Western Star (train)

Western Star
Western Star in the Cascades, 1951
Overview
StatusDiscontinued
PredecessorOriental Limited
First serviceJune 3, 1951
Last serviceMay 1, 1971
SuccessorEmpire Builder
Former operator(s)Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Great Northern Railway
Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway
Burlington Northern Railroad
Route
TerminiChicago, Illinois
Seattle, Washington/Portland, Oregon

The Western Star was a named passenger train operated by the Great Northern Railway between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest via Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Between Chicago and St. Paul the train used the route of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad; in later years eastbound passengers were accommodated on Burlington trains east of St. Paul. Through cars from the train operated between Spokane, Washington and Portland, Oregon via the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway. It operated from 1951 to 1971.