got to have a sneak peak of the other more fancy car. Enjoy the photos and talk to you next month!
A cross between Iris Apfel, Miriam Margoles, Lucille Ball. But I am a devoted maximalist through and through. Although, as another inspiration once said
Style—all who have it share one thing: originality.
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