The Hiawathas
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, better known as the Milwaukee Road, made a bold move in the 1930s when they launched the Hiawatha service. These trains, renowned for their sleek, streamlined design, promised unprecedented speed and comfort.
The service was named after the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow epic poem, “The Song of Hiawatha” – a very popular poem in the first half of the 20th Century. The railroad felt the name recalled the bucolic Midwest and its rich native American history through which the trains traveled.
The Milwaukee Road Hiawatha wasn’t just fast; it symbolized progress and innovation during an era of intense rail competition. Offering routes that sliced through scenic parts of the Midwest, Hiawatha trains became famous for stylish, speedy service connecting cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and St. Louis.
Conception and Design
The Hiawatha concept was born when Milwaukee Road recognized a growing demand for faster travel between major Midwestern cities. As automobiles and airplanes gained popularity, railroads needed to evolve to stay competitive. Milwaukee Road seized this opportunity to distinguish itself by developing a high-speed service that would redefine train travel.
Two things caused the Milwaukee Road to place an order with the locomotive builder American Locomotive Company (ALCo) for a streamlined locomotive. The country was beginning to come out of the Great Depression and railroads needed something to grab the public’s attention as they returned to travel. And the streamline design had been sweeping the country for the last several years, but had not yet been applied in a widespread way to trains. While the Hiawatha Class A locomotives were the third streamlined locomotives to hit the rails, they were the first built-to-order streamlined steam locomotives.
Industrial designer Otto Kuhler was the visionary behind the Hiawatha’s iconic design. Known for his innovative approach, Kuhler integrated aerodynamics with aesthetic elegance to create the streamlined silhouette of the Hiawatha. These trains featured “beaver tail” observation cars, which became iconic for their tapered ends and panoramic views.
His design reduced weight and air resistance, allowing the locomotive to achieve remarkable speeds. The Atlantic type (4-4-2) steam locomotive was capable of reaching speeds above 100 miles per hour, a significant achievement.
The train’s lightweight metal alloys and articulated car design allowed for smoother and faster rides. Advanced steam boiler technology provided the necessary power without compromising efficiency or safety.
The Hiawatha Trains and Their Routes
The first locomotives ordered by the Milwaukee Road were designated as Class A. Following this, the Class F7 locomotives, added to the roster in 1937 (also built by ALCo) allowed the Milwaukee Road to add new routes, pulling new trainsets. The F7 were of a different design, as Milwaukee Road joined other railroads of the time in harnessing the power of the 4-6-4 Hudson type for their passenger trains.
The Hiawatha service proved popular with the public and the Milwaukee Road added enhancements such as improved seating layouts and upgraded dining car services, focusing on passenger comfort and experience.
Key Routes and Their Significance
As the service expanded, the Hiawatha’s routes linked key Midwestern cities on the Milwaukee Road’s mainline, bringing the quick service – and the reputation “shine” – to more places and more shippers. The Hiawathas were used to attract shippers to the Milwaukee Road’s freight service, and industry to locate along its lines.
Hiawatha Routes
Chicago to Twin Cities Route: This primary route connected Chicago, Milwaukee, and the Twin Cities, proving crucial for business and leisure travel.
Chicago to Omaha Route: Introduced later, this route extended Hiawatha’s high-speed service westward, facilitating faster movement across the Midwest and supporting economic exchanges between major urban centers.
The “Chippewa-Hiawatha”: Serving northern Michigan, this route highlighted Milwaukee Road’s expansion into less populated areas, bringing modern rail services to remote regions.
Service Features That Distinguished Hiawatha
Milwaukee Road’s Hiawatha service stood out due to its emphasis on speed, comfort, and innovation.
- Speed: Hiawatha trains were among the fastest in America at the time, capable of hitting speeds of 100 mph due to their powerful steam locomotives and lightweight construction.
- Comfort: Passengers enjoyed reclining seats, air conditioning, and fine dining aboard, with menus featuring gourmet cuisine that rivaled top restaurants.
- Innovation: The Hiawatha service introduced several firsts in rail technology, including Skytop lounges for scenic viewing to enhance the social experience of travel.
- Reliability: Regular maintenance and upgrades ensured that the Hiawathas were fast and reliable, making them a preferred choice for timely travel.
The Hiawatha in Operation
When the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha first hit the tracks in the mid-1930s, it redefined expectations for rail speed and passenger comfort. This streamlined steam locomotive drastically cut travel times across the Midwest, achieving unprecedented speeds for its time.
Passengers marveled at the smooth, swift rides, praising its punctuality and the luxurious amenities onboard. The Hiawatha’s impressive performance enhanced the rail travel experience and set new efficiency standards, prompting railroads nationwide to upgrade their services.
This shift marked a significant evolution in train operation, firmly establishing the Hiawatha as a benchmark in railroad history.
Competition and Challenges
Despite its successes, the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha faced stiff competition from rail lines like the Burlington Route and Union Pacific, which introduced their own streamlined trains. This rivalry spurred innovations but also intensified challenges.
Economic fluctuations, particularly during the Great Depression and post-war periods, strained operations, leading to financial hardships. Additionally, the rise of automobiles and the burgeoning airline industry diverted many travelers away from trains.
Despite these hurdles, the Hiawatha remained a celebrated icon of American rail innovation, continually adapting to meet the demands of its time.
Decline and Discontinuation
The decline of the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha services began in the post- World War 2 years, as changing transportation preferences took a toll.
Young men coming home from the war had experience driving, and the manufacturing methods learned in wartime made producing cars cheaper. Affordable cars and expansive Federal and State highway projects lured people away from rail travel, and then air travel began to offer faster cross-country options. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, these shifts led to a significant drop in numbers for passenger rail nationwide, including the Hiawatha.
The discontinuation of the Hiawatha service was made official in the late 1960s when Milwaukee Road, grappling with financial insolvency, phased out its once-celebrated passenger trains. This marked the end of an era for the iconic Hiawatha, which had once set the standard for speed and luxury in American rail travel.
Legacy of the Hiawatha
The Milwaukee Road Hiawatha left a lasting legacy on modern train travel by setting standards for speed and design that influenced future rail innovations. Its streamlined locomotives and focus on passenger experience pushed the industry toward more efficient and comfortable travel solutions.
Today, several Hiawatha trainsets and artifacts are preserved in museums, serving as educational tools and reminders of this transformative era in rail history. These exhibits not only showcase the Hiawatha’s elegant design and engineering prowess but also serve as educational resources, illustrating the evolution of American rail travel.
The story of the Hiawatha continues to inspire modern rail projects that seek to combine speed with sustainability and passenger comfort, proving that the pioneering spirit of the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha remains relevant in today’s rail industry discussions and developments.
Conclusion
The Milwaukee Road Hiawatha exemplifies a pivotal chapter in rail history. These trainsets are known for their revolutionary speed and stylish design. As a streamlined steam locomotive, it reshaped perceptions of train travel, blending luxury with technological prowess.
Even after its discontinuation, the Hiawatha’s spirit lives on, inspiring advancements in railway engineering and passenger comfort. Its legacy continues to influence and guide the development of modern high-speed rail systems worldwide, proving that innovation can endure well beyond the lifespan of the technology itself.
