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Zephyrette

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A Zephyrette was a hostess on the California Zephyr between 1949 and 1970, while the train was jointly operated by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad , the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad , and the Western Pacific Railroad . The position was the brainchild of Velma McPeek, the Burlington's Supervisor of Passenger Train Services, and was part of an effort to attract families to rail travel and accommodate their needs. Zephyrettes first appeared on the Denver Zephyr in 1936, and shortly thereafter on the Twin Cities Zephyr , but the position was discontinued during World War II . Zephyrettes resumed service after the war in 1949, but only on the California Zephyr .

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68-490: To qualify, a prospective Zephyrette had to fulfill a variety of criteria, from being single and either a college graduate or a registered nurse to being between 24 and 28 years old and between 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) and 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall. Once employed, Zephyrettes were expected to conduct themselves with "dignity and poise" and also refrain from smoking or drinking while in uniform, among other requirements. Somewhat akin to an air line stewardess ,

136-583: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing . This is either achieved through a four-year university (or collaborative) program or through a bridging program for registered practical nurses or licensed practical nurses . Some universities also offer compressed programs for applicants already holding a bachelor's degree in another field. Prior to 2015, initial licensure as an RN required passing the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) offered by

204-774: A tunnel forming a triangle of intersecting track . In 1935, the railroad went bankrupt because of decreased freight and passenger traffic caused by the Great Depression and had to be reorganized. Western Pacific (WP) operated the California Zephyr passenger train with the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad . The WP handled the "Silver Lady" from Oakland, California, to Salt Lake City, Utah from 1949 to 1970. The Western Pacific owned several connecting short-line railroads . The largest

272-552: A Foreign Language (TOEFL) if applicable, minimum SAT scores or TEAS . Students who wish to pursue either an ADN or a BSN in nursing must first fulfill the necessary liberal arts, math, and scientific prerequisites. Basic anatomy, physiology, biology, psychology, and anatomy are frequently required courses for nursing programs. A minimum "C" grade in these courses is frequently needed for admission to nursing schools. As of 2011, there are 2.24 million registered nurses in China. In 2014,

340-574: A Zephyrette consisted of the two and a half day trip on the eastbound California Zephyr , a night layover at the Hilton Chicago , another two and a half day trip westbound, and then two and a half days off in San Francisco. Over the course of a month, a Zepyhrette would generally make three round trips. Some Zephyrettes worked other jobs while not aboard the California Zephyr : one, Rita Pelz, modeled for I. Magnin . The average tenure of employment for

408-572: A Zephyrette was one and a half years, but some served much longer: Nellie O'Grady was already in her seventh year with the California Zephyr when she wrote about her experiences in the December 1955 issue of The Saturday Evening Post . In order to qualify, prospective Zephyrettes originally had to be single, either college graduates or trained as registered nurses, between 24 and 28 years of age, between 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) and 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall, and of "good character with

476-521: A Zephyrette was only one and a half years, many made lasting connections on the train, and some married other railroad employees or former passengers. Moran married a brakeman who also served on the California Zephyr , Ernie von Ibsch, after he initially asked her out on a date the very night the train was discontinued. On July 17, 1983, former Zephyrette Beulah Bauman was chosen to christen Amtrak 's California Zephyr before it departed Denver Union Station on its inaugural journey. Furthermore, in 2011,

544-436: A baby on the train outside of Grand Junction, Colorado . That child, Peter Zars, would return to the California Zephyr to celebrate his seventh birthday, again with the assistance of a Zephyrette. Due to the train's prestige, famous passengers were quite common, and Zephyrettes interacted with them directly, from Bernard Baruch and Pierre Monteux to Mamie Eisenhower and professional baseball players. O'Grady analogized

612-420: A degree of control over who was admitted to the profession. Requirements varied by location, but often included a stipulation that the applicant must be "of good moral character" and must not have mental or physical conditions that rendered them unable to practice. Before the 1870s, most people were cared for at home by family members. The view on nursing began to change as more medical advances were made during

680-566: A group of former Zephyrettes held their first reunion in San Francisco. In 2013, approximately 20 attended a second Zephyrette reunion in Glenwood Springs, Colorado , where they visited the Glenwood Springs Railway Museum inside the city's Amtrak station . Registered nurse A registered nurse ( RN ) is a nurse who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met

