Brochure and Timetable showing the joint Burlington Route and Rock Island Zephyr Rockets.
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Zephyr Rocket

Imagine boarding a train that embodies speed and comfort, making every journey feel like a swift breeze. The Zephyr Rocket train, a marvel of modern engineering, offers just that experience. This train is not only a significant leap in transportation technology but also a testament to innovative design and efficiency in rail travel. History and…

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad named its Zephyr series of passenger trains after the Greek God Zephyrus, God of the West Wind.
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Who or What Is a “Zephyr”

A “Zephyr” holds a special place in American rail history. It symbolizes speed, elegance, and innovation. The name is famously associated with the streamlined Zephyr trains that revolutionized passenger rail travel in the mid-20th century.  These trains were known for their sleek design and comfort, becoming icons of American engineering and are remembered fondly by…

The shovel nose power unit from the General Pershing Zephyr.
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General Pershing Zephyr

The General Pershing Zephyr, named in honor of World War I general John J. Pershing, was a train that represented more than just innovation in transportation during the early 20th century. It signified a leap into the future, cutting through the American landscape with the grace and speed of a comet.  The Chicago, Burlington, and…

Trainset blueprint showing permanent coupling area.

What Is The Difference Between A Streamlined Passenger Train And A Streamlined Trainset?

Streamlined trains revolutionized rail travel in the early 20th century, boasting sleek designs that cut through air resistance more efficiently. These trains became symbols of speed and modernity, connecting cities and countries faster than ever before.  Their development marked significant advancements in engineering and aesthetics, influencing rail transport globally. Today, streamlined trains remain vital, blending…

The First steam built streamlined

The Milwaukee Road ordered four steam locomotives from ALCO in 1935 to pull their new Hiawatha trains. These were the first steam locomotives built streamlined. The very first steam locomotive to be streamlined was a J Class Hudson on the New York Central in 1934. Its streamlined shroud was placed over an existing engine. A…

The first streamlined steam locomotive, New York Central 5344, the Commodore Vanderbilt

The first streamlined steam

In 1934 the New York Central shops in West Albany, New York created the first streamlined steam locomotive. Streamlining, a less decorated off-shoot of the Art Deco style, was sweeping the country in the early 1930s. Buildings and even toasters and clocks had been given the sleek, aerodynamic design and now a young civil engineer…

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