Cars of the California Zephyr

The equipment used in the operation of the California Zephyr was as unique as it was beautiful. The participating railroads kept the equipment in high state of cleanliness and repair during the train's heyday. While by design, consists were made up to include only the stainless steel Budd cars for a completely matching train set, there were occasions, due to equipment damage or breakdown, which necessitated inserting a non-California Zephyr car as an emergency replacement. The service agreement with the Pennsylvania and New York Central railroads for continuing sleeper service to New York City from Chicago also was a factor. While the PRR owned one of the CZ cars for this service, it was not unusual for there to be a splash of color and variety in the consists when one of their other cars was included.

(Click here to skip the Consist and jump down to the Schedules)

Consist For Trains No. 17 and No. 18

The consist information below is listed from the front of the train to the rear.

Car Number Type Notes

Non-numbered Baggage Express n/a

CZ-23 Coach In 1963 and '64, all the 16-section sleepers were converted to 48-seat chair cars. They were run in front of the train during peak seasons only.

CZ-22, -21, -20 Dome-Coach From a 1951 timetable: "Each chair coach has 42 reserved reclining chairs on the "main floor", plus a family group of four chairs facing each other. The Vista-Dome in each coach has 24 seats for the use of passengers holding reserved coach seats."
In various winter-season timetables over the life of the train, CZ-22 is omitted, due to reduce traffic loads.

Non-numbered Dome-Buffet-
Lounge From a 1951 timetable: "Congenial gathering place for both chair-coach and Pullman passengers. Inexpensive light meals, sandwiches...are served at moderate prices. The Vista-Dome, seating 24, is for the use of sleeping car passengers only."

Non-numbered Dining Car Seats 48, on a reservation basis.

CZ-19 6 DB-5 Comp Sleeping Car By 1964, this car had been added to the consist.

CZ-18 10-6 Sleeping Car By 1964, this car had been added to the consist.

CZ-16
version 1
6 DB-5 Comp Sleeping Car From a 1951 timetable: "Six double bedrooms and five compartments. Each room has private lavatory; electrically-refrigerated drinking water; individual temperature control, radio and recorded music; Venetian blinds; adjustable seats."

CZ-16
version 2
10-6 Sleeping Car By 1964, CZ-16 was being listed as a 10 roomette, 6 double bedroom car.

CZ-15, -14 10-6 Sleeping Car From a 1951 timetable: "Each car has ten roomettes and six double bedrooms containing same refinements as the rooms in CZ-16 above."
CZ-14 does not always show up in winter-season timetables. By 1968, both CZ-15 and -14 are absent from the timetables.

CZ-12 16-Section Sleeping Car From a 1951 timetable: "Sixteen semi-private sections, the first two of which are 6 ft. 8 in. long for tall travelers."
In 1963 and '64, all the 16 section sleepers were converted to 48-seat chair cars, and CZ-12 was eliminated from the consist.

CZ-11 10-6 Through Sleeping Car From a 1951 timetable: "Between New York and San Francisco. Ten roomettes, six double bedrooms. Similar to CZ-15 and CZ-14 above." This car operated daily from Chicago to New York, alternating every-other day over the PRR and the NYC.
By 1964, this car had been eliminated from the consist.

CZ-10 Dome-Observation-Lounge Car From a 1951 timetable: "The rear car, with lounging facilities for 50 sleeping car passengers, including 24 seats in the Vista-Dome, also has a drawing room (with private shower bath) and three double bedrooms."
Also sometimes referred to as a "Dome-Club-Observation-Sleeper."

Condensed Consist Summary:
* The condensed consist lists below are listed in car order from front to rear of train*

Original 1949 consist -
                  (1)Baggage car-(3)Dome Chair Coaches-(1)Dome-Buffet-Lounge-(2)10/6
                  Sleepers-(1)Diner-(1)16Section Sleeper-(1)10/6 Sleeper-(1)Dome
                  Observation-Lounge.

                1950 consist-
                  (1)Baggage car-(3)Dome Chair Coaches-(1)Dome-Buffet-Lounge-(1)Diner
                  (2)10/6 Sleepers-(1)16Section Sleeper-(1)10/6 Sleeper-(1)Dome
                  Observation-Lounge.

                1951/52 consist-
                  (1)Baggage car-(3)Dome Chair Coaches-(1)Dome-Buffet-Lounge-(1)Diner
                  (1)6/5 Sleeper-(2)10/6 Sleepers-(1)16Section Sleeper-(1)10/6 Sleeper-(1)Dome
                  Observation-Lounge.