748-751: A high quality of care and maintaining the well-being of patients. With that being said, various situations cause nurses to feel overwhelmed. For example when an excessive workload results in missed nursing. An excessive workload can make errors and mishaps more likely. Insufficient time to complete tasks and inadequate staffing also contribute to missed aspects of nursing care. An indicator of an excessive workload correlates with missed nursing care and activities. Missed care and activities may cause nurses to feel stressed and anxious. Nurses often experience sleep disturbance which can result in lost sleep or inability to fall asleep. Nursing registration in Australia has been at

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816-516: A minimum practice hours requirement and undertake continuing education to maintain their license. Furthermore, certain jurisdictions require that an RN remain free from serious criminal convictions. Florence Nightingale was a British nurse who provided the foundation of modern nursing. Nightingale obtained her experience during the Crimean War . In 1860, Nightingale established the St. Thomas Hospital and

884-493: A national level since 2010, since the inception of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), which forms part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Prior to 2010, Nursing registration in Australia was administered individually by each state and territory. The title 'Registered Nurse' (also known in the state of Victoria as a 'Division 1 Nurse') is granted to

952-455: A nurse who has successfully completed a board-approved course in the field of nursing, as outlined by education and registration standards defined by the NMBA. Registered Nurses are also required to meet certain other standards to fulfil registration standards as outlined by the NMBA, and these can include continuing professional development, recency of practice, criminal history checks and competency in

1020-803: A pleasing personality". Some of these criteria were eventually relaxed, however, as Jane Smith was hired at age 23 in 1958 and Cathy Moran had not finished college when hired in 1969. Smith was initially recruited by American Airlines as a stewardess, but did not enjoy flying. The original class of Zephyrettes completed a 30-day training course prior to beginning their duties, while all subsequently hired employees received only on-the-job training from an experienced Zephyrette. Once employed, Zephyrettes were required to conduct themselves with "dignity and poise", refrain from smoking or drinking while in uniform, and avoid fraternizing with passengers while they were drinking. Perhaps not coincidentally, Zephyrette Julie Ann Lyman observed that her greatest cravings upon disembarking

1088-747: A pre-registration nursing program lasting not less than 3 years to enroll as registered nurses. Applicants trained outside Hong Kong must have a practicing certificate recognized by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong and pass the Licensing Examination for Registration. In the Republic of India nursing is regulated by the Indian Nursing Council . In Malaysia , nursing is regulated by the Ministry of Health Malaysia Nursing Division. Nursing in

1156-590: A registered nurse in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $ 68,450.00 per year with a bachelor's degree. RNs can progress to become clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists after obtaining a graduate nursing degree. In some states, the law allows nurses with higher-level degrees, such as Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to work with increased autonomy, permitting them to practice limited medicine including sometimes even

1224-592: A total of 100 miles (160 km). At the end of her 16-hour workday, the Zephyrette would retire to her personal quarters at the rear of the Dome-Buffet car, next to the sleeping quarters reserved for the train's chefs and waiters. Every evening, she would prepare a detailed daily report focusing on passenger needs, which was then forwarded to the railroad's management offices in Chicago for the purpose of assessing and adjusting

1292-541: A woman in a management position to help achieve this goal, the Burlington hired Velma McPeek, a former schoolteacher and manager of a department store tea room , as its new Supervisor of Passenger Train Services. One of McPeek's first initiatives was to create a corps of hostesses who would serve as liaisons between a train's passengers and the conductor while endeavoring to make themselves "helpful and generally agreeable with

1360-512: Is also the ministry that keeps track of violations and can retract individual authorization. Nursing is a licensed professional occupation in Hong Kong . The profession is regulated by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, a statutory body. Nurses in Hong Kong are divided into registered nurses and enrolled nurses, with the former requiring more extensive professional training. Applicants must complete

1428-481: Is an important sub-speciality within Australia and Registered Nurses with advanced practice skills and of which have undertaken further training, such as Pharmacotherapeutics for Remote Area Nurses (RAN's), Immunisation Certificate, Remote Emergency Care / Remote Pre Hospital Trauma Certification and Midwifery Emergency Care Courses, permit a generalist Registered Nurse to undertake an advanced scope of practice to operate autonomously within certain clinical situations under

