Didnt the Grande end up pulling 5 or 6 car trains? Sometimes all vista domes?
And after Amtrak,. Grande still running the Zephyr though on a different route, did they use all DRGW lettered cars? Or did they use some of the leftover WP and CBQ? Also they were pulled by single striped F9’s right? Just confirming these questions! Thanks alot,
Also, anyone know of a good HO F9 DRGW single stripe??? Thanks. Bennett
Just before Amtrak, the WP stopped running their portion of the run. The D&RGW portion was cut back to tri-weekly ‘California Service’ where a connection was made to the still running ‘City of San Francisco’. Cars were still CZ cars, mixed D&RGW and CB&Q heritage. The WP cars were sold off by the WP. After Amtrak, the D&RGW decided not to join and had to keep running their portion of the existing tri-weekly/6 days a week service(no train on Wednesday). This is the ‘Rio Grande Zephyr’ with the ABB set of F9’s, heater car, ex-Prospecter bagg/buffet and 5-6 ex-CZ cars. Most of the train was made up using the ex-CZ dome coaches as sleepers really were not needed. The dome observation ran as well. This consist ran through the 70’s and was terminated when Amtrak and D&RGW finally made a ‘deal’, and you now see the present ‘Superliner’ California Zephyr.
Yes, the ABB set of F9’s were painted in the ‘single stripe’ scheme by this time. When the F’s were in for service, GP40’s would substitute.
Jim Bernier
Try to get a copy of “Never on Wednesday”, a great book about the RGZ.
The cars were all from the D&RGW pool of the CZ cars. The sleepers were converted into coaches. Other cars could pinch-hit for the diner. Length would depend on demand for service to Grand Junction.
Freight units could pinch-hit for the F9’s or when they ram a full 10 car train. (steam heat provided by the PB heater car)
If you want to spend some big money, and model HO, here you go…
When I lived in Salt Lake City as a college student I used to go down to the D&RGW depot and see the RGZ sitting there. I never thought to take any pictures. I even saw it once at speed in the Utah desert when I was driving to Grand Junction. Again, no photos.
Why I never took the chance to ride on that train, I’ll never understand. I had plenty of opportunities. Big mistake. - Nevin