Railworks America

The California Zephyr is coming to Train Simulator according to this article by Gary Dolzall.

That's quite a challenge,
Given that DTG won't run the extra miles to the logical end of the sub at Portola ...

F3 with high fan shrouds and chicken wire covering the louvers, FP7 (IMO the best proportioned of the E/F locomotives), we don't have those classic and numerous EMD units yet ....

Budd built passenger cars, with correct fluting of the side panels, both above and below of the windows, the correct trucks under each car mounted the right way, and a proper gleaming stainless steel finish to top it all off ...

Not to mention numerous passenger views from the Vista Domes, restaurant and observation lounge to enjoy the spectacular scenery ...

We'll see on Engine Driver how this all new train evolves.

Can we run the Zephyr behind DRGW F units (or Lord Mannu's promised ALCo PA/PB's) over the Soldier Summit or did she ran over Tennessee Pass and through the Royal Gorge?

Denver to Salt Lake City via Moffat Tunnel and Soldier Summit.

Can and should be used on Racetrack as well....

Three scenarios:
- The Racetrack
- Soldier Summit
- Feather River

Optionally, Donner Pass.....

Burlington Route had E-units with stainless steel panels, while their passenger F-units were just painted metallic?

"CB&Q's F3 sets received stainless steel sides, smooth passenger pilots, dual headlights, steam generators and 56:21 gearing. "

http://calzephyr.railfan.net/locos.html

The stainless steel covered only the lower portion of the sides behind the cab to the rear side door.

Hack wrote:The stainless steel covered only the lower portion of the sides behind the cab to the rear side door.

That explains the somewhat dull painted noses I remember from photos.

Their E's (E5 custom built units IIRC) had slanted stainless steel noses, or is that also metallic paint?
Here is one in action, notice the fold along the centre line:

and there is one preserved:

Back to Western Pacific,

The California Zephyr here in downtown Oakland is led by an FP7.
The nose and upper carbody appear to be painted silver, while the panels below the belt rail appear to be stainless steel.


With so much information, drawing, photographs on this train, there is no excuse for the creators to do it wrong.

I'm sure you will find something to complain about.

buzz456 wrote:I'm sure you will find something to complain about.

You must be psychic, only 1 hr and 30 minutes later...

Lets be honest, they could do everything right and someone would still find something to bitch about... some people need more hobbies.

I'd love to see the E's but doubt that will happen. From the looks of it too I think that is actually stainless on the E's, not paint.

ArcticCatZRT wrote:From the looks of it too I think that is actually stainless on the E's, not paint.

Yes. These panels were riveted below the headlight. Above that was paint.

Now was the california zephyr from the Burlington or the WP?????

ZekTheKid wrote:Now was the california zephyr from the Burlington or the WP?????

It was a joint train Originating from Chicago on the CB&Q, heading across the Midwest to Colorado where it hopped on the DRGW at Denver, and then lastly the WP into California. The cars were a mix of all of the owners, and the power was swapped depending on the railroad it was on during the layover times.

Here's pretty good quicky for you kids that don't know how to use Google.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Zephyr

Hack wrote:Yes. These panels were riveted below the headlight. Above that was paint.

I wonder why this was. My only though was how they would have to form the steel to create the top of the hood.