Chicago & Alton Limited Set with IHC Command XXV 25066 C&A ALCO P-16A Heavy Pacific Locomotive #5299 and (4) Heavyweight Coaches

The Chicago & Alton Railroad was a pioneer of luxury passenger service. In the nineteenth century, the first sleeper cars and the first true dining cars saw service on the C & A. Since the turn of the twentieth century, the railroad's premier run between Chicago and St. Louis was named the Alton Limited, often referred to as the "red train" because of its trademark livery. In 1924, although on the verge of bankruptcy, the C & A updated the Alton Limited into a railroading legend. Fast, Heavy Pacific type locomotives pulled a brand new set of Pullman steel-sided heavyweight cars, all painted in matching shades of maroon and red. Inside, the cars featured luxurious rosewood, plush green fabrics and even Venetian blue smoking couches. From its debut at Chicago's then under-construction Union Station, the "new" Alton Limited held the title "Handsomest Train in the World."

Technological Advances by the Alton Railroad

• The Alton was the first railroad to install a sleeping car designed by George Pullman and built in the C&A’s Bloomington shops. This went into service on the Chicago to East St. Louis line on September 1, 1859.
• The Alton was the first railroad to install a dining car, the Delmonico, in regular service. It was built by George Pullman in the CB&Q Railroad’s Aurora, Illinois shops. Two more dining cars, the Tremont and the Southern were also built and leased by the Chicago and Alton, providing dining car service on all of its Chicago to East St. Louis trains.
• In 1932 the Alton was the first Chicago-St. Louis Railroad to install air conditioning on its passenger trains.

THE LOCOMOTIVE

IHC Command XXV 25066 C&A ALCO P-16A Heavy Pacific Locomotive #5299

FEATURES:

• • NEW C-9 Mint Condition with Very Good Original Box.
  • Little or no evidence of run time..
  • MRRHQ Locomotive Works serviced, tested and certified.
  • Upgraded w/MRRHQ LED Operating Headlamp.
  • Upgraded w/MRRHQ Custom LED Operating Taillight.
  • One-piece boilers, engine covers, cabs and tenders of pressure-cast high impact plastic.
  • Blackened guides, handrails, fittings and coupler lift bars.
  • Steel main and side rods.
  • Real brass bell.
  • DCC Ready.
  • Many additional fine details.
  • Powerful state-of-the-art can motor w/flywheel.
  • Sprung Scale 73" Drivers and RP25 Contour Wheels.
  • Easy rolling steel needle point truck axles.
  • Dummy Front & Working Rear Knuckle Couplers.
  • Made in China. Production Year 1996.
• Optional Upgrades Available:
  • SOUNDTRAXX 852204 Standard DCC Decoder Installed.
  • SOUNDTRAXX 852204 Standard DCC Decoder w/ Keep Alive Installed.
  • SOUNDTRAXX TSU2200 2 Amp Digital DCC/Sound Decoder Installed
  • SOUNDTRAXX TSU2200 2 Amp Digital DCC/Sound Decoder w/Keep Alive Installed
• Made in Italy. Production year 1996.

THE COACHES

• AHM 6202-21 "Chicago" 1920's Heavyweigh Observation Coach.
• AHM 6204-21 "Bloomington" 1920's Heavyweight Diner
• AHM 6206-21 "Armstrong" 1920's Heavyweight Baggage/RPO Coach.
• AHM 6208-21 "Lincoln" 1920's Heavyweight Pullman Coach.

FEATURES:

• C8-C9 Mint Condition with Mint Original Boxes.
• .039" Wheel Flanges.
• Upgraded with McHenry Knuckle Coupler on 6205-21.
• Full Interiors.
• Production Year 1997.