In 1890, The Baltimore & Ohio, Central of New Jerseyand Reading launched a new “Royal Blue Line” servicebetween New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore andWashington D.C. Facing stiff competition from the parallelPennsylvania, these new trains would be some of themost luxuriously appointed coach trains in the world.All new coaches, baggage cars and combines camefrom Pullman featuring plush interiors for comfort, semienclosedvestibules for safety and a regal deep bluepaint scheme which set the train apart from anything elseon the rails.There was not one “Royal Blue” train but rather 10complete trains with multiple departures daily under the“Royal Blue Line” advertising banner. Cars were ownedby all three railroads proportionally, but rather than listtheir names, ownership was identified by the New Jersey(CNJ), Pennsylvania (Reading) or Maryland (B&O) stateseals centered on the car sides. This gave the train auniform appearance with the four major cities along theroute listed out above the windows. The B&O supplieddining cars and Pullman lounge or sleeping cars (forconnecting trains) as needed. Motive power wasequally modern and polished and typically included 4-4-0 or 4-6-0 locomotives from each of the railroads. North ofPhiladelphia, Camelbacks were common.