As you cross the border from nevada into california your climb through the legendary donner pass, the high point in the northern sierra nevada mountains. Western pacific 805d with the california zephyr in oakland author. Western pacific s final decade is a wonderful way to spend an evening or two when its cold and nasty outside or just a pleasant diversion from a tough day on the job. Vtg1980s western pacific railroad feather river route railway train hat sku20. To view a map of the route and branches, showing the names and location of all depots and stations. On this date, march 20, 1970, the last california zephyr departed chicago on its original route. The final chapter presents a complete list and description of all passenger trains that the western pacific ran over the years, covering the period from 1910 to 1970. The california zephyr operates on the former western pacifics central corridor from salt lake city west until central nevada, changing to the former southern pacifics overland route by winnemucca.
The california zephyr route served more populated areas than the overland route including. The western terminus of the train was cut back to emeryville station when oakland central. On those days, the california zephyr will detour between denver and salt lake city via a northern route. Western railroad and western pacific railroad, featured five vista dome cars and four. California zephyr western pacific railroad youtube. California zephyr passenger train 1950s promotional film. With its discontinuance, western pacific shed its passenger service entirely and became a freightonly railroad while burlington combined what remained of its california service with a secondary chicagoomaha train. The western pacific railway company was in operation from 1903 incorporated june 6, 1903 until it was reorganized and renamed the western pacific railroad company on june 6, 1916. Last california zephyr departs chicago on march 20, 1970. The california zephyr amtrak route travels between chicago and emeryville, california through the scenic rocky mountains and sierra nevadas. Western pacific california zephyr 18 aluminum passenger.
Whether youre a western pacific fan, or a fan of railroading in the 1970s, 7282. California zephyr western pacific railroad joel harrison. The number on the cab804awas the number on the final westbound california. Today begins the final leg of your journey west as the zephyr climbs from nevada to california.
The western pacific had secured permission to discontinue its operation between salt lake city and oakland. Western pacific railroad salt lake city to oakland. Sep 23, 2016 the mighty diesel locomotive is painted in the colors of the western pacific railroad, one of the three railroads that operated the california zephyr back then. The california zephyr is a 2,438mile 3,924km long passenger train route operated by amtrak in the midwestern and western united states. As the two lines operate directional running across central nevada, the spot the train switches lines depends on the direction of travel. The california zephyr explore the beauty, romance and exciting history of the western frontier. Even so, the burlington sometimes used two e units to pull the california train. Apr 05, 2017 amtrak california zephyr predecessor, from western pacific timetable, april 28, 1968, front and back covers posted on april 5, 2017 by gary garth mccann todays zephyr goes over donner pass, on tracks that were southern pacifics, instead of through the feather river canyon, on tracks that were western pacifics. Train simulators feather river canyon route recreates the western pacific main line from oroville to quincy junction, california, as it existed in the late 1960s and early 1970s and the route also includes a segment of the inside gateway western. The california zephyr is a passenger train operated by amtrak between chicago and the san francisco bay area at emeryville, via omaha, denver, salt lake city, and reno. The train would complete its final run on march 22, 1970.
Vancouver, bc seattle tacoma portland salem eugene. The mighty diesel locomotive is painted in the colors of the western pacific railroad, one of the three railroads that operated the california zephyr back then. But it also purchased a couple of budd rdcs that it ran three days a week on the route of the california zephyr, mainly for the benefit of. The route between salt lake city and chicago, through the heart of the rockies on rio grande.
