Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-10-08
THE BANNER BLUE LIMITED

The Finest Day Trains in the World.
The first trains ever built up to a
Pullman standard for daylight SER
vice In this country have been placed
in operation on the Wabash line be-
tween st. Louis and Chicago. leaving
st. Louis at 11:00 a. m. and Chicago
at :03 a. m. daily, making the run in
eight hours, even time. They arc
known as the Banner Blue Limited,''
and are the most costly day trains
ever constructed. The fact that they
supercede trains which cost but lit-
tie less, is in line with the aggressive
policy Of the Wabash, inaugurated by
President Ramsey several years ago
and it is said these trains are to be-
followed by other surprises and inns
provements in the Wabash passenger
service. The Banner Blue Limited.
officials say. represents a new policy
in railroad traffic, which is TO afford
the person who travels by day the
same convenience as the man who goes
at night by sleeper.
Each train will consist of four cars
a combination baggage car and smoR-
a combination diner and buffet and a
combination parlor and observation
car,
They are painted in royal blue anc
gold. The interior finish is African
mahogany thruout, and the decoration
is holly inlaid. The entire train VIII
be lighted by electricity from con-
solidated generator of the Gould pat
ent, deriving it's energy from axle mo-
ton The plan of lighting is new.
There are two rows of incandescents
along the side of the car. one just a.
bove the passengers seat and tho
other at the lower line of the root
arch. Each light may be turned on
or off at the pleasure of the passen-
gers, so that he can read with pleas
ure or doze without disturbance, ac>
cording to his mood, The storage bat
teries will supply a current Is hours
after the train has stopped.
The windows are of the observation
pattern of bevel plate and double They
are built with special reference to tho
convenience of each passenger. The
old plan of giving one seat all win
dow, and the next all wooden wall, is
eliminated. Each passenger has an
equal space for observation. Above
each window is an arch of cathedral
jewel glass, and from the base of these
are hung curtains of tapestry In green.
The floor of all the cars. except thu
smoker, are laid with Wilton velvet
carpets in green, with an extra width
In the aisles.
The color scheme turnout is the
green of the curtains, carpets and CELL
mahogany finish.
There are two electrical fans in each
car, supplied from the storage batter
les. The seats in the smoker are cush-
toned in leather, high back and revers-
ible. The double seats of the combina-
ton coach and chair car are uphol-
stored in green plush, and the conf
partments are separated by an orna-
mental arch supported by two columns
of mahogany, instead of the closed par
tition.
The diner and the cafe car is said
to be the most expensive car of its
kind ever constructed. 1t has private
dining room, accommodating six per-
sons, separated from the main room
by ornamental arches. The chairs are
high back with rush bottoms, and the
tables are of solid mahogany. At one
end is cafe and smoking room for
gentlemen, where four can dine, and
as many as six set and smoke. The
dining cars will be a permanent feature
of the Banner Blue Limited" and will
make the entire run every day in both
between st. Louis and Chi
cago.
The observation and parlor cars are
furnished with revolving chairs in
green plush for the parlor section, and
VI cker portable chairs for the observ-
a..on end. They have a private sec
ton seating eight persons, separated
by ornamental arches. There is a Ia
BILE and shelves for periodicals, writ
ing desk with stationery, and at one
end a sofa in green plush, correspond
ing to the chairs in the parlor section.
There is a washroom and smoker for
men on the front end, and a toilet and
Mushroom for the women. All wash
stands are supplied with hot and cold
water The cars are to be heated with
steam, the supply for each car being
governed, as in the case Of
the electric lights. The cars are built
on six-wheel trucks, the sill being re-
by heavy plates or iron resting
on double holsters Of cast steel.
Other new features of the cars in this
new train are patented devices and the
of vestibules on plan
which, it is claimed, practically makes
it impossible for the coaches to tele-
scope.
The "Banier Blue Limited" is prob
ably the highest product in the COM
bination of wealth, skill in mechanics
and art in construction that it is pos
sible to attain.
a.&&>n Than oiIlc