Hello Everyone: The Western Pacific California Zephyr was the way to go to Chicago from Oakland and one of the locomotives that was used on the CZ was the 804A. It is shown in the first picture undergoing servicing at Portola station. I shot this slide during the servicing stop there. When the train gets underway again it will be washed from end to end so we will all have a great view from the five dome cars on the train. This picture is kind of sad in a way. Exactly one month later this train would be no more. The last CZ to arrive in Oakland was pulled by none other than the 804A. After CZ service it would be re geared for freight service and it did just that until it was retired. The second picture shows the replica of the 804A which was located in D.C.A. That is me in the cab posing for the cast activities photographer who was taking pictures for my 35 year celebration with the company. Today the replica that once graced D.C.A. is now at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum just a few feet from where the first picture was taken. Just thought you would like to know.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:17:22 +0000