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Mark Twain Zephyr

Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is home to the World Famous 1935 Art Deco Streamliner.

The Mark Twain Zephyr was one of nine stainless steel streamlined trains built by the Budd Company for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in the 1930’s.  These shovel nose trains forever changed train travel as they ushered in a new era of passenger railroading in North America.

The Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad is the home to the fourth Zephyr built which operated from St. Louis, Missouri to Burlington, Iowa.  The train was christened in Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri on October 25, 1935 as part of the celebration of 100 anniversary of Twain’s birth.  The little train with the famous name operated for 23 years on a variety of routes across the Midwest before being retired in 1958.  The train passed through 7 owners over the next 62 years and was vandalized and generally stripped before coming to Wisconsin in 2020.

a glass of orange juice

The observation lounge of the recently renovated Tom Sawyer.

a living room filled with furniture and a large window

The forward parlor section of the Tom Sawyer observation car.

a dining room table

The dining room of the newly reconfigured Huckleberry Finn.

a dining room table in front of a window

The bar area of the new tavern lounge Effie Dean.  Effie Dean was once a buffet coach that was part of the Pioneer Zephyr.


The story of the rebuild of this great train is coming soon.