Burlington Route (CB&Q)

Few railroads are as closely associated with streamlined passenger trains as the Burlington Route. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad introduced some of America's most famous trains, helping define the golden age of passenger rail with sleek stainless-steel equipment and record-setting performance.

Collectors searching for Burlington Route model trains often build complete Zephyr consists alongside freight locomotives and classic CB&Q railroad equipment.

The Pioneer Zephyr, Denver Zephyr, Silver Streak Zephyr, Twin Zephyrs, and the famous California Zephyr remain among the most recognizable passenger trains ever built. Their streamlined locomotives and stainless-steel passenger cars continue to be favorites among model railroaders and collectors.

These trains helped establish the Burlington Route as one of America's premier passenger railroads and remain highly sought-after modeling subjects.

Beyond its celebrated passenger fleet, the Burlington Route operated an impressive roster of steam and diesel locomotives serving freight customers across the Midwest and Great Plains. Popular collector favorites include the CB&Q E5, F3, GP7, and SD9, along with freight cars and cabooses representing every era of the railroad.

If you're looking for Burlington Route model trains for sale, our inventory may include new, pre-owned, vintage, collectible, discontinued, retired, and hard-to-find CB&Q locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, cabooses, train sets, and railroad models.

Burlington Route equipment has long been popular with model train manufacturers. Collectors can find CB&Q railroad models from Lionel, Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann, Broadway Limited, Walthers, Rapido, InterMountain, ScaleTrains, and Kato.

Whether you're recreating the Pioneer Zephyr or assembling a Midwestern freight train, Burlington Route equipment is available across numerous scales.

Burlington Route collections often include Zephyr passenger trains, stainless-steel cars, classic diesel locomotives, freight equipment, and vintage railroad models assembled over many years. If you're ready to sell a larger Burlington Route model train collection, Trainz reviews qualifying collections and estate collections containing multiple pieces.

Learn how the Trainz buying process works.

Does the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad still exist?

No. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1970. Burlington Route locomotives, Zephyr passenger trains, and CB&Q freight equipment remain among the hobby's most collectible railroad models.

What is the Burlington Route best known for?

The Burlington Route is best known for the Pioneer Zephyr, California Zephyr, Denver Zephyr, Silver Streak Zephyr, Twin Zephyrs, and its distinctive stainless-steel passenger trains.

What are the most collectible Burlington Route model trains?

Collectors frequently search for Pioneer Zephyr train sets, California Zephyr passenger equipment, Denver Zephyr consists, CB&Q E5 locomotives, F3s, GP7s, SD9s, and classic Burlington Route freight cars.

Who makes Burlington Route model trains?

Manufacturers including Lionel, Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann, Broadway Limited, Walthers, Rapido, InterMountain, ScaleTrains, and Kato have produced Burlington Route locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and train sets.