Rupert:
The
Denver Limited (westbound)/
Chicago Limited (eastbound) was indeed the flagship train on the Chicago-Denver run at the end of the 19th Century. Here's a news report on its inauguration, from the
Denver Post of May 4, 1899:
A BEAUTIFUL TRAIN
The Burlington Runs It Between Denver and Chicago,
and It Is a Hummer.
The handsomest train ever seen in Denver steamed out of the Union Depot at 1:40 o'clock yesterday afternoon and disappeared down the tracks toward the east. It was the first of a new service inaugurated today by the Burlington and will be known on the time cards as the Chicago Special. At Fort Morgan it meets its counterpart, an exact duplicate in every detail, steaming towards Denver.
The Burlington has put into service four of these new trains, costing close to half a million dollars, between Denver and Chicago. Each represents the highest type of rolling stock; each is the latest product of the Pullman and Burlington shops; each is drawn by unusually heavy locomotives. One of the engines in service between Omaha and Chicago weighs 127 tons, has drivers seven feet in diameter, and a water capacity of 5,000 gallons.
Each train consists of a composite car, a Pullman and two chair cars, in addition to a baggage car. The composite cars, in which are a buffet, a library and a writing desk, are named Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri. The four sleepers are designated Diamond, Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire. The exterior is of the standard Pullman color, a rich brown, relieved by gold [This was near the end of the period when the Burlington was strying to settle on an exterior color for its passenger equipment, having abandoned the original yellow sides and experimented with varying shades or red, brown and green.] The chair cars are in cream and gold. The woodwork of the Pullmans and composite cars is of vermillion wood, relieved by a tasty marquetrie. They are built on the artistic cathedral light plan, the light coming through oval stained glass portholes. The roofs are vaulted and the decoration is in green and gold. Six electric clusters are concealed in as many sanctuary globes. In the composite cars gas can be used as well as electricity.
The upholstery is of green plush, with a handsome lace effect. The seats terminate in heavy golden lion's claws. The Pullmans are of the twelve-section pattern, the berths being wide, and with mattresses that have been specially manufactured.
Everything is in perfect keeping, even the portieres being made of heavy green ropes surrounded by bands of gold. The toilet and smoking rooms have exposed plumbing and the latest improvements.
---
New P-1-C Vauclain compound Atlantics were the regular power on the train.
Hol
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
From: gamlenz@ihug.co.nz
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:30:12 +1300
Subject: [CBQ] Chicago-Denver
Can anyone advise whether the Denver Limited was the premier Chicago - Denver service at the turn of the century, and whether it commenced service in 1898/1899?
Hoping that you enjoyed a great Christmas, and that the New Year will be peaceful and prosperous.
Rupert Gamlen
from the warmth of the South Pacific
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