Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-10-19
THE BANNER BLUE LIMITED.


The Finest Day Trains in tho World.
The FIRST trains ever built up to Pull
man standard for daylight service In this
country have been placed In operation on
tne Wabash line between st. Louis and
Cnicago, leaving St. Louis at 2 p. m. and
Snlcago at l1:O3 a. m. daily, making the
run In seven hours. even time. They are
known as the Banner Blue Limited" and
are the most costly day trains ever con-
structed. The fact that they supercede
trains which cost but little 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
De followed by other surprises and improve
ments In the Wabash passenger service.
The Banner Blue Limited" officials say,
represents new policy in railroad traffic,
winch Is to afford the person who travels
Dy day the same convenience as the man
VINO goes at night by sleeper:
Each train will consist Of four cars,
combination baggage car and smoker, a
combination coach and chair car, combi-
nation diner and buffet, and combination
parior and observation car.
Iney are painted In royal blue and gold.
throughout, and the decoration is holly in
laid. The entire train will be lighted by
electricity from consolidated generator OF
the Gould patent, deriving its energy from
axle motion. The plan Of lighting Is new.
There are two rows of incandescents along
the side OF the car, one just above the pas
sengers seat, and the other at the lower
!lne OF the roof arch. Each light may be
turned on or off at the pleasure Of the pas
senger, SO that he can read with pleasure or
doze without disturbance, according to his
mood. The storage batteries will supply
current 10 hours after the train has stopped.
Inc windows are Of the observation pat
tern OF bevel plate, and double. They are
built with special reference to the conven-
ience Of each passenger. The old plan Of
giving one seat all window, and the next all
wooden WALL Is eliminated. Each passenger
mas 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 the
smoker, are laid with Wilton velvet car
pets In green, with an extra width In the
aisles.
The color scheme throughout Is the green
OF the curtains, carpets end ceilings, In con-
trast with the red Of the mahogany finish.
There are two electric fans In each car,
supplied from the storage batteries. The
seats In the smoker are cushioned in leather,
nigh back and reversible. The double seats
OF the combination coach and chair car are
upholstered In green plush, and the COM
partments are separated by an ornamental
arch supported by two columns Of mahog-
any. instead Of the closed partition.
The diner and cafe car Is said to be the
most expensive car Of it's kind ever con-
structed. 1t has a private dining room, ac-
commodating six persons, 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 a cafe and smoking room for
gentlemen, where four can dine, and as
many as six sit and smoke. The dining
cars will be permanent feature of the
Banner Blue Limited and will make the
entire run every day in both directions be-
tween st. Louis and Chicago.
The observation and parlor cars are fur
nished with revolving chairs in green plush
Tor the parlor section, and wicker portable
chairs for the observation end. They have
private section seating eight persons, sep
arated by ornamental arches There Is
table and shelves for periodicals, a writing
desk with stationery, and at one end sofa
In green plush, corresponding to the chairs
In the parlor section There Is wash
room and smoker for men on the front end,
and toilet and wash room for women. All
Washstands are supplied with hot and cold
water. The cars are to be heated with
steam, the supply for each car being sep
arately governed, as In the case Of the cleo
trio lights. The cars are built on six-wheel
trucks, the sill being reinforced by heavy
plates of iron resting on double holsters Of
cast STEEL
Other new features Of the cars In this
new train are patented devices and the con-
struction Of vestibules on a plan which, 1t
Is claimed, practically makes 1t impossible
for the coaches to telescope
The Banner Blue Limited Is probably
the highest product In the combination Of
wealth, skill in mechanics and art in con-
struction that 1t Is possible to attain.