Newspaper ad from 1914. Click to enlarge.
(See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chicaco_Limited_NY_to_CHI.jpg)
CHICAGO LIMITED
The Chicago Limited was a train running from Hoboken, New Jersey to Chicago, Illinois run by the Lackawanna Railroad and west of Buffalo connecting with the Michigan Central Railroad's (NYCS) Wolverine, taking a route through Southwestern Ontario. The train left New York at 2 pm and would arrive in Chicago at 2 pm the next day. The Wabash Railroad's Nos. 1-11 hitched with the train for coach and sleeper service that veered from the Michigan Central route from Detroit westward. It took the Wabash's most southernly route through Montpelier, Ohio.
Eastbound, the train carried the name, Lackawanna Limited. Full service to Chicago ended in 1941. The DLW portion continued between Buffalo, New York and Hoboken was continued to 1949 and in that year was given a renaming as the DLW's Phoebe Snow.
New York Central Chicago Limited Timetable from 1940. Click to enlarge.
(New York Central Railroad, Public domain, W. Lenheim Collection)
Other Chicago Limited Trains
The Chicago Limited was the name of several named passenger trains in the United States:
the Chicago Limited (C&NW train), operated by the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company between Chicago and Duluth, Minnesota
the Chicago Limited (IC train), operated by the Illinois Central Railroad between Chicago and New Orleans, Louisiana
the Chicago Limited (Monon train), operated by the Monon Railroad between Chicago and Indianapolis, Indiana
the Chicago Limited (PRR train), operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad between Chicago and New York City
the Chicago Limited (PM train), operated by the Pere Marquette Railway between Chicago and Grand Rapids, Michigan
The New York Central's Water Level Route and Route to Chicago from 1940. Click to enlarge.
(New York Central Railroad, Public domain, W. Lenheim Collection)
Overview
Service type: Inter-city rail
Status: Discontinued
Locale: Midwestern United States/Northeastern United States
First service: 1917
Last service: 1941
Successor: Phoebe Snow
Former operators: Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W), Michigan Central Railroad (MCR), Wabash Railroad
Route Termini: Hoboken, New Jersey / Chicago
Distance traveled: 396 miles (637 km)
Average journey time: 8 hours
Service frequency: Daily
Train numbers: 5 (DLW) - 17 (MCR) (westbound); 40 (MCR) - 6 (DLW) (eastbound) (1940)
On-board services
Seating arrangements: Coaches
Sleeping arrangements: Sections, double bedrooms
Catering facilities: Dining car, lounge car
Technical
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
New York Central Coach interiors, 1940. Click to enlarge.
(New York Central Railroad, Public domain, W. Lenheim Collection)
NYC Equipment Consist, 1940. Click to enlarge.
(New York Central Railroad, Public domain, W. Lenheim Collection)