Atlas O Commemorative and Limited Edition California Zephyr Passenger Sets
by Tom Haedrich, Executive Chairman, Atlas Model Railroad Co. Inc.
I’m encouraged and enthusiastic about the initial response Atlas O is experiencing in regards to our recent announcement of complete O scale, 2 and 3 rail, 12 unit California Zephyr passenger sets, with planned production for the latter part of 2016. One question we are being asked by email, phone and at recent shows is, “what makes the availability of these two categories of sets, Dealer and Golden Spike Club, so special?” I’d like to take a few minutes to explain that to you.
Dealer Commemorative Editions
The dealer commemorative editions are based on historical events and to honor the memory of an Atlas employee. The historical event is straight forward in that the California Zephyr is arguably the most beautiful, long-standing passenger train trip in all of North America.
The first service occurred more than 65 years ago on March 20th 1949. It traversed between Chicago and San Francisco, through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno, Sacramento and completing the journey in Emeryville (near San Francisco) CA. The three railroads that partnered to safely transport passengers over this route were the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Denver, Rio Grande & Western and Western Pacific. These three railroads are being offered in unique car names for the commemorative editions along with three distinct F3 locomotive consists used by each railroad. As an added bonus, you can mix the railroads in the 12 car sets to create nine distinct prototypically correct California Zephyr trains.
While not nearly as long a period of time, Atlas has admittedly taken longer than either we, or our loyal customers, would have preferred to complete the individual models which make up this distinctive train. Efforts began in early 2010 and took 6 years, and multiple suppliers, to finish. I won’t bore you with all the maneuverings which occurred during that span of time to keep the production moving ahead. I will say that the final product, coming from an impressively skilled manufacturer, is a highly accurate, stunningly attractive, and consistent representation of this exceptional passenger car train set.
The initial idea and farsighted proposal to tackle this complex train was the brainchild of Atlas O’s founding vice president, Jim Weaver, who passed away in 2011. It was Jim’s visionary plan, and in his memory, which encouraged all of us at Atlas to continue the goal of seeing this project through to completion. It is to a large degree, in honor of Jim’s memory and vision, that this set is commemorated.
Golden Spike Club Special Edition
The Golden Spike Club special edition, in both 2 and 3 rail versions, include some of the explanations as discussed above. Exclusively, GSC members are being offered the original, as produced, California Zephyr passenger car sets for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. Available only in this set is the all silver, Pennsylvania Railroad 10/6 sleeper that afforded passengers luxurious coast to coast service, without changing cars. Passenger car names for the CB&Q set are separate and distinct from those selected commemorative dealer sets.
Whether commemorative or special edition, it’s significant to note that these Atlas O sets will automatically be considered a collector’s item for any who are fortunate enough to receive one. Atlas is favored to be working on this ‘one of a kind’ project with a highly skilled supplier who is willing to recognize realistic demand limitations. As such, the GSC special edition will be authenticated through a numbered metal certificate. A sample of this numbered metal certificate will be made available soon for customer viewing.
Another GSC special edition exclusive will be the distinctive outer packaging design the sets will arrive in. Each GSC set is comprised of three-four car cartons. The outer most cartons are a standard brown shipping carton, while the inner carton is a specially designed GSC California Zephyr keepsake storage carton. Carton designs will also be made available for customer viewing in the near future.
Atlas is very excited about all our plans for producing these ‘one of a kind’ limited and commemorative passenger train sets. They have been a long time coming. We thank you for your patience and support, and look forward to bringing them to you in the near future.
-Tom Haedrich, Executive Chairman, Atlas Model Railroad Co. Inc.