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1496-636: Is available through organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center , a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association . After meeting the eligibility requirements and passing the appropriate specialty certification exam, the designation of Registered Nurse – Board Certified (RN-BC) credential is granted. Registered Nurses can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing homes, and home health care services. The median pay for

1564-596: Is provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. A BSN degree is preferred by many employers. To obtain state licensure, applicants must also meet clinical nursing requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN. Six weeks prior to graduation, students may submit an application for licensure and then sign up for the NCLEX-RN. Although associate degree programs are often two years, Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degrees frequently take three years to complete because of

1632-422: The California Zephyr in 1949 came with an entirely new uniform, which consisted of two-piece teal blue suits worn with military-style hats, monogrammed white blouses, and Zephyr pins. Over the years, these uniforms gradually evolved: the skirts became shorter, the design of the hats changed, and the monograms disappeared altogether. In 1963, Gordon collaborated with tailor Ralph Helperin to completely redesign

1700-488: The California Zephyr 's various features and services. The train's Zephyrette officially went off duty at approximately 10 pm, although she could still be summoned overnight via her call bell, and often was. The original, pre-World War II Zephyrette uniforms differed seasonally: during winter, they consisted of gray suits with red, silk -lined capes , while in the summer they were lightweight white silk suits paired with navy blouses . The resumption of Zephyrette service on

1768-545: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). In the US, a registered nurse is a professional clinician who has completed at least an associate degree in nursing or a hospital-based diploma program, followed by successfully completing the NCLEX-RN examination for initial licensure. Other requirements vary by state. More information about the NCLEX-RN examination and specific state nursing boards

1836-718: The Overland Route for rail traffic between Salt Lake City / Ogden, Utah , and Oakland, California , for nearly 80 years. The Western Pacific was one of the original operators of the California Zephyr passenger line. In 1982, the Western Pacific was acquired by the Union Pacific Corporation and it was soon merged into the Union Pacific Railroad . The original Western Pacific Railroad (1862–1870)

1904-649: The Pioneer Zephyr made its historic dawn-to-dusk run from Denver to Chicago in May 1934, coinciding with the Century of Progress International Exposition , the Burlington decided to implement an overnight Denver Zephyr between the two cities in 1936. Burlington management also arrived at the conclusion that the future of passenger rail travel would be largely dependent on successfully attracting families and accommodating their needs, not just serving businessmen. Desiring to put

1972-543: The Union Pacific Railroad began its groundbreaking employment of "nurse-stewardesses" aboard passenger trains when it hired Florette Welp. In order to qualify, women interested in the position had to be registered nurses between the ages of 21 and 24. The name "Zephyrette" is derived from the Zephyr trains run by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad , beginning with the revolutionary streamlined, stainless steel, diesel-powered Pioneer Zephyr that debuted in 1934. After

2040-629: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.) The lowest 10 percent of RN's earned less than $ 70,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $ 101,360 for 2015. Western Pacific Railroad The Western Pacific Railroad ( reporting mark WP ) was a Class I railroad in the United States . It was formed in 1903 as an attempt to break the near-monopoly the Southern Pacific Railroad had on rail service into northern California. WP's Feather River Route directly competed with SP's portion of

2108-743: The Burlington, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad , and the Western Pacific Railroad , the Zephyrettes were technically Western Pacific employees and thus paid in San Francisco . At any one time, there were 10 or 11 Zephyrettes who were actively employed, with six in transit aboard trains (three heading in either direction) and two on layovers (one in San Francisco and the other in Chicago), and perhaps also an occasional trainee. A typical itinerary for

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2176-533: The Canadian Nurses Association. As of 2015, for initial licensure, Canadian RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. In Quebec, the 'Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec' (Quebec Order of Nurses) administers their own licensing exam for registration within the province. In Denmark, nurses are certified by the Danish Ministry of Health . It

2244-472: The English language. A nurse who is registered with the NMBA, and as such AHPRA, is free to practice in any state or territory in Australia, providing they meet the governing boards requirements and the individual state/territory legislative requirements, such as working with children checks and individual police checks for that state or territory. Educational requirements for an entry-level Registered Nurse are at

