New Lionel Zephyr-like Nebraska Zephyr?

Nope. The Lionel model, as well as the MTH model, is of the Pioneer Zephyr. No one has mad models of the Nebraska Zephyr, which was "locomotive hauled" instead of the integral power/baggage front unit. 

From what I've seen of prototype pictures, the only similarities is both being passenger trains having polished stainless steel fluted bodies and articulation on the passenger coaches.  Beyond that, they're both visually a completely different animal.

I believe that the Nebraska Zephyr was/is pulled by EMD E-units (6-axle equivalent to the F units) while the Pioneer Zephyr was pulled by a completely different and visually unique locomotive built by Budd (same company that made the cars) that was functionally integrated into the entire train, unlike the Nebraska Zephyr.

Look at the below links to see the differences:

Pioneer Zephyr:

http://us1.webpublications.com...aturepics/111311.jpg

Nebraska Zephyr:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/...680_716f76ea79_b.jpg

Visit the Illinois Railway Museum and ride in the real deal, beautifully restored:

Images galore here

 FROM THE WEBMASTER

Please learn how to use the LINK tool instead of posting huge URL's in a thread. They destroy the page formatting for some users.

Pioneer Zephyr (Model):

Nebraska Zephyr (The real deal):

Rusty

The BN (pre-merger) had the Nebraska Zephyr come down to Ft. Worth some years ago to help celebrate the arrival of a new SD70 engine into the BN fleet. I drove over to look at it. Wow - art deco wonder. Interestingly, I found out that when they take the Zephyr "on the road," for protection they require that another engine proceed up ahead of it all the way to make sure there is nothing in front that may damage the train.

I'd love for Lionel to make the Nebraska Zephyr, but the Zephyrs they're making in the new catalog are based on the original "Pioneer Zephyr" design. The Mark Twain Zephyr was similar, but it featured an additional car ("Becky Thatcher") that isn't in the Lionel set. I believe the original also had another car at one time.

The Pioneer Zephyr actually had two different "4th cars."  Car 525 was a 40 seat chair car, which was later replaced by car 500, a 40 seat chair car with a larger buffet with a panty and a kitchen.

The Nebraska Zephyr sets were originally the the "Twin Cities Zephyrs," pulled by a single shovel nose EA "power car."

In Twin Cities Zephyr service, "Zephyrus" was assigned to the "train of the gods," (the cars wound up in Saudi Arabia) while "Pegasus" was assigned to the "train of the goddesses" of which is IRM's set.

Rusty

Here are the articulated cars of the Nebraska Zephyr, caught as it returned to IRM from Rock Island on July 26,2011:

July 21,2012 at IRM:

The most likely hope for a Nebraska Zephyr or a Denver Zephyr in the future appears (to me) to be Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate.  

Those interested might consider letting Scott Mann know.

Thanks for all the replies--I'll save my money for the Real Deal!!!