Handbill and Timetable for Wabash-Union Pacific Railway's Overland Route to Yellowstone National Park, 1927

The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971. Railroads made Yellowstone National Park accessible to tourists until cross-country automobile travel became feasible and popular. According to this 1927 brochure, the Wabash Railway promised "thru service" from St. Louis in about two days.

The Wabash Railway, with origins dating back to 1838, was a strong Midwestern carrier until Amtrak took over the national passenger railroad system in 1971.

Railroads played a significant role in the development and promotion of America's national parks. Yellowstone was America's first national park, founded in 1872, and its emerging popularity was due in large part to accessibility by railroads. As early as the 1880s, the Northern Pacific Railroad realized profits could be made by tourists who wanted to see the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park and extended its line ever-closer to the park's north entrance. From this railroad station, tourists could board stagecoaches into the park to see the attractions and stay at hotels -- conveniently also developed in concert with the Northern Pacific.

When the Union Pacific Railroad extended a branch line to West Yellowstone (then called Riverside) in 1908, Yellowstone's west entrance became the new most popular access point. By this time, at least four different railroads competed for service to Yellowstone at different entrances and each of them competed for fastest times and most desirable amenities. In 1922, the Wabash Railway announced the inception of a daily "thru service" to Yellowstone National Park in arrangement with the Union Pacific system. At the time, the trip took 2 1/2 days from St. Louis, using "everything known in present day equipment and convenience." By the time of this 1927 flyer, the trip had been reduced to just over two days. Pre-planned escorted tours, using a fleet of motorcars, took tourists around the park or -- via a combination of railroad and motorcar -- on "circle tours" to other points of interest in the West. In 1929, the trip to Yellowstone from St. Louis was reduced another 5 1/2 hours.

Unfortunately, with the increasing popularity of automobiles, the days of Yellowstone-bound trains were numbered. While more than 4/5 of travelers to Yellowstone had gone by rail in 1915, this proportion had drastically reduced to about 1/8 by 1930.