LGB 2017

[stevedenver]

"Zephyr" was the title used by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q - Burlington Route) for most of its diesel hauled express trains from the mid-30s. The first Burlington Zephyr was the Electromotive Corporation (later GM-EMD) articulated unit shown in Rhino's post (#11). The success of this unit led the Burlington to order more. However, the technology was developing so quickly that the articulated units were superseded in a couple of years by EMD E-units and more conventional, non-articulated coaches. They did retain the stainless steel finish.

The "California Zephyr" (CZ) was operated jointly by the Burlington, the Denver and Rio Grande Western, and the Western Pacific to link Chicago and San Francisco (Oakland). Unlike Union Pacific and Santa Fe the lines that operated the CZ didn't have their own routes spanning all the way from Chicago to the coast. The CZ began running in 1949, and like other Zephyrs was characterised by its stainless steel coaches. By the 1950s the Denver and Rio Grande portion was hauled by GM-EMD F-units like those announced by LGB. However, the coaches announced by LGB are not CZ coaches as they are smooth-sided Pullman-Standard lightweight cars, rather than the characteristic Budd corrugated stainless steel cars used on the Zephyr. The train set as presented by LGB more closely resembles the D&RGW "Prospector".

Quite right!

 

[Rhinochugger]

-- and the rest of the couplet "Guranteed to go if you push it"!

Having dropped the Zode engine into it, I reused the Zephyr 4 starter motor, and must have burnt out a segment trying to start the 6 cylinder beastie when it was tight from a complete re-build.

The net result was that, when the starter motor, on rare occasions, ended up in that position, it went dead. Yours truly stalled at a busy set of lights in the centre of Kingston during the afternoon rush hour, and the starter motor did its dead thing. Mr Plod was most concerned about the location of said Ford, and elected to push it over the junction - well before the days of mobile phone cameras and selfies but wish someone had had a camera - I was sat in the driver's seat, steering

 

[KeithT]

Now that we've established that LGB are bring out a very attractive Rio Grande F7 A-B-A unit and lots of suitable coaches................

Perhaps we can talk a bit more about courting in the Ford Zephyr - the one in the picture being carefully selected as a Zephyr 4 (4 cylinder 1703cc) into which I dropped a Zodiac engine (6 cylinder 2553cc) with a consecutive twin choke carburetor from a Ford 3 litre V6, and then added some monster 14" wheels at the back with Uniroyal Tiger Paw tyres, and low profile F100s on the front

The real beauty of the car was the bench seat in the front (with column shift) so, on our way home, we could cuddle up, I worked the clutch while she changed the gears

Oh yeah?!!

 

[Graham]

And below for fun, cos I like the history of these things, is the real loco behind the new LGB offering

 

[Nemo]

New LGB on display yesterday, including the very nice Saxon VI K

 

[KentKeith]

Many thanks for posting Steve. Like the raised crowns on the Sachsen 2-axle coaches