lettering for C&NW’s 1939 “400” lightweight train

The Chicago & Northwestern’s famous train, “The 400”, was inaugurated in 1935 for fast service between Chicago and St. Paul/Minneapolis. The train took its name from the schedule of 400 miles in 400 minutes, sometimes reaching a speed of 95 to 100 mph. This was a heavyweight train pulled by the road’s Class E-2 4-6-2 Pacic type locomotives. In 1939, a pair of EMD E-3A locomotives and 20 new lightweight streamlined passenger cars were inaugurated. The A-A combination never had to be turned. Each train consisted of a baggage-taproomlounge, four 56 seat coaches, one 56 seat diner, three 27 seat parlors and one round end parlor-buet-lounge observation. The train was Y’ed at the Chicago steamliner ramp and pulled backward from St.Paul to Minneapolis. In 1941, these were replaced by E-6’s and in 1947, E-7’s. The name 400 attracted a lot of business and by 1941 a number of other C&NW passenger trains included 400 in their names: Flambeau 400 with service between Chicago and Green Bay; the Minnesota 400; the Valley 400 and the Shoreland 400.

Decal set designed and created at Protocraft Decals
Printed by Microscale Industries

Paint & Lettering: Cars were painted yellow and green w/trucks and underframe black.