The amtrak system timetable or the california zephyr timetable. From june 815, june 2330, july 815 and july 2330, amtrak will be unable to use the union pacific route through the moffat tunnel west of denver. The western pacific applied to discontinue its portion in 1966 but the interstate commerce commission icc refused after public outcry. Trains 17 and 18 will handle checked baggage only at san francisco, oakland pier, oakland, stockton, sacramento, marysville, oroville and salt lake city. Long considered one of the most scenic routes in the united states, the california zephyr takes you from the beautiful city of chicago to the city by the bay, san francisco, by way of the spectacular rockies and sierras. This route is one of the longest and most scenic routes run by amtrak, with. The union pacific 2pack features the added realism of detailed interiors. Amtraks superliner service to chicago offers a wide variety of ways to explore the beauty, romance and exciting history of the western frontier. California zephyr california zephyr streamliner memories. The california zephyr february, 1970 streamliner schedules. History the original western pacific railroad was established in 1865 to build the westernmost portion of the transcontinental railroad between san jose, california later oakland, california, and sacramento. Amtrak california zephyr predecessor, from western pacific timetable, april 28, 1968, front and back covers. Other trains may have been more luxurious but none could compare to the california zephyr in the way of friendly service and breathtaking scenery.
Nov 08, 2017 the western pacific california zephyr train passing through an old railroad in the 60s ts17. Western pacific was a pool participant in the california zephyr along with burlington and the rio grande. California zephyr is amtraks longest currently operated route, serving 34 communities. Rivers, canyons, deserts and cityscapes add to the beauty of this multiday trip through the states of illinois, iowa, nebraska, colorado, utah, nevada and california. The original california zephyr, operated jointly by the chicago, burlington and quincy railroad, denver and rio grande western railroad and western pacific railroad, featured five vista dome cars and four sleeping cars. Experienced travelers say the california zephyr is one of the most beautiful train journeys in all of north america. Along the western pacific at altamont, california the california zephyr is seen. Extra coach and sleeping cars were added for this final trip. This route is one of the longest and most scenic routes run by amtrak. Read the history, see the map and view pictures of the oakland subdivision between union city and oakland, california. Our western pacific 2001 ushered in an entirely new era of diesel locomotive technology as it was the first turbocharged locomotive in america. Im excited to share with you a very special donation that we recently made to western pacific railroad museum in portola, california as part of the expansion of disney california adventure park, the main entrance is changing and the cab of the california zephyr train that most recently served as the location for burrbank ice cream and bakers field bakery has been donated to the museum.
The california zephyr is a 2,438 mi 3,924 km long passenger train route operated by amtrak in the midwestern and western united states. Hop on one of the daily routes between chicago and san. I live right next to the western pacific railroads former niles canyon route in fremont, california, so i have a special interest in the california zephyr. The western pacific 805a is the belle of our fleet, as it was built to pull the famous california zephyr. The information presented on and within this site and on the separate pages of this site are an individual effort and in no way is this site affiliated with any preservation group nor is this site affiliated with any transportation company past or present doing business with western pacific, tidewater southern, sacramento. Im excited to share with you a very special donation that we recently made to western pacific railroad museum in portola, california as part of the expansion of disney california adventure park, the main entrance is changing and the cab of the california. Today, the western pacific may no longer exist but its legacy lives on through the feather river route, keddie wye, inside gateway and the california zephyr, the name of which survives under amtrak albeit following a slightly altered route. Burlington f3s pulling the california zephyr through galesburg, illinois. The capital of california was the western terminus for the pony express in 1860. The number on the cab804awas the number on the final westbound california zephyr from chicago when it arrived in oakland on march 20, 1970. But it also purchased a couple of budd rdcs that it ran three days a week on the route of the california zephyr, mainly for the benefit of employees.
Western pacific california zephyr aluminum streamlined passenger car 2pack these magnificent cars feature real extruded aluminum bodies and rich decoration, making them some of the most exquisite rolling stock on three rails. According to the trains 1950 timetable it could complete a chicago to san. Western pacific california zephyr aluminum streamlined. View the list of amtrak routes to explore major stops, schedules and attractions. The cars on the zephyr were exchanged between the three railroads, but each used its locomotives on its own portion of the trip. The route western pacific depots and stations by stephen. The western pacific california zephyr train passing through an old railroad in the 60s ts17. Western pacific 805d with the california zephyr in oakland. Experienced travelers say the california zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of north america. Wp, western pacific, california zephyr, railroad, railways. Western pacific timetables california zephyr virtual museum. Amtrak california zephyr predecessor, from western pacific.
