AUSTIN'S PASSENGER TRAINS

OF THE PAST

Intercity passenger trains serving Austin in 1942, 1956, and 1971 immediately prior to the creation of Amtrak.

THE STATIONS

The major stations serving Austin, during the golden age of passenger trains.

Missouri Pacific Station
Congress Ave. and 3rd St.
Opened 1881

Southern Pacific Station
Congress Ave. and 3rd St.
Opened 1902

MISSOURI PACIFIC

(Missouri Pacific Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

  7  Southerner            San Antonio     4:43        3:27 am
 22  Sunshine Special      Texarkana      10:35        4:00 pm
 21  Sunshine Special      San Antonio     2:45       10:53 am
  8  Southerner            St. Louis      10:12       10:35 pm
Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

  7  Southerner            St. Louis       4:43        3:27 am
 22  Sunshine Special      San Antonio    10:35        4:00 pm
 21  Sunshine Special      Texarkana       2:45       10:53 am
  8  Southerner            San Antonio    10:12       10:35 pm
Passenger service discontinued in 1970, last train was the Texas Eagle.

In 1947, Missouri Pacific moved to the location eventually adopted by Amtrak, which eliminated a back up move. Amtrak eventually constructed a newer station at the same location, address now is 250 N. Lamar Blvd.

After World War II, the Sunshine Special was renamed the Texas Eagle, upon reequipping with streamlined equipment.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC

(Southern Pacific Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 46                        Houston        12:01 am
 42  (Motor Train)         Houston         2:30 pm
Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

 45                        Houston         5:15 am
 43  (Motor Train)         Houston         1:40 pm
Passenger service discontinued in 1951.

MISSOURI KANSAS TEXAS

(Southern Pacific Station)

Departures



No.  Name                  1942 Dest.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

  6  Katy Flyer            Kansas City     1:20       12:15
  5  Katy Flyer            San Antonio     4:40        4:05
  2  Texas Special         St. Louis      10:22       12:42
  1  Texas Special         San Antonio     3:00        1:25
  4  Katy Limited          Kansas City     3:55
  3  Katy Limited          San Antonio     6:50
Arrivals



No.  Name                  1942 Orig.  1942 Time  1956 Time  1971 Time

  6  Katy Flyer            San Antonio     1:10       11:57
  5  Katy Flyer            Kansas City     4:30        3:45
  2  Texas Special         San Antonio    10:22       12:42
  1  Texas Special         St. Louis       2:58        1:25
  4  Katy Limited          San Antonio     3:50
  3  Katy Limited          Kansas City     6:45
Passenger service discontinued in 1964, last train was the Texas Special.

STATIONS TODAY

For many years, both the Missouri Pacific and the Southern Pacific stations were located at diagonally opposite corners at Congress Ave. and 3rd St. The Missouri Pacific station at the southwest corner and the Southern Pacific station at the northeast corner. East of the present Amtrak station and north of the Colorado River bridge was a wye, and trackage east of there formerly followed 3rd St. to Congress Ave. Through Missouri Pacific trains thus required a back up movement, until construction of the newer station in 1947. Both of the older stations have been demolished.

MAPPING THE STATIONS AND RAILROADS

Links to locations of past and present stations and railroads, using Google Maps. Satellite views are also available.