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CB&Q Dome Coach #4718 -- Silver Lariat

The California Zephyr consist was made up of 11 or 12 cars. Six consists were needed to maintain a daily schedule -- three going each way from Chicago to Oakland. The trip took 50 hours and covered 2,525 miles. You passed three Zephyrs going the other way. The first three cars after the baggage car were dome coaches. The Silver Lariat was one of the 18 needed to support the six consists.

The California Zephyr began running in 1949. Amtrak took over passenger trains in 1971 and used the Silver Lariat until 1980. It has traveled 9 million miles in regular service.

As it is now configured, the women's wash room has been converted to a kitchen. The men's wash room is now unisex. The dome accommodates 24 people -- all at tables. The coach area seats 36 people at tables and six without tables. Fully loaded the Silver Lariat can carry 66 people.

Here is Silver Lariat's exterior. It is an 85-foot long stainless steel "streamline" car.

Note the neat font of the lettering.

Here is the long end of the coach interior.

A closer shot.

Here is the short end of the coach with stairs leading to the vista dome.

Here is the dome seating 24 at tables. To give everyone a chance, please spend no more than half of the trip in a dome seat.

Silver Lariat has one of the few remaining original Zephyr murals.

Here is Silver Lariat's current floor plan and clearance diagram. The lady's wash room is now a kitchen. The men's washroom is now unisex.


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