March 20, 2005 marks the 56th anniversary of the maiden runs of the famous 1949 California Zephyr passenger train that departed daily on a 50+ hour spectacular trek between Oakland (CA) and Chicago (IL) over the WP, D&RGW, and CB&Q.
In 1982, a deeply fascinated railfan (who requested anonymity), and his wife, interviewed at length an original Zephyrette for a tentative TRAINS Magazine piece that conceptually had the blessings of then editor David P. Morgan. When she was sent a copy of the compiled manuscript to inspect for accuracy, she totally freaked out because she had erroneously thought other Zephyrettes would be interviewed as well, but, in truth, none could be found. She adamantly requested the material not be published. That was unfortunate because TRAINS’ readership could have gained much insight on the train, its operations, and crew and management attitudes that has to date, and to the anonymous interviewer’s knowledge, never been revealed in print.