Western pacific emd fp7 california zephyr rio grande emd f9 nec runbys duration. Experience one of the most scenic train routes across the country on the california zephyr train. August 1950 timetable for the california zephyr passenger train at. California zephyr consist around 19491951 posted by marthastrainyard on thursday, december 6, 2012 1. The route western pacific depots and stations by stephen m. This guide outlines highlights of the scenery and historic landmarks along the route of the california. Speaking of the zephyr, the museum has many cars and artifacts of the most talked about. Lorton, va washington, dc sanford, fl orlando effective january 15, 2020.
Western pacifics westernmost route and the original route of the california zephyr, the oakland subdivision, was still active in this picture in. The western pacific was headquartered in san francisco, california, and was also one of the original operators of the california zephyr. The california zephyr amtrak route travels between chicago and emeryville, california through the scenic. So the burlington and western pacific each bought f3s, which turned out to be the only fseries engines that the burlington ever used in passenger service. Amtraks california zephyr was named for the original 2,438mile passenger train route operated jointly by the chicago, burlington and quincy railroad, denver and rio grande western railroad and western pacific railroad. The california zephyr is a passenger train operated by amtrak between chicago and the san. Chicago omaha denver salt lake city emeryville san francisco. Western pacific 1959 timetable streamliner memories. It was also the starting point for the central pacific railroad in 1863. Products bearing individual marks are licensed marks owned by union pacific railroad company and are used under an active license agreement. So its main train before 1949 was the exposition flyer and after 1949 the california zephyr.
Located in jack london square, the building still stands, and is. The california zephyr august, 1950 streamliner schedules. Visit the amtrak timetable for the california zephyr to plan your trip. Lincoln service maple leaf missouri river runner northeast regional pacific surfliner. Amtraks california zephyr was named for the original 2,438mile passenger train route operated jointly by the chicago, burlington and quincy railroad, denver and rio grande western railroad and. Western pacific depot, oakland, california photo courtesy naparish the western pacific depot sometimes called the western pacific railroad depot or the 3rd street station was built by the western pacific railroad, and was in use by the wp from 1910 to 1970. The zephyr was not immune to falling passenger travel in the 1960s. Western railroad and western pacific railroad, featured five vista dome. Western pacific s westernmost route and the original route of the california zephyr, the oakland subdivision, was still active in this picture in august 1967, paralleling bart construction in hayward.
Sacramentohome of the california state railroad museum one of the nations most impressive displays of railroad equipment. Western pacific didnt have a lot of branch lines, and didnt run passenger trains on any of them after world war ii. California state railroad museum manuscript collections 4192019 p. Wp lands stretched from from the san francisco bay through california and nevada to salt lake city, utah, and northsouth from the feather river canyon to near the.
California zephyr consist around 19491951 model railroader. In 1972 or early 73 my wife and i rode west from denver on the rio grande zephyr, a fairly good load. Check out our rail vacations that ride on the california zephyr train route. To view a map of the route and branches, showing the names and location of all depots and stations covered in the book, click one of the links below. Disneyland resort donates california zephyr to western. An eastbound california zephyr through ruby canyon saw the trains first birth on march 1, 1955, when reed zars was born. In its original run, california zephyr operated over the chicago, burlington and quincy railroad burlington route from chicago to denver, colorado, the denver and rio grande western railroad between denver and salt lake city, utah, and the western pacific railroad from salt lake city to oakland, california. By midmorning, the train arrives in the the biggest little city in the world of reno, nevada. Route guide of travel on the amtrak california zephyr. All space, both chair car and sleeping car, on the california zephyr is reserved and specifically assigned in advance.
California zephyr in 129 scale with western pacific f3 ab set duration. Western pacific california zephyr 18 aluminum passenger car 2pack the western pacific, rio grande, and burlington road names are all represented on the california zephyr lighting. As you climb through the heart of the rockies, and further west through the snowcapped sierra nevadas, you may find it hard to disagree. Western pacific railroad for sale collectibles for sale. Amtrak california zephyr water education foundation.
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