The Pioneer Zephyr is an ICONIC diesel-powered trainset built for the CB&Q (Burlington Route) in 1934. For 2026, KATO USA is recreating this model in its current appearance as displayed at the Museum of Science and Industry in N-Scale.
In the early 1930s, railroads suffered great losses as people stopped taking the train due to the Great Depression, and the automobile was gaining popularity. The CB&Q decided to strike up a deal with the Budd company to create a “trainset of the future” to appeal to customers.
On May 26th 1934, it set a speed record for travel between Denver and Chicago. It made a 1015.4 mile run in about 13 hours and 5 minutes. It was fast, efficient, and could travel long distances without fueling. Travel that normally took two days was cut in half. The Pioneer Zephyr even starred in the movie called “The Silver Steak”, which is probably a boring movie. I don’t know.
The consist was finally retired in 1960, but thankfully, it was later donated to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. While passenger rail in the United States dwindled in popularity, the Pioneer Zephyr made a lasting impact on railroad history. This train consist was the first of 9 zephyrs made for Burlington, and it helped to propel diesel power to passenger rail.
The KATO USA model will be directly based on the consist found in MSI. The train will be available in a 3-Car bookcase set, which includes the RPO Power car, the baggage/buffet coach, and the observation car.
