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New England States (SL-8)

The New England States was a premier New York Central coach train between Boston and Chicago. In 1949, its heavyweight consist was replaced with an all-new, streamlined train. In 1959, Slumbercoaches were added, giving travelers a budget sleeping car option. Although the New England States was overshadowed by running mates on New York Central's large streamliner fleet such as the Pacemaker and the world-famous 20th Century Limited, the New England States was among Central's finest and offered the only direct Midwest-Boston service that bypassed New York City.

This scene depicts the westbound New England States swinging into one of the many curves on the New York Central's Boston & Albany line as it climbs out of the Connecticut River valley in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Its motive power, three EMD E units including E8 4053, and E7B, and an E7A, was typical for all Central streamliners of the time, sport the railroad's classy two-tone gray "Lightning Stripe" scheme. The New England States and the New York Central may be gone, but they will be remembered by many forever.