The California Zephyr
Subtitle: an entertaining history of America's most celebrated train route
By: John Kelly
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 126
ISBN-13: 9781583883471
Subjects: California Zephyr (Express train); Pictorial works; History
Description: "America's most talked-about train, the California Zephyr was inaugurated March 20, 1949, book-ended by the world-class skylines of Chicago and San Francisco. Operated in partnership over three railroads; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Denver & Rio Grande, and Western Pacific, the train was designed in Art Deco style and built of Shotwelded stainless-steel by the Budd Company. The California Zephyr incorporated the best of the Zephyr fleet including Vista-Dome coaches and Vista-Dome observation cars. Powered by General Motors diesel locomotives the western themed "land-cruise" train traveled 2,532 miles on its journey from Chicago traversing the spectacular Colorado Rockies via the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel and California's magnificent Feather River Canyon - by daylight in both directions. Vintage equipment diagrams include California Zephyr baggage car, Vista-Dome coach, Vista-Dome buffet-dormitory car, dining car, bedroom-cabin car and Vista-Dome bedroom-buffet-lounge-observation car. Other highlights feature original trip reports by "Zephyrette" hostesses, travel brochures, timetables, dining car menus and full-color photo gallery of the stunning California Zephyr." --
Table of contents: title: The Budd Company - birthplace of the California Zephyr; title: The scenic way across America : Burlington Route - Chicago to Denver - 1,034 miles; title: Main line thru the Rockies : Denver & Rio Grande Western - Denver to Salt Lake City - 570 miles; title: Feather River route : Western Pacific - Salt Lake City to Oakland - 928 miles; title: Vista-Dome California Zephyr.