I recieved my Kato "Silver Streak Zephyr" and two extra locomotives. I will say the train and the E-5 diesel are excellently done. I think the controversey over the shape of the diesel nose expressed here is overblown. The shape looks good to me who did get to view a very few E-5's in the late 1960's on the "Texas Zephyr". The bight silver-chrome color under certain lighting conditions and angles does make the nose look flattened out. While the yellow LEDS used to simulate old style locomotive lighting is a good choice, the lighting is way too bright,old grain of wheat bulbs would look better to me. On the shirted locomotive Kato manufactured two skirted truck side frames,a front one with a recessed area (like real locos) to clear the cab side ladders, and a rear side frame with full leingth skirts. The unskirted locomotives use a front and rear unskirted side frame casting.I love how the locomotive looks with the front coupler doors casting inserted,this is removeable so a front coupler can be added. Now for a brief history of this train.Inaugrated on April 15,1940 the Silver Steak name was selected through a contest held by the Q's advertising and publicity department. There was no connection to the 1934 B Movie of that name featuring the original Zephyr. The five car consist was pulled by E-5 locomotive 9909 "Silver Bullet". Like the Pioneer Zephyr the train was headend heavy ,with baggage car "Silver Light",and baggage RPO "Silver Sheen",trailed by two coaches"Silver Gleam" ,and 'Silver Glow"and dining parlor observation "Silver Spirit".'Silver Bullet" was Burlingtons first purchase of an Electro Motive E Series diesel.The train ran Kansas City to Lincoln. by mid June 1940 the roads last shovel nose locomotive , baggage power car 'silver Charger" built for the "General Pearshing Zephyr"had replaced the "Silver Bullet" and the baggage car "Silver Light". The "Silver Bullet" was reassigned to the"Sam Huston Zephyr" with five conventional streamlined cars replacing articulated former"Twin Zephyr" 9901 which was destroyed in a grade crossing accident.So there you have it.The two seperate locomotives have their brief histories on their boxes,"Silver Pilot" of course is sill preserved and operates. Nate Goodman (Nato).
