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Existing Zephyrs Update

To: BRHSlist@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Existing Zephyrs Update
From: "John Lewis" <CBQJohn@m...>
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 09:00:43 -0700
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List,

The talk about existing Zephyrs prompted me to write this short ?trip report? about my recent visit to the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis on August 11th. While some may think of the MOT as the home of SLSF 1522 (and it is), I prefer to think of it as home of the Silver Charger!

The museum is a beehive of activity and much of it centers on the ?Q? collection. Earlier reports about the 9908 being in an advanced state of restoration are not quite accurate. It was said that several years ago the prime mover was in a condition that it could be turned over, but that is it. Other than some cosmetic work, 9908 sits much as it has for several years. The one neat thing is that the track on the engineer?s side of 9908 has been removed so that the ground may be firmed up. For photographers, this is a rare chance to be able to shoot both sides of the engine without clutter. The Silver Charger nameplate on the engineer?s side is in the baggage compartment, though.

Silver Charger would require a complete rebuild, from cab appliances to the prime mover to the traction motors. That isn?t to say that it can?t be done, just that right now restoration isn?t a big priority. The power truck was recently painted and looks great, as does the herald on the nose. The windows on either side of the center point are now one piece (the old frames at the upper part that could be opened for ventilation rusted away). Wiring has been run so that the headlight may be lit up for special events.

The Burlington heavyweight RPO, baggage and coach that rest directly behind 9908 are undergoing cosmetic restoration...at this point, the fireman?s side of the cars have been completed and they look GREAT! To see pictures of the work, click on the link below:

http://www.museumoftransport.org/projects.htm

The St. Louis Chapter of the NRHS purchased Silver Maple and Silver Larch several years ago. Silver Maple was recently bought by a Mr. Mark Greve and is at Illinois Transit Assembly across the river in Illinois; Silver Larch is still owned by the NRHS and has operated behind SLSF 1522 on a special and in charter service behind Amtrak. I don?t know what lettering the car carries. It too is at Illinois Transit Assembly.

E8 9939A (BN 9902, MARC 64) is currently in MOT?s shop undergoing restoration to full Q colors! According to the MOT web site (link above), the Burlington Route Historical Society has assisted in the project by locating a new front door with a headlight opening. The site also reports that BRHS obtained a donation of Imron paint (way to go BRHS!!!!) 9972 is still sitting outside the shops as MARC #92.

Silver Spoon, Aleutian, and Dubuque all sit under the shed of the Museum?s Roberts building, safe from the elements.

The gift shop is a bit lean on Q memorabilia, but I was able to pick up a snazzy t-shirt of the 9911A (of course, my wife?s response was ?do you need ONE more Burlington shirt?!!!) I bet you all can't guess my reply....

I would venture to say that outside of Union, MOT probably has the largest collection of Burlington equipment and even for the non-Q fan, the Museum has done a fantastic job of cosmetically fixing up a lot of their other equipment, making it well worth the visit.

Regards from San Diego,
John Lewis




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