Never heard of this old passenger train until today. Unique route and pooling agreement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zephyr_Rocket
The pooling arrangement isn't that unusual. As recently as the 1980's Amtrak and VIA operated the Chicago-Toronto "International" as a through train, with each operator contributing a set of equipment.
The TRRA Historical Society devoted an issue of their excellent publication to the Zephyr Rocket back in 2009. Out of stock at TRRA but you might still find it online or a RR flea market etc.
An oddity of the train was, for whatever reason, it only ever used one E-unit as power. There were times they literally turned people away because they were at the engine's limit, and couldn't add additional cars.
wjstixThe TRRA Historical Society devoted an issue of their excellent publication to the Zephyr Rocket back in 2009. Out of stock at TRRA but you might still find it online or a RR flea market etc. An oddity of the train was, for whatever reason, it only ever used one E-unit as power. There were times they literally turned people away because they were at the engine's limit, and couldn't add additional cars.
Pictures I have seen of the train would tend to indicate that it handled more mail and express than passengers - at least having more head end cars than passenger cars.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
wjstix The TRRA Historical Society devoted an issue of their excellent publication to the Zephyr Rocket back in 2009. Out of stock at TRRA but you might still find it online or a RR flea market etc. An oddity of the train was, for whatever reason, it only ever used one E-unit as power. There were times they literally turned people away because they were at the engine's limit, and couldn't add additional cars.
OK! How about the Missouri Pacfic's "Delta Eagle"
@ https://sites.rootsweb.com/~lamadiso/articles/deltaeagle.htm
or fromTRAINS Forum @
https://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/p/297617/3479320.aspx#3479320
[ E-style Engine; replete with single engine and baggage compartment.]
or even:
The Rock Island's " Choctaw Rocket" Memphis,(via Lttle Rock,Ar.)El Reno,Ok.
The Delta Eagle was essentially a doodlebug pulling a couple of trailers, local service with a streamlined 'look'.
The Choctaw Rocket was one of the name trains on the 35th Parallel transcontinental route; to this day I don't quite understand why more wasn't made of this route. When it was converted to RDCs a further opportunity was missed; it could have been a full-service train like the Crusader and Wall Streeter, or the Daylight Speedliner. Oddly it didn't even make it with RDCs to the great RPO-dieoff of 1967...
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Overmod: here is a linked video you might enjoy.
@https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Photos/%20Missouri%20Pacific%20Train%20Delta%20Eagle?&mid=289AD2C3D55F39F47C8F289AD2C3D55F39F47C8F&ajaxhist=0
At about 4 min (+-) into video there are photos of the diesel: it was an early model E-style [AA (?)] unit. [1 engine and and a baggage area inte body]. admittedly the train; was usually 1 or 2 cars, but it did run Memphisto Tallulah ; left abot 4 PM and returned the next day(?), I was able to ride it in the late 50's or early 60's; in times before I left for PISC.
Other posters here might be able to provide specifics on the EMD Diesel ?
One of the issues with the 35th Parallel route was that it gave Southern Pacific an outstanding opportunity to short-haul itself. Should the interchange be with Rock Island at Tucumcari or with a variety of carriers at New Orleans?
BaltACD wjstix The TRRA Historical Society devoted an issue of their excellent publication to the Zephyr Rocket back in 2009. Out of stock at TRRA but you might still find it online or a RR flea market etc. An oddity of the train was, for whatever reason, it only ever used one E-unit as power. There were times they literally turned people away because they were at the engine's limit, and couldn't add additional cars. Pictures I have seen of the train would tend to indicate that it handled more mail and express than passengers - at least having more head end cars than passenger cars.
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