Jan,
Yes, uncoupling the articulated Zephyr train sets was a difficult task done only at a shop since each car shared a truck assembly with the adjacent car. This was recognized early on as one of the major shortcomings of the original Zephyr fleet. That recognition resulted in a change that first occurred with the original Denver Zephyr, where only groups of cars were articulated. These were limited to two and three car articulated sets. Thus, portions of the Denver Zephyr could be uncoupled in the traditional manner and the Q did modify the consist from time to time. The new Denver Zephyr Bulletin no. 50 gives a good description of the car sets and the consist modifications made over time.
The General Pershing Zephyr with 9908 leading, was the first Zephyr with individual non articulated cars. The next non articulated Zephyr wasn’t placed in service until after WWII with the introduction of the third Twin Cities Zephyr. The Q did purchase several extra cars that could be used in the consists of the first four Zephyr trains, 9900 - 9903. I think they included two coaches and a dinette cafe car.
Bill Barber
Sun Mar 6, 2016 10:39 am (PST) . Posted by: You're right, Bill, it does sound like I was misunderstanding the description.
So for clarification; the MTZ was turned as an entire unit (without uncoupling)
while most other trains had the baggage/mail uncoupled and moved to where they
would be unloaded/loaded. Correct?
Cheers!
Jan Kohl
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Posted by: William Barber <clipperw@gmail.com>
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