The Burlington, the Rio Grande and the Western Pacific had cooperated through the years to provide passenger and tourist service to the West Coast, and these roads had entertained notions of regular Chicago to San Francisco service. The Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939 gave impetus to a formal agreement to the start of the such a service. The 1937 inauguration of C&NW-UP-SP service to San Francisco was also an incentive! The CB&Q-D&RGW-WP pool agreement used various cars from each roads to provide equipment for the train sets. Named "The Exposition Flyer", the service was inaugurated on Saturday, June 10, 1939 with all the usual hoopla associated with such events in the pre-war years! The "Flyer"s schedule was designed to take advantage of the spectacular scenery along the route. The cars were generally modernized heavyweight equipment, though the "Q" contributed stainless-steel streamlined cars early on. Scenery, fast schedules, hostesses, good food and creature comforts without extra fare pricing soon made the Flyer popular.

Though hauled by steam initially, within a few years diesel locomotives made their appearance on the head end. The Expo continued to make fast friends over the years. Eventually the Expo Flyer was superseded by the famous California Zephyr in March of 1949. Another drum head bit the dust. The Division Point remembers this popular train with our offerings.

Division Point's offering will be done as a 6-car set with additional 2-cars sets and additional single cars available. The consist varied over the years, and you can "roll your own"!

As never before, your reservations will make this special model set possible, so place your order ASAP!

Delivery to be Announced (2013)

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