Meher Baba's Life & Travels
1932 : Erie to Chicago Train Journey
On this page, the portion of the rail journey that Meher Baba took covers only the area between Erie, PA. and Chicago, IL. on the first day.
The rest of the train journey is found on the following pages. See the index on the L/H side ( 1932 : ..... ) unless you are using a
mobile device.
NOTE : The route marked on the maps are as accurate as per the information it's based on. There might have been slight deviations in some parts due to the day of the week or faults in the rail-line on the day.
The Golden State Limited train traveled along different rail lines after leaving Chicago to reach Los Angeles.
These rail lines were called by different names between certain towns and cities. The rail line between Chicago & Kansas City the line was called Chicago, Rock Is. & Pacific Line.
Between Kansas City and Tucumcari, NM. it was called Rock Island Line and onto to El Paso,TX. it was the Southern Pacific Line.
The final leg of the journey between El Paso and Los Angeles,CA. it was also the Southern Pacific Line.
This page continues to highlight the epic rail journey across the United States that Meher Baba and his companions made between Harmon, New York State and Chicago, Illinois. There were eleven rail stops between these two destinations. All major rail stops are featured separately. The journey took almost 20 hours since leaving Harmon at midnight 25th May ( EST ) and arriving in Chicago ( CST ) at 7:20pm 26th May.
The sequence of the maps follow the path of the route taken in the same order, state by state.
Because of the amount of detail in this trip it occupies 2 pages. This page being the 2nd.
To visit the 1st of these two pages, click on the button below.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE RAIL ROUTE
There is no indication how long the train stopped at each train station or where the locomotives were changed over.
The only mention of leaving the train in his journey to Chicago was only when he arrived In Chicago.
ERIE, PA.
Meher Baba's train arrived in Erie approx. 9am 26th May 1932
TOTAL RAIL DISTANCE BETWEEN ERIE, PA. TO CLEVELAND, OH. IS 96 MILES / 154 KMS.
ERIE IN THE PAST
PRESENT DAY
Golden State Limited Train / 20th Century Limited Train
OHIO STATE RAIL ROUTE
CLEVELAND, OH.
TOTAL RAIL DISTANCE BETWEEN CLEVELAND TO TOLEDO, OH. IS 101 MILES / 163 KMS.
Meher Baba's train arrived in Cleveland approx. 12am midday 26th May 1932
Cleveland in the Past
Cleveland Union Rail Terminal Interior
Cleveland Railway in the past
Present Day
TOLEDO, OH.
TOTAL RAIL DISTANCE BETWEEN TOLEDO, OH. & SOUTH BEND, IN. IS 152 MILES / 244 KMS.
Meher Baba's train arrived in Toledo approx. 2:30 pm 26th May 1932
Toledo's Old Union Station
Toledo's Central Union Station - built 1950s
Toledo in the Past
Present Day
INDIANA STATE RAIL ROUTE
SOUTH BEND, IN.
TOTAL RAIL DISTANCE BETWEEN SOUTH BEND, IN. & CHICAGO, IL. IS 76 MILES / 122 KMS.
Meher Baba's train arrived in South Bend approx. 5:30 pm 26th May 1932
TOTAL RAIL DISTANCE BETWEEN CLEVELAND, IN. & CHICAGO, IL. IS 340 MILES / 548 KMS.
Arrived in Chicago at 7:20 pm that night at La Salle Train Station and travelled by cabs to Grand Central Station to catch the train that would take Meher Baba and his companions to Los Angeles, the train departed that same night.
The following extract is Quentin Tod's recollections from his diary, printed in
The Awakener magazine ; Vol.X11, No.3 - page 7
South Bend Union Station ( now closed )
The Golden State Limited train traveled along different rail lines after leaving Chicago to reach Los Angeles.
These rail lines were called by different names between certain towns and cities. The rail line between Chicago & Kansas City the line was called Chicago, Rock Is. & Pacific Line.
Between Kansas City and Tucumcari, NM. it was called Rock Island Line and onto to El Paso,TX. it was the Southern Pacific Line.
The final leg of the journey between El Paso and Los Angeles,CA. it was also the Southern Pacific Line.
Because of the lack of information presently, we cannot determine which of 2 train route Meher Baba travelled along in the states of New Mexico & Arizona. These routes are marked in both rose and blue.
South Bend in the Past
Notre Dame University
There are possibly another 3 railway stops that the train could have made only because of their size, but there is no evidence presently.
1. La Porte
2. Gary
3. East Chicago
LA PORTE, IN.
GARY, IN.
EAST CHICAGO, IN.
ILLINOIS STATE RAIL ROUTE
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Arrived in Chicago at 7:20 pm that night at La Salle Train Station and travelled by cabs to Grand Central Station to catch the train that
would take Meher Baba and his companions to Los Angeles, the train departed that same night, about 2 hours later.
To continue the journey click on the button below- Chicago to Kansas City