(erielack) Re: EL Mail List Digest V3 #2344

[Jedalberg_@_aol.com]

Re: Showers
I don't think there were any cars on the railroads with showers, except for  
the very few expensive accomodations on the 20th C and a few other trains. The 
 prospect of a transcontinental journey, without something other than a 
French  whore's bath, could be daunting, especially in the days before A/C. But, 
then in  the olden days many folks only bathed once a week; somebody didn't just 
make up  the term "Saturday night bath" out of the blue. This can still be 
the case in  other places, where they aren't as fanatical as we are with the 
deodorant (I've  been in some places where I wished they were-some times it would 
make your eyes  water).
 
Anyway, the way it worked for many folks was that when you got to the  big 
intercity terminals, like Union Station, and probably others in Chicago, you  
rented a shower/dressing room, for $3 or so for an hour., showered, changed and  
generally felt good  Still a long trip across the country from Chgo to the  
west coast.I did this twice, once in '62 enroute to Okinawa for a year. I took  
the EL Ltd from Dover to Chicago (it had the Tavern Lounge then, which I rode 
 all the way to Meadville, except for dinner), then cross-towned in the limo  
service-there were several stations then. My train, the CZ didn't leave 'til 
330  or so, so I visited All-Nation Hobby Shop, then back to the station for a 
 shower, then boarded the train. Did same thing in' 69 enroute to RVN. except 
I  took the Broadway, and the Denver Z., then finally the Super Chief l
Some of the big overseas airports, like Heathrow, and Johannisburg have  
these amenities; probably unlikely in this country-we can't even provide decent  
public toilets. 
 
Jim
 



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