Nostalgia & History > Price Canyon Zephyr Memory

It was interesting to observe the positioning that management chose to place passenger cars on the Rio Grande Zephyr. On this evening Price Canyon run in the summer of 1978, D&RGW "flat top" coaches Silver Aspen and Silver Pine were placed ahead of the vista dome chair cars. This would not have been the operating practice on the old California Zephyr, where dome cars usually lead.

By 1981-82 the Grande moved the Silver Banquet dining car to the head end right behind the baggage car to avoid unnecessary pedestrian traffic while patrons enjoyed their meals. In turn, the seating area in the baggage car became a dormitory area for dining car employees.

Even the Steam Generator car (not pictured here) moved about over the years. In the early to mid-1970's it was commonly placed behind the three F9's. By the early 1980's it would move to be positioned right behind the F9A unit 5771.

Sometimes aesthetics take a back seat to functionality!

James Belmont

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Very nice image.

Moving the domes back might have helped to keep soot and unburned oil from splattering the front glass so much perhaps?