The Columbine was a Union Pacific-Chicago & North Western train between Chicago and Denver that operated from 1929 to 1950. For a few years it was the premiere train on the route, but was eclipsed by the City of Denver in 1936. The streamliner was nearly twice as fast as the heavyweight Columbine, taking 16 hours for the 1,048-mile journey compared with nearly 32 hours required by the older train.

Click image to download a PDF of this postcard.

Of the same vintage as the Portland Rose, the two trains shared the distinction as the only UP trains to each have their own china. Since it was used on only one overnight train for so few years, the Columbine pattern is particularly rare today.

The postcard below supposedly shows the interior of the Columbine‘s diner. That may be true, but the china used in the photo is Union Pacific’s Historical pattern. Perhaps that’s all that was available when the publicity photo was taken.

Click image for a slightly larger view.