Empire State Express

Empire State Express
RPO canceled cover from the first streamlined run of "The Empire State Express".
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleMidwestern United States
Northeastern United States
First service1892
Last service1967
SuccessorNiagara Rainbow
Former operator(s)Amtrak
New York Central Railroad
Route
TerminiNew York City
Detroit and Cleveland
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)Eastbound: 50
Westbound: 51
Amtrak, 1974-1998:
Westbound: 63
Eastbound: 64
On-board services
Seating arrangementsReclining seat coaches
Catering facilitiesDining car (1951)
Observation facilitiesObservation lounge
Entertainment facilitiesTavern lounge; parlor car
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The Empire State Express was one of the named passenger trains and onetime flagship of the New York Central & 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).[1][2]

  1. ^ John Lienhard. "Rain, Steam & Speed: Inventing Powered Motion". Archived from the original on July 20, 2006. Retrieved January 28, 2007.
  2. ^ "GREAT SPEED Off THE CENTRAL.; Empire State Express Engine Travels at the Rate of 112 1-2 Miles an Hour" (PDF). New York Times. May 12, 1893. Retrieved December 13, 2007.