The Burlington Railroad’s golden age is often marked by the phenomenal “Dawn-to-Dusk” run of the Burlington Zephyr in 1934 and arguably reached its peak with the arrival of the California Zephyr in 1949. This “cruise ship on wheels,” as it was known, celebrated the romance of train travel as it traversed the majestic Colorado Rockies, even inspiring a song by Hank Williams. Although Williams mistakenly linked it to the Union Pacific in his lyrics, the true inspiration was the Burlington, the vision of two men named Budd, and the fleet of trains spearheaded by the original Pioneer Zephyr, which revolutionized the railroad industry.
In 1932, the railroad industry was in decline when Ralph Budd, president of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q), and Edward Budd, an innovator in auto body manufacturing, joined forces. Ralph Budd sought to revitalize the railroads through enhanced speed, efficiency, and modern aesthetics. Edward Budd brought this vision to life by pioneering the use of stainless steel in train construction and embracing streamlined design principles.
Concurrently, Charles Kettering at General Motors was refining the diesel locomotive engine. Ralph Budd recognized the potential of this efficient and reliable engine at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. He saw it as the ideal power source to propel his vision of a lightweight, streamlined train forward.
By April 1934, the Burlington Zephyr, named by Ralph Budd after Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind and symbol of renewal, was unveiled. It was a departure from previous trains, even surpassing the Union Pacific M-10,000 streamliner in technological advancement, despite the latter’s slightly earlier debut. The Zephyr’s corrugated stainless steel exterior was a statement of machine-age artistry, while the interior prioritized functional elegance, a stark contrast to the ornate Pullman cars of the past. This fusion of aesthetics and engineering sparked the streamliner design movement of the 1930s, with the Pioneer Zephyr at its forefront.
Ralph Budd, a master of both engineering and marketing, orchestrated a brilliant publicity stunt to capture the nation’s attention. On May 26, 1934, the Burlington Zephyr undertook its now-legendary Dawn-to-Dusk run from Denver to Chicago. It shattered records for nonstop train travel and speed, instantly becoming a symbol of innovation and progress.
The Zephyr’s fame soared. In 1934, it starred in Hollywood’s “The Silver Streak.” The film, while not critically acclaimed, captivated audiences with its story of a railroad president’s son needing an iron lung, and only the fictional “Silver Streak” (the Zephyr’s movie alias) being fast enough to deliver it. This cinematic portrayal further cemented the Zephyr’s image in the public consciousness.
The real train was a resounding success. Following a triumphant promotional tour across the West, the Zephyr began regular service between Lincoln and Kansas City on November 11, 1934. In 1936, it was renamed the Pioneer Zephyr, acknowledging its role as the first in Burlington’s new streamliner fleet. This premier train played a significant role in boosting passenger numbers and revenue for the railroad over the subsequent years.
As the Burlington expanded its Zephyr fleet, new routes emerged throughout the Midwest. Building on speed and efficiency, the railroad turned its attention to enhancing passenger experience. In 1941, the Burlington introduced the “Zephyrettes,” an all-female team of onboard hostesses, adding a new dimension of passenger comfort to the Zephyr experience. This commitment to service excellence was recognized in 1948 when the Federation for Railway Progress awarded Burlington the Passenger Service Award for 1947.
Despite these innovations and successes, the passenger rail industry faced an irreversible decline by the 1950s. Passenger volume dramatically decreased from 790 million in 1946 to 298 million by 1965. The Pioneer Zephyr, retired from service on the 26th anniversary of its historic Denver-to-Chicago run, remains an enduring icon of the streamliner era. It was donated to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, where it has been meticulously restored to its original splendor for permanent exhibition, allowing future generations to appreciate this pioneering train.
