Vintage luxury railroad car interiors

[jw5]

1940s​

Sadly, many small railroads in America failed during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Furthermore, the post-Second World War economic boom ironically witnessed increased competition from airlines and Interstate highways. Long-distance rail travel remained a luxury to many, though passenger service was still offered at the highest level. Pictured are a couple enjoying lunch on a train traveling between Chicago and the Midwest.

 

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1945​

Eating on a train in the United States was still akin to dining out at a plush restaurant, even if seating could be a little cramped. Here, patrons seated at tables are served by a waiter wearing a bow tie and an apron appearing in front of the kitchen entrance.

 

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1948​

This is one of the new dining cars that went into service in September 1948 on the New York Central Railroad's 20th Century Limited express passenger train. The new diner was noted for its four distinctive dining sections, seating 64 people at tables, a lounging ante-room, and a steward's office. The 20th Century Limited traveled between Grand Central Terminal in New York City and LaSalle Street Station in Chicago, Illinois, and was one of the most famous trains in American railroad history, offering the finest in accommodations and services for 65 years.

 

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1956​

In the late 1950s, Philadelphia-based rail car designers came up with the Keystone, a set of eight lightweight streamlined carriages featuring reclining seats for 56 passengers in the main section, and for 12 beyond. The trains, which operated between New York City and Washington, D.C., were fitted with conventional equipment such as dining cars, plus first-class parlor cars, but they were not a success. The carriages were retired in 1968.

 

[ginfreely]

View attachment 159403

1909​

The refined interior of the boat train dining car of the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania at Fishguard in Wales. It was 1909, two years after her launch, and the transatlantic vessel was offering first-class passengers a railway shuttle service from various parts of the United Kingdom to the boat's home port of Liverpool. On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat which resulted in the loss of 1,198 lives.

Wow Angmoh the best luxury vessel interior photo in 1909 looks no different from any luxury vessel interior photo now

 

[jw5]

1960s​

By the 1960s, the golden age of rail travel had well and truly hit the buffers. Rising costs, the advent of mass tourism, and greater competition from the airline industry changed the meaning of traveling first class to sitting in a quieter, more spacious car but without the personal service associated with years gone by. Very often, first-class facilities resembled second-class compartments—more comfortable for sure, but practical and rather bland.

 

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Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express​

Today, first-class train travel is associated with the luxury end of the railroad market. Pictured is the railcar restaurant interior of the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express. Cars such as this one are styled to resemble those of the 1920s and 1930s.

 

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Rovos Rail​

Similarly, South Africa's exclusive Rovos Rail 'Pride of Africa' service offers the luxury of pre-war train travel.

 

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Blue Train​

The renowned Blue Train, another magnificent South African rail service, operates an approximately 1,600-km (990-mile) journey between Pretoria and Cape Town. It is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world.

 

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Venice Simplon-Orient-Express​

The deluxe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a private luxury train service from London to Venice and other European cities. It is owned by Belmond, which operates 45 luxury hotels, restaurants, tourist trains, and river cruises in 24 countries.

 

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Deccan Odyssey​

Deccan Odyssey takes passengers on a variety of eight-day trips across Maharashtra in India. Visitors are given a traditional welcome ceremony in Mumbai before boarding.