20th Century

History

No other train fired the imagination of the American public like New York Central's 20th Century Limited. Its exclusive clientele and blistering schedule between New York and Chicago made it the stuff of legends for 65 years. A favorite with business and industry leaders, its luxurious accommodations - including a red carpet on the platform at New York - also attracted stars of stage and screen, further fueling the train's celebrity status and romantic image.

New equipment finally arrived from Pullman in 1948, supplemented by refurbished 4-4-2 sleepers and RPOs from the 1938 trains. Painted in a new version of the two-tone gray scheme, sleepers and observations were named for various bodies of water in salute to the "Water Level Route" slogan. Up front, matched sets of EMD E7s provided 4000 horsepower to meet the 16-hour westbound, 15-1/2 hour eastward schedule.

Product Listings

PROTO 2000 EMD E7 Phase II Diesels
PROTO 2000 EMD E7 Phase II Diesels
A-B Set w/Sound and DCC
920-40993 #4024 & #4108
920-40995 #4025 & #4109
A Unit w/Sound & DCC
920-40994 #4028
920-40996 #4029
A-B Set Standard DC
920-47993 #4026 & #4110
920-47995 #4027 & #4111
A Unit Standard DC
920-47994 #4030
920-47996 #4031
HO New York Central 20th Century Limited
60' "Full" Railway Post Office #5017-20
60' "Full" Railway Post Office #5017-20
932-9317 NYC
932-9460 Undecorated
68-Seat Full-Length Dining Car #400-03
68-Seat Full-Length Dining Car #400-03
932-9316 NYC
932-9440 Undecorated
"…Bridge" Series 4-4-2 Sleeper
"…Bridge" Series 4-4-2 Sleeper
932-9311 NYC
932-9340 Undecorated
"Port…" Series 12 Double-Bedroom Sleeper
"Port…" Series 12 Double-Bedroom Sleeper
932-9314 NYC
932-9400 Undecorated
"…River" Series 10-6 Sleeper
"…River" Series 10-6 Sleeper
932-9313 NYC
932-9380 Undecorated
"…Bay" Series 22-Roomette Sleeper
"…Bay" Series 22-Roomette Sleeper
932-9315 NYC
932-9420 Undecorated
"…Shore" Series Club-Lounge
"…Shore" Series Club-Lounge
932-9310 NYC
932-9320 Undecorated
"…Creek" Series 5 Double Bedroom Buffet-Lounge-Observation
"…Creek" Series 5 Double Bedroom Buffet-Lounge-Observation
932-9312 NYC
932-9360 Undecorated
Kitchen-Dormitory #474-75
Kitchen-Dormitory #474-75
932-9318 NYC
932-9480 Undecorated
 

Product Features

Here's What the Experts are Saying!

"Walthers should be congratulated for finally getting the NYC two-tone grays right!" - Rich Stoving, Director, New York Central System Historical Society

"Based on actual paint samples in possession of NYCSHS members, the color of these new Walthers 1948 20th Century cars are nearly dead-on." - Terry Link, Owner, canadasouthern.com NYC modeling Web site

• Based on 1948 Train
• 9 Completely New Cars
• Authentic Paint & Lettering
• Superbly Detailed Inside & Out
• PROTO-Max™ Die Cast Metal Knuckle Couplers
• Matching PROTO 2000® E7 Diesels
• First Car Arrives Winter 2008

Like the prototype, Walthers 20th Century is "Completely New from Diesels to Lookout Lounge!" And best of all, you can build a complete and affordable Century fleet, from the Phase II EMD E7 diesels to the train's signature "…Creek" series observation-lounge.

Consist Info

A typical consist in the late 1940s would include the following (the actual number of sleepers would change daily to meet demand, and the train usually ran in two sections):

  • E7 A-B Diesel Set (used for entire trip)
  • One RPO/Baggage
  • Five 4-4-2 Sleepers
  • Three 10-6 Sleepers
  • One Lounge
  • One Dorm/Kitchen
  • One Full Diner
  • Three 13 Double-Bedroom Sleepers
  • ATSF 10-6 or 4-4-2 Sleeper
  • One Observation/Lounge

Starting in 1946, ATSF and NYC offered run-through service so coast-to-coast passengers wouldn't need to change trains at Chicago; Santa Fe cars went east on the "20th Century," while New York Central 4-4-2 Bridge and 10-6 River sleepers went west on the "Chief."

  Our consist includes:
  932-9317  Railway Post Office - Baggage #5017-20 w/60' Postal Apartment
  932-9311  "…Bridge" Series 4-4-2 Sleeper
  932-9315  "…Bay" Series 22-Roomette Sleeper
  932-9313  "…River" Series 10-6 Sleeper
  932-9314  "Port…" Series 12 Double-Bedroom Sleeper
  932-9316  68-Seat Full-Length Dining Car #400-03
  932-9318  Kitchen-Dormitory #474-75
  932-9310  "…Shore" Series Club-Lounge
  932-9312  "…Creek" Series 5 Double Bedroom Buffet-Lounge-Observation

Companion Products

Expand 20th Century Service

Flagship of the fleet, your new 20th Century Limited deserves the very best — make sure your railroad is ready with these Cornerstone Series® kits and accessories:

Union Station
Union Station 933-3094
  Commissary
Commissary/Freight Transfer
Background Building 933-3173
Butterfly Style Station Platforms
Butterfly Style Station Platforms 933-3175
  REA Transfer Building
REA Transfer Building 933-3095
Railroad Passenger Super Set (90 Pieces)
Railroad Passenger Super Set (90 Pieces) 590-1014406
  REA 50' Express Reefer
REA 50' Express Reefer 932-6241



 
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