I have been asked about the California Zypher in pre-Amtrak days.I seem to recall that the Locomotive & Railway Preservation did an article on surviving equipment.Alternately, did Bob Barger do something in your part of the magazine?As far as the cars go is it safe to say that anything lightweight that had the Silver name on it ran on the trains?Have any of you seen an Internet site devoted to the train or surviving equipment?Thanks,Ted Miles

Ted, Anything off the Rio Grande or WP with a "Silver" prefix was CZ equipment but this cannot be said for the "Q" equipment. Sleepers were generally interchanged the most with "normal" Burliington 10-6's or 6-5's found in the consist occasionally. I also recall seeing a long "airline strike" CZ with two diners in it, one being the "Silver Salver" which was not a CZ car and carried "Burlington" on the letter board. I believe there is a "virtual" CZ site out there somewhere which will probably provide you with the details that you are seeking.Don C.

There was also another "Silver" car. It was the 10-6 that the Pennsylvania purchased for through service on the CZ. Its name combined the "Silver" of the Burlington (and CZ) and the "Rapids" which the PRR used in the names of 10-6's. So the car was named "Silver Rapids."The CZ 10-6s differed from other 10-6s. Most 10-6s have only three windows in the aisle opposite the bedrooms. The CZ cars had six windows -- one opposite each bedroom door. That way a bedroom occupant could open the door and look out to see the scenery.

During peak periods (like in the summer) a few "foreign line" sleepers were added. They were inserted just ahead of the observation car so that the on-train PA system could work throughout the rest of the train. A typical "insert" was C&O 10-6 sleepers from Chicago. The "Q" was picky as to what was added to the train and these cars met the criteria.

I have seen Rock Island "La Jolla" in the consist as well as different UP 11 bedroom cars. Occasionally, a Rio Grande 52 seat, former C&O coach, would be consisted just behind the baggage car and make it all the way to Chicago. The coaches operated more often as a local car out of Denver to Salt Lake. Of course, "Silver Rapids" and New York Central cars operated as the tran-continental car in the days of that through service.Don C.

I've found just about everything I wanted to know about the CZ at this excellent website, including much information on what remains from the equipment:http://calzephyr.railfan.net/Can't remember if we ever did something on the CZ in L&RP. I don't recall any major articles off the top of my head.

folks,Thank you for the prompt answers! I got what I needed off the CA ZephyrOn Line Museum web site.Turns out there a number of cars in museums that have had a connection to this famous train.And it is not all history! I have taken it in Amtrak days and the mountain scenery is still wonderful!Ted

You also might check outhttp://www.ZephyrProject.comThis is the Feather River Rail Society's site on their CZ restorations.