Product Description
The World of Tomorrow
1939 New York World’s Fair
Emerging from the Great Depression and months before the start of World War II, New York City opened its doors to the world. On April 30th, 1939, the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington, the New York World’s Fair welcomed its first visitors. With the slogan “A dawn of a new day” all sights were pointed at a bright and shiny future.
Over the spans of two summer seasons, the Fair entertained over 45 million people. Centered around the modernistic Trylon and Perisphere, a major exhibition was “Railroads on Display” highlighting the major transportation system of the day. Featuring 30 locomotives and 400 pieces of rolling stock, the icons of the day- the Pennsylvania Railroad S-1, the New York Central, 20th Century Limited, Dreyfuss Hudson J3a, and the British Coronation Scot proudly stood on display. Passing overhead was a 1939 Fairchild aircraft.
The Pennsy S-1, a 6-4-4-6 configuration was designed with a duplex drive by Baldwin Chief Engineer Ralph Johnson. It was wrapped in a PRR dark green Art Deco and streamlined package created by Raymond Lowey. The S-1 was the largest steam locomotive ever built. Locomotive and tender spanned over 140 feet in length, weighing in at 608,170 pounds. For the fair exhibit, the S-1 was mounted on rollers, and ran stationary at 60 mph for the duration of the fair.
The iconic New York Central’s 20th Century Limited Dreyfuss Hudson J3a fascinated onlookers with its classic Art Deco lines. The Queen of the fleet- it is one of the most recognized locomotives appearing in countless posters and hopefully under the tree for Christmas.
The Coronation Scot was of British design and manufactured to be a luxury train for the London Midland and Scottish Railroad. Designed to be a high speed locomotive used between London and Glasgow, it set a world record speed of a 114 mph in 1937. For the Fair, it was loaded on a ship and delivered to a port in Baltimore. After spending time at the Fair it continued to tour the United States.
