The Galesburg Zephyr, a 16 car excursion train, is a nod to the fleets of passenger trains that the Burlington Route operated “EVERYWHERE WEST” starting in the 1930’s. The Burlington Route was an early innovator in diesel locomotives, stainless steel passenger cars and the development of the dome car with superior visibility. This train will carry two vintage dome cars from the 1950’s.
In order to accommodate passengers in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, an additional passenger stop will also be made both days at the Amtrak station in Naperville, Illinois. The trips are being operated in concert with Amtrak and BNSF – a first for the railroad historical society. There will be an Amtrak diesel locomotive on the train, primarily to generate electricity for the lighting and air conditioning on the passenger cars.
So the rumor was true. NKP #765 is really heading out west. But it must suffer under an Amtrak locomotive like SP #4449.
