| Colorado & Southern Observation 641, named SILVER STREAK, at Denver Colorado on August 25, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. The SILVER STREAK began as CB&Q 231, ordered from Budd in December 1935, delivered in October 1936. This was part of an order for 20 stainless steel cars from Budd for the new Denver Zephyr (DZ). Four more cars were added later. In addition to the passenger cars, Budd constructed the power units (two A-units and two B-units) and delivered those to EMC for installation of the diesels and electrical gear. The DZ cars were semi-articulated and had special couplers that also had all the connections (air and electrical) needed for the new train, which was equipped with electric-pneumatic brakes. These cars lasted in DZ service until 1957, when the DZ was re-equipped and the original DZ's 24 cars were sold to subsidiary C&S for the Texas Zephyr. Rumor has it that some of these cars survive in Saudia Arabia, which acquired them after the Texas Zephyr was discontinued in 1967. As built the configuration was 10 parlor seats in the forward section, a buffet in the middle with a pair of card playing tables on either side located at the windows next to the blank in the middle, and 31 seats in the observation section. The rear warning light was modified at some time; it was delivered with a single light in that location. Although most of the original DZ trainset was articulated, the observation was not. Before this car left the Budd plant, Edward G. Budd had his photo taken in the observation section with several of his associates. |