2312-565: The Nightingale Training School for Nurses. The registration of nurses by nursing councils or boards began in the early twentieth century. New Zealand registered the first nurse in 1901 with the establishment of the Nurses Registration Act . Nurses were required to complete three years of training and pass a state-administered examination. Registration ensured a degree of consistency in the education of new nurses, and

2380-840: The Rio Grande's main rival, the Union Pacific Railroad. The Western Pacific Railway acquired the Alameda and San Joaquin Railroad and began construction on what became known as the Feather River Route. Completed in 1909, it was the last major rail line connected to California. After Western Pacific Railway Company defaulted on mortgage bonds, its assets were sold in 1916 to The Western Pacific Railroad Company . The original line used 85 lb/yd rail on untreated ties, with no tie plates except on curves over one degree; in 1935 more than half of

2448-581: The Union Pacific Corporation purchased the Western Pacific in 1982, the WP became part of a combined Union Pacific rail system: the Union Pacific Railroad, the Missouri Pacific Railroad , and the WP. The Union Pacific maintains one locomotive in its fleet, Union Pacific 1983 , in a Western Pacific influenced livery . The California Zephyr was the famous Western Pacific passenger train but

2516-1191: The United Kingdom is the largest health care profession in the country. It has evolved from assisting doctors to encompass a variety of professional roles. Over 700,000 nurses practice, working in settings such as hospitals , health centres , nursing homes , hospices , communities, military, prisons, and academia . Most are employed by the National Health Service (NHS). Nurses work across all demographics and care areas: adults, children, mental health, and learning disability. Nurses work in specialties across medicine, surgery, theatres, and investigative sciences such as imaging. Nurses also work in sub-specialities such as respiratory, diabetes, cancer, neurology, infectious diseases, liver, research , cardiac, women's health, sexual health, emergency and acute care, gastrointestinal, infection prevention and control, neuroscience, ophthalmic, pain and palliative, and rheumatology. Nurses often work in multi-disciplinary teams, but increasingly work independently. To practise, all nurses and nursing associates must be registered with

2584-563: The United States had approximately 2,751,000 registered nurses and Canada had just over 250,000. In the US and Canada this works out to approximately eight nurses per 1,000 people. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nursing jobs are projected to grow by 15% between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average overall rate. The growth rate in the United States has a number of reasons, including an increased interest in preventive care, an increase in chronic illnesses, and

2652-455: The chance to find the most suitable job for themselves. Nurses are generally in demand around the world. The World Health organization estimates that by 2030 there will be a world-wide shortage of 4.5 million nurses. Patients benefit from having a sufficient number of nurses to meet the clinic's or hospital's needs. As the number of nurses increases, the quality of life for the patients increases as well. Nurses are responsible for providing

2720-473: The demands of services required by the baby boom generation. The highest-paid registered nurses in the United States are in California. California cities often comprise the top five highest-paying metropolitan areas for registered nurses in the country. Most registered nurses start working with competitive salaries. The median annual salary for registered nurses was $ 80,000 per year as of June 2020, according to

2788-641: The direction of George Jay Gould I , the Western Pacific Railway proposed to build a standard gauge track connection to the Pacific Coast for his aspiring Gould transcontinental system . Construction was financed by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad , a company in the Gould system, which had lost access to California due to the attempted acquisition of the Southern Pacific Railroad by

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2856-416: The duties of a Zephyrette to "being hostess to a house party of 300 self-invited guests whom you don't know". Lyman described her experience on a 1963 California Zephyr trip as "48 hours answering every wish and whim of the 287 passengers", and then estimated that she walked 25 miles (40 km) while performing her duties. O'Grady wore a pedometer on three consecutive round trips, over which she had walked

2924-523: The end of the 19th century and leading into the beginning of the 20th century. When obtaining a nursing degree, there are personal benefits that come with it. One personal benefit is that nursing is a highly respected position. Another personal advantage is the availability of jobs; nurses are in high demand. Nursing also provides many different possibilities of employment, because with a nursing degree, there are many positions that fall under this category. Being able to explore multiple options gives someone

2992-427: The graduate to exit the program with a Masters in Nursing, e.g.: Bachelor of Science/Master of Nursing, and these are generally offered over a four-year period. Postgraduate nursing education is widespread in Australia and is encouraged by employing bodies such as state health services (e.g. New South Wales Health). There are many varying courses and scholarships available which provide a bachelor-level Registered Nurse

