Named Trains: #30 – Lake Shore Limited

#30 – Lake Shore Limited

Railroad(s): New York Central; Amtrak

Operated: 1897 – 1956; 1975 – present

Route(s): New York / Boston – Chicago

As the first named train in our series to be both employed by multiple railroads as well as still operating today, the Lake Shore Limited is a natural choice for our list for its blend of descriptive phraseology and historic import. As readers of this space and RAIL Magazine know, your blogger possesses an admitted bias for the legacy of the New York Central. Growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., remnants of the railroad's grandeur and prominence were omnipresent in Western New York, from the hulking remains of Buffalo Central Terminal (relevant RAIL Coverage: RAIL #21) to numerous overpasses and neighborhood stations still emblazoned with the company's signature ovular logo. As a result, I believe the Central to be the finest railroad that ever was anywhere in the world. No one will ever convince me otherwise. So there.

Accordingly, its first luxury named train must find a spot on this list. The Central designated the Lake Shore Limited as its fastest train along its mainline route between New York City and Chicago and took advantage of its shoreline-hugging rails along the Hudson River, Erie Canal and the Great Lakes – a direct challenge to its chief rival, the Pennsylvania Railroad. And befitting its Limited status, it only made select stops to winnow the schedule down to 18 hours. Today, Amtrak operates its version of the Lake Shore Limited largely along the same route as its predecessor, but has trouble making its longer 20-hour schedule with any regularity thanks to freight congestion along the line. Nonetheless, a trip along the same route as one of the world's first premier passenger trains is an opportunity not to be missed.