Western Pacific 806 - Excursion train

Trains Unlimited Rail Tours recreation of the original California Zephyr with ex VIA FP9 6304 playing the part of an original California Zephyr locomotive. Some authentic passenger equipment from the original CZ was used too. Recorded April 15, 2004.

First scene was shot in Berkeley. Next is Crockett and finally Benicia.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• western
• pacific
• california
• zephyr
• wp806
• railroad
• train
• streamliner
• emd
• f7
• f9
• via
• 6304

[kmillard]

The sad thing is that the FP9 in the video was probably in much better condition after years of work on Via than were the F7's and F3's in used when Western Pacific still ran the CZ!!

[danosf]

Maybe when it was with VIA, but not from what I understand when this video was shot. A couple friends of mine were working in the engine (Amtrak engine crew) and described the condition of that engine to me.

[trainboy94]

That M5 is killer!!!!!!!!!!!1

[mabmb1987]

I see Western Pacific 806 with Amtrak P42 #168 and #142.

[amtk415w]

@danosf That engine was a tired beast. Rough riding due to the trucks being worn out and the wheel contour was flat. Smoked for about 10 minutes because all it ever did was idle or lightly work before we got it and gave it a proper work out. What was fun was the overspeed was still set for 90mph and we did get it up there a couple times before the ground relay kicked.

[WPRR1]

@danosf This is my new channel. Yah, I thought that there wasn't a difference between passenger and freight at the time.

[dwkcamman611]

WICKED!!!

[nyshortline]

The M-5 horn when approaching at speed sounds just like a K-5LA when it's going away from you at speed. Notice that?

[WPRR1]

Is that a Streamliner?

[danosf]

@MultiHornguy Actually the M5 is correct for a Western Pacific passenger F (except for a few F3's that kept their A-200's and one other FP7 that had a rare horn).

[Lifty4ever]

now VIA only has 6300 FP9ARM only used as a switcher in vancouver BC

[nyshortline]

Does the Amtrak CZ travel this same route today?

[nyshortline]

In that first sequence she was really hauling!!

[amtk415w]

@danosf

Smoked like a sun of a gun for miles, even in the cab until we blew out the cob webs, wheel profile sucked so the trucks were constantly hunting, speedometer jumped all over above 70mph, oil leaking all over engine room, the list goes on even more.