The City of Los Angeles was a streamlined passenger train jointly operated by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway (CNW) and the Union Pacific Railroad (UP). The service ran between Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA.

This train was the top-of-the-line for UP, who marketed it as a direct competitor to the Super Chief, operated by the Santa Fe railroad. UP/CNW used one of only two EMD E2 locomotives that were ever built as power for the train in 1937.

Timeline

• May 15 1936: The weekly City of Los Angeles makes its first run between Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA.
• 1941: The Hollywood, a lounge car built for use on the City of Los Angeles becomes the first passenger car whose interior is built entirely out of synthetic materials. The car's interior featured the newly invented materials of formica and naugahyde.
• 1947: The City of Los Angeles train frequency is upgraded to daily.
• 1955: Dome cars are added to the City of Los Angeles as regular equipment.
• 1971: UP ends the City of Los Angeles train as Amtrak takes over long-distance passenger operations in the US.

Other railroad uses of the name City of Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles name has also been applied to a 48-seat diner built by St. Louis Car Company in 1949. The diner is currently owned by UP and operated as part of employee and other special trains.