Category Archives: California Zephyr

Amtrak California Zephyr predecessor, from Western Pacific timetable, April 28, 1968, front and back covers

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Gary Garth McCann

Today’s Zephyr goes over Donner Pass, on tracks that were Southern Pacific’s, instead of through the Feather River Canyon, on tracks that were Western Pacific’s. The route between Salt Lake City and Chicago, through the heart of the Rockies on … Continue reading →

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Burlington Zephyrs and non-Zephyrs

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Gary Garth McCann

As a kid, I wrote to Burlington and asked for pictures of their trains, and received the postcards below of six Zephyrs.             By later in life I was interested in the non-Zephyrs, as well, … Continue reading →

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California Zephyr refurbished

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Gary Garth McCann

In the late 1950s through the first half of 1960 the three railroads that ran the pre-Amtrak California Zephyr refurbished the train’s cars that had been functioning since the late 1940s. Above is the refurbished cocktail lounge beneath the dome … Continue reading →

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California Zephyr in the Colorado Rockies

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Gary Garth McCann

The back cover of brochure issued in March 1961 after refurbishing of the Burlington-Rio Grande-Western Pacific train.

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New York Central Christmas ad, Milwuakee Road snowbound, and the California Zephyr on a New Year’s Day

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Gary Garth McCann

Wishing each of you happy holidays and safe travels. The ad above appeared in a National Geographic magazine. The Milwaukee Journal photo below was taken during the blizzard of January 29, 1947. The photo is reproduced here from the book … Continue reading →

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The California Zephyr at Grand Junction, Colorado: quintessential summer railroading from the late 1940s until now

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Gary Garth McCann

Twice a year, Christmastime and summertime, I ride across country by train. I savor the full day on board between Chicago or New Orleans and the West Coast. Whether I’m going over Raton Pass, New Mexico or looking out the … Continue reading →

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Happy holidays and safe travels.

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Gary Garth McCann

The Milwaukee Journal photo above was taken during the blizzard of January 29, 1947. The photo is reproduced here from the book Milwaukee Road Remembered, Jim Scribbins. The photo below is from a promotional flyer in my private collection. It … Continue reading →

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California Zephyr brochure (original, showing the interiors as they were from the train’s 1949 inauguration until its late 1950s refurbishing)

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Gary Garth McCann

The front cover, above, and the back cover, below, followed by all pages in the brochure. To see the rest of the brochure, click to the right.  

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