THE South's Finest Train - NOW TAKES TO THE RAILS
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Introducing the new streamlined Sunbeam in September, 1937 Photo by Ford Curry, from Bill Neill collection
Below is reproduced verbatim an article in the September 1937 issue of the Southern Pacific Bulletin (Texas and Louisiana
Lines), transcribed from the original by Al Dykes. More details can be found on page 5.
THE South’s Finest Train
NOW TAKES TO THE RAILS
On the afternoon of September 19, (1937) two brand new and ultra-modern streamlined passenger trains made
their formal appearance in Southern Pacific service and introduced to an anxiously awaiting and discriminating public
(South’s Finest Train - continued on page 2)
1the very latest in travel comfort, luxury and convenience. The latest type of superheater, feed water heater,
These trains were the new twin streamlined Sun- speed recorder with cut-off indicator, multiple bearing
beams, which now go into daily late afternoon cross-heads and radial buffer have been utilized in the
service over Southern Pacific’s popular route between construction of these bullet-nosed giants of the rails.
Houston and Dallas. They take over the names and Other features include the use of Walschaert valve gear
train numbers of their famous predecessors which have and constant resistant engine and trailer trucks, as well as
faithfully and efficiently served Southern Pacific’s special light-weight pistons, valves and other motion
passenger patrons over this route since 1926. They will parts, to obtain the most satisfactory and efficient
be known as Nos. 13 and 14. performance at high speeds. A pleasing, but persuasive,
On a schedule considerably stepped up to that dual-tone air whistle will signal warnings at all crossings
previously in effect over this route of 264 miles, the to augment the six-chime steam whistle.
distance between the two largest Texas cities will be In outer appearance these streamlined locomotives
spanned in the short space of four hours and forty-five are strikingly different from other engines. Painted
minutes. They will operate at an average speed of 56 orange, red and black in unbroken horizontal lines, they
miles per hour with a maximum of 80 miles per hour appropriately harmonize with the color scheme of car
where track conditions are favorable. Both the north- equipment of the trains. A broad orange line starts at the
bound and southbound Sunbeams will run on through pilot and curves up along the skirting of the running
schedule with only two stops, one at Bremond for water board to a straight line. On each side of the orange are
and another at Ennis for operating purposes. stripes of red; the rest of the locomotive painting,
The northbound streamlined Sunbeam will leave including running gear is black. All vertical handrails are
Houston at 4:00 p.m. and arrive Dallas at 8:45 p.m. cadmium plated.
southbound the Sunbeam will leave Dallas at 4:15 p.m. Most distinctive from the conventional type locomo-
and arrive Houston 9:00 p.m. At both Houston and Dallas tive is the arrangement and appearance of the upper
the schedules have been arranged as to afford the most section of the new streamlined engines. Conspicuously
convenient connections with trains over Southern Pacific absent is the irregular top line presented by the smoke
and other railroads for more distant points. stack, sand dome, steam dome and whistle, characteristic
The new Sunbeams are the first high speed, steam- of the old type engines. This has all been replaced by a
powered, streamlined passenger trains ever to be de- smooth “skyline” casing, which completely shrouds the
signed and built especially for service in Texas and top of the boiler, which, combined with the conical
represent the latest and most modern streamlined passen- smokebox front, steel plate pilot and frontal enclosure,
ger train construction and interior arrangement. By the together with the attractive color scheme, is responsible
thousands of discriminating persons who inspected them for the sleek, trim, alluring appearance of the locomotive.
during the two days they were on exhibition in Houston A most important and outstanding feature of the
and Dallas they have been proclaimed the “South’s locomotive, and which likewise applies to the entire train
finest”. equipment, is the modern and efficient braking system.
Each of the two complete trains consists of a The airbrakes have been especially developed for the new
streamlined Pacific type locomotive, with tender, baggage streamliners so that the stopping ability of the trains will
car, separate chair car, four chair cars constructed in be commensurate with their running ability. The locomo-
articulated pairs, parlor car, and diner-lounge. Each tive equipment consists of the standard 6-ET modified to
streamliner, with locomotive and tender, weighs permit obtaining at will either regular automatic brake
1,321,000 pounds and is 673 feet in length. Not including applications or take full advantage of the straight-air
the dinerlounge each train has a seating capacity of 280 electro-pneumatic special H.S.C. high speed brakes with
passengers. The streamlining effect extends from the which the cars are equipped. The installations are de-
bullet-like nose of the giant locomotives to the rounded signed so that the most effective braking will be realized
end of the elaborate diner-lounge car of each train, giving even should the train be handled with a locomotive not
the new Sunbeam an individual and most attractive especially equipped or if trouble should develop in the
appearance. electro-pneumatic brakes.
