Post Card Memories

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These are unique snapshots in time, of the writers thoughts about their trip aboard the California Zephyr.
Generally, messages are presented as written.

Click the post card image to see it approximately full-size.

Card
Postmarked
From
Message
December 21, 1949 Boston, MA
4:00 a.m.
Dear George,
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
This is the train I was on when I came back from California. These Vista-Domes on top are all glass and you can see every thing. You'd love it. That is the Colorado River down in the valley.
Rebakah Wood

March 22, 1956 Salt Lake City, UT
8:30 a.m.
Dear Folks,
Thought you might like a picture of my train. I also wrote you a letter. The train is slowing to a stop at Ottumwa, Iowa. Crossed the Miss. river an hour ago. I was up in the Vista Dome watching. Also watched a big red sun go down across the prairie.
Love from Dorothy. (Notice her addition to the picture. Very cute.)
February 25, 1953 San Francisco, CA
11:30 a.m.
Hi -
Wonderful trip and we're having a grand time. We'll be down to see you soon after we get back -
Love + xx's
Wil
December 24, 1955 Price, UT
4:30 p.m.
This is the train we rode from Denver. We are surely enjoying being with the children.
Best regards,
Howard & Christine
October 6, 1960 Grand Junction, CO
7:00 p.m.
Well here we are homeward bound. Very lovely trip thru here. Am up in the dome car.
Love, Til 10/6
November 19, 1956 Denver, CO
1:30 p.m.

Dear Mum + Pap,
This is a picture of the train I am riding on between San Fran + Denver. There are miles and miles of spectacular scenery. My trip has been very successful and by the time I reach home I will have travelled 7000 miles.
See you soon, Love Jack

February 20, 1958

New York, NY
7:00 p.m.

At one time, the television game show "The Price is Right" would have viewers mail in bids on showcase merchandise. Someone utilized a CZ post card for just such a submission in 1958.

The scene on the front is the very common panoramic riverside shot showing Silver Scout.

May 1, 1957 Denver, CO
1:30 p.m.

This is the train we are riding on. Writing this card from the Vista Dome in last car on the train. Will be in Denver soon.
Ed.

May 23, 1961 San Francisco, CA
7:00 p.m.

Dear Shelly,
I am now on my way to San Jose, Calif. This train is just lovely. We are now winding our way thru the Rocky Mts. The scenery is really lovely. I'm taking a patient home and my train fare and jet fare back plus expenses - they paid for.
Love Caroline

December 4, 1951 Grand Junction, CO
5:00 p.m.

Dear Helen,
This vista dome train is the best ever. The Rockies are snow-capped and so lovely. Will stop at Salt Lake, head south, Los Angeles, Carlsbad and home. Wish you were here to enjoy it.
Love, Vern

June, 1952 Oroville, CA
7:00 p.m.

On Board Train (Sat. P.M.)
Dear Folks-
All most at the end of our very fine trip.
Love Ray

August 28, 1966 Oroville, CA
p.m.

Sat p.m.
Hello you two nice people. Am on the train. Haven't gotten to Sacramento yet. Just outside Stockton. Had such a nice visit with Lettie. Went to Camp Ord to get Lettie's grand nephew yesterday + stopped at San Francisco + ate at the Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoyed it a lot. This is the nicest train yet.
Love to you, Lois

February 23, 1953 Sacramento, CA
5:30p.m.

Hello Vic,
Here I am on this very pretty and grand train coming back home to you all. The weather is grand. We are still in Calif. I had a grand night in S.F. Saturday and all day yesterday. We did not get back to house till after one. Hoping to see you real soon. Love Ruth.

May 12, 1953 Salt Lake City, UT
8:00 a.m.

Hello. 6 a.m. - Salt Lake City. - So far so good -Sure saw mts. to last for some time. See you soon. Mother
We are now waiting for breakfast. How's that? This is another fine train - clear and sunny today. Love, Rhea

August 17, 1949 Salt Lake City, UT
10:30 a.m.

