The California Zephyr was a train that ran from Chicago, Illinois to Oakland, California between 1949 and 1970. The route covered 2,525 miles each trip, and averaged 2 and one half days to complete, for an average of 45 mph. The "Silver Crescent" is a Vista-Dome Car, with a large glass dome on the top of the car where passengers can ride and see in all directions around the train. It was donated to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in 1981.
Attached to the "Silver Crescent" are the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Sleeping Cars the "Silver Vale" and the Slumbercoach "Silver Slumber" , and a Seaboard Air Line Railroad Dining Car.