Zephyrette, 84, Joyfully Reunites with Beloved Railcar After Six Decades

The Silver Horizon railcar, a remnant of the luxury train era from 1949 to 1970, is now housed in a museum in Maricopa. It carries memories of cross-country journeys and the elegance of travel from a bygone age.

Judy Miller Sperbeck, 84, who once served as a zephyrette, revisited the train car in December after nearly six decades. In her youth, she traversed the route between Oakland, California, and Chicago, creating lasting memories that the railcar itself cannot convey.

Upon entering the car, Sperbeck was immediately enveloped by a wave of nostalgia brought on by the distinct scent of the train. “There’s a smell to a train that is just unbelievable,” she said with a smile. “It just brings back a lot of memories.”

During her three years of work, she not only engaged with travelers but also developed unique skills, including learning to play the bagpipes. Her time on the rails offered her encounters with Major League Baseball players, friendly kittens, and even circus elephants, leaving her with a treasure trove of stories.

One of her cherished memories involves a comical incident with a fellow staff member. While using the train’s loudspeaker to announce their entry into the Moffat Tunnel, she mistakenly stated it was 6.2 inches long instead of the actual 6.2 miles. “I went, ‘Oh, my God.’ I didn’t even know that I said that,” she recalled, attributing the mix-up to distractions caused by her co-worker. “It’s Bollinger’s fault because he had my shoe off.”

Sperbeck reflects positively on her experiences, crediting her enchanting memories to the camaraderie among the crew. “All of the employees, the people in the kitchen, the whole crew was cool,” she said, acknowledging their role in making her tenure fulfilling.

Her career as a zephyrette ended in 1964, a decision she often revisits with regret. “It was really the best part of my life, doing this,” she admitted. Although she took another path after marrying, the memories of the rails lingered.

During her visit, the Maricopa Historical Society provided her with insights about the Silver Horizon’s journey since she last saw it. Paul Shirk, the society’s president, shared its history, including its appearance in the movie “Pearl Harbor” and its impressive transportation to its current location. “See, you didn’t know the Silver Horizon could fly,” he quipped.

She learned that only six California Zephyr railcars remain across the country, each in various states of preservation, often held by non-profit organizations.

After her time on the train, Sperbeck returned to the workforce in 2000, taking a position at Chase Field. There, she witnessed the Arizona Diamondbacks clinch the World Series in 2001. Today, at 84, she continues to work as a hostess at the Jim Beam Barrel Bar in the Footprint Center.

A piece of her history is forever etched in the Silver Horizon, where her name is engraved on the first window inside the door, signifying her enduring connection to the past.