Cross-Country Train Journeys in the 1930s: New York to Los Angeles

In the 1930s, a train journey from New York to Los Angeles took approximately 3 to 4 days, depending on the specific route and service. The total travel time could vary based on several factors, including train schedules, stops along the way, and the type of service such as express versus local trains.

Train Journeys in the 1930s

The journey was typically segmented into two parts: from New York to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Los Angeles. For a direct NYC to Chicago journey, the fastest train could take around thirty-nine hours and forty-five minutes with services like the Super Chief and City of Los Angeles. Furthermore, the journey from Chicago to NYC entailed another approximately sixteen hours, often with services like the Twentieth Century Limited or the Broadway Limited. Thus, the total journey time was slightly less than two days and eight hours, not accounting for layovers in Chicago.

In November 1931, the fastest train from New York to Chicago took 20 hours, while Chicago to Los Angeles took 56 hours. A well-coordinated route suggested a total journey of around 39 hours and 45 minutes, with layovers in Chicago. However, faster services started in 1936, but were limited to 10 to 11 days per month. These trips included a new connection in 1937, with the New York to Los Angeles journey taking approximately 71 hours and 15 minutes.

Connecting Services and Layovers

Interestingly, there was never direct service from Los Angeles to New York during the 1930s. Most travelers would change trains in Chicago. For instance, the Santa Fe RR would disconnect its locomotive in Chicago, and the Pennsylvania RR would take over, significantly minimizing the layover.

The premier services for the New York to Chicago leg included the Broadway Limited of the Pennsy or the 20th Century Limited of the NYC Central. By 1938, the journey time had dropped to around 16 hours for both railroads, thanks to improvements in equipment and lighter weight carriages. This segment of the trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, covered by the Santa Fe Super Chief, took 37.5 hours.

A Day in the Life of a 1930s Train Passenger

Say you were traveling in January 1951, with a ticket for departure on Monday. On your Monday evening trip from New York, you would leave before dinner, manage a late-night dinner, and secure a seat in the diner car the next morning. After a brief respite in Chicago, you'd have the entire day to explore the city. At 7 PM, you would join your train from Chicago to Los Angeles. By 7 AM on Wednesday, you would pass through Dodge City, KS; by 7 PM, you would be approaching Albuquerque. By Thursday morning, you would be in San Bernardino, ready to explore.

Challenges and Comforts of Travel

Traveling in the 1930s required patience and a willingness to endure long, somewhat slower scenarios. However, the journey was an adventure, with plenty of opportunities for evening entertainment, socializing with fellow passengers, and enjoying the comfort of the train's amenities. The cost also reflected the premium service, with the fast trains often including additional charges for features like lower berths.

Whether it be luxury or speed, cross-country train journeys in the 1930s were rich experiences that are now mostly captured in photographs and accounts of those who lived through them. This era of train travel exemplifies the grandeur and comfort of traveling by rail, offering a blend of history, nostalgia, and the thrill of exploration.