Onboard such famous trains as the California Zephyr, Super Chief, Sunset Limited, Lark, 20th Century Limited, Pullman porters served millions of passengers from 1867 to 1968. They provided first-class train service in Pullman sleeping cars. The accommodations ranged from sections (upper and lower births), roomettes, bedrooms, compartments to drawing rooms. ... Read More »
Tag Archives: pullman porters
1860 until 1968 – PULLMAN PORTERS: Service With A Smile!
George Pullman pioneered sleeping accommodations on trains, and by the late 1860s, he was hiring only African-Americans to serve as porters. After the Civil War ended in 1865 Pullman knew that there was a large pool of former slaves who would be looking for work; he also had a very clear racial ... Read More »
Vinatage Railroad Ads from 1930s to 1950s… when traveling by train was deluxe…
Pullman and Social History: Vintage Railroad Ads – 1930s to 1950s… Pullman, the Super Chief, Southern Pacific, the Chief and the 20th Century Limited. 1930s: Go Pullman overnight for $4.75… 1950s : The Shasta Daylight on the friendly Southern Pacific… Deluxe travel to the Coast – during the 1940s… Santa ... Read More »
Oldest living Pullman porter looks back.
Social History: Oldest living Pullman porter looks back. Lee Wesley Gibson, 100, began working for Union Pacific in 1936. The railroad job helped him lift his family into the middle class. Lee Wesley Gibson, 100, stands next to a 1937 Pullman dormitory/club car at the Travel Town Museum in Los ... Read More »
Seeking the last of the Pullman Porters.
New York Central’s all-Pullman 20th Century Limited departs Chicago for its nightly run to New York in the 1950s. The deluxe train carried a staff of Pullman Porters, Pullman Conductors, waiters, maids, chefs, cooks, train conductors, brakemen, stewards, along with a train secretary, CRUISING THE PAST: AMTRAK IS SEEKING THE ... Read More »
Cruising the Past: The Oakland Tribune tells the story of Pullman Porters. These gracious and hard working men paved the way for the African-American middle class and provided first class professional service aboard the largest hotel system ever created on wheels.
The Oakland Tribune did a great story on a recent Bay Area event honoring former Pullman Porters. Be sure to visit the Oakland Tribune by clicking here. The Pullman Company provided first class overnight sleeping car service throughout the United States until 1968. Amtrak has never duplicated the first class ... Read More »