Equipment of the
Equipment 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. Consists were
made up to include only the stainless steel Budd cars for a completely matching
train. 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
provided for continuing sleeper service to New York City from Chicago. 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.
Motive Power of the California Zephyr
Locomotives provided by each railroad to move the train were some of the
most modern available at the introduction of the California Zephyr. Sporting
brilliant and flashy color schemes, each railroad initially ordered motive
power sets exclusively for use in powering the California Zephyr.