Chicago & North Western Railway & The New "400" Streamliner

The prompt for Sepia Saturday 92 is a photo of the offices of the London & North Western Railway Company. The United Kingdom had the London & North Western Railway. The United States had the Chicago & North Western Railway (CNW). The above postcard shows the exhibit of the Chicago & North Western Railway at the San Francisco World's Fair, the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939 and 1940. Below is the description of the back of the exposition postcard: Route of the "400", the [CNW] Streamliners and the Challengers.

The Chicago & North Western Railway, also known as the North Western, became one of the longest railroads in the United States as a result of mergers with other railroads. The North Western operated some long distance passenger trains in conjunction with Union Pacific and Southern Pacific, including the Overland Limited, City of Los Angeles, City of San Francisco, City of Denver, and the Challenger. The company was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad in 1995 and ceased to exist in 1996.

The North Western's most famous train was the "400" from Chicago to Minneapolis/St. Paul that was introduced in 1935. This train was named the "400" because it traveled the 400 miles (640 km) between the cities in 400 minutes. In 1939 the "400" was modernized with new diesel locomotives and streamlined cars. The first "400" was later renamed the "Twin Cities 400" and CNW labeled most of its other passenger trains with variations of the "400" name. CNW stopped running the Twin Cities 400 in 1963, and all CNW intercity passenger service ended with the formation of Amtrak in 1971.

The following postcards were published in 1939 and show the then new Chicago and North Western Line streamliner "400." The descriptions below the images are copied from the postcards.

NORTH WESTERN'S NEW "400" STREAMLINER OPERATIING DAILY BETWEEN CHICAGO AND ST.PAUL-MINNEAPOLIS VIA MILWAUKEE

Powerful Diesels provide a smooth flow of power and new type shock absorbers on the trucks of the new "400" Streamliners insure a smooth ride.

TAPROOM IN THE TAVERN-LUNCH COUNTER LOUNGE CAR OF THE NEW "400"--INSERT, POPULAR LUNCH COUNTER
The most unusual car in America--a taproom at one end, lounge at the other and in between an attractive Lunch Counter serving moderately priced meals. Speedometer over the bar, Radio and deep-cushioned chairs and sofas in the lounge. Photo-mural decorations.

COACHES ON THE NEW "400" ARE A REVELATION IN COMFORT AND BEAUTY
Comfort to the point of luxury! Latest type seats--with plenty of room between. Solex glareless glass, draftless air-conditioning, Stewardess Service, Smoking and Powder Rooms.

COLORFUL DINING ROOM ON NORTH WESTERN'S NEW "400"
You will enjoy a "400" dinner in the delightful atmosphere of the richly appointed Dining Room on the new "400" Streamliner.

ULTRA MODERN PARLOR CARS ON THE NEW "400"
The Parlor Cars on the new "400" are equipped with special new type rubber cushioned seats adjustable to any position. Each car has Powder Room, Smoking Room, Drawing Room and Photo mural decorations.

THE FAMOUS "400" OBSERVATION-LOUNGE CAR--SPEEDOMETER IN THE OBSERVATION SECTION SHOWN IN INSERT
Cozy lounging chairs, card tables, a magazine table with current periodicals, radio, bar, speedometer, are all features of the beautiful Observation Lounge Car on North Western's famous "400" Streamliner between Chicago and St. Paul - Minneapolis (via Milwaukee.)

The following video is an educational documentary by the Chicago & North Western published in 1948 to celebrate the railroad's 100th anniversary.

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