Hi Guys,

Cali. Zephyr, Marklin 26600, was 3rd. or 4th. set I got after my US Prem. BB start set.

5 years ago US$650.00 or thereabouts I seem to recall, one on Modellbahn (not a bad guide) at US$1345.00. I am stunned. Wow.

J.

ps. Don't ask, not for sale.jp.

I got a new set from a seller in Germany on eBay in mid November 2010 and paid close to € 770:-.

It was a "Sofort-Kaufen", which I'd translate to "Buy immediately".

I personally think the Willi Walter one is over priced. There is another set on German eBay at close to € 900:- as "Sofort-Kaufen" and one where the auction is ongoing, 3 days 6 hours 46 minutes remaing and currently at € 399:-.

I believe we will soon see another similar but mfx set, produced by M and maybe a northlander.

It is interesting how Marklin release their US model sets.

In reality, it is quite difficult to match their metal coach line-up (which incidently have an appeal due to their manufacture) with the correct locomotives. I am not saying they are 100%, but they are damn close to that. Marklin's US loco line-up is extremely limiting for them. So they attempt to match the released items carefully, and correctly. By the way, the Marklin metal US streamlined coaches are models of those manufactured by the Budd Company, the fluted roof being the iconic feature of those cars.

The 26600 California Zephyr is pretty authentic, as the WP used these F7 locos on that train from the start in 1949. The consist of the train is pretty authentic too. Marklin could re-release this train using the D&RGW PA1/PB locos (or even F7 sets), that would make a whole new generation of CZ fans swoon, as these engines hauled it between Denver and Salt Lake City.

Now the new Marklin 26490 Blue Bird is extremely authentic as well, although the Wabash only ever had three of the PA1 locos, not that that matters.

Both the California Zephyr and Blue Bird ran out of Chicago, though from different terminii.

The CB&Q, which was a partner in the California Zephyr, also ran the Twin Cities Zephyr. between Chicago and St Paul/Minneapolis, over 400 miles. This was an extremely fast train, made up of dome cars after 1947 (usually 5), much like the Blue Bird. You might wonder why Marklin don't make a model of this set. Probably because the Twin Cities Zephyr never (never say never) used F7 or PA1 locos. If Marklin made a model of the iconic silver E type (5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) locomotive (longer, and with C trucks) it could make the Twin Cities Zephyr. But then it might introduce problems for R1 curves and points, so we are again between a rock and a hard place. Here is a useful link for a picture http://www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/twin.htm

Anyway, congratulation to Marklin on the Blue Bird.
That looks a nice train set.

regards
Kimball