The Vehicle That Preceded Air Force One — US Car №1
How the president got around before air travel
Air Force One is one of the most famous vehicles in the world. The massive American plane ferries the president around the world in security and style. But consistent air travel is a relatively modern invention. JFK was the first president to use a specialized jet built specifically for the president. Before that, the president chartered planes from the military or traveled in style in an armored train.
Before Air Force One, there was US Car №1, which was the official designation of the presidential train car. Four US presidents used a special train to get around the country, including Presidents Lincoln, FDR, Truman, and Eisenhower.
The presidential train was a mixture of utility, opulence, and security — much like Air Force One is today. Presidents traveled thousands of miles over public, private, and government rails in special trains. Sometimes their trips were public, like whistlestop tours. Other times they were secret with many sidings, stops, turn around, and misdirections to hide the location of the train.
Here is a brief history of US presidential trains.
