Overnight Excursions From New York and Chicago
Six Departures: June & July 2024
Relive the world-famous 20th Century Limited aboard the *real thing*.
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Ride, dine, and sleep on authentic 1940s Pullman Sleeping Cars.
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Ride one-way or round trip between New York & Chicago.
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Food, drinks, and open bar included.
In 1948, the New York Central Railroad premiered its brand new 20th Century Limited—the last and finest iteration of the fable train that had been running since 1902.
Its amenities were the most modern available at the time, and its on-board service was the finest on rails. The trains clientele regularly included celebrities, businesspeople, and even former Presidents. More than anything, it represented the high water mark for train travel in America, earning its household nickname, “The World’s Most Famous Train".”
We invite you to join us for a re-creation of the that bygone experience. Aboard only six special excursions, the Hickory Creek, from the real 20th Century Limited, will host 16 guests on an earthbound cruise between America’s most important cities. On board, passengers will be treated to the amenities that made classic rail travel so special—first class dining, beverages served in the “Lookout Lounge,” comfortable Pullman bedrooms, attentive service by stewards in period attire, and much more. The trip will be replete with additional gestures to help transport you back in time, and relive what the New York Central called Your Overnight Vacation!
Options & Pricing
2-Day one-Way TRIP
$1600 Per Passenger
Includes all on-board amenities, two gourmet meals cooked on-board, hors d'oeuvres, and open bar.
Choose either New York To Chicago or Chicago to New York
All sleeping accommodations are Pullman “Double Bedrooms, and tickets are sold only in groups of two.
Bedrooms in the Hickory Creek observation car available at an additional $200.
5-Day ROUND TRIP
$3200 Per Passenger
Includes all on-board amenities, four gourmet meals cooked on-board, hors d'oeuvres, and open bar.
All sleeping accommodations are Pullman “Double Bedrooms, and tickets are sold only in groups of two.
Bedrooms in the Hickory Creek observation car available at an additional $200.
NOTE: Tickets include sleeping accommodations abord the train but do not include overnight accommodations in Chicago. Passengers are welcome to attain their own hotel accommodations to their liking.
Departures
June 20 - June 21
New York to Chicago (one-Way)
June 22 - June 23
Chicago to New York (one-Way)
June 27 - July 1
New York – Chicago (Round Trip)
July 4 - July 5
New York to Chicago (one-Way)
July 6 - July 7
Chicago to New York (one-Way)
July 11 - July 15
New York – Chicago (Round Trip)
Accommodations
All passengers will have use of both their private room, as well as the “Lookout Lounge” aboard the Hickory Creek at all times during the trip. At nighttime, beds will be made down for a comfortable sleep in “Pullman Safety and Comfort.”
Every passenger will sleep in an authentic Pullman “double bedroom,” which was the most common type of sleeping accommodation on trains of the era. Bedrooms, which will be in our Pullman sleeping car adjacent to the Hickory Creek, feature two twin-sized berths, a private restroom, sink, and vanity. For those who desire, a public shower is available. During the day, those beds fold into comfortable furniture for private seating.
For an added premium, a few lucky passengers can book one of two bedrooms right in the Hickory Creek itself. Each room has its own sink and vanity, and well as a toilet and shower which are shared between the two rooms. (Note: the beds in the Hickory Creek do not fold up for daytime seating).
What to Expect
The 20th Century Limited Experience is an authentic recreation of the “World’s Most Famous Train” as it was in the 1940s and 1950s—very much a cruise on land, aboard a rolling museum. Running on the tail end of Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited, our excursion will run on the original route of the Century on a similar overnight schedule. The Hickory Creek will be paired with an accompanying Pullman sleeping car, and together, they will resemble the original train as closely as possible.
Our goal is to create recreate the golden age of rail travel in every way practical. You will ride, dine, and sleep aboard two authentic Pullman Sleeping cars, with every effort made to immerse passengers in the cars’ history. Our cars are restored to their historic appearance. Our staff wears authentic period attire (and you should too!). Of course, we leave the smoking in the past. Likewise, since the modern palate has changed so much in 75 years, you can expect delicious, modern fare from our kitchen. Along the way, expect many more flourishes that will transport you back in time as we transport you at up to 110 miles per hour.
Eastbound trips depart New York at 3:40pm and arrive in Chicago at 10:30am the following day.
Westbound trips depart Chicago at 9:30pm and arrive in New York at 6:50pm the following day.
For a full order of events, see the drop-downs below:
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Your journey begins at New York Penn Station’s Metropolitan Lounge. Passengers will be greeted by a Hudson River Rail Excursions staff member before enjoying the first-class amenities offered by the lounge. At boarding call, passengers will descend the stairs, walk the trademark Red Carpet, and board the train to Chicago.
On-board, 16 passengers will enjoy comfortable seating in either their private room, or the Hickory Creek’s “Lookout Lounge.” From their lounge seats, passengers will enjoy beer, wine, and cocktails as the train traverses the original “Water Level Route” along the Hudson between New York and Albany. After Albany, passengers will be seated for dinner, which will be cooked by our private chef in the Hickory Creek’s on-board kitchen. The 20th Century Limited was famous for its nightclub-like atmosphere, and as such, bar service will continue through midnight.
At night, car attendants will make down beds for passengers to sleep in “Pullman Safety and Comfort.”
Come morning, passengers will be seated for breakfast, and enjoy the last leg of the journey before eastbound the trip concludes in Chicago.
(Round trips only) Once in Chicago, passengers are free to use the two-night layover as they wish, before returning to the train for the trip back to New York. Passengers must secure lodging in Chicago on their own.
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The eastbound trip begins at Chicago Union Station’s Metropolitan Lounge. Passengers will be greeted by a Hudson River Rail Excursions staff member before enjoying the first-class amenities offered by the lounge. At boarding call, passengers will be escorted to the train, walk trademark Red Carpet, and board the train to New York.
This leg of the trip begins with after-dinner drinks and hors d'oeuvres through the night, with the bar open until midnight. Passengers will arrive to beds already made down to sleep in “Pullman Safety and Comfort.”
Come morning, passengers will be seated for breakfast, and then enjoy the scenery as the train follows the shoreline of Lake Michigan, the Mohawk River, and the Erie Canal. After departing Utica, passengers will enjoy a gourmet lunch which will be cooked by our private chef in the Hickory Creek’s on-board kitchen.
The finale of the eastbound trip begins after Albany, when the train rides along the shore of the Hudson River. The trip will conclude at in New York City at Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for these overnight excursions will go on sale with the rest of the Hudson River Rail Excursions schedule. Tickets will be first-come, first-served. Unlike in 2023, this trip will not be sold by lottery or auction, so make sure to be online right at 10am if you want to be first in line! We expect very high demand for these trips.