The jointly operated Rock Island-Southern Pacific luxury train Golden State Limited between Chicago and California is one of three notable passenger trains with centennial anniversaries in 2002: New York Central launched its 20th Century Limited on June 15, 1902, the same day rival Pennsylvania Railroad inaugurated the Broadway Limited.
In separate articles, Classic Trains magazine looks at all three flagship passenger trains and the important role advertising played in their success. You’ll see some of the outstanding print ads, travel brochures, pamphlets, and guides produced to entice the traveling public aboard.
“In advertising the Golden State, Rock Island promoted it as a deluxe, high-quality service,” writes Taylor. “Speed was not unimportant, but the push was to present a train of uncommon quality.”
To the right is a sampling of Golden State accommodation guides, route guides, and posters from the author’s collection, designed to showcase the train’s “uncommon quality” to the public.
See the Winter 2002 issue of Classic Trains magazine, and read more about the advertising campaigns that promoted the Golden State, Broadway Limited, and 20th Century Limited.
