“Silver Horizon” CB&Q 375 one of seven rear sleeper-observation cars used on the California Zephyr trains that ran between Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA later use as Amtrak 9250 on Texas Chief from Chicago to Texas and on the Sunset Limited from New Orleans LA to Los Angeles CA – through Phoenix AZ
1948 Silver Horizon built by The Budd Company 85 feet long, 158,900 pounds (almost 80 Tons), made from 18-8 stainless steel
1949 California Zephyr inaugural trip run between San Francisco and Chicago. Jointly run by three railroads; the CB&Q (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) D&RGW (Denver & Rio Grande Western) and the Western Pacific. Ran this route for twenty one years
1970 Original California Zephyr route ceased operation
1970 to 1985 dates of eyewitness accounts and photographs
1974 Silver Horizon Amtrak 9250 on Texas Chief/ Lone Star from Chicago to San Antonio
1975 to 1978 Silver Horizon Amtrak 9250 on the Amtrak Sunset Limited from New Orleans LA to Los Angeles CA through Phoenix AZ
1985 Silver Horizon car retired by Amtrak
1986 to 1998 The Silver Horizon had several private owners
1999 Acquired by Pinal County AZ for use as the Maricopa AZ Amtrak ticket station Amtrak’s The Texas Eagle carried the car west for restoration
2001 Featured in the movie Pearl Harbor
2001 Dedication of The Silver Horizon as the Maricopa Plaza Amtrak ticket station
2003 Use as an Amtrak station ceased as a larger facility was needed
2011 to 2016 The Maricopa Historical Society held an “open house” several times each year through an agreement with Pinal County
2017 Pinal County transferred ownership to Maricopa Historical Society
2019 The Silver Horizon moved to property donated by John and Mary Lou Smith
The Maricopa Historical Society will create within the Silver Horizon a community focused center with historical displays, dioramas and a research library.
