[CBQ] Denver Zephyr Makes Denver- Peoria Run!

[dpj1974@mediacombb.net]

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The following article appeared the in THE PEORIA STAR on December 14, 1936:

PEORIA GIVEN "CLOSEUP" OF NEWEST TRAIN

---Burlington Zephyr Makes Fast Trip from Denver---

Peorians bunched along Burlington route tracks down through Kickapoo creek valley and South Side yards caught their first glimpse of the country's newest streamlined train this morning.

Completing the fastest run ever made between Denver and Peoria, the sleek 12-car Denver Zephyr brought nearly 200 Colorado visitors to Caterpillar Tractor company's 1937 machinery show into Union station a few minutes before 8 o'clock. Caterpillar band and officials greeted the visitors.

The 907-mile run was made at an average of nearly 60 miles an hour and at times, railway officials said, the train raced across the prairies of Nebraska and rolling Iowa at speeds as high as 107 miles an hour. Taken from its regular run between Chicago and Denver to make the special trip, it left Denver at 3 o'clock (mountain time) yesterday afternoon, arrived Galesburg as the sun rose and "loafed" the rest of the trip over the branch line. There was almost a "continuous audience" as it sped through Yates City, Elmwood, Oak Hill and Edwards.

Given a chance to walk through the luxurious cars at the station, the crowd found nothing to compare with the "iron horses" that stood shabbily by contrast on adjoining tracks.

Diesel motors turning out 3,000 horsepower to run electric generators that in turn supply current for traction motors roared in the two power cars at the head of the train. A mail car followed the power cars and then a car devoted almost entirely to a cocktail lounge done in gay colors and set off with chromium and plate glass.

Next in the elaborate line of glistening stainless steel cars, close coupled to eliminate shocks of starting and stopping, were two coaches decorated in light restful colors and equipped with seats that [are] a far cry from the "torture chairs" often found in cars of the transportation era that ended abruptly a few years ago when railways discovered they were down and about to be "counted out."

A diner, four sleeping cars, one containing only individual staterooms with all the comforts of a hotel room, and the observation car with its small bar completed the train.

The train also boasts an inter-car telephone system and regular household current for operation of various electrical appliances.

L. B. Lyman, executive assistant to the Burlington's president, road the train here.

"At the rate we are developing these trains," he said, "it won't be very many years before Peoria can expect regular service with this type of equipment. There is little doubt that the trains are here to stay as the public has shown its approval by overwhelming patronage."

Pointing out that operating economy is a big factor along with comfort, safety and speed of the new equipment, he declared the cost of operating the train from Denver to this city was approximately 40 per cent less than the fuel cost of a steam train of the same capacity.

A 10-car steam train will take the delegation of county officials, road commissioners and officials of the U. S. forestry service back to Denver tomorrow afternoon.

(end of story)

David P. Jordan

Dunlap, Illinois

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