Western Pacific Railroad 805-A, affectionately called a "covered wagon," was purchased to power Western Pacific's California Zephyr less than one year after the train began on March 20, 1949. Typically joined by two cabless "B" units, this cab unit hauled the train between Oakland, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1950 until March 22, 1970, when the California Zephyr ended, and it was then placed into freight service. In 1972, Western Pacific purchased 15 General Electric U23B locomotives and turned in 805-A for credit toward their purchase, after which General Electric sold the unit to the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton Railroad in Pennsylvania. After that railroad was abandoned in 1977, 805-A was transferred to the Louisiana and Northwestern Railroad in Louisiana. The Feather River Rail Society sought the locomotive for its Western Pacific Railroad collection because it had become the last Western Pacific California Zephyr locomotive in existence, and arrangements were made to purchase it in 1987 with the cost shared by members Steve Habeck, Larry Hanlon, and John Ryczkowski, with the society joining as the fourth partner. Bill Evans and David Dewey cosmetically restored 805-A, and after this work was completed, a rededication ceremony was held on May 27, 1995. In early 2000, the Feather River Rail Society launched the Zephyr Project to raise money for a complete mechanical restoration of 805-A and restoration of the California Zephyr dome car "Silver Hostel." Built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1950 as an FP7 locomotive with 1,500 horsepower, serial number 9004, and an operating weight of 252,800 pounds, 805-A is the last intact locomotive built specifically for the California Zephyr.