               1963/64 consist-
                  (1)Baggage car-(1) converted Chair Coach-(3)Dome Chair Coaches
                  (1)Dome-Buffet-Lounge-(1)Diner-(1)6/5 Sleeper-(3)10/6 Sleepers
                  (1)Dome Observation-Lounge.

               1968 consist-
                  (1)Baggage car-(1) converted Chair Coach-(3)Dome Chair Coaches
                  (1)Dome-Buffet-Lounge-(1)Diner-(1)6/5 Sleeper-(2)10/6 Sleepers
                  (1)Dome Observation-Lounge.

**The consists listed above contain the major revisions of car placement throughout the
life of the Califonia Zephyr. They do not account for consist changes dictated by
seasonal demands or decreased ridership near the end of operations.

1949 California Zephyr Inaugural Schedule

TRANSCONTINENTAL SCHEDULE
OF THE
CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR
BETWEEN
CHICAGO - OMAHA - DENVER - SALT LAKE CITY
SAN FRANCISCO
VIA THE SCENIC WAY ACROSS AMERICA

WESTBOUND --- Read Down                                                                                      EASTBOUND --- Read Up

The
California
Zephyr Miles
From
Chicago Elevation STATIONS Miles
From San
Francisco The
California
Zephyr

Daily Lv New York...................................Ar
Ar Chicago.......................................Lv
(See Note) Daily

No. 17       Burlington Route    No. 18

   3 30 PM
   5 45 "
   5 50 "
   6 35 "
   7 46 "
   7 48 "
   9 42 "
   9 45 "
11 45 "
11 59 "
   1 04 AM
   1 19 "
   2 49 "
   2 52 "
   4 49 "

   3 55 AM
   8 20 "

0
162
162
206
280
280
393
393
501
501
556
556
653
653
784

784
1039

595
785
785
530
650
650
1315
1315
1040
1040
1150
1150
1925
1925
2506

2506
5280
            (Central Standard Time)
Lv Chicago, Ill .................................Ar
Ar Galesburg, Ill ..............................Lv
Lv Galesburg, Ill ..............................Ar
Lv Burlington, Ia...............................Lv
Ar Ottumwa, Ia................................Lv
Lv Ottumwa, Ia................................Ar
Ar Creston, Ia................................. Lv
Lv Creston, Ia..................................Ar
Ar Omaha, Nebr..............................Lv
Lv Omaha, Nebr..............................Ar
Ar Lincoln, Nebr..............................Lv
Lv Lincoln, Nebr..............................Ar
Ar Hastings, Nebr............................Lv
Lv Hastings, Nebr............................Ar
Ar McCook, Nebr...........................Lv
           (Mountain Standard Time)
Lv McCook, Nebr...........................Ar
Ar Denver, Colo...............................Lv

2537
2375
2375
2331
2257
2257
2144
2144
2036
2036
1981
1981
1884
1884
1753

1753
1498

   1 30 PM
11 02 AM
10 57 "
10 12 "
   9 00 "
   8 57 "
   7 07 "
   7 03 "
   5 00 "
   4 55 "
   3 55 "
   3 40 "
   2 05 "
   2 01 "
12 10 "

11 05 PM
   7 15 "

Denver & Rio Grande Western

   8 40 AM
   1 53 PM
   3 40 "
   3 47 "
   7 07 "
   7 10 "
x 9 10 "
10 05 " 1039
1224
1313
1313
1490
1490
1565
1609 5280
5745
4573
4573
5840
5840
4510
4390 Lv Denver, Colo...............................Ar
Lv Glenwood Springs, Colo..............Lv
Ar Grand Junction, Colo...................Lv
Lv Grand Junction, Colo...................Ar
Ar Helper, Utah................................Lv
Lv Helper, Utah................................Ar
Lv Provo, Utah.................................Lv
Ar Salt Lake City, Utah....................Lv 1498
1313
1224
1224
1047
1047
972
928    7 00 PM
   1 35 "
11 53 AM
11 46 "
   8 36 "
   8 33 "
z 6 32 "
   5 40 "

Western Pacific Railroad

10 25 PM

   1 56 AM
   1 58 "
   3 58 "
   4 05 "
   7 39 "
   7 42 "
11 02 "
11 05 "
11 38 "
12 28 PM
   1 34 "
   1 37 "
   4 00 "

