20th Century Limited Inaugural Run

On August 4, 1903, the New York Central Railroad inaugurated the 20th Century Limited, an all-Pullman luxury train that became an icon of American rail travel. Departing Grand Central Terminal, the train covered the 960-mile route to Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station in about 20 hours. It featured advanced 4-6-2 Pacific locomotives, opulent dining cars, and barber shops, attracting celebrities and business leaders. The service symbolized the peak of railroad prestige before the automobile era and helped popularize the concept of named luxury trains. Its success influenced timetables and marketing strategies worldwide.