Nebraska Zephyr EXCURSION.CUS to Galesburg/Quincy, Sept22-23

onequiknova · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 6:51 pm

buzz_morris wrote:

If the guys at the CBQ group have it right you can see the Train of the Gods on Google Earth here…
26.183035,49.985189 or just SW of that point.
I think I can see a six car consist measuring 427 feet with a noticeable bulge at the end. Red tail light housing?
At retirement both NZs had five cars and one E-5.
???

So that's where they moved them to. I checked a couple months ago in the place they had been for over a year and they weren't there anymore. I was starting to think they cut them up. They used to be stored closed to the port.

Not only do they have the train of the gods, they have a complete 1936 Denver Zephyr, and some cars from the second DZ set as well.

onequiknova · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 6:52 pm

Jdelhaye wrote:

Prices are now posted, http://www.irm.org/events/zephyrexcursion.html

However, "Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, August 29th."
Jeff

edited due to update of source webpage, previous green text was "We're having some technical difficulties, so tickets will not go on sale until August 29th"

Those prices seem pretty reasonable to me.

DuesyJ29 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:52 pm **Posts:** 95

Between $400 and $700 a person round trip. That's not bad at all.

Mike S.

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:38 am

tickets on sale now: http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?mai ... &cPath=119
Jeff

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:24 pm

Unclear from the description, is the cost of the meal included in the ticket price?

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:32 pm

softwerkslex wrote:

Unclear from the description, is the cost of the meal included in the ticket price?

Yes, per the website "Both classes will include meal service in the Dining Car Ceres. " (confirmed by text message with 'the Boss')

Jeff

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:38 pm

Sorry, it was not clear to me whether that meant "access" to the dining car, or actually picking up the check.

Menu? Cocktails?

DuesyJ29 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 21, 2012 7:52 pm **Posts:** 95

I have a ticket on the outbound section from Union Station to Galesburg so I'm hoping my meal is breakfast.

Mike S.

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:00 pm

Parlor car seats sold out on Saturdays run, as well as on the Galesburg to Quincy segment Sunday.

Jeff

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:27 am

Updated information:
Complete trip schedule: http://www.irm.org/events/zephyrschedule.html
Rider information sheet: http://www.irm.org/events/zephyrticketinfosheet.html
GPS tracking page: http://www.irm.org/events/zephyrtracking.html
It appears we are still waiting on the menu for the diner, but when its available, it should be at: http://www.irm.org/events/zephyrdiner.html

Jeff

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:21 pm

Tickets now available for the "deadhead" run, Union, IL, to Chicago Union Station.
$65, one way, no dining car or other services, provide your own transport back to Union.

http://www3.irm.org/store/index.php?mai ... ts_id=1957

Jeff

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:43 pm

..and they are now "Downtown!"

Attachment:

downtown.jpg [ 189.1 KiB | Viewed 7813 times ]

Jeff

tomgears · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 1:49 pm

It's pretty amazing that they were able to pull this trip off. Recently uploaded photos have started to appear.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 971&nseq=1

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:09 pm

Yeah, I watched it go through Plano this morning... Really cool! It's amazing how small the train really is. And up to date in appearance. I bet 99% of the people who saw it go by just thought it was the normal Amtrak train... but there are some of us that know better.

What was really great was no circus lights... I was really expecting to see some sort of hang-on doodads, and was pleasantly surprised that they were not there. That brings to mind a question about all the other tourist roads that feel compelled to add all sorts of lights, If the Zipper can be allowed track speed without ditch lights, why can't other operations get the same exemption?

Good work, guys!

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Sun Sep 23, 2012 3:18 pm

Dennis Storzek wrote:

That brings to mind a question about all the other tourist roads that feel compelled to add all sorts of lights, If the Zipper can be allowed track speed without ditch lights, why can't other operations get the same exemption?

There is a cutoff date for "historical equipment" someplace in the FRA regs governing ditch lights, Ethyl (9911a) is old enough to qualify as historical, many other locomotives will not.

Jeff