Union Pacific's Streamliners

Union Pacific is America’s most popular railroad. The first to create a transcontinental railroad link in 1869 in conjunction with the Central Pacific, UP was also the first U.S. railroad to create a modern streamlined passenger train. Sleek, quiet, powerful, and fast, the lightweight streamliner set a new standard for luxury on the rails.  This authoritative, illustrated history follows up streamliners from 1934 with the launch of the City of Salina right up to Union Pacific’s ceding of passenger service to Amtrak in 1971. 

Award-winning rail author Joe Welsh examines the fleet of “City” trains that followed the Salina, all connecting Chicago to their namesakes with revolutionary equipment and diesel motive power on breakneck schedules. In addition to detailed looks at the trains, readers are treated to their various forms of motive power and rolling stock, and their unparalleled services. Dozens of black-and-white images and period color photos depict the City of Portland, City of Denver, City of Los Angeles, City of San Francisco, and City of St. Louis along, with period ads and route maps to complete the picture.  Images also detail the opulent furnishings and impeccable service that distinguished America’s premier passenger line--from uniforms and dinnerware to the most exotic lounge cars ever built.

An authoritative, lavishly illustrated history of Union Pacific’s revolutionary passenger services from 1934 to the end of the railroad’s passenger operations in 1971.

A noted authority on American railroads, Joe Welsh is a regular contributor to Trains magazine and has appeared on the History Channel. He is the author of several books, including the critically acclaimed The American Railroad, Classic American Streamliners, and Travel by Pullman. Welsh is a transportation planner for the City of Auburn, Washington.