lets get a picture of everyones favorite model train they own and a little descriltion of it [maker, year etc.] and you can make comments about ones you like. I'll have my picture posted later today.
The Kato California Zephyr, with A-B-A PA-1's in the sharp, but short-lived Aspen leaf scheme. The PA's are astounding pullers, silky smooth runners, and have sexy lines (if a locomotive ever had them). The CB&Q, D&RGW, and WP collaborated to create one of the most famous trains in history; running 2,525 miles over the Midwest, the Moffat Route with all its tunnels, canyons, Feather River Canyon, Soldier Summit, and numerous other scenic highlights along the route, from Chicago to San Francisco. The "Silver Lady" was scheduled to traverse the most beautiful scenic areas in daylight. Its dining cars served excellent, fresh food, featuring the local delicacy for the area the train was traveling. Fresh seafood for the WP portion, fresh-caught Rocky Mountain rainbow trout on the D&RGW, and hearty midwestern fare for the CB&Q portion. The Zephyrettes were lovely, courteous ladies who traveled the entire length of the route, and were the "stewardess" of the train; both its ambassador, and hostess. A Moffat Route train for years, and portions of the train continued after '71's Amtrak takeover of passenger trains as the reborn Rio Grande Zephyr. The RGZ service was as similar as the renowned CZ as possible. The CZ did not downgrade quality of service whatsoever, to preserve the train's reputation as the country's premiere passenger train. From 1949 at its inception to replace the Exposition Flyer to 1971, the CZ was one of the most elite trains on the planet. The dome cars (5 of them) were not sold as seats, and were not restricted to first-class passengers as was on competing trains in the west. Any paying passenger could savor the west's incomparable scenery from the gorgeous Budd-built stainless steel luxo-liners. In 1971, D&RGW thumbed its proverbial nose at Amtrak, and created the never-on-Wednesday RGZ. Until 1983, it was the only long-distance passenger train operated by a private freight railroad in the west that utilized aging F-units. So, there you have it. The incomparable California Zephyr. More info here: http://calzephyr.railfan.net/ Older photos from previous layout: A newer photo of the PA's:
