Models of the Burlington Zephyr in O scale 2 Rails

I've seen the sunset version run at NYSME.

Yes, Sunset made one several years ago.

Depending on condition, they run from $600 to $400.

 

I actually have one for sale.

Good Morning Gentlemen

 

I have been collecting 0 Scale, 2-rail American and British streamliiners for years, and finally got the Sunset M10000 on Saturday at the only US & Continental annual meet in Winchester.

 

One I'm still missing is the Burlington Zephyr; would PRR Man be willing to ship to England, and where are details? 

 

Thank you!

Yes.

You are welcome to email me at: p2c(dot)crane(at)verizon(dot)net

to discuss the details.

Please put 'Burlington Zephyr' in the subject line.

I feel it right to make a public appreciation of PRR Man!  

 

The Sunset Burlington Zephyr arrived here in London about a month ago, to join Sunset's UP M10000, Milwaukee's Hiawatha, London North Eastern Railway Silver Jubilee ........ you get the idea.  

 

The Zephyr was mended, packed and arrived perfectly and I can commend your dealing with this gentleman should your desires lead to this happy outcome - thanks! Chris.   

Eric

 

I understand The Zephyr was the first Sunset model made in China - and M10000 was the second; I might have this slightly wrong.  But, one can see how M10000 is a better product, developed in the light of experiance with the Zephyr.

 

But, perhaps you have noticed MTH have reintroduced their Zephyr again in the 2013 Vol 2 catalogue - yet I would still rather have the Sunset version.   Just as nothing looks like so like wood as wood, the (Nickel?) plated brass is truly convincing as Stainless Steel.   I doubt MTH's plastic comes out so well - it certainly will not be cold to the touch in the way metal ought to be.

The old saying.. "It's what we have.." Stands proudly in this case.

I also have an M10,000 both in OMI and Sunset and the resemblance is amazing. I prefer the sunset- its rather beautiful. The diaphragms are especially nice.


With the right modifications and fair degree of work the Pioneer Zephyr models can be wonderful. I will demonstrate when I get into the studio again.

I am pleased Peter is so happy with his Zephyr, thank you for the kind words.

 

Like a lot of us I originally bought the used model with intentions of refurbishing it. Then my list got way too long.

When I got the model it had been treated quite poorly, with mount rails loose and I think motor mounts missing. The car decks are just a flat piece of steel held rigid being screwed to the bodies. The motors were only nose hung, causing them to droop and create a wobble in the drivetrain. I don't know if this was the original design but it was poor. I added a rear motor mount to both motors which cured the wobbling. The universals and worm gears are nylon and become quite brittle with age. Care is needed when working with them.

I agree the bodies are the best part. The plating is fantastic. I had to completely re-wire the trainset as the existing wiring was a mess. The articulated truck sideframes are very close to the rail tops, insulating their bottoms may be necessary with some types of turnouts.

 

In the process, I have received quite an education on British railway prototypes!

Yes, it's difficult to remember now since we have chatted quite a lot (my fault) but I think the point was that it would be certainly easier to find available spares for an American train in America and that is how PRR Man ended up doing for me what he had intended to do for himself at one time.   

 

But then enthusiasm takes over, so Chris ended up treating the model as if he was going to keep it.

 

I am, actually, very surprised that the MTH Zephyr remains in their Premier range since I would have thought that scale length and flush glazing would be pre-requisites in what MTH claim to the be "gold standard".   

 

Sunset manage to flush-glaze their aluminium cars and they are stunning (I have the 20th Century).   Maybe now Atlas have shown it is possible to get scale length cars round 0-72 curves, the competition will "ecourage" MTH to improve?

 

In Britain, owing to the preponderance of Hornby and their 0-48 curves, it is still seen as necessary to make modern coarse scale, as we call it, trains capable of negotiating a layout incorporating the old standard.   Newcomers, however, are not committed in the same way, so 0-72 may emerge as the future limit. 

 

I have to say that the fact that Sunset can design the Jawn Henry to traverse 0-54 is encouraging for all who wish to see 0 Gauge prosper outside the ranks of the aristocracy with their large disused rooms.