The Empire State Express began operating on September 14, 1891, and this otherwise undated brochure says it celebrates the train’s golden jubilee. That dates it to 1941. Specifically, on December 7, 1941, the New York Central inaugurated streamlined, Budd-built trains led by streamlined 4-6-4 Hudson locomotives to serve the New York-Detroit/Cleveland route.
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As shown on the streamlined steam post, the black-and-silver locomotives were some of the most aesthetically pleasing steamliners ever produced. As illustrated in color in this brochure, each train consisted of 18 cars with 567 revenue seats. These included a baggage/RPO car, a baggage/lounge car, eight coaches, three parlor cars, two diners, and the observation lounge. All of the cars were named after New York state governors, with Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt given the place of honor on the observation cars.