Golden State (passenger train)

Train No. 4, the Golden State, makes a station stop in Palm Springs, California in 1948.

"Drumhead" logos such as these often adorned the ends of observation cars on the Golden State and Golden State Limited.

The Golden State was a named passenger train jointly operated by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific (CRIP) and Southern Pacific (SP) railroads as No. 3 (westbound) and No. 4 (eastbound). The extra-fare train made its inaugural run as the Golden State Limited on October 2, 1902. In 1947, three EMD E7 ABB locomotive sets were delivered to the Southern Pacific, as well as an 11-unit CRIP passenger car consist, all painted in what would be a signature scheme for the line.

On January 4, 1948 an all-lightweight (streamlined) consist was placed in service and the train's name was changed to the Golden State, running on a 45-hour schedule. From 1948–1953, the upper portions of rolling stock and motive power used on the Golden State were painted bright vermilion over a lower section either coated with aluminum paint or skinned in stainless steel; this color scheme was to have been used on the Golden Rocket, the Rock Island-SP "train that never was." After 1953 all units received the well-known red-and-orange Daylight livery. The Southern Pacific utilized Roman-style lettering on its equipment, while the Rock Island favored Zephyr-style lettering.

The Golden State competed with the Super Chief, a streamlined passenger train operated by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and the City of Los Angeles, a streamlined passenger train jointly operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway and the Union Pacific Railroad. The train commenced its last run from Los Angeles' Union Passenger Terminal (LAUPT) on April 8, 1968.

References

• Jarel, Mike. "Diesel Power for the Golden State." SP Trainline 59 (2) 39-45.
• Ryan, Dennis and Mike Jarel. "The Streamlined Golden State." SP Trainline 59 (2) 8-38.
• Schafer, Mike and Joe Welsh (1997). Streamliners: History of a Railroad Icon. MBI Publishing Company, St. Paul, MN. ISBN 0-7603-1371-7. 

A map depicting the "Golden State Route" of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and Southern Pacific lines.

See also

• Passenger trains on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
• Passenger trains on the Southern Pacific Railroad

External links

• The Golden State Page at the Rock Island Technical Society official website.
• Southern Pacific Locomotive Paint Schemes: The Golden State

An EMD E7 ABA locomotive set bearing the Golden State color scheme passes through Carrizozo, New Mexico in September, 1947. The paint scheme is bright vermilion on top and aluminum below.

A 1951 Southern Pacific Railroad print ad touts the benefits of riding the Golden State.