American Experience

S13E05 Streamliners: America's Last Trains

Reflecting on the sleek stainless steel trains that elegantly traveled across the nation at speeds exceeding 100 mph in the 1930s and '40s, these streamliners, particularly the Union Pacific's "Little Zip" and the Burlington Railroad's Zephyr, significantly boosted both train travel and profitability. They sparked a design revolution characterized by streamlined aesthetics and provided a sense of optimism during the trying times of the Depression.