Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1904 — THE BANNER BLUE LIMITER [ARTICLE]

THE BANNER BLUE LIMITER

The Finest Bar Trains in the World. The first trains ever built op to s Penman standard for daylight service la this country have been placed In operation on the Wabash line between St. Louis and Chicago, leaving St Louis at 2 p. m. and Chicago at lisw a, m. dally, making the run In seven hofirs, even time. They are known, as the “Banner Blue Limited,” and are the most costly day trains ever constructed. The fact that they supercede trains which cost but little less, la In line with the aggressive policy of the Wabash, Inaugurated by President Ramsey several year* ago, and It Is said these trains are to be followed by other surprises and Improvements In the Wabash passenger service. The “Banner Blue Limited,” officials say, represents a new policy In railroad traffic, which is to afford thb 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 smoker, a combination coach and chair car, a combination diner and buffet, and a combination parlor and observation car. They are painted in royal bine and gold. The Interior finish Is African mahogany throughout, and the decoration Is holly inlaid. The entire train will be lighted by electricity from a consolidated generator of the Gould patent, deriving Its energy from axle motion. The plan of lighting is new. There are two rows of lucandescents along the side of the car, one just above the passenger's seat, and the other at the lower line of the roof arch. Each light may be turned on or off at the pleasure of the passenger, so that he can read with pleasure or doze without disturbance, according to his mood. The storage batteries will supply a current 15 hours after the train has stopped. The windows are of the observatidh pattern of bevel plate, and double. They are built with special reference to the convenience of each passenger. The old plan of giving one seat all window, 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 the smoker, are laid with Wilton velvet carpets In green, with an extra width In the aisles. The color scheme throughout Is the green of the curtains', carpets gild ceilings, In contrast with the red of the mahogany finish. There are two electric fans In each car, •applied from the storage batteries. The seats In the smoker are cushioned In leather, high back and reversible. The double seats of the combination coach and chair car are upholstered In green plush, and the compartments are separated by an ornamental arch supported by two columns of mahogany, Instead of the closed partition. The diner and case car Is said to be the most expensive car of Its kind ever constructed. It has a private dining room, accommodating 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 case and smoking room for gentlemen, where four can dine, and as many as six sit 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 directions between St.«Cioulß and Chicago. The observation and parlor cars are furnished with revolving chairs In green plush for the parlor section, and wicker portable chairs for the observation end. They have a private section seating eight persons, separated by ornamental arches. There Is a table and shelves for periodicals, a writing desk with stationery, and at one end a sofa In green plush, corresponding to the Chairs in the parlor section. There Is a wash room and smoker for men on the front end, and a toilet and wash room for women. All Iwashstands are supplied with hot and cold water. The cars are to be heated with steam, the supply for each car being separately governed, as in the case of the electric lights. The cars are built on six-wheel trucks, the sill being reinforced by heavy plates of Iron resting on double bolsters of cast steel. Other new features of the cars in this new train are patented devices and the con-, structlon of vestibules on a plan which. It Is claimed, practically makes It Impossible for the coaches to telescope. The "Banner Blue Limited” Is probably the highest product In the combination of wealth, skill In Inechanlcs and art In construction that It Is possible to attain.