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Offline NS1200  
#1 Posted : 07 August 2015 12:11:03(UTC)
NS1200

Netherlands   
Joined: 10/08/2009(UTC)
Posts: 3,443
Fantastic video!
Some unusual combinations of locomotives.
Marklin 26600 California Zephyr is still on my wishlist.

Have more than you show,speak less than you know (Shakespeare).
thanks 8 users liked this useful post by NS1200
Offline NS1200  
#2 Posted : 08 August 2015 13:47:02(UTC)
NS1200

Netherlands   
Joined: 10/08/2009(UTC)
Posts: 3,443
And more Rio Grande,with focus on the California Zephyr:



Nice train!
Have more than you show,speak less than you know (Shakespeare).
thanks 4 users liked this useful post by NS1200
Offline BrandonVA  
#3 Posted : 17 September 2015 22:11:48(UTC)
BrandonVA

United States   
Joined: 09/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,533
Location: VA
Fantastic videos.

The California Zephyr is always always a modeller's delight. Not only do you have coaches from three different railway companies, you have motive power possible from all three as well. On top of that, over the years the motive power varied, and varied by railroad.

D&RGW started with Alco PA-1 units (two A-B-A sets), but replaced them with F3 units (three A-B-B-A sets), later with F7s (mostly A-B-B sets). Occasionally a Geep or otherwise may work its way in as well. Rio Grande would also often run a heating car in the consist. D&RGW also had several loco liveries, at least three on the Alcos, at least two on the F3s and two on the F7s. D&RGW had tons of F7s, but the only Alco PA-1 and F3s they ever bought were for the CZ. The Alcos went on to do other service, but it seems to me the F3s were traded for GP units later, but possibly used for other passenger service. Rio Grande also refused initially to yield to Amtrak, dropping the CZ to the "Rio Grande Zerphyr" after CB&Q and WP dropped out, with service between Denver and Salt Lake City. Despite the change of name, the motive configuration remained, but often with less coaches, getting even closer to Marklin territory.

Western Pacific started with F3s (three A+B+B sets) and replaced them later with FP7s (two A+B+A set). From a Marklin perspective this is a little frustrating. However, WP livery for freight and passenger service was very similar (the WP badge on the nose changes colour). WP also never really changed paint schemes from the 1940s to 1970s for the CZ. So it wouldn't be beyond imagination that maybe an A unit was replaced with a B unit, or squint one's eyes and pretend they are F3s. I have the Marklin 26600 set, it's one of the best ever IMHO.

CB&Q started with F3s (three sets of A+B+A), but they used everything to pull the CZ, a lot of EMD E series locos (E5/E7/E8). They also liked to run locomotives elephant style (nose to rear) in general operation and I believe did it sometimes for the CZ. On a side note to this, ATSF still seems to be the winner for raw variation in configurations of A and B units.

Regarding D&RGW, they had a harder route than Union Pacific or ATSF, so, especially in the 50s they would employ a massive amount of motive power and shorter trains for "fast freight" service to jam goods over the mountains. Before the second world war, they were one of the largest, if not the largest narrow gauge operation in the world. Lots of mountain mining in Colorado and Utah.

-Brandon

thanks 4 users liked this useful post by BrandonVA
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