View source for Imperial (SP train)

{{short description|North American train line (1931-1967)}}{{more citations needed|date=January 2019}}{{italic title}}
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width       = 
| name            = ''Imperial''
| logo            = 
| logo_width      = 
| image           = 
| image_width     = 
| caption         = 
| type            = [[Inter-city rail]]
| status          = Discontinued
| locale          = [[Midwestern United States]]/[[Southwestern United States]]/[[Baja California]]
| predecessor     = 
| first           = 1931
| last            = 1967
| successor       = 
| operator        = 
| formeroperator  = [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]]<br />[[Southern Pacific Railroad]]
| ridership       = 
| ridership2      = 
| website         = 
| start           = [[Chicago, Illinois]]
| stops           = 
| end             = [[Los Angeles, California]]/[[San Diego, California]]
| distance        = {{convert|2361|mi|km}}
| journeytime     = 
| frequency       = Daily
| trainnumber     = Southwest: 39, Northeast: 40
| line_used       = 
| class           = 
| access          = 
| seating         = [[Passenger car (rail)#Coach|Coaches]]
| sleeping        = Open sections, roommettes, drawing rooms and compartments
| autorack        = 
| catering        = [[Dining car]]
| observation     = 
| entertainment   = 
| baggage         = [[Baggage car]]
| otherfacilities = 
| stock           = 
| gauge           = 
| el              = 
| speed           = 
| owners          = 
| routenumber     = 
| map             = {{Imperial train}}
| map_state       = collapsed
}}

The '''''Imperial''''' was a [[Sleeping car|night train]] of the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific|Rock Island]] and the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]]. It operated from [[Chicago]] to [[Los Angeles]], via Kansas City (Missouri) and Tucumcari (New Mexico). 

== Route ==
Among the Southern Pacific passenger trains running from Arizona to southern California, it was distinctive for stopping in [[Mexico]] and for having an international branch running into Mexico a second time, stopping between [[Calexico, California|Calexico]] and [[San Diego, California|San Diego]]. In most of the Arizona section, it passes through an area acquired by the [[Gadsden Purchase]].

The Imperial's main route ran west to Los Angeles. Heading west of Yuma it went into Mexico for two stops, then returned to Calexico; there, the main route continued to Los Angeles. 

A southern branch split from the main route at Calexico on the [[San Diego Short Line]]. It crossed the [[Mexico–United States border]], then made stops in [[Baja California]] at [[Mexicali]], before returning to California, stopping in Calexico and [[El Centro]]. It then crossed into Mexico, stopping at Tijuana, and finally crossed to the United States to finish in San Diego.<ref>[http://streamlinermemories.info/SP/SP47-7TT.pdf Southern Pacific timetable, July 1947, Tables 3, 17]</ref>

The route had its origins as a local train between San Diego and Yuma. It was suspended from 1942 to 1946, as a result of [[World War II]]. Its service was truncated by 1958, continuing into 1967.<ref>[https://www.american-rails.com/imperial.html American Rails, ''Imperial'' ]</ref>

== Major stops ==
*Chicago ([[LaSalle Street Station]])
*Rock Island
*Kansas City ([[Kansas City Union Station]])
*Topeka ([[Great Overland Station]])
*Tucumcari
*El Paso
*Tucson
*Phoenix
*Yuma
*Palm Springs
*Los Angeles ([[Union Station (Los Angeles)]])

[[San Diego Short Line]] branch:
*Mexicali
*Tijuana
*San Diego

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.scielo.org.mx/img/revistas/fn/v16n32/a5f1.jpg San Diego Short Line map]
*[http://www.streamlinerschedules.com/concourse/track9/imperial195008.html Imperial 1950 schedule at Streamliner Schedules]

[[Category:Named passenger trains of the United States]]
[[Category:International named passenger trains]]
[[Category:Night trains of the United States]]
[[Category:Passenger trains of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]]
[[Category:Passenger trains of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company]]
[[Category:Railway services discontinued in 1968]]


{{CRIP named trains}}
{{SP named trains}}