Back Then, Traveling Was Friendlier: 20 Interesting Vintage Photos That Show How Glamorous Train Travel Used To Be _ Nostalgic US Treasures

   

Traveling by train was pretty swanky from the 1930s to the 1960s, and it hasn't gone out of style. First class cabins were furnished like living rooms and included radio gramophones. Passengers dined on fine china and played cards to pass the time.

Here's what train travel looked like in the good old days.
1. People used to dress up for train travel.

 
 


2. No sweats or hoodies here.

 
 


3. Traveling was an event.

 
 


4. Railway carriages were spacious and well-lit.

 
 


5. First class cars in particular were tastefully decorated.

 
 


6. Furnished like living rooms, they came complete with armchairs, drapes, and carpeting.

 
 


7. This first class car evokes the ancient Momoyama style of Japanese art.

 
 


8. Celebrities enjoyed the comforts of first class. Some things never change.

 
 


9. Restaurant cars hosted guests with elegant table settings.

 
 


10. Passengers dined on fine china.

 
 


11. Some trains offered food buffet style.

 


12. Others employed dapper servers to pour drinks.

 


13. In cars equipped with radio gramophones, passengers could enjoy music and radio programs.

 


14. Playing cards was also a popular pastime.

 


15. As was reading the newspaper.

 
 


16. Traveling back then still involved the same crowded rush as it does now.

 
 


17. But there was also a special kind of thrill to riding on the railroad that's hard to come by these days.

 
 


18. Back then, traveling was friendlier.

 
 


19. And more romantic.