The streamlined locomotives, especially designed Three of the streamlined locomotives have been
for the new service, were built in the Southern Pacific constructed in the Southern Pacific shops in Houston to
shops at Houston under the supervision of J. A. Power, provide adequate power for the new streamliners. The
superintendent of motive power and equipment and his third, which is held in reserve, will be employed in
staff of assistants. They are equipped with especially service in the event of mechanical failure on one of the
designed box spoke type driving wheel centers, which are engines, or to relieve either of the other two locomotives
employed to enable the high driving wheels, 77 inches in if and when they are placed in the shops for repairs or
diameter, to be cross counter balanced and ensure perfect adjustment. It will be held in readiness to meet any
safety at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. demand or emergency.
2The streamlined locomotives are of the 4-6-2 or neering development. Tite-lock couplers, combined with
Pacific type, known as the P-14. They will have numbers rubber draft gear members, reduce the usual slack
650 and 652 which are set in plating on the front of each. between cars to an absolute minimum, eliminate noise and
They have an overall length, locomotive and tender, of further improve the riding qualities of the train.
91 ¾ feet and each weighs, with tender, 558,000 The streamlined Sunbeams present a striking
pounds. appearance by reason of their attractive exterior color
The cylinders have a bore of 25 inches and a stroke scheme which follows much in line with the outside
of 28 inches. The boiler pressure is 210 pounds to the decorative effects of the Southern Pacific Daylight
square inch, while cylinder horsepower is 2,365 and the Limiteds on the Pacific Coast. An orange stripe, starting
tractive effort 40,570 pounds, making them fully capable at the front locomotive bumper beam, curves upward
of handling their trains with the utmost ease and safety in along the running board skirting, and expands into a
operation. The tender on each locomotive will carry broad stripe extending horizontally the length of the train.
12,000 gallons of water and 4,000 gallons of oil, with Above and below this stripe are red stripes, the
their arrangements such that they can be serviced in the striping completely covering the sides of the cars. The
shortest possible time and thereby contribute to on-time car roofs are finished in black as are the lower skirtings
performance in train operation. which curve under the cars and cover all running gear
The sixteen cars which go to make up the two except trucks. These three shades are standard in
streamliners were constructed by the Pullman-Standard Southern Pacific streamlined equipment, lending a distinct
Car Manufacturing Company in their Chicago shops and individuality to these modern trains.
embrace the latest ideas and refinements in streamlined Rubber diaphragms, painted to conform with the
passenger car engineering. Their construction and exterior color scheme, fill the gap between the cars to
arrangement is adapted admirably to the general stream- provide an unbroken exterior surface to the full length of
lining scheme to give the two trains a most attractive the train. The car steps are retractable and when in the
appearance and at the same time contribute to their lifted position conform to the contour of the curved
perfect riding qualities. skirting of the cars. All steps are adequately protected
The center of gravity of each car is nine and one-half with a special lighting arrangement brought into use when
inches lower and the interior width five and one-fourth they are lowered for receiving or discharging passengers.
inches greater than the conventional type of passenger The windows of all passenger cars are exceptionally
cars, a development made for the purpose of improving wide, much more so than in conventional equipment.
smoothness of operation, providing the maximum of They are provided with double glass, plate type on the
comfort and safety at all speeds. The extra width gives outside, sealed against dust, and safety type on the inside.
the cars the desirable space for the free and most com- Aside from adding to the appearance of the cars the
fortable movement of passengers, a feature which has exceptionally wide windows are of great convenience to
already met with wide public approval. passengers who desire to see the interesting and beautiful
The frames of all cars are fabricated of Cor-Ten scenery along the route of the Sunbeam as they ride.
steel, a special type of material having a tensile strength The seats in the chair cars rest on frames of light-
of 75,000 pounds per square inch which adds much to weight stainless steel tubing and are deeply cushioned in
the durability of the equipment. The sheathing is of special sponge rubber, which is an extra factor in the
stainless steel and has a tensile strength of 110,000 comfort Southern Pacific will furnish its passengers on
pounds per square inch, which is regarded as double that the new trains. All of the chair car seats are of the
of ordinary carbon steel. The entire structure of each car rotating reclining type and are easily adjustable to suit the
is securely assembled by the most modern electric comfort and convenience of passengers. Chairs in
welding process which not only improves the appearance smoking rooms, ladies’ lounges, parlor cars and diner
of the equipment but contributes materially to the durable lounges are of aluminum framing and like those in the
qualities of the two trains. chair cars deeply cushioned in rubber. Parlor car chairs
By the use of the most modern materials and are of an ultramodern rotating type, very roomy and most
methods, the extraordinarily strong cars weigh one-third comfortable.
