Pre-AMTK, Calif. Zephyr / DRGW combine question.

[Bob-Fryml]

Prior to April 1970, did just the DRGW segment of The California Zephyr operation carry a DRGW combine on the head end painted in the Prospector color scheme?

The many pictures I've seen of the Rio Grande Zephyr featured such a painted combine on the head end of an all stainless steel passenger car consist, but I'm wondering if its predecessor California Zephyr operation may have had one too. 

For the many times I witnessed the passage of C.B.& Q. nos. 17 and 18 - both into and out of Chicago Union Station - I don't ever remember seeing any painted DRGW passenger equipment.

Can anyone set me straight on this issue?

[passengerfan]

The Rio Grande Zephyr operated with the Rio Grande combine. When still operated as the California Zephyr the train operated over the CB&Q and Rio Grande with a SS Baggage Car as it had when it was a through train to the west coast with the WP before that carrier dropped the train. Hope that helps.

[Bob-Fryml]

So what "passengerfan" is suggesting here is this:  The passenger car consist of the CZ's departing Oakland and Chicago ran intact all the way to their respective end terminals, i.e., no pickups or setouts enroute.  Yeah, I kinda thought so. 

The train changed only power at Denver and Salt Lake City, which is to say that 

• while traversing the Q, the train ran with Q power,
• while making its way through the Rockies and the Wasatch, the train ran with Rio Grande power, and
• while running between "Mormon town" and tidewater, W.P. power pulled the train.