This was the train yesterday that we rode.
Salt Lake - Aug. 17 6 A.M.
We got up at 3:50 A.M. so we'd be ready to get off at 4:20 when we got here. We are having breakfast now. Amazing, eh?
We'll take our morning and evening tours here today. 9:30 to noon and 2 - 6 P.M. Will see the the Tabernacle Grounds before the tour and hear the organ concert at noon. We leave out 8:50 P.M. Love, Urline

May 11, 1964 Grand Junction, CO

It was snowing as we crossed the divide this morning. Lovely. Am so glad I got to see the Rockies that way. This card could be any place along this route this morning. This is a lovely route. Didn't get up till about 11:00. Slept like the dead until 8:00, then dozed & watched scenery. We are almost to Glenwood Springs and there are scattered snow flakes again though the sun is shining. Ate lunch with a beautiful nun from Chicago & she loaned me some books & magazines. Like the roomette better than I thought I would. Nice to be able to go to bed any time you get the urge. Take care,
Love, M.

May 20, 1955 San Francisco, CA
Dear Kate:-
We are having a wonderful time. This is the most beautiful trip you can imagine. Yesterday we rode on the cable car & went to the zoo.
Love Mrs. Kalk
May 15, 1951 Burlington, IA

We are rolling over IA. Soon we will be in Chacago on our way to Sweden.

March 30, 1965 Carmichael, CA
3:00 p.m.
Dear Dr. Green,
Since you missed seeing Feather Valley I am sending you a small portion of it. The scenery was really beautiful.
Regards from
The Jacques.
September 26, 1949 Sacramento, CA

Monday - September 26, 1949
Just to let you know that I have reached California and am O.K.
Seem to have pretty well shaken my cold.
Rode in the 'Vista Dome thru most of the Feather River Canyon.
Love, Hubby

October 11, 1954 Omaha, NE
6:00 a.m.
Hi. Believe it or not we left at 3:30, it is now 5:15 and we are as far as Hindsdale. Water, water everywhere after 20 hrs of rain and still raining. We have been stalled here for 30 min. I wonder if we will get to Calif. This is the train we are on. It sure is beautiful. We have a nice room. I rather hated to leave Dad. Don't forget to write to him.
Love, Mother
January 8, 1954 Sacramento, CA
3:30 p.m.

Had to wait for our room to be made up again. Porter said it was first time in 12 years anyone had got on his car in S.F. - Lots of times in Oakland. Think the Zephyr is a much more attractive train than the City of S.F. - Will try to be in the Dome when we go through the Feather River Canyon - Going through Stockton next - then Sact. to Marysville and north. Take it easy.
Love, Mom

July 7, 1955 Salt Lake City, UT
12:00 a.m.

Dear Velma,
I'm on the train. JoAnn and I have been having loads of fun. For dinner we had veal cutlets, potatoes, peas and ice cream. Say hello to Ellen for me.
Love, Charlotte

October 11, 1949 Chicago, IL

Dear Jean,
I arrived O.K.
We had snow in the mountains & rain the rest of the way.
Dad

March 4, 1954 San Francisco, CA
11:00 a.m.
San Francisco.
3/4/54
Dear Mrs. Santee + Dr.;-
This is the train I came out to S.F. on. Left Harrisburg at 10:17a.m. on a Weds. night and arrived at S.F. on Sat. afternoon. Nothing like the California Zephyr. Wonderful thru out. People very courteous.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Herbert Harmon
September 13, 1962 Denver, CO

Thursday
It didn't look this way when we came through yesterday but it was a beautiful trip.

October 25, 1952 San Francisco, CA
10:00 p.m.

Dear Aimee & Bob - We will be in San Francisco in an hour. This AM ride from Nevada into Calif & through Feather River Canyon was most beautiful I've ever seen anywhere. We had a bed room so have had an easy trip.

R

May 26, 1958 Oakland, CA
5 p.m.

Dear F.F.
This is the way our train looks as we wind through the Feather River Canyon - Riding in the Vista Dome gives one a beautiful view every direction. We just left Sacramento - on to San Francisco.
Love B.

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