Broadway Limited Imports’ HO California ZephyrVista-Domes to the West. The California Zephyr was planned to be a “cruise train,” with more Vista-Dome cars than any other regular train in the West. Nicknamed the “CZ,” the train operated between Chicago and Oakland, Calif., over three railroads: the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Denver & Rio Grande Western; and Western Pacific. It was scheduled to pass through the scenic Feather River Canyon and Rocky Mountains during daylight and to sprint across the plains at night.
It took six complete trains to provide daily CZ departures from both terminals, and each train entered service with a standard 11-car consist. All of these stainless-steel cars were built by Budd, including the sleepers, so everything matched perfectly. The CZ matched consists seldom varied.
Budd built another dozen CZ cars in 1952, including six new 5-compartment, 6-double-bedroom sleepers that added more family-size rooms. The other new cars substituted for equipment in the shop. As the demand for section space declined, the original 16-section sleepers were rebuilt into 48-seat flat-top CZ chair cars in 1963 and 1964 for use during peak travel periods.
Unfortunately, growing operating costs became prohibitive and the CZ’s final runs were made on March 22, 1970.
The models. Broadway Limited Imports offers models of all of the CZ car types with ownership initials on the letter boards and proper car names. Nine different car types are available, including a 72-foot baggage car; a dome coach; a dome coach with a conductor’s room; a dome lounge-buffet-dormitory car; a diner; a 10-roomette, 6-bedroom sleeper; a 16-section sleeper; a 5-compartment, 6-double-bedroom sleeper; and a 3-double-bedroom, 1-drawing room-dome-observation-lounge. All of these models match prototype drawings published in The Passenger Car Library, Vol. 1 – CB&Q, by W. David Randall.
These models have captured the characteristic Budd streamlined passenger car cross section. They have a smooth window band and lower sides covered with scale 3½”-wide fluting. The full skirts, upper sides, and roof have narrower 2″ fluting. Each roof has two purlins that roughly divide it into thirds.
Plastic window strips are mounted from the inside. The windows aren’t quite flush, but they have a raised edge that’s painted black to simulate the prototype’s rubber gaskets. All of the windows have the Zephyr’s characteristic blue-green tint, and the side windows have blinds. However, under close examination I was surprised to find that the Venetian blinds are screen-printed on the outside of the windows.
The underbodies are well detailed, and the silver paint really shows off the numerous fittings. The sleepers and dome cars have waste chutes under their middle rooms, but the chutes are omitted at the ends as a concession to truck swing. Underbody plumbing is generally ignored, but that isn’t a problem since it would be hidden behind the skirting anyway.
The interiors look fine through the windows, but they’re pretty Spartan. Most modelers will probably want to paint the details to hide the buff-colored plastic. The inside vestibule bulkheads also need to be painted silver. Instructions and a tool are provided for easy access to the interior.
Mechanical details. Free-rolling models of the General Steel Foundries type 41-NDO four-wheel trucks are included. They have metal RP-25 wheels mounted on stub axles pressed into acetal plastic axle tubes. The needlepoint axles ride in metal bearings concealed in the sideframes, so all of the wheels pick up current. Three of the wheelsets didn’t match the National Model Railroad Association standards gauge, but they were adjusted easily.
The drawbar also has a cam action that extends the coupler about a scale 6″ as it swings toward either side. This provides more clearance between cars on sharp curves. Small recesses behind the full skirting provide extra truck clearance on curves.
The full-length cars weigh 7 ounces each, matching the NMRA Recommended Practice of 1 ounce plus ½ ounce per inch of length. The baggage car is an ounce light.
Broadway Limited’s CZ cars certainly raise the standard for plastic passenger cars. Their great-looking stainless steel is more realistic than the finish on most brass models. With their excellent detail, innovative couplers, and free-rolling trucks, these California Zephyr models are truly ready-to-run.
Price: flat-top cars, $64.99 each; Vista-Dome cars, $69.99 each
Manufacturer
Broadway Limited Imports
4 Signal Ave., Suite C
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
www.broadway-limited.com
Description
Plastic and metal ready-to-run passenger cars
Road names
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Denver & Rio Grande Western; Western Pacific, and Pennsylvania (one 10-6 sleeper only)
Features
Concealed eight-wheel electrical pickup
Factory installed grab irons
Interior lighting and details
Kadee magnetic couplers mounted at the proper height in swinging drawbars
Lighted drumhead sign (observation car)
Metal NMRA RP-25 contour wheels mounted in gauge
Minimum 22″-radius curves
Moveable diaphragms
NMRA recommended weight (except baggage car which is 1 ounce light)
Plastic nickel-plated body shells
Tinted windows
