SCHEDULE

The 1996 - 2000
21st Century Limited
Project

The Epic Event of the Century said the promotional material. Had it actually run, there's little doubt it would have been.

The 21st Century Limited came very close to happening.

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In 1991, following the successes of the Golden Spike Centennial Limited, American Freedom Train, Chessie Steam Special and Chessie Safety Express projects, Ross Rowland and Ralph Weisinger paired up to take aim at America's next big milestone -- the turning of the century.

The 21st Century Limited was to be a moving showcase of the achievements and discoveries of the 20th century.

Ten exhibit cars would provide the backdrop. On-stage inside would be hundreds of examples, artifacts, and illustrations of the challenges faced by the people of the 20th century -- and how those challenges were met and overcome. The audience would travel through the cars on moving walkways, much like the American Freedom Train experience. The train would be sponsored by major corporations in fields like aerospace, agriculture, communications, computing, education, electronics, energy, entertainment, medicine, sports, retail, and transportation.

Behind the display cars, a string of custom passenger cars would carry the guests of corporate sponsors from town to town. Up front, the train would be pulled by one of two alternating locomotives - either The Great Engine or the Millennium Machine. The former was tried-and-true former C&O steam locomotive 614, representing the pinnacle of steam railroading in the 20th century. Assisting 614 would be NYC Mohawk steam locomotive #3001. The futuristic diesel-electric Millennium Machine would represent the present state-of-the-art and future of railroading technology.

Display sites would feature acres of corporate pavilions, attractions, food and entertainment venues all centered around the train. Both locomotives would be on full view. Open air railcars would display artifacts too large to fit inside the display cars. Glass-sided showcase cars would hold several additional outsized artifacts.

It was expected the tour would go over 30,000 miles and visit some 125 cites in North America. Attendance was projected to reach well over 50 million over a four year period from 1996 to 2000. After the North American tour, the exhibits might well have moved to a similar train for a tour across Europe.

The push to make the train a reality kicked off in 1991. By 1992, enough planning and design work had taken place to approach corporate sponsors. Chrysler wasted no time coming on board in February of 1993. But the train was not to be. Despite the efforts of many dedicated men and women, time was simply running too short to launch such an ambitious project onto the rails by 1996.

Alas, the 20th century would come to a close without the 21st Century Limited.