Lionel Spotlights Zephyr Lineup

Some trains have an undefinable majesty about them, and the silver streaked subject of Lionel's latest spotlight is one such beauty.

If you aren't familiar with the "Pioneer Zephy", then it's time to meet one of the world's most gorgeous trains as envisioned by Lionel. Not only did they capture the classic "Silver Streak", but they added unique Lionel and Christmas color variations for a wonderful lineup of Zephyrs unlike any we've ever seen. Read all the product details straight from Lionel below. 

New Product Spotlight – Zephyrs

As the nation struggled to climb out of the Great Depression, thousands gathered along the tracks from the Midwest to the East Coast to see a brilliant silver flash of the future. More than just a train, the Pioneer Zephyr promised a brighter future and exciting changes to come.

The Pioneer Zephyr

Officially introduced at the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broad Street Station in Philadelphia (also the Budd Company’s home town) on April 18, 1934, the Zephyr began a long introduction to the world before entering regular service on the Burlington. The introduction was advertising not only for the CB&Q but for Budd as well, hoping to sell the new technology and service to railroads and passengers around the country.

On August 24, the Burlington arranged a special showing for the Zephyr. It would race from Denver to Chicago at record pace. Carrying dignitaries, employees and the train’s mascot burro “Zeph,” the train left Denver at 7:04 in the morning. The “Dawn to Dusk Dash” ended in Chicago just 13 hours and 5 minutes later at 8:09 PM. Achieving a top speed of 112 mph and averaging 77 mph, the train arrived nearly two hours earlier than expected.

This run of the “Silver Streak” made national headlines and even prompted a movie about its amazing journey. But the tour didn’t end in Chicago. The Zephyr would go on to visit the Century of Progress Fair in Chicago and then 222 cities in 31 states.

As the Zephyr’s fame and success grew, it became part of the popular culture.
The train finally entered regular service on the Burlington between Kansas City, Missouri and Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska in November of 1934. With seating capacity of only 72 people plus baggage and mail space, the railroad would at times add a fourth car to the consist.

Aside from its limited capacity and a serious head-on collision in 1939, the train performed better than expectations. It was renamed the “Pioneer Zephyr” in 1936 as the Burlington bought additional train sets and added many “conventional” trains with the Zephyr name.

The landmark train reached its first million miles of service with its first five years. It stayed on the roster until 1960 when it was donated to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry where it remains a major exhibit today.

Lionel’s Zephyr

Now you can add this momentous train to your layout. Lionel’s latest release of this historic streamliner comes complete with LEGACY control and sound and all of the features you’ve come to expect.

• LEGACY Control – also capable of running on TMCC or Conventional
• Odyssey II Speed Control
• Lionel Lines
• The Lionel Lines Zephyr wears a color scheme reminiscent of the New Haven’s similar “Comet” train.
• LEGACY RailSounds including
• CrewTalk and TowerCom dialog
• 6 Railroad speeds
• 8 Diesel RPM levels
• LEGACY Quilling horn
• Single hit or continuous mechanical bell
• Sequence control provides sounds and dialog for an entire trip around your layout
• Current speed and fuel dialog and refueling sounds
• Realistic Articulation between cars
• Dual motors with flywheels
• Refined Transformer Control with lower starting speeds
• Traction Tires (4)
• Fan-driven smoke unit with adjustable output – smoke emits from all four stacks
• Working headlight on locomotive and tail light on observation car
• Working Marker Lights on locomotive and observation car
• Lighted and detailed cab and car interiors with crew and passenger figures
• Metal frames
• Die-cast metal bodies, trucks and vestibules
• O-54 minimum curve

In addition to the Burlington Pioneer and Mark Twain Zephyr, we are also offering the train in some very non-conventional but seriously cool color schemes. The “Lionel Lines” and North Pole Central “Christmas Zephyr” are sure to be a hit on many layouts. Each 3-car set is priced at $ 1099.99. See your dealers to order, these trains are expected to arrive this fall. Don’t miss this historic train as it blows by!

It's hard to beat the classic Zephyr, but the "Lionel Lines" version with the simple blue line is a nice looking train as well. I'm not entirely sold on the Christmas colors, but I can imagine many happy railroaders finding that train sitting under their tree this year. This is an iconic, historically significant, and absolutely stunning vehicle, and it's going to be hard to pass up for any dedicated Lionel collector. 

Keep an eye out for this beautiful "silver streak" making its way onto the DASH Marketplace, along with other great Lionel products from the past and present.