3060-551: The guidance of a 'standard treatment manual' such as the Central Australian Remote Practitioners Association (CARPA) manuals as opposed to the direct order of a medical practitioner whilst practising in a remote/isolated setting. A Registered Nurse at this level would be professionally referred to as a 'Remote Area Nurse' or 'Clinical Nurse Specialist - Speciality'. In all Canadian provinces except Quebec, newly registered nurses are required to have

3128-507: The honor of christening Amtrak 's inaugural California Zephyr on July 17, 1983. The position of Zephyrette was predated by other pioneering positions open to women in the American railroad industry. The "Harvey Girls" had been employed by Harvey Houses along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway since the 1880s, although they were not part of the railroad's on-board crew. In August 1935,

3196-421: The increased course-load necessary to complete the program in a short time. Some employers, especially hospitals, may require a bachelor's degree even for entry-level positions; however, it is also increasingly common for hospitals to hire ASN-licensed individuals for limited practice, under the condition that the individual complete a BSN within a designated time-frame, typically 2–3 years. Specialty certification

3264-483: The increased volume of undergraduate coursework related to the profession of nursing, sometimes as part of the program itself and sometimes as prerequisites for admission. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees include more thorough coursework in leadership and community health, as well as more clinical hours, and can be completed as an extension of an Associate program or standalone. Accelerated versions of both exist, and are considered particularly challenging due to

3332-474: The level of bachelor's degree in Australia, and can range in two to four years in length with three years being the national average. Some universities offer a two-year 'fast track' bachelor's degree, whereby a students study three years worth of coursework compressed in a two-year period. This is made possible by reducing summer and winter semester breaks and utilising three semesters per year compared to two. Some universities also offer combined degrees which allow

3400-644: The main line still had its original rail, most of it having carried 150 million gross tons. In 1931 Western Pacific opened a main line north from the Feather River Canyon to the Great Northern Railway in northern California. This route, today part of BNSF's Gateway Subdivision , joined the Oakland ;– Salt Lake City main line at the Keddie Wye , a unique combination of two steel trestles and

3468-439: The opportunity to 'up-skill' and assume an extended scope of practice. Such courses are offered at all levels of the post graduate spectrum and range from graduate certificate to master's degree and provide a theoretical framework for a bachelor level Registered nurse to take up an advanced practice position such as Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). Rural and Remote nursing

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3536-523: The passengers". It was this corps of hostesses who would become the Zephyrettes. The Zephyrettes made their debut on the Denver Zephyr in 1936, and shortly thereafter appeared on the Twin Cities Zephyr as well. The position was discontinued during World War II , as domestic passenger rail service was reduced to essentially the bare necessities as American railroads tried to conserve resources for

3604-476: The prescription of medication without the official supervision of a licensed physician (MD or DO). However, a number of advanced nursing degree programs are sufficiently specialized for work within a hospital setting (for example, Nurse Anesthetist) that it is uncommon for such nurses to run their own medical practice. Nurses in the United States follow the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) which are laws that protect

3672-562: The public's health and welfare by outlining the safe practices of nursing. All states and territories in the U.S. have a nurse practice act. The rules and regulations may vary from state to state. It is important to know the current laws governing nursing practices in their state. Typical requirements to get into a nursing school: High School diploma, required GPA for school of choice, admissions application, personal essay, personal interview, teacher recommendations, volunteer experience (preferably in healthcare), application fee, test of English as

3740-636: The requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized licensing body to obtain a nursing license . An RN's scope of practice is determined by legislation, and is regulated by a professional body or council . Registered nurses are employed in a wide variety of professional settings, and often specialize in a field of practice. Depending on the jurisdiction, they may be responsible for supervising care delivered by other healthcare workers, including student nurses, licensed practical nurses , unlicensed assistive personnel , and less-experienced RNs. Registered nurses must usually meet

3808-465: The roles played by a Zephyrette were many, from hostess and tour guide to first aid responder and babysitter. The Zephyrettes became lasting symbols of the California Zephyr , wearing distinctive uniforms and appearing in both promotional literature and magazine advertisements, and they would remain a constant presence on the train until it was discontinued on March 22, 1970. A number married other railroad employees or former passengers, and one even had

