1907 passenger train service Boston to Chicago? - Classic Trains Magazine
Looking at the November 1907 Official Guide I have dug up the following through train and through car possibilities:
The person in question would have had several options for through Boston-Chicago sleepers, but at this time there was no first class-only trains running between Boston and Chicago. The Boston section of the 20th Century Limited began in 1909.
Boston & Albany - Boston to Albany
New York Central and Hudson River - Albany to Buffalo
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern - Buffalo to Chicago (via Cleveland)
OR
Michigan Central - Buffalo to Chicago (via Detroit.)
This would have been the most likely route taken - there were 4 options:
THROUGH TRAIN - #13 - Old Bay State Limited -
Lv. Boston 1:45pm,
Ar. Chicago - Central Station (via Michigan Central) 3:45pm next day;
This train was known as the Wolverine on the Boston and Albany. This was a through Boston-Chicago train with Pullmans and tourist cars Boston to Chicago; Buffet Smoking car - Boston-Buffalo, and diners between Worcester and Albany and St. Thomas and Chicago. Coaches between Buffalo and Chicago only. This train was, in essence, the second section of the New York-Chicago Wolverine.
THROUGH TRAIN - #15 - Boston and Chicago Special
Lv. Boston 10:30am,
Ar. Chicago - La Salle Street Station (via Lake Shore and Michigan Southern) 12:50pm next day.
This train had a Boston to Chicago Buffet Smoking and library car, Baggage car, Boston to Chicago Pullmans and dining cars between Boston and Syracuse and Toledo and Elkhart. Day coach Albany-Chicago only.
THROUGH PULLMAN CAR - #49 - Boston and Buffalo Special
Lv. Boston 4:45 pm,
Ar. Buffalo 6:20am,
Lv. Buffalo via Michigan Central #23 Western Express 7:45am,
Ar. Chicago (Central Station) 9:10pm,
OR
Lv. Buffalo via Lake Shore and Michigan Southern #23 Western Express 6:30am,
Ar. Chicago (La Salle Street Station) 9:00pm.
This train was known as Boston and Cleveland Special on the B&A.
There were two Pullman car lines running from Boston and Chicago that were on the Boston and Buffalo Special, one via the Michigan Central and one via the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern. Both Buffalo-Chicago trains had the same number and same name.
THROUGH PULLMAN CAR - #37 - Pacific Express
Lv. Boston 8:00pm,
Ar. Buffalo 11:30am,
Lv. Buffalo via Lake Shore and Michigan Southern #3, The Fast Mail, Limited 6:25pm,
Ar. Chicago (La Salle Street Station) 7:30am.
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Boston and Maine - Boston to Rotterdam Junction -
West Shore Railroad - Rotterdam Junction to Buffalo -
Nickel Plate Road - Buffalo to Chicago
OR
Wabash - Buffalo to Chicago
THROUGH PULLMAN CARS - B&M #3
Lv. Boston 4:00 pm,
Ar. Rotterdam Junction 11:15 pm,
West Shore Railroad #3 Chicago and St. Louis Limited Express,
Lv. Rotterdam Junction 11:30pm,
Ar. Buffalo at 6:35pm.
One Pullman ran to Chicago via Nickel Plate Road #3,
Lv. Buffalo at 7:10am,
Ar. Chicago (La Salle Street Station) 9:15pm.
Another Pullman ran via Wabash #13-3,
Lv. Buffalo 7:50am,
Ar. Chicago (Dearborn Station) 9:40pm.
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Boston and Maine - Boston-Troy
Delaware and Hudson - Troy-Binghampton
Erie - Binghampton-Chicago
THROUGH PULLMAN CAR - B&M #3
Lv. Boston 4:00pm,
Ar. Troy 10:50pm,
D&H #12
Lv. Troy 11:00pm,
Ar. Binghampton 4:00am
Erie #7 Pacific Express
Lv. Binghampton 4:25am,
Ar. Chicago 7:12am next day.
Something to ponder - if this gentleman was wealthy enough, could he have hired a private car to take him to Chicago?
Some books that can be used for reference concerning the cars and services of this time period are;
Some Classic Trains by Dubin
More Classic Trains by Dubin
Mr. Pullman's Elegant Palace Cars by Beebe