   4 15 PM
   4 30 "
   4 50 "
1609

1872
1872
2005
2005
2216
2216
2332
2332
2358
2398
2443
2443
2530

2533
2533
2537
4390

5060
5060
4325
4325
4834
4834
205
205
60
23
30
30
25

14
14
65 (Mountain Standard Time)
Lv Salt Lake City, Utah....................Ar

(Pacific Standard Time)
Ar Elko, Nev....................................Lv
Lv Elko, Nev....................................Ar
Ar Winnemucca, Nev.......................Lv
Lv Winnemucca, Nev.......................Ar
Ar Portola, Calif...............................Lv
Lv Portola,Calif................................Ar
Ar Oroville, Calif.............................Lv
Lv Oroville, Calif..............................Ar
Lv Marysville, Calif...........................Lv
Lv Sacramento, Calif........................Lv
Ar Stockton, Calif............................Lv
Lv Stockton, Calif............................Lv
Ar Oakland, Calif.............................Lv
             (3rd & Washington)
Ar Oakland Pier, Calif......................Lv
Lv Oakland Pier, Calif......................Ar
Ar San Francisco, Calif.....................Lv
928

665
665
532
532
321
321
205
205
179
139
94
94
7

4
4
0
   5 20 AM

11 17 PM
11 15 "
   9 12 "
   9 05 "
   5 30 "
   5 27 "
   2 14 "
   2 11 "
   1 39 "
12 50 "
11 53 AM
11 51 "
   9 44 "

   9 30 AM
   9 20 "
   9 00 "

**TRANSCONTINENTAL SCHEDULE**
**OF THE**
***CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR***
**BETWEEN**
**CHICAGO - OMAHA - DENVER - SALT LAKE CITY**
**SAN FRANCISCO**
**VIA THE SCENIC WAY ACROSS AMERICA**

WESTBOUND --- Read Down EASTBOUND --- Read Up
The California Zephyr	Miles From Chicago	Elevation	STATIONS	Miles From San Francisco	The California Zephyr
Daily			Lv New York...................................Ar Ar Chicago.......................................Lv (See Note)		Daily
No. 17			Burlington Route		No. 18
3 30 PM 5 45 " 5 50 " 6 35 " 7 46 " 7 48 " 9 42 " 9 45 " 11 45 " 11 59 " 1 04 AM 1 19 " 2 49 " 2 52 " 4 49 " 3 55 AM 8 20 "	0 162 162 206 280 280 393 393 501 501 556 556 653 653 784 784 1039	595 785 785 530 650 650 1315 1315 1040 1040 1150 1150 1925 1925 2506 2506 5280	(Central Standard Time) Lv Chicago, Ill .................................Ar Ar Galesburg, Ill ..............................Lv Lv Galesburg, Ill ..............................Ar Lv Burlington, Ia...............................Lv Ar Ottumwa, Ia................................Lv Lv Ottumwa, Ia................................Ar Ar Creston, Ia................................. Lv Lv Creston, Ia..................................Ar Ar Omaha, Nebr..............................Lv Lv Omaha, Nebr..............................Ar Ar Lincoln, Nebr..............................Lv Lv Lincoln, Nebr..............................Ar Ar Hastings, Nebr............................Lv Lv Hastings, Nebr............................Ar Ar McCook, Nebr...........................Lv (Mountain Standard Time) Lv McCook, Nebr...........................Ar Ar Denver, Colo...............................Lv	2537 2375 2375 2331 2257 2257 2144 2144 2036 2036 1981 1981 1884 1884 1753 1753 1498	1 30 PM 11 02 AM 10 57 " 10 12 " 9 00 " 8 57 " 7 07 " 7 03 " 5 00 " 4 55 " 3 55 " 3 40 " 2 05 " 2 01 " 12 10 " 11 05 PM 7 15 "
			Denver & Rio Grande Western
8 40 AM 1 53 PM 3 40 " 3 47 " 7 07 " 7 10 " x 9 10 " 10 05 "	1039 1224 1313 1313 1490 1490 1565 1609	5280 5745 4573 4573 5840 5840 4510 4390	Lv Denver, Colo...............................Ar Lv Glenwood Springs, Colo..............Lv Ar Grand Junction, Colo...................Lv Lv Grand Junction, Colo...................Ar Ar Helper, Utah................................Lv Lv Helper, Utah................................Ar Lv Provo, Utah.................................Lv Ar Salt Lake City, Utah....................Lv	1498 1313 1224 1224 1047 1047 972 928	7 00 PM 1 35 " 11 53 AM 11 46 " 8 36 " 8 33 " z 6 32 " 5 40 "
			Western Pacific Railroad
10 25 PM 1 56 AM 1 58 " 3 58 " 4 05 " 7 39 " 7 42 " 11 02 " 11 05 " 11 38 " 12 28 PM 1 34 " 1 37 " 4 00 " 4 15 PM 4 30 " 4 50 "	1609 1872 1872 2005 2005 2216 2216 2332 2332 2358 2398 2443 2443 2530 2533 2533 2537	4390 5060 5060 4325 4325 4834 4834 205 205 60 23 30 30 25 14 14 65	(Mountain Standard Time) Lv Salt Lake City, Utah....................Ar (Pacific Standard Time) Ar Elko, Nev....................................Lv Lv Elko, Nev....................................Ar Ar Winnemucca, Nev.......................Lv Lv Winnemucca, Nev.......................Ar Ar Portola, Calif...............................Lv Lv Portola,Calif................................Ar Ar Oroville, Calif.............................Lv Lv Oroville, Calif..............................Ar Lv Marysville, Calif...........................Lv Lv Sacramento, Calif........................Lv Ar Stockton, Calif............................Lv Lv Stockton, Calif............................Lv Ar Oakland, Calif.............................Lv (3rd & Washington) Ar Oakland Pier, Calif......................Lv Lv Oakland Pier, Calif......................Ar Ar San Francisco, Calif.....................Lv	928 665 665 532 532 321 321 205 205 179 139 94 94 7 4 4 0	5 20 AM 11 17 PM 11 15 " 9 12 " 9 05 " 5 30 " 5 27 " 2 14 " 2 11 " 1 39 " 12 50 " 11 53 AM 11 51 " 9 44 " 9 30 AM 9 20 " 9 00 "