less than conventional equipment of the same capacity. The interior decorations featured in the two eight-car
The most modern construction and design features streamliners embody the latest and most advanced ideas
are in evidence throughout the entire train. Among some and creations in decorative color arrangement, with a
of them are the car trucks, which are a distinct departure most striking combination of creams, Nantes blues, light
from the conventional design, utilizing triple bolsters and tan, brown, coral, orange, terra-cotta, smoke gray, jade
special spring suspensions to effect the most improved green, ivory, henna, apricot, yellow and rust.
riding comfort. The axles are larger and manufactured of These numerous colors are employed in perfect
heat treated steel and each is equipped with pad-type harmony to give each of the seven passenger-carrying
journal lubricators, an individual Southern Pacific engi- cars a separate individuality and a most pleasant and
3attractive appearance. In every car is outward evidence car and lounge. Each speaker has a volume control
of the artistry brought into use by those skilled in color located nearby so that reception in each car can be
combinations to develop the most comfortable and home- individually controlled. Radio train-line connectors are
like atmosphere throughout the train. present so that speakers in the four cars may be operated
Prominent among the interior features in each car are from one radio set in the event of emergency.
the heavy mirrors, satin finished aluminum moldings. All The diner-lounges are characteristically a departure
partitions and doors also are of aluminum and glass or from any similar cars heretofore constructed and embody
plymetal. Sound-deadening insulation is provided in walls, a number of new and advanced ideas in this type of car
roofs and floors of all cars as a means of bringing noise construction. The rounded end of the observation-lounge
in the train to an absolute minimum. Floors throughout is extremely comfortable and homelike with movable,
the train are laid with pressed cork. deeply cushioned chairs which can be moved about at the
All passenger-carrying cars are completely will and to suit the convenience of passengers. Neat
airconditioned. Refreshing manmade weather is evenly literature racks are located comfortably near the center of
circulated through every car by use of the latest type of this section of the train with handsome lighting fixtures to
steam-ejector system. This method utilizes steam from give the rear compartment of the streamliners a most
the locomotive to produce a partial vacuum in a closed attractive and alluring appearance.
water system, whereby the water is cooled sufficiently The kitchen-pantry arrangement, at the front of each
by evaporation of a portion of it to be effectively distrib- of the diner-lounge cars, represents the very latest in
uted through the cooling coils as a refrigerant. Car railroad culinary equipment and is so arranged and
heating is provided by a thermo-statically controlled ventilated that odors that may arise from the preparation
overhead heating coil which tempers the incoming fresh of the tastiest foods to be served patrons will not perme-
air during cold weather, and an improved thermo- ate the dining compartment which comfortably seats 32
statically controlled floor heating system. The air ducts diners. All silverware, chinaware, crockery and linen is
and outlets are concealed above the indirect lighting new and individually designed for the new trains.
structure which runs lengthwise of the cars at the center Of special importance to colored patrons of the
of the ceiling. Southern Pacific is the fact that they have been furnished
One of the most important features of the new trains an entire car on the new streamlined Sunbeams. These
is the blended effectiveness of the car lighting which is cars, handsomely finished, with all chairs comfortably
considered one of the latest and most outstanding upholstered and cushioned in deep rubber, and the same
achievements in this phase of electrical engineering. In all lighting effects and other improvements as are featured in
of the passenger carrying cars indirect lighting is em- the rest of the equipment, present a most striking and
ployed. Secondary lighting is afforded by a series of comfortable appearance.
lights located in reflecting troughs, these being wired in To complete and round out the modern service of the
series-parallel arrangement to provide for the desired new streamliners nattily attired colored attendants have
dimming. For primary illumination, individually controlled been assigned to the Sunbeam. One of these especially
directional ray-type lights with focusing lenses are located uniformed attendants will preside over two cars and be so
in the lower part of the baggage racks directly over each stationed that he can readily be available at the call of any
seat. Through this system the cars are flooded with patron.
