"Detailed Zephyr diagrams; construction processes from start to finish; spot-welded stainless-steel skin; in-depth look at the Winton Diesel engine; record-breakig history; America's first diesel passenger train"--Cover.

This is the complete story of Burlington's starring role in the early streamlined train movement starting with the Pioneer Zephyr in 1934 and ending with the General Pershing Zephyr in 1939. Doughty traces the Burlington's streamliners down to entry of the IS into WWII to late 1941. Included are detailed mechanical data, roster material, passenger statistics and comparisons with UP and other trains of the period. Many excellent photos, car diagrams and tables add to the data presented in theis highly readable and well-developed text.

This authoritative, illustrated history of the Zephyr fleet examines the trains, their motive power and landmark streamlined designs, rolling stock (including the Vista-Dome, generally considered the first successful dome car), and services. Dozens of black-and-white archival images and period color photographs depict Zephyrs along routes throughout the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Coast, and Texas, as well as Burlington uniforms, dinnerware, stations and terminals, and interior views of cars. In the process, the book provides a dramatic visual account of train travel's decline throughout the century. Also featured are period advertisements, and route maps, timetables, and menus.

This authoritative, illustrated history of the Zephyr fleet examines the trains, their motive power and landmark streamlined designs, rolling stock (including the Vista-Dome, generally considered the first successful dome car), and services. Dozens of black-and-white archival images and period color photographs depict Zephyrs along routes throughout the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Coast, and Texas, as well as Burlington uniforms, dinnerware, stations and terminals, and interior views of cars. In the process, the book provides a dramatic visual account of train travel's decline throughout the century. Also featured are period advertisements, and route maps, timetables, and menus.

"The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy - the Burlington Route - was known for its Zephyrs, the fleet of fluted stainless-steel passenger trains taht connected Chicago to points west. However, there was more to the CB&Q than flashy passenger trains. The railroad connected the nation's heartland, relying hevaily on agricultural traffic, including grain, livestock, and perishable goods. Ownded jointly by the Northern Pacific and Great Northern, the Burlington prospered through the forties and fifties. The heart of the Burlington was its Chicago-to-Denver main line, which hosted several of the Q's famous passenger trains, including the California Zephyr, Denver Zephyr, and Nebraska Zephyr. The line also hosted freight trains, including Chicago-to-Denver time freights, livestock specials, and large blocks of reefers (refrigerator cars). The start of the Golden Years for the Q was 1934, when the original Zephyr first created a stir around the country. The Burlington had maintained a modern fleet of steam locomotives in 1930, powerful O-5 and O-5A 4-8-4 Northerns and class S-4 Hudsons that were the primary fast freight and name passenger power into the 1940s. In Burlington Route Across the Hearland, Jeff Wilson highlights much of this action, along with the first arrival of freight diesels and the evolution of Zephyr operations and equipment." -From back cover

Colored, illustrated brochure for the Mark Twain Zephyr train line from Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, ca. 1930.