For a book a friend is writing, I’m researching the details of a trip on the Pennsylvania Railroad (and any connections) between Chicaco and New York City in 1873. I need to know how long it would take, how much it would cost (ideally for adults and children) and what stations would be used at either end, as well as any transfer points.
Does anyone know this, or can you point me toward a resource where I might find this information?
Thanks for your assistance.
Sorry about the wait.The 1869 passenger tt liststhree passenger trains east of Chicago.One of these is a compartment car train that went to New York by way of Pittsburg and Philadelphia.It left Chicago at 5:50PM,arrived inPittsburgh next day at 11:50 am.Looks like it got to NYC the day after that at 6:45 Am. No mention of cost. Joe G.
I know this is beside your point, but I find comparisons interesting. Allowing for differences in local times, it looks like the 1869 trip to Pittsburgh took about 17 or 18 hours. By my 1992 Amtrak tt, the Capitol Limited made Chicago to Pittsburgh in 9:40. The Three Rivers was scheduled for ten hours flat. That looks like real progress until you check the Pennsy of a half century ago. My 1956 PRR tt shows a 7:45 scheduled time for train 48, The General. The Broadway was just a little faster, making the run in 7:36.
Yes,that 1869 passenger train only averaged 30 mph between Maples and Van Wert ! Once John Crosby wrote that he fired a K4 at 90+ mph thru there back in the 1950’s.As far as ticket cost in 1869, three cents per passenger mile is what quite a few railroads charged.