Sixteen Hours to Chicago
18” x 24”, Acrylic on canvas, 2006
Charles R. Merckel collection
On a late summer evening in 1938 New York Centrals premier passenger train, The 20th
Century Limited, designed by industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss speeds west to Chicago along
the shores of the Hudson River at Breakneck Mountain. The train was scheduled to complete
the 961 mile run between Chicago and New York in 16 hours, an average of over 60 mph.
Namesake of the great river alongside, J3a Hudson (4-6-4) No 5450, with its distinctive
streamlining, polished rods and aluminum painted Scullin driving wheels, was one of ten built in
March-April 1938 for service on "The Century". On Sept. 7, 1943 it experienced a major boiler
explosion at Canastota, NY which resulted in the death of 3 crew members and the derailing of
all but 3 of 17 cars. It was returned to service nearly a year later.
18” x 24”, Acrylic on canvas, 2006
Charles R. Merckel collection
On a late summer evening in 1938 New York Centrals premier passenger train, The 20th
Century Limited, designed by industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss speeds west to Chicago along
the shores of the Hudson River at Breakneck Mountain. The train was scheduled to complete
the 961 mile run between Chicago and New York in 16 hours, an average of over 60 mph.
Namesake of the great river alongside, J3a Hudson (4-6-4) No 5450, with its distinctive
streamlining, polished rods and aluminum painted Scullin driving wheels, was one of ten built in
March-April 1938 for service on "The Century". On Sept. 7, 1943 it experienced a major boiler
explosion at Canastota, NY which resulted in the death of 3 crew members and the derailing of
all but 3 of 17 cars. It was returned to service nearly a year later.
