I’ve been wondering about how the Burlington selected
names for its “Silver” passenger equipment. Some names relate to
the equipment’s function, such as Mail
and Messenger for RPO’s, Chest and Treasure
for baggage cars, Banquet and Grill for dining cars, Slumber and Siesta for sleeping cars. Some names are in groups such as
the 1948 CZ trees (Larch, Maple, Pine)
or the 1952 flowers (e.g. Gladiola,
Hyacinth, Iris)
Others, though, seem to have been chosen completely at
random. For example, the Denver Zephyr‘s
12 section sleeping cars were named State,
Tip, Arrow, Skates, Screen and Tone
Someone managed to come up with Grill
and Service for dining cars, or Herald and Courier for RPO-baggage cars, but Skates for a sleeping car?
Rupert Gamlen
Auckland NZ