Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Diner-Observation Car #302

CB&Q parlor-diner-observation #302 was named the "Silver Hours." It was built in 1940
for the Burlington by the Budd Company, Philadelphia, PA, one of four identical cars
built between 1939 and 1940. Its cost new was $123,800. Silver Hours is constructed
of stainless steel and has a "bullet" observation end which gives it a modern appearance
even today.

It is equipped with mechanical air conditioning for passenger comfort. The 19' long
dining section had 6 tables, each seating 4 persons and the 30' 6" observation area had
22 swiveling seats. Between the observation and dining areas is a 12' section containing
rest rooms, storage cabinets, refrigerated cabinets, and loading doors opening to the
outside. The fully equipped 21' galley is located at the front of the car.

In 1941 the Silver Hours was assigned to the Zephyr Rocket between St. Louis and
Minneapolis. Later it traveled between Chicago and Kansas City on train 35 - the Kansas
City Zephyr, between Kansas City and Omaha on train 21 - the Silver Streak Zephyr,
and from Omaha to Chicago on train 30 - the Ak-Sar-Ben Zephyr. It was also used on
the Sam Houston Zephyr. It was retired in 1968