Four different Western Pacific story-board ads–ads made up of several black-and-white photos illustrating features of the train–were featured in 1956 issues of National Geographic. Two more story-board ads signed by all three railroads appeared in the February 1964 and February … Continue reading
I count nine different photo ads–ads dominated by one large photo, usually with one smaller photo–in various issues of National Geographic. The first two were placed by Western Pacific, and the remainder by all three railroads. Click any image for … Continue reading
Using pocketwatches–uncommon today but a sign of a railroader in the 1950s–as illustrations, the March 1953 ad emphasized the fact that the CZ was timed for scenery. Click any image for a larger view. … Continue reading
Fifteen of the California Zephyr ads I’ve found in National Geographic were cartoon ads. All were placed by Western Pacific, and in most cases the cartoons were drawn by Gerhardt Hurt, about whom little is known other than that he … Continue reading
The California Zephyr was, according to numerous advertisements, “the most talked about train in the country.” One or two ads even claimed that it was “the best-loved train in the country.” We can’t verify these claims today, but we can … Continue reading
The round-tailed observation car of the California Zephyr was supposed to be the pièce de résistance. In some respects, the car was magnificent. In others, it was surprisingly plain. As shown in the cutaway diagram on the brochure below, which … Continue reading
When the California Zephyr began operating, General Motors ran this ad saying that all three participating railroads had selected EMD locomotives to pull the train. But that wasn’t quite true. This ad appeared in the July, 1949 issue of National … Continue reading
I have two menus from the Cable Car Room, both dated 1969. One dated June includes four simple meals: beef stew; baked ham; turkey sandwich; and a fruit plate, each accompanied by a salad, bread (potato in the case of … Continue reading
Second only to the observation car, the dome-buffet car was one of the most elaborate cars on the California Zephyr. In front of the dome–the short end of the car–were tables and seats for 19 people, plus two small restrooms. … Continue reading
The California Zephyrs each had a stewardess known as a Zephyrette who assisted mothers and children, made train announcements, and took reservations for the diner. As explained in the Zephyrette manual, there was a specific procedure for those reservations. Unusual … Continue reading
