Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Inaugural Run

On May 23, 1935, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad launched its flagship Hiawatha streamliner, pulled by Class A 4-4-2 Atlantics capable of 100+ mph speeds. Designed by Otto Kuhler with distinctive beaver-tail observation cars, the train cut travel time to six and a half hours. It symbolized the diesel and streamlining revolution that helped U.S. railroads compete with automobiles and airlines during the Great Depression.