effective but mild indirect illumination with the ray-type In addition to the colored male attendants each train
lights being available for supplementary lighting at the also will carry a competent uniformed colored maid
discretion of the patron. whose services will be at the disposal of all patrons and
Special storage compartments for hand baggage are especially the ladies. These maids have been carefully
located in the vestibule end of the chair cars and in parlor selected and schooled in the proper treatment of passen-
cars. These compartments are neatly shrouded by gers and are expected, as are the other colored atten-
gabardine curtains which conceal the baggage from view. dants, to make travel aboard the new streamliners as
The ladies’ lounges and men’s smoking rooms are delightful and comfortable as possible to Southern Pacific
spacious and elegantly finished in keeping with the rest of patrons. Maids have been especially trained in the han-
the train. Special lighting effects are provided in these dling of children and aged persons who may require
rooms for the convenience of guests, the same being special attention on their trips.
available in the lounge and smoking compartments of the With inauguration of the new streamliners, the old
chair cars. Sunbeam, which formerly operated in the service be-
An important feature of the new streamlined Sun- tween Houston and Dallas and has become since its start
beams is the efficient radio reception furnished in each in 1926, an institution with discriminating travelers, will
car, including the observation lounge. The radio chassis be known as the Hustler to supplement Southern
are located in special built-in compartments in four of the Pacific’s fast and modern passenger service between
cars with speakers in one end of each chair car, parlor these important points.
4The Hustler, which takes over the train designation
of Nos. 15 and 16, Northbound, No. 15, will depart from
Grand Central station in Houston at 9 a.m. and arrive
Dallas at 3 p.m. reducing the former daylight service by
approximately thirty minutes. The Hustler southbound,
No. 16, will leave Dallas at 9:45 a.m. and arrive Houston
at 3:45 p.m.
Northbound the connection for Ft. Worth will arrive
in Ft. Worth at 4 p.m. while southbound it will depart Ft.
Worth at 8:40 a.m. connecting with the Hustler for
Houston at Ennis. The northbound connection is made at
the same point.
Train No. 43 for Austin now leaves Houston at 9:05
a.m. with arrival in Austin at 2 p.m. instead of 1:10 p.m.
as under the former schedule. Train No. 42 will depart
from Austin at 2:30 p.m. and arrive Houston at 7:20 p.m.
Passenger train service will be materially improved
between Houston and Shreveport with the inauguration of
the new Sunbeam schedule. Train No. 28 now leaves
Houston at 11 p.m. instead of 10:15 p.m. as before, and
arrives Shreveport at 7 a.m. Southbound this service will
leave Shreveport at 11 p.m. and arrive Houston at 7 a.m.
or thirty minutes earlier than the previous schedule.
To facilitate improved passenger service to Corpus
Christi and points in the Lower Rio Grande Valley the
schedule of the Border Limited, train No. 303, now
leaves Houston at 9:15 p.m. after making connection with
the new Sunbeam at Grand Central station. It will arrive
Brownsville at 8:45 a.m. Train No. 304, the northbound
Border Limited, now arrives in Houston 7:45 a.m., or five
minutes later than the former schedule.
These and several other changes have been effected
in Southern Pacific passenger schedules as a means of
affording the most convenient connections with the new
streamlined Sunbeam service.
More details on “South’s Finest” from Al Dykes: Postscript from the editor:
The cover of the September 1937 Southern Pacific The photo of the Hustler we used on the cover of the
Bulletin featured a full-page three-quarter shot of the October 2004 Gulf Coast Railroading issue and now in
Sunbeam on its last test run near Hempstead preliminary this reissue of the article was also found in the Gulf Coast
to being placed in service. Unfortunately, the photocopy I Chapter’s archives. I cropped the photo to make it better
have is of such poor quality that it cannot be reproduced, fit our cover. The original photo shows that the photogra-
so this transcription must suffice. The streamlined pher was standing on the ladder of the lower quadrant
Sunbeam only ran for less than 18 years, being discontin- semaphore (shadow of the blade shows near the bottom
ued on September 11, 1955, but what a neat train! The of the cover photo), as his own shadow is visible.
article was written in a style typical of the period, rather According to Al Dykes, in the archives there was
florid and verbose; and some of the language would no also “a photocopy of the front page of the March 15,
longer be considered “politically correct” today! How- 1984 SP San Antonio Division Newsletter featuring the
ever, it is presented as an historical document and has not same picture, though the image was cropped to eliminate
been sanitized. the photographer’s shadow. It credits the photo to Ford
Curry, from Bill Neill collection.” So have we.
Al Dykes September 4, 2004
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