Was the Ca Zefpher ever pulled by steam or was it always diesel powered? If steam was used what type was used?
   Thanks in advance   Joe

Cal Z was ALWAYS diesel (EMD) powered.

Yes--always diesel powered, but not always EMD (Sorry Doc)--The D&RGW originally powered their segment of the CZ with two ALCo PA-PB-PA sets numbered 600 and 601.  These units later became 6001-6002-6003 and 6011-6012-6013.  They were delivered in a variation of the EMD-styled black and yellow paint  scheme originally used on the FT's.This scheme was followed by all silver with an "Aspen Gold" nose, which didn't last long, before getting the commonly seen Aspen Gold over Silver with four black stripes.  Later F-3 sets 552 thru 554 were used, and eventually F-9's 5771 thru 5774.  gj

Thank you both very much.   Joe

There was a steam/heavyweight predecessor to the CZ--the "Exposition Flyer"  which I think was in conjunction with the 1939 World's Fair at Treasure Island, near San Francisco.  The train sontinued into the postwar years, and actually had some of the CZ cars in it as they were delivered.  So, if you really feel like an unusual consist, you might have a WP or D&RGW 4-8-4 with a mix of heavyweight and streamlined cars.  gj

Quote from: jbustle742 on July 07, 2007, 07:05:19 PMWas the Ca Zefpher ever pulled by steam or was it always diesel powered? If steam was used what type was used?
Thanks in advance   Joe

Mornin', Joe - tac here.  I did search on this train using google and came across almost 100,000 reference pages.

These were particulalry useful -

California Zephyr Virtual Museum
history, artifacts and information about the California Zephyr.

calzephyr.railfan.net/

http://calzephyr.railfan.net/
California Zephyr - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wikipedia article on Amtrak's route between Chicago and Emeryville, California, including a...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Zephyr

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Zephyr

tac
www.ovrgrs.org

There was a special on the local PBS station about the California Zephyr. You can buy a DVD of the program from PBS.

It is in the American Experience series and the name of the program is Streamliners: America's Lost Trains (Item no: AMER6303) the DVD is $24.95. Just google PBS and enter the word "Zephyr")