Con-Cor International Pioneer Zephyrs in HO and N scales

Lighting and sound effects are the main attractions on this late-version Zephyr from Con-Cor. (Model Railroader reviewed the early-version Zephyr in the August 2005 (HO) and June 2006 (N) issues). Both N and HO scale models are available with Digitrax Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoders.

The Pioneer Zephyr. Entering regular service in 1934, the Pioneer Zephyr was a diesel-electric streamliner developed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy RR with the Budd Manufacturing Co. and General Motors’ Electro-Motive Corp. The original train had three articulated cars. In 1935 a 40-seat coach was added to the train. As a result of high-speed grade-crossing accidents, the Burlington added a high headlight and gyrating warning light to the lead car in 1948.

The models. Both the N and HO scale models use much of the same tooling as the earlier releases. The dimensions, fluting, and other details match prototype photos, as well as drawings in the January 1999 Model Railroader. The models come assembled and ready-to-run out of the box.

On both models the silver paint is smoothly applied and the lettering is correctly positioned. The dark gray truck skirts on the N scale model would look more prototypical if painted silver.

Speed tests. The models that I tested included factory-installed decoders and speakers. Although the decoders are listed as dual mode, both the N and HO DCC-equipped models accelerated erratically and didn’t respond to the direction switch when I ran them with two different direct-current (DC) power packs. I’d recommend the Digitrax decoder-equipped versions for DCC use only.

For both the N and HO models I had to set the starting voltage configuration variable (CV2) in each decoder to a value of 20. The models then crept along smoothly in speed step 1. When I set the decoder for 128 speed steps it ran at less than 1 scale mph in speed step 1.

Like their prototype, the Con-Cor models are speed demons. The HO Zephyr reached 71 scale mph, which is less than the prototype’s 112 mph top speed but fast enough for a long stretch of model railroad track. The N scale model had a top speed of 141 scale mph.

Sounds and light. The HO version includes a 28mm speaker mounted on the power car’s frame. The N scale version has a 13mm speaker mounted on the coach’s frame.

Each decoder features several user-triggered functions. Pressing function 2 sounded a single-chime air horn. Other effects include the bell and a grade-crossing signal. On startup and after any interruption in track power there are a series of beeps, which I found annoying.

The rumbling diesel engine sounds are realistic, but I would’ve have liked the effect to be louder. I appreciated that I could set the engine sound for manual notching. This helped me simulate the sound of the diesel engine “ramping up” before the locomotive started moving.

Each train features lighting effects. The headlights and red warning light on the power car and observation car operate according to direction. Function 3 turns on a pulsating warning light above the headlight. All of the car interiors are also illuminated.

The Con-Cor Zephyr is a well-detailed model of the prototype. The added sound effects will make it
especially fun on DCC layouts.

Price (HO and N version, direct current): $449.98 (Three-car set), $149.98 (add-on coach).
Digitrax SDH164 (HO) or SDN144PS (N) Digital Command Control (DCC) sound decoder with speaker
available separately or installed for additional $74.98.

Manufacturer
Con-Cor International
8101 E. Research Ct.
Tucson, AZ 85710-6758
www.con-cor.com

Road name: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy

Era: 1948 to 1960 (as detailed)

Features

• 16-wheel electrical pickup
• Dual-flywheel equipped motor and 8-wheel drive
• Eight-pin DCC socket on printed circuit board
• Illuminated car interiors
• Metal RP-25 contour metalwheels in gauge
• Minimum radius: 9-3/4″ (N scale), 18″ (HO scale)
• Operating Mars signal light
• Weight: N scale set 3 ounces, HO scale set 17 ounces