x   Stops to discharge revenue passengers from Chicago and receive revenue passengers for
    Oakland-San Francisco.
z   Stops to discharge revenue passengers from San Francisco-Oakland, and receive
     passengers for Chicago and beyond.
     NOTE: Trancontinental Sleeper on California Zephyr operates betweeia New York and
Chicago via Pennsylvania R. R. and New York Central R. R. on alternate days.

Issued March 20, 1949

Back to the Tour....

Car Number	Type	Notes
Non-numbered	Baggage Express	n/a
CZ-23	Coach	In 1963 and '64, all the 16-section sleepers were converted to 48-seat chair cars. They were run in front of the train during peak seasons only.
CZ-22, -21, -20	Dome-Coach	From a 1951 timetable: "Each chair coach has 42 reserved reclining chairs on the "main floor", plus a family group of four chairs facing each other. The Vista-Dome in each coach has 24 seats for the use of passengers holding reserved coach seats." In various winter-season timetables over the life of the train, CZ-22 is omitted, due to reduce traffic loads.
Non-numbered	Dome-Buffet- Lounge	From a 1951 timetable: "Congenial gathering place for both chair-coach and Pullman passengers. Inexpensive light meals, sandwiches...are served at moderate prices. The Vista-Dome, seating 24, is for the use of sleeping car passengers only."
Non-numbered	Dining Car	Seats 48, on a reservation basis.
CZ-19	6 DB-5 Comp Sleeping Car	By 1964, this car had been added to the consist.
CZ-18	10-6 Sleeping Car	By 1964, this car had been added to the consist.
CZ-16 version 1	6 DB-5 Comp Sleeping Car	From a 1951 timetable: "Six double bedrooms and five compartments. Each room has private lavatory; electrically-refrigerated drinking water; individual temperature control, radio and recorded music; Venetian blinds; adjustable seats."
CZ-16 version 2	10-6 Sleeping Car	By 1964, CZ-16 was being listed as a 10 roomette, 6 double bedroom car.
CZ-15, -14	10-6 Sleeping Car	From a 1951 timetable: "Each car has ten roomettes and six double bedrooms containing same refinements as the rooms in CZ-16 above." CZ-14 does not always show up in winter-season timetables. By 1968, both CZ-15 and -14 are absent from the timetables.
CZ-12	16-Section Sleeping Car	From a 1951 timetable: "Sixteen semi-private sections, the first two of which are 6 ft. 8 in. long for tall travelers." In 1963 and '64, all the 16 section sleepers were converted to 48-seat chair cars, and CZ-12 was eliminated from the consist.
CZ-11	10-6 Through Sleeping Car	From a 1951 timetable: "Between New York and San Francisco. Ten roomettes, six double bedrooms. Similar to CZ-15 and CZ-14 above." This car operated daily from Chicago to New York, alternating every-other day over the PRR and the NYC. By 1964, this car had been eliminated from the consist.
CZ-10	Dome-Observation-Lounge Car	From a 1951 timetable: "The rear car, with lounging facilities for 50 sleeping car passengers, including 24 seats in the Vista-Dome, also has a drawing room (with private shower bath) and three double bedrooms." Also sometimes referred to as a "Dome-Club-Observation-Sleeper."