Riding Aboard The B&O's "Capitol Limited" In 1956

Published: November 20, 2025

By: Adam Burns/Rick Burn

The Capitol Limited, inaugurated on May 12, 1923, quickly became the Baltimore & Ohio’s premier long-distance passenger train, linking Washington, D.C., with Chicago via Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and the Ohio Valley. Designed to compete with the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited, the B&O emphasized comfort, scenery, and refined service. Early consists featured all-Pullman accommodations, elegant dining, and the railroad’s hallmark “Linking 13 States” hospitality.

In the 1930s the train received streamlined, air-conditioned equipment and innovative services such as the “Strata-Dome” cars introduced after World War II, offering passengers sweeping views of the Potomac and Allegheny Mountains. Despite its reputation for personalized service, the B&O struggled against declining passenger traffic after the 1950s.

The original Capitol Limited made its final run on May 1, 1971, just before Amtrak assumed national passenger operations. Amtrak later revived the name in 1981 for its Chicago–Washington route, honoring the historic B&O flagship.

The below short story is by Rick Burn, detailing his experience aboard the train during the 1950s. While the railroad was already struggling at this time it was still providing efficient, unparalleled passenger service across its network.

This late era view of the "Capitol Limited" by Roger Puta features the train, led by E8A #1446, at Silver Spring, Maryland on January 5, 1969.

By: Rick Burn

"I came down to breakfast at my home at 458 Poplar Avenue, Elmhurst, IL on Friday, March 9, 1956. In the 5th grade, I was ready to head on to school in the 5th grade. My Dad was a patent attorney for Borg Warner at 200 South Michigan in Chicago.

During breakfast, Dad asked me if I wanted to go to Washington, DC. I said sure. He said that is great, because we were going that night on the "Capitol Limited" to Washington.

The double bedrooms were sold out, so I had my own roomette across the aisle from Dad. I wore my church suit (all men on the train were in coat and tie.). I remember having a great dinner in the "Shenandoah" dining car.

On Friday nights out of Chicago, the "Capitol Limited" had two dining cars. The regular "Capitol Limited" dining car and the dining car that normally left Chicago at 10:10 pm, but stayed closed until Youngstown, OH. On Friday nights, the "Shenandoah" diner ran on the front of the "Capitol Limited" behind the head end cars and was switched out at Willard.

I stayed up all night and still remember the lights of the steel mills in Pittsburgh. Breakfast was great in the dining car.

I also remember the long trip out of Chicago on the circuitous route along Western Avenue.

In Washington, I was allowed to wander around town in a suit, but had to check in with Dad every two hours. I went to the National Geographic Society on 16th Street and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. I also rode the "Silver Sightseer streetcar.

We returned to Chicago on Tuesday night in a double bedroom,

I always loved and admired my Dad. During World War II, he was an Army Major serving as the Patent Attorney for the Atomic Bomb Project working in Chicago for the great scientist
Enrico Fermi which Fermi Labs in Chicago was named.

A great trip.

Rick Burn"

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