Vintage California Zephyr Neon Sign, National Railroad Museum

The California Zephyr began service in 1949, jointly operated by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Denver & Rio Grande Western; and Western Pacific railroads. It ran between Chicago and Oakland, California, covering roughly 2,500 miles with Vista-Dome cars that let passengers view the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. Western Pacific promoted the route with imagery of the San Francisco Bay Bridge and skyline, tying the train's western terminus to California's most recognizable city. The service ended in 1970 as passenger rail declined nationwide, though Amtrak later revived the name for a Chicago-to-Emeryville route in 1983.

Photo taken in December 2019.