Inauguration of the 20th Century Limited

On June 28, 1902, the New York Central Railroad introduced the 20th Century Limited, an all-Pullman extra-fare express covering 960 miles in 20 hours. Designed by George Daniels, the train featured barber shops, libraries, and gourmet dining, powered initially by 4-4-0 and later 4-6-2 Pacific locomotives. It became an icon of the Gilded Age, carrying presidents and celebrities while competing directly with the Pennsylvania Railroad's Broadway Limited. The service drove innovations in passenger comfort and marketing that shaped American long-distance rail travel until its discontinuation in 1967.