I adjust my operating schedules with the seasons, and now is the time for Christmas holiday travel. Although, it is not feasible to change scenery on my layout to look like December, I still enjoy operating the Christmas trains.
Iin this case, Granny and Granddad are traveling to visit Sonny, DIL, Granddaughter and Grandson in Prairie View. Their day started early with a doodlebug ride from Hinterland to Valley Heights. At that location, they boarded the Prairie Zephyr to continue their westward journey.
Because it is a busy time of the year for rail travel, the Prairie Zephyr’s normal consist has been altered. Its E7 and its stainless steel cars have been assigned to primary trains elsewhere. SD7’s and older equipment is assigned to the Prairie Zephyr for today as substitites. Burlington’s SD7’s had steam generators.
First photo is of CB&Q 308 bring up the rear as the train departs Valley Heights.
Next photo shows the train headed toward Blackhawk. As you can see there are plenty of headend cars to accomodate loads of mail and express. Many Christmas presents are being shipped to loved ones aboard those cars.
Granny and Granddad are comfortable seated in the second car from the rear of the train. It is CB&Q 4652 which is a former C&NW 400 coach that Burlington purchased from C&NW and refurbished. Ahead of CB&Q 4652 is CB&Q 6161 which is a modernized heavyweight coach. The train has stopped in Blackhawk.
After departing blackhawk, the Prairie Zephyr can be seen passing behind the stock yards and slaughter house.
Being afraid of heights, Granny is seated in the aisle seat, and Granddad is enjoying the view as the train passes over the Mrs. Hippy River.
Finally, the train is arriving at Prairie View. Sonny will pick them up in the his '57 Chevy (not in view).
That’s the end of the journey. I hope you enjoed it.
The train consist was SD7’s 300 and 303 (P2K)…Havlock baggage car 1045 (made from Rivarossi bagge car)… GN baggae car 254 (Athearn)…Baggage car converted from troop kitchen car. (I kitbashed it from a Walthers troop kitchen car before they released the prototype car)…CB&Q 1942 (RPO car made from an NKP Car Company kit)…Coach 6161 (Kitbashed an old JC Models kit) …Coach 4652 (ConCor coach) …CB&Q 308 (DIner palror car from an NKP Car Company kit)
