CB&Q surprises TT

The top 10 locomotives wishlist that editor Terry covered in his editorial this month in MR indicates he was a little surprised that the CB&Q Zephyr made the list. I have to admit that I was too when you see how few articles are written about the CB&Q. You see alot of coal haulers out of the east, but how about the CB&Q coal haulers coming up from southern Illinois? Could be because it’s hard to model swamp land.

The first time I saw the CB&Q double-track mainline skirting the Mississippi around Savanah, IL, I knew I had to tear down my old ATSF freelance (the Tincup & Doleyville RR), and begin the conversion to CB&Q! As fate would have it, a move to Illinois some 14 years ago helped me make up my mind.

Anybody else out there (besides Jeff Wilson and myself) modelling the CB&Q?

I am interested in the CB&Q and like to attend their historical society’s conventions, which are very well attended by modelers. The late Bernard Corbin modeled the CBQ and he was one of the all time greatest modelers. Roger Miller (not the singer) is also a CBQ modeler and is a tremendous scratchbuilder.

Frankly a number of engines on that most requested list struck me as decidedly odd. A U18B? And MR itself used the Pioneer Zephyr for a couple of important anniversary issues of the magazine, so I am surprised at the surprise.
Dave Nelson