Nostalgia & History > Official Guide 1944

Good Day
A friend is writing a book which contains the description of a trip on a train from Chicago to San Francisco in August 1944. I suggested that he access an Official Guide for August 1944, but such a task is easier said than done. Any ideas?

Google books has scanned some Official Guides. But the entire monthly collection of the Official Guide was preserved in the New York Public Library and I was told that every issue was scanned and put into their computer access system to cut down on the storage space required to keep that entire collection. You will have to talk to the library to find your method of access. I have never needed to use them. Why not just buy the timetables you need on eBay?

I have a July 1944.

Many libraries have official guide collections. I know there is one at the U of Wyoming that my good friend donated. The Library in Cheyenne has a set. I believe the Barriger Library in St. Louis has one too. Many libraries have these as they are excellent reference tools covering the railroads over the many eras.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

CNStratford Wrote:
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> Good Day
> A friend is writing a book which contains the
> description of a trip on a train from Chicago to
> San Francisco in August 1944. I suggested that he
> access an Official Guide for August 1944, but such
> a task is easier said than done. Any ideas?


Try Ebay. They have many years, both original and reproductions. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l2632.R3.TR10.TRC1.A0.H0.Xofficial+guide.TRS1.TSS0&_nkw=official+guide+of+the+railways&_sacat=417&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=official+guide+to+railways+reproductions&LH_TitleDesc=0

i own a 1945 Guide i would be prepared to scan the relevant pages for hhere  if you know what trains are involved

In 1944, there would be two through routes.......the Overland (C&NW/UP/SP), and the predicessor to the CZ route (CB&Q/D&RGW/WP).

AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

I was wrong-- the Guide I have is
an August 1944.

     It would help to know something about the passenger on this trip......he/she could choose from the extra fare, every third day City of San Francisco, the all Pullman San Francisco Overland, the economy Challenger or the more conventional all stops Pacific Limited on the Overland route.  The other route, CB&Q/D&RGW/WP, had one offering.....the Scenic Limited.

     Accomodations ranged from coach to Tourist and/or First Class Pullmans on all trains but the all Pullman Overland.

     Disclaimer......info taken from a Nov, 1942 OG.

AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

Scenic Ltd ended 1939. In 1944 the Exposition Flyer and Pacific Ltd were 6-7 hours slower than the Overland and Challenger; SFe was a couple hours slower than that.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/25/18 10:16 by timz.