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Prototype
Information:
The Pioneer Zephyr is an ICONIC diesel-powered trainset built for
the CB&Q (Burlington Route) in 1934. KATO USA is recreating this
model in its current appearance, as displayed at the Museum of Science
and Industry.
In the early 1930s, railroads suffered great losses as people stopped
taking the train due to the Great Depression, and the automobile was
gaining popularity. The CB&Q decided to strike up a deal with the
Budd company to create a “trainset of the future” to appeal
to customers. On May 26th, 1934, it set a speed record for travel between
Denver and Chicago. It made a 1015.4-mile run in about 13 hours and
5 minutes. This trip typically took two days, and the train reached
a top speed of 112.5 mph. The Pioneer Zephyr even starred in the movie
called “The Silver Steak”, but alas, all good things must
come to an end.
The consist was finally retired in 1960, but thankfully, it was later
donated to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. While passenger
rail in the United States dwindled in popularity, the Pioneer Zephyr
made a lasting impact on railroad history. This train consist was the
first of 9 zephyrs made for Burlington, and it helped to propel diesel
power to passenger rail.The KATO USA model will be directly based on
the consist found in MSI.
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Model
Features:
Features - Details
• The train will be available in a 3-Car bookcase set, which includes
the RPO Power
car, the baggage/buffet coach, and the observation car.
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