Art deco was a mood. It suggested a modernity of what might or might not arrive. A visual optimism that captivated the public, it spread through artwork, architecture, and yes, railroading. Looking to recapture the passenger traffic lost to automobile and airline, railroads pushed hard to appeal to a new age of traveler. While it may not have fully succeeded in ambition, it left a lasting mark on how we view the past gazing at the future.

The Nebraska Zephyr has been beautifully restored by the Illinois Railway Museum. While it typically operates along a few miles of track in Union, Il, it was one of several guest pieces of equipment to attend the Train Festival 2011 event based out of Rock Island, Il. Here it is admired by a girl on a bicycle while traveling through the small village of Tiskilwa.

Thanks for looking at my images. I will sign your print unless otherwise specified. Please contact me if you have any custom requests for printing or licensing. – Nick Ozorak