The "Hiawatha" was a pioneer in high-speed rail travel in the United States. The Milwaukee Road designed and built its own streamlined steam locomotives, the Class A Atlantics and later the Class F7 Hudsons, to pull these trains at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. The "Hiawatha" was known for its innovative design, including the distinctive "Beaver Tail" observation cars on the early versions. The train was a source of great pride for the Milwaukee Road and a symbol of the railroad's commitment to speed and service.