Empire State Express

The Empire State Express was one of the named passenger trains and onetime flagship of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad (a predecessor of the later New York Central Railroad). On September 14, 1891 it covered the 436 miles (702 kilometers) between New York City and Buffalo in 7 hours and 6 minutes (including stops), averaging 61.4 miles-per-hour (98.8 km/h), with a top speed of 82 mph (132 km/h).


RPO canceled cover from the first streamlined run of "The Empire State Express".

First service: 1892
Last service: 1967

Start: New York, New York
End: Detroit, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio
Service frequency: Daily
Train number(s)
Eastbound: 50
Westbound: 51

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On December 7, 1941, the New York Central inaugurated a new stainless-steel streamlined (Budd) train, powered by a streamlined J-3a Hudson (4-6-4) steam locomotive. The streamlined shrouding of the J-3a Hudson was designed by Mr. Chase H. Knowlton and Mr. George M. Davies. Henry Dreyfuss wasn't involved with the project. The inauguration was mostly overshadowed by the bombing of Pearl Harbor the same day.

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Equipment used

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The Budd-manufactured cars in a 1944 Saturday Evening Post ad.

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In 1941 the New York Central ordered new lightweight stainless steel cars for the ESE trains from Budd. Initially a Hudson with matched streamlined stainless steel panels was used. The NYC planned their first day of operation with the new fluted equipment as December 7, 1941, but drew little fanfare as the US was focused on the attack of Pearl Harbor. A set of the 1941 cars is owned by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.

December 7 1941 Consist:

• 5426 Streamlined J3A 4-6-4 Hudson Locomotive & Tender
• ALONZO B. CORNELL Baggage 60-foot Railway Post Office Car
• GROVER CLEVELAND Baggage Buffet 36 seat Lounge Car
• CHARLES E. HUGHES 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
• HERBERT H. LEHMAN 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
• NATHAN L. MILLER 30 Revenue seat Parlor Car with 5 seat Parlor Drawing Room
• GEORGE CLINTON 44 seat Dining Car
• REUBEN E. FENTON 56 Revenue seat Coach
• 2569 56 Revenue seat Coach
• 2567 56 Revenue seat Coach
• 2566 56 Revenue seat Coach
• HAMILTON FISH 56 Revenue seat Coach
• DEWITT CLINTON 44 seat Dining Car
• DAVID B. HILL 56 Revenue seat Coach
• MORGAN LEWIS 56 Revenue seat Coach
• WILLIAM L. MARCY 56 Revenue seat Coach
• THEODORE ROOSEVELT 56 seat Tavern Bar Lounge Observation

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