By J. Bruce Richardson, Corridor Rail Development Corporation; December 9, 2020
The North Shore Line – Midwest United States version, as there was more than one North Shore Line in more than one country – was an interurban system that ran for 85 miles between the Loop in Chicago to downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operating from 1916 to 1963.
An interurban was a type of railroad operation that ran at grade level along public streets as well as on its own right-of-way; the North Shore Line at places hit speeds of 90 mph. One of the interesting features of the North Short Line was the availability of dining car service – on a consist of “trolley cars.” Equipment consisted of modified-design trolley-style cars, complete with roof poles to connect with electric power for the traction motors – with some special trolley-like cars originally built as trolley/dining cars for running in multiple-car consists. Beginning in 1941, Electroliners, which were streamlined, four-car articulated trainsets were introduced and would last until the final run in 1963. Officially known as the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, management strove to provide more than one type of service.
The Electroliners included a Tavern Lounge Car in management’s recognition that all types of travelers – even those traveling a relatively short distance of 85 miles may wish to spend their time and money enjoying an adult beverage or eating a meal.
Here is the 1962 North Shore Line Electroliner Breakfast Menu combined with the 1961 Luncheon and Beverage Service Menu:
Breakfast
One Dollar
• Orange, Grapefruit, Tomato or Vegetable Juice
• Two Eggs, Boiled, Scrambled or Fried
• Toast, Marmalade
• Coffee
One Dollar and Twenty-Five Cents
• Orange, Grapefruit, Tomato or Vegetable Juice
• Ham or Bacon and Eggs
• Toast, Marmalade
• Coffee
Service a la Carte
• Juices: Orange, Grapefruit, Tomato or Vegetable; 35 cents
• Cereals with Cream or Milk: Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes or Rice Krispies; 50 cents
• Eggs, Ham, Etc.: Two Eggs, Boiled, Scrambled or Fried; 50 cents, Broiled Ham or Bacon and Eggs; 75 cents
• Toast, Etc.: Toast, Plain or Buttered, Marmalade; 15 cents, Powdered Sugar Doughnut; 15 cents
• Beverages: Electroliner “Special Blend” Coffee; 25 cents, Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk; 25 cents
And, at the bottom of the menu: “Minimum Charge 35 cents per person.”
Luncheon
The Electroburger
Selected beef-tenderloin cooked to retain all its juicy delicious flavor … served on a tasty roll … with potato chips relish and coffee, tea or milk … all for $1.40
Sandwiches
• Mellow tang, Old English Cheese; 70 cents
• Juicy Baked Ham; 80 cents
• Milwaukee-Style Liver Sausage; 70 cents
• Young, Tender, Selected Tongue; 80 cents
• Choice Flavor-Rich Sardines; 80 cents
• Appetizing Peanut Crunch; 70 cents
• Flakey-Crust Home-Made Pie; 30 cents
• Toast, Plain or Buttered; 20 cents
• Potato Chips; 15 cents
• Pretzel Stix; 15 cents
• Electroliner “Special Blend” Coffee; 30 cents
• Tea, Black or Green; 30 cents
• Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk; 30 cents
For the luncheon menu, the note at the bottom read: “Minimum Charge 50 cents Per Person.”
The Tavern Lounge Beverage Menu was designed to offer something for every taste.
Beverages
• Cocktails: Three types of cocktails, each for 80 cents
• Liquors: Nine types of liquors, prices ranging from 75 cents per drink to $1.00 for premium imported scotch
• Brandy and Liqueurs: Three choices at 85 and 90 cents per drink
For Highballs, Sparkling Water or Ginger Ale was an additional 5 cents. Coca-Cola, 7-Up or Quinine Water each were 15 cents in additional cost per drink
• Mixed Drinks: 10 different types of drinks, ranging from 85 cents to $1.00 for Bonded Whiskey
• Wines: Sherry and Port, both imported, each for 65 cents
• Beer and Ale: Each were 50 cents; no designated brands
• Soft Drinks: Orange Juice, Orangeade, Lemonade and Limeade, each for 40 cents
• Cigarettes, Etc.: Cigarettes; 35 cents, Alka Seltzer; 25 cents, Playing Cards; 80 cents, Bromo Seltzer; 25 cents
It’s fascinating to note that for both the 1961 food service and Tavern Lounge Car beverage menus the only mention of Coca-Cola or 7-Up is as a mixer for Highballs and specifically for a Rum and Coca-Cola. Drinks listed as “Soft Drinks” were simply fruit juices and fruit-based drinks such as lemonade. Sixty years ago the soft drink industry was still in its infancy as opposed to the commanding position it has in today’s world of beverages. When one thought of a Coca-Cola or 7-Up, one still thought of a bottle with a cap, not a can with a pop-top.
Beyond a good neighborhood deli, where today could you find a choice of Milwaukee-Style Liver Sausage; Young, Tender Selected Tongue or Choice Flavor-Rich Sardines sandwiches in one place, especially moving at 90 mph?
In addition to comfortable onboard menus, the North Shore Line also operated a string of lunch counters and soda fountains at its station locations which also did a brisk business with an extensive menu.