Scott, Your very kind asking me for some help. I am by far from an expert on the Canadian and its car designs. I do however have a strong knowledge of the Budd construction methodology and its changes between 1947 and 1954 when the CPR cars were built, delivered in 1955 and still in service today.
Essentially the 1947-1948 California Zephyr cars are identical to a degree to the CPR Budd cars. 1947 to 1955 difference include modernization of HVAC systems and battery and electrical; the cars are for the most part the same. One distinct difference in the two car designs is the change over to “Girder” construction rather than “Truss”. This would have no effect on the exterior design to a degree but is an important element in the history of these cars. Of course obvious exterior design clues are present such as rain gutters and partial skirting. The CZ full skirting stems from the CZ parent road Burlington’s famed Pioneer Zephyr history, no other road wanted or would choose those pesky skirts. Amtrak hated them in the 1970's!
From what I understand the floor plans of the Park series cars are identical to the California Zephyr Observation/Lounge/Room cars. The rear lounge is raised a full 10”-11” from the main level of the train, sunken under dome lounge and 3 bedroom sleeping rooms.
Courtesy:
http://calzephyr.railfan.netEVEN AFTER 65 years the cars are still relatively the same!!!
Courtesy: VIA Rail Canada
http://www.viarail.ca/en/train...sses-and-trains-cars
The last "Short-Domes" were built for the Burlington’s Denver Zephyr. Some argument exist about the NP’s sleeper domes and the MoPac’s Eagle domes but all of these cars were assembled in the same time frame using a batch of Budd Standard-Dome components produced after the CPR’s Skyline and Park cars.
Today many of the ex-CZ Rio Grande “RGZ” Budd cars reside in Canada; planned for rebuilding to replace or add to the aging fleet of CPR Budd cars. This is direct evidence that these cars are very similar and the VIA shops were willing to buy these older 1947 cars to retrofit and or replace VIA ex-CPR 1955 Budd cars. Sadly it is reported these cars lie vandalized and burned out even though they were all in regular revenue service as recently as 1983!
The GGD models look really nice, and I prefer the color of the aluminum over painted plastic when comparing to stainless steel. Plastic plated looks beautiful but I am sure the cost to plate a 21” car in O scale is expensive for the builder. As I mentioned I do not like extruded in ways also, so it’s a lesser of two evils and comes down to 6 or half a dozen however you like it.
Rapido has done a wonderful job on the CPR cars in HO, they are WOW for sure, aeyh. I love them frankly and it will be hard to pass up on buying some just for the sake of having them around to admire. I do not like the Budd Standard "Short-Dome" on these models. Odd- these guys are darn proud of the 3D scanning they do also; go figure. But they are wrong. I will disagree with anyone that thinks they are right. Atlas is closer but still not right. Truly, Key Model Imports has really pulled out the red carpet on the brass models due this year. I am limited on what I can share as far as the pilot samples but the KMI CZ cars are going to be incredible.
Photo Courtesy: CZ Pilot Sample (c)Key Model Imports
The dome ends went back and forth to the builder some 3-4 times before a final design was chosen.
Scott your right, the market research is right on, the Canadian is a legendary ride. And the fact she sails still today says a lot about the incredible nature of this legendary train. Only GGD is offering this as an O scale model and it will be wonderful; so wonderful that I might consider buying one myself if I can afford it along with all this other stuff being done right now. These are truly the Good Old Days right now in O scale! WOW, your offerings, Atlas's CZ, the brass, I need another job buddy!
Just some miscellaneous ramblings.
