Trucks and Trains

In sticking with the theme of the Industrial Revolution and modernism, I decided to look at something I have always been fascinated with… trains.  I am aware that this isn’t typical amongst college students, but I can’t help but finding them fascinating. One train I am particularly interested in is the Pioneer Zephyr, a stainless steel diesel 3 car articulated engine.  Aside from being a beautiful train, the Zephyr is the embodiment of the post Industrial Revolution, Pre WWII spirit of form and function.   The Zephyr is one of the first diesel engines, steam being the other major fuel source.  The main reason I am interested in the train is its history, it set a record for fastest travel from Denver to Chicago in honor of the 1934 Chicago World Fair.  The train features many design elements of the time including art deco font, heavy use of steel, and a generally futuristic appearance.  The speed, advanced engineering and aesthetic design of the Zephyr make it a quintessential example of Modernist design.

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