This day 100 years ago, Southern’s flagship train made its debut. "A remarkable seven-year record of punctuality has just been completed by the “Crescent Limited”, the Southern Railway System’s crack train between New York and New Orleans which has now been placed on a new and faster schedule of 15 hours and 5 minutes between Atlanta and New York. Out of 2,557 trips in each direction since its inauguration on April 26, 1925, the “Crescent Limited” reached Atlanta on time southbound on 2,515 days, being late only 42 times, and reached Washington on time northbound on 2,460 days. On the line of the Southern Railway between Atlanta and Washington schedule was maintained on 2,542 trips southbound. An average of 99.4 percent, and on 2,521 trips northbound, an average of 98.5 percent. The “Crescent Limited” is operated between New York and New Orleans via Washington, Atlanta, Montgomery, and Mobile and is the successor of the pioneer through train with vestibuled equipment and all-year dining car service between New York and New Orleans which was established over this route in January, 1891." -- Publicity agent, Southern Railway System - Atlanta, GA. The "Crescent Limited" with the on time performance described above was known amongst fans for its two-tone green train and its green Ps-4's which arrived in 1926, like the 1396 pictured here. The previous 1923 batch of Ps-4's arrived in black and later received the green paint after the arrival of the 1926 order, which were the first of the famed Southern green passenger fleet. No. 1396 4-6-2 Ps-4 "Crescent Limited" circa 1930. Oscar Kimsey Collection, SRHA Archives. Photos like this and more can be found in the SRHA Archives in Chattanooga, TN. We publish many photos and articles in our quarterly magazine, Ties, which is mailed to members. Join today or purchase back issues by visiting srha.net. (fb)

#FlashbackFriday to a view that would only be possible for a short while longer. Standing at Southern’s Asheville, N.C., passenger terminal in July 1968 is train 27, what’s left of the Carolina Special, which by this time linked Columbia, S.C., with Oakdale, Tenn. Earlier in the year, 27’s through connection from Oakdale to Cincinnati – train 2, the former-Ponce de Leon – had been discontinued, leaving this little remnant. Finally, on December 5, train 27 will make its final run. Shortly thereafter the station will be demolished. Built in 1903, the station was designed by Architect Frank Pierce Milburn. Milburn began designing structures for Southern in the late 1890s and on into the 1910s. He was Southern Railways's official architect in the 1900s. He designed 21 structures that served Southern Railway trains. We will feature more of Milburn's work for the Southern throughout this year. Richard Baldwin photo. Photos like this and many more, plus drawings, documents, and artifacts from the Southern Railway can be found in the SRHA Archives in Chattanooga, TN. Learn more on our website! While there consider joining as a member today to help keep Southern Railway history preserved for years to come! #southernrailway #railroadhistory #passengertrain #NorthCarolina #frontendfriday #railroadphotography #asheville (fb)