Milwaukee Road Hiawatha service begins

On May 27, 1935, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad introduced the Hiawatha passenger train, a revolutionary streamliner pulled by Class A 4-4-2 Atlantic locomotives capable of 100+ mph speeds. Designed with Raymond Loewy-inspired styling and featuring luxurious parlor cars, diners, and observation lounges, the service cut travel time between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul to under five hours. This innovation responded to automobile and airline competition, incorporating lightweight construction and roller bearings for efficiency. The Hiawatha became an icon of American railroading, influencing future diesel streamliners and carrying notable passengers including politicians and celebrities, while boosting regional economies until its decline in the 1960s.