Nostalgia & History > A Zephyr in St. Paul

A CB&Q E7A leads what looks like the Chicago-bound Afternoon Zephyr on June 9, 1964. I'm standing near Division Street Tower in St. Paul. The first car must be Silver Dome, a flat top the Q made into the first dome car (note the straight line of windows the length of the car and the boxy instead of sleek dome). The state capitol dome is above the last dome car. To the right is the Great Northern engine terminal and to the left is the downtown.

Enjoy,
Marty Bernard

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or silver castle?

Gosh, I'm surprised that the passenger carrying portion of this train is so short for a train in June 1964.  Three or four cars?  How many were on the Afternoon Hi at this time?

But thanks for the great photo!

Lee Hower - Sacramento



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/02/15 14:14 by mcfflyer.

What happened to the dome parlor obs car?

Could it be backing in? It looks like the red mars light is on.

dan Wrote:
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> or silver castle?

I have other pictures of Silver Dome around St. Paul about the same time.

Marty Bernard

Thanks, Marty.

mcfflyer Wrote:
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> Gosh, I'm surprised that the passenger carrying
> portion of this train is so short for a train in
> June 1964.  Three or four cars?  How many were
> on the Afternoon Hi at this time?
>
> But thanks for the great photo!
>
> Lee Hower - Sacramento
The Twin Zephyr consist was fairly typical at that time.  Usually a cafe/lounge,
a couple of domes, a few flat top coaches.  The Hiawatha at this time was still
running with eight to ten cars with lots of room.  Additional cars were added
at holidays.  But there were times when I was alone in a Skytop, or had just
a few fellow passengers and the steward.​​​​​  Several reasons for the Hiawatha's
long term success:  Larger population base in cities served​ - Milwaukee,
Columbus (stop for Madison), Wisconsin Dells and New Lisbon (tourist
destinations) La Crosse and Winona (5 universities in two cities).  The
friendly MILW crews and depot personnel were another reason.​​​  MILW
made you glad you were a passenger on their trains, food was always
excellent.​



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/02/15 20:04 by SR2.

Nice shot, Marty, thanks for posting.  

One additional nitpick.  The "GN engine terminal" is actually the SPUD roundhouse.  GN
kept their power there during the day to avoid a long run from Minneapolis Junction.  Soo
also kept their power there for the "Laker" connection and the "Winnepeger."  

Nick Tharalson,
Marion IA

A former Kansas City Zephyr Vista Dome Parlor
Observation Car (flat end) is positioned ahead of the pre war coach.  (note the vestibule at the front of the car and the raised roof line behind the dome.)  A Vista Dome Coach is operating as the rear car as seen with the vestibule at the rear of the car.

Now, I'm really confused....is the first car not that pre-war flat windowed dome coach?  Positioned in front of it is the second diesel unit.  AA

Stanford White
Carmel Valley, CA

As best can be seen in the photo:

• E7 A
• E8 (or E9 A)
• Pre-war Vista Dome Chair Coach (flat glass) dead-head?
• RPO
• Baggage
• Vista Dome Parlor Observation
• Pre-war flat top Chair Coach or similar
• Vista Dome Chair Coach