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California "Zephyr" Dreamin'

Erik C LindgrenErik C LindgrenOGR Forum Member
Recently I had the opportunity to pick up my 2 Atlas O California Zephyr cars. I really like these cars; they are fantastic. Considering these guys are around $145 a car, wow, simply wow.


Budd 10/6

Budd Standard Dome Coach (California Zephyr)


DETAIL PHOTOS







Detail shots show a decent amount of under-body detail on par with most brass imports. There are some errors in the diaphragm assembly but for the most part the model very good.

LIGHTING


The Lighting system is ingenious, track power or AAA battery power. Installation is fairly straightforward using a small Phillips screw-driver.


Lit the cars look very good, serious detailing is needed to complete the interiors.

FINISH


Compared to a nickle plated brass imports the finish is bluish and does not match well. By itself the cars look beautiful and posses enough of the right color to look like stainless steel.

BUDD STANDARD DOME



The 1:1 Prototype

Compared to the Midland Reproductions dome the car is very faithful in reproducing the complex structure of the ends. The dome side windows are a little small or the framing is a too thick. This is the only area of the model that really shows its HO scale BLI heritage in the tooling other than the heavy stirrups.





LAYOUT PHOTOS

Just like the prototype, I recreated the Exposition Flyer's consist during 1947-1948 adding cars to the consist as they were delivered from Budd.

The 1:48

The 1:1







In conclusion I think the cars are a profound move forward in the industry. O scale needs this kind of product. Ready to run O scale passenger cars will never be the same again. Atlas expects to offer the remaining cars in the coming year for a complete typical 1947-1960 consist.

Baggage
Dome Coach
Dome Coach
Conductors Office/Window Coach
Buffet/Dorm Dome
48 Seat Diner
14 Section Sleeper
10/6 Sleeper
10/6 Sleeper
10/5 Sleeper
Lounge/Sleeper Observation


Perhaps in time they will offer the modified 14 Sec. Sleeper as a coach and the Slumbercoach cars.
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Austin BillAustin BillOGR Forum Member
Hi Erik,

Thanks for the informative info and great photo's here and in previous posts.

With apologies for going off topic, some of my earliest recollections as a child were arriving and departing Denver Union Station. And whenever I'm driving through Denver for whatever reason I always make it a point to spend some time at Caboose Hobbies. But, I've never visited The DSME layout in Union Station. I understand from the website that it's open once a month part of the year.

My question is, "is there anyone I can call in advance to arrange to see the layout (when your having work sessions or whatever) when I'm passing thru Denver?" I would do my best to be respectful of others and not disrupt work in progress.

If this is possible perhaps you could email me at 844bill@gmail.com with the info.

Thanks,
Austin Bill
BearleadBearleadOGR Forum Member
Erik,

Very nice photo exposition on the new Atlas O California Zephyr cars! I very much enjoyed the high resolution photos of the models' detailing. I am really excited about the opportunity to eventually run a prototypical consist of these spectacular cars up Moffatt road trackage through Tunnel 1 and the Flatirons on its way to Glenwood Canyon, Salt Lake, the Keddie Wye, Feather River Canyon, and Oakland.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that you have one of those magnificent brass renditions of the famous Yampa Valley Mail dome observation car #1250 with the diaphragm added to the boattail end of the car. I believe this This car was a one of a kind, purchased from C&O which accounts for its rakishly unique dome, designed with its slightly lower profile to pass safely through the lower clearances of C&O's older east-coast tunnels. Rio Grande modified the car by grafting a diaphragm onto the otherwise graceful boattail end of the car to facilitate its placement at other than the end of the consist.

Do you mind sharing the history and manufacture of your magnificent O scale model of this unique and fascinating car? I would love to have one even if they weren't made in 3 rail configuration.

RioGrandeNutBear
Erik C LindgrenErik C LindgrenOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by Bearlead:
Erik,

Very nice photo exposition on the new Atlas O California Zephyr cars! I very much enjoyed the high resolution photos of the models' detailing. I am really excited about the opportunity to eventually run a prototypical consist of these spectacular cars up Moffatt road trackage through Tunnel 1 and the Flatirons on its way to Glenwood Canyon, Salt Lake, the Keddie Wye, Feather River Canyon, and Oakland.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that you have one of those magnificent brass renditions of the famous Yampa Valley Mail dome observation car #1250 with the diaphragm added to the boattail end of the car. I believe this This car was a one of a kind, purchased from C&O which accounts for its rakishly unique dome, designed with its slightly lower profile to pass safely through the lower clearances of C&O's older east-coast tunnels. Rio Grande modified the car by grafting a diaphragm onto the otherwise graceful boattail end of the car to facilitate its placement at other than the end of the consist.

Do you mind sharing the history and manufacture of your magnificent O scale model of this unique and fascinating car? I would love to have one even if they weren't made in 3 rail configuration.

RioGrandeNutBear


Bear if your interested in buying a Rio Grande Observation #12xx series Dome Coach please let me know I will be glad to assist you.

Erik
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