Jackie Gleason Express Train August 9 - 18, 1962


For a public relations stunt, Gleason made a 4,337-mile, 10-city train trip from Los Angeles to New York on "The Great Gleason Express." The rail excursion promoted the new TV show, "Jackie Gleason's American Scene Magazine."

The Los Angeles Times reported: "Comic Jackie Gleason, who reportedly gets $100,000 a year from CBS-TV whether he works or not, left for New York Thursday aboard a private train which will cost at least $80,000 for the 10-day jaunt.

This collection was purchased from the grandson of Jackie Gleason's personal conductor, Earl Kinsinger.