As did the rival Broadway Limited, the 20th Century Limited of mid-1950s vintage offered coast-to-coast sleeping car service. Also as the Broadway, the Century of 1956 did not offer checked baggage service.  Presumably the railroads' management believed that passengers could accomodate all the luggage they required in their private rooms.


From the pages of the Official Guide, July 1956

New York Central System herald

The 20th Century Limited

New York Central System
June 24, 1956

25 Train Number 26
Ex Sa Miles Services Ex Sa
5 00P Dp 0.0 New York, NY (Grand Central Tml.) (ET) C R Ar 8 30A
R 5 46P 32.7 Harmon, NY
D 7 32A
R 7 45P 142.2 Albany, NY (ET) C R
D 7 15A 954.1 Chicago, IL (Englewood Sta.) (CT)
R 3 59P
7 45A Ar 960.7 Chicago, IL (La Salle St. Sta.) (CT) C R Dp 3 45P
Through Sleepers New York-Los Angeles
17 Connecting Train Number (Santa Fe) 18
7 00P Dp 0.0 Chicago, IL (Dearborn Station) (CT) Ar 12 30P
2 35A 451.1 Kansas City, MO (CT) 4 50A
9 45A 991.7 La Junta, CO (MT) 7 30P
5 15P 1338.1 Albuquerque, NM(MT) 12 25P
4 52A 2086.4 Barstow, CA (PT) 10 35P
6 47A 2167.5 San Bernardino, CA 8 37P
7 35A 2217.8 Pasadena, CA 7 28P
8 30A Ar 2223.7 Los Angeles, CA (PT) Dp 7 00P

Train 25: 3 stops, 15:45, 61.0 MPHTrain 26: 2 stops, 15:45, 61.0 MPH


Note: The Twentieth Century Limited does not carry checked baggage.

Pullman, Coach, and Dining Car Service Eastbound—


No. 26—Twentieth Century Limited (Except
Saturday)—Streamliner.

Will not run July 1, 2, 3, 4 or September 2 [1956].
Los Angeles to New York cars will operate in Train 68 from
    Chicago on Saturdays and on above dates.
Special service features and charges.

Observation Lounge Sleeping Car—Chicago to New York—5 Double Bedroom—Beverages.

Club Lounge Car (Beverages)—Chicago to New York.

Sleeping Cars—Los Angeles to New York—4 Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room (from Santa Fe No. 18 at Chicago)

Los Angeles to New York—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom (from Santa Fe No. 18 at Chicago).

Chicago to New York—4 Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room.

Chicago to New York—12 Double Bedroom (Four.)

Chicago to New York—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom (Two.)

Dining Service.

Pullman Cars only; no coach passengers carried.


Pullman, Coach, and Dining Car Service Westbound—

No. 25—Twentieth Century Limited—
Except
Saturday—Streamliner.

Will not run July 1, 2, 3, 4 or September 2 [1956].
New York to Los Angeles cars will operate in Train 67
on Saturdays and on above dates.
Special service features and charges.

Observation Lounge Sleeping Car—New York to Chicago—5 Double Bedroom—Beverages.

Club Lounge Car (Beverages)—New York to Chicago.

Sleeping Cars—New York to Los Angeles—4 Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room (in Santa Fe No. 17 from Chicago).

New York to Los Angeles—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom (in Santa Fe No. 17 from Chicago).

New York to Chicago—4 Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room.

New York to Chicago—12 Double Bedroom (Four.)

New York to Chicago—10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom (Two.)

Dining Service.

Pullman Cars only; no coach passengers carried.


Through Coast-to-Coast Service

NEW YORK—LOS ANGELES (4 Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room) Car 2501.

NEW YORK—LOS ANGELES (10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom) Car 2502.

LOS ANGELES—NEW YORK (4 Compartment, 4 Double Bedroom, 2 Drawing-room) Car 2601.

LOS ANGELES—NEW YORK (10 Roomette, 6 Double Bedroom) Car 2602.


On Saturdays and July 1 to 4, inclusive, and September 2 cars will operate in The Commodore Vanderbilt leaving New York 4:30 p.m., Harmon 5:16 p.m. westbound and leaving Chicago 3:00 p.m. eastbound.


The timetable listing gives no hint that the New York Central's flagship was in the twilight years of its status as an all-Pullman train. In the following year the Century would be consolidated with the coach-and-Pullman Commodore Vanderbilt for the summer travel season. In April of 1958 this consolidation would become permanent and the Century would from then on carry coaches in its consist.