3876-555: The system of multiple seatings necessitated by the relative lack of space in the dining car . Zephyrettes were also responsible for communicating with the conductors to ensure that passengers boarding at intermediate stations were not neglected, providing for parlor games such as bridge or canasta , and babysitting children and sometimes even pets. Near the end of the California Zephyr 's existence, as equipment failures ranging from malfunctioning heaters to public address systems became more common, they essentially became apologists for

3944-478: The title was usually protected by law. After 1905 in California , for example, it became a misdemeanour to claim to be an RN without a certificate of registration. Today, typical requirements for an RN licence in the United States include earning either an associate degree (community college) or a baccalaureate degree (college or university) in nursing and passing an examination. Registration acts allowed authorities

4012-405: The train continued for another year. The Zephyrettes became symbols of the California Zephyr , and appeared in both the train's promotional literature and a few magazine advertisements. They remained a constant presence on the train until the very end, on March 22, 1970, when the final California Zephyr completed its last trip at Chicago Union Station . While the average tenure of employment for

4080-437: The train in San Francisco, aside from a bath (the train had no bathing facilities), were for a cigarette and a glass of wine . Zephyrettes were also forbidden to receive tips from passengers, although they were permitted to accept cards and gifts. McPeek, who was affectionately referred to as "Mama" McPeek by many Zephyrettes, was quite protective of them and did not hesitate to write them letters of advice and encouragement; she

4148-435: The train itself. Generally, Zephyrettes also served as liaisons between new passengers who were unfamiliar with railroading conventions and the various other members of the crew, such as porters . Zephyrettes played a variety of different roles, from hostess and tour guide to first aid responder and babysitter, giving attention to all passengers, often with an emphasis on the handicapped, elderly, and children. Sometimes what

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4216-421: The train more friendly to women, children, and families; some of her other ideas were successful, such as lowering the height of car windows to allow for easier viewing, while others were not, such as setting aside a portion of one car for women and children only. The Zephyrettes were hired in Chicago, first by McPeek and later by her successor, Mary Lou Gordon. While the California Zephyr was jointly operated by

4284-404: The uniforms, giving them a more modern appearance, complete with a brighter shade of blue. Later in the 1960s, the uniforms were changed to brown. In 1970, the last year of operation for the California Zephyr , Moran wore airline-inspired dresses , one blue with a white stripe down the side and the other green with a similar orange stripe, that she believes would have become the regular uniform had

4352-432: The war effort while also providing for the movement of military personnel across the country on troop trains. After the end of the war, McPeek was instrumental in restoring the Zephyrettes to the Burlington's passenger service, albeit only on the California Zephyr . The Zephyrettes would be a constant presence on the train from 1949 until it was discontinued in 1970. They constituted one of a number of McPeek's efforts to make

4420-407: Was especially concerned about the effects of gossip on the Zephyrettes. Described by Lyman as "the railroad's answer to the air line stewardess ", some of the many duties of a Zephyrette included welcoming passengers, making announcements on the train's public address system , sending telegrams , and taking dinner reservations, which on the California Zephyr was a complicated undertaking due to

4488-566: Was established in 1862 to build the westernmost portion of the first transcontinental railroad , between Sacramento and San Jose , California (later to Oakland). After completing the last link from Sacramento to Oakland, this company was absorbed into the Central Pacific Railroad in 1870. The second company to use the "western pacific" appellation was the Western Pacific Railway Company , founded in 1903. Under

4556-578: Was required of them was as simple as providing directions; Smith joked that if she had written a memoir about her experiences as a Zephyrette, she would have entitled it Which Way is the Diner? , noting that was a frequent question even in the Dome-Observation car (the last car on the train). Other times it was much more difficult; in 1955, Zephyrette Helen Schwartz, with the assistance of porter Roosevelt Williams and two female passengers, successfully delivered

4624-854: Was the Sacramento Northern Railway , which once reached from San Francisco to Chico, California. Others included the Tidewater Southern Railway , the Central California Traction , the Indian Valley Railroad and the Deep Creek Railroad . In December 1953, the Railroad retired its last steam locomotive from revenue service. At the end of 1970, WP operated 1,187 miles (1,910 km) of road and 1,980 miles (3,190 km) of track, not including its Sacramento Northern and Tidewater Southern subsidiaries. After

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