California Zephyr discussion 2024 H2

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Good morning all, I have returned from my cross-country travels (yes, I will be posting trip reports in segments) but I have a very specific question for you Cal Zephyr experts! Is there or is there not a valid reason for the insistence that lunch must be at 10am on the last day of the eastbound trip? They said they could only do one call for lunch, and it had to be 10am, because they had to have lunch completely finished before Galesburg, a stop that is typically scheduled for around 11:30am.

Since the Zephyr ends its EB journey around 2:30pm in Chicago I think it's a bit unreasonable to insist people have lunch at 10am. But, if there is a true good reason, I won't bring it up when I call Amtrak to mention a few things (some are compliments, some are...not ;-) ) Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!
 
ferroaficionada said:
Good morning all, I have returned from my cross-country travels (yes, I will be posting trip reports in segments) but I have a very specific question for you Cal Zephyr experts! Is there or is there not a valid reason for the insistence that lunch must be at 10am on the last day of the eastbound trip? They said they could only do one call for lunch, and it had to be 10am, because they had to have lunch completely finished before Galesburg, a stop that is typically scheduled for around 11:30am.

Since the Zephyr ends its EB journey around 2:30pm in Chicago I think it's a bit unreasonable to insist people have lunch at 10am. But, if there is a true good reason, I won't bring it up when I call Amtrak to mention a few things (some are compliments, some are...not ;-) ) Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!
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All Amtrak LD Routes that have their last Scheduled Meal close to the Terminal Arrival Time use Limited Menus and Early Service Times since the Crews are not paid once the Train hits the Stop @ the end of the Trip, and they have to do inventory and clean up before arrival into the Terminal.
 
Today's #6 out of Emeryville lost a whopping 7 hours and 20 minutes because of "mechanical" issues, and I guess the Bay Area is in short supply of rescue locomotives. I mean out of everywhere around Sacramento, they couldn't get a rescue engine in a timely manner?
 
Bob Dylan said:
All Amtrak LD Routes that have their last Scheduled Meal close to the Terminal Arrival Time use Limited Menus and Early Service Times since the Crews are not paid once the Train hits the Stop @ the end of the Trip, and they have to do inventory and clean up before arrival into the Terminal.
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Thank you. This gives me some insight. But I think Chicago (3:30p) is the terminal so I'm not sure why they insisted it had to be done before Galesburg (11:30a). Either way, your answer helps it make a tiny bit more sense.
 
Next years trip on the Cardinal /California Zephyr will be from PHL to GJT. We are thoroughly familiar with CHI and PHL but have never arrived in Grand Junction, CO. Can anyone fill us in on the available services at the station and the downtown area. It looks like there are an abundance of hotels and restaurants in the area but are they are short walking distance from the station? If necessary (we have luggage) can we get a taxi? Closest good hotels? Comments are certainly appreciated.
 
dlagrua said:
Next years trip on the Cardinal /California Zephyr will be from PHL to GJT. We are thoroughly familiar with CHI and PHL but have never arrived in Grand Junction, CO. Can anyone fill us in on the available services at the station and the downtown area. It looks like there are an abundance of hotels and restaurants in the area but are they are short walking distance from the station? If necessary (we have luggage) can we get a taxi? Closest good hotels? Comments are certainly appreciated.
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https://www.colorado.com/grand-junction/transportation/taxis/sunshine-taxi-grand-junction

I haven't stayed in a GJT hotel, but if a cab transfer is needed there should be no problem. Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado and so it has business and government travel year-round, besides being a base for tourism and mountain recreation. The station is staffed, and handles checked baggage.

https://www.amtrak.com/stations/gjt.html
 
dlagrua said:
Next years trip on the Cardinal /California Zephyr will be from PHL to GJT. We are thoroughly familiar with CHI and PHL but have never arrived in Grand Junction, CO. Can anyone fill us in on the