What We Promote:
Historial Success Stories:
Twin City Zephyr
Back to the Future: The Twin Zephyrs
Over thirty years before Japan's Shinkansen re-ignited the modern
revolution in high-speed rail, the Zephyr raced across the Midwest
at over 100 mph. The second Twin Zephyrs, designed specifically
for the Chicago-St. Paul/Minneapolis corridor, began operating on
December 18, 1936.
The Twin Zephyrs incorporated all of the key design principals
of successful high-speed trainsets: quick acceleration and breaking,
fast in curves, rapid and safe loading and unloading of passengers,
low operating costs, and a comfortable ride.
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The articulated connections
between the Twin Zephyrs' passenger coaches reduced weight substantially,
allowing faster acceleration, faster breaking and lower fuel
consumption. They also allowed higher speeds in curves since
each car was lead through curves by the preceding car. |
As originally delivered, the trains had a seating capacity of 120
to 158 in coach and 38 in first class. A 32-seat food car was also
part of the consist. Over time, capacity was increased by adding
a coach section and converting a first class section to coach.
The train required a relatively small 1,800-horsepower diesel power
plant (Amtrak's new Acela Express trainsets have two 6,000 horsepower
locomotives - one on each end), resulting in low operating costs.
Yet it made the trip from Chicago to St. Paul in 6 hours 15 minutes
(two hours faster than Amtrak's current schedule) and is believed
to be the first trainset scheduled to cruise at speeds over 100
mph.
In 1947, the two trainsets were renamed the Nebraska Zephyr and
transferred to service between Chicago and Lincoln, Nebraska via
Omaha. They were removed from operation in the late 1960s.
Though the original locomotives were scrapped, one of the trainsets
was donated to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois. On
selected weekends you can ride the train and see the design principals
at work up close.
The Twin Zephyr coaches were high-capacity but very
comfortable.
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The Twin Zephyrs'
low floors made passenger loading and unloading faster and safer,
reducing dwell times at stations. The lower floors also reduce
the center of gravity, allowing higher speeds in curves by reducing
forces on the outside rail. |
(Photos taken at the Illinois Railway Museum, used
with permission.)
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