Empire State Express - in Song and Film

In Song and Film

In 1896, the Empire State Express was the subject of a short documentary film, which was described by the critics of the day as "the greatest train view ever taken."

In 1965, blues singer and guitarist Eddie James "Son" House, Jr., at the time a New York Central employee, recorded "Empire State Express" at the New York Folk Festival:

Went down to the station,

Leaned against the door.

Went down to the station,

I...leaned against the door.

I knew it was the Empire State,

Can tell by the way she blows.

Asked the depot agent,

"Please let me ride the blinds."

Asked the depot agent,

"Please let me ride the blinds."

He said, "Son, I like to help you...you know,

But the Empire State ain't mine".

The Empire State...you know she,

Rides on Eastern time.

The Empire State,

She rides on Eastern time,

She's the "rollingest" baby,

On the New York Central line.

No. 999 was the inspiration for the eponymous steam engined-shaped space vehicle in the Galaxy Express 999 series of manga and animated films.

The 2007 Lyle Lovett song "This Traveling Around" includes the verse:

And that 999,

It's so fast you cannot see.

And that 999,

It's so fast you cannot see.

Members of the Chicago band, Empire State Express (ESE), drew inspiration in naming their project from both the Son House song (a staple of ESE's live performances) and the No. 999's static display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. The band's 2009 debut EP was titled "Land Speed Record" in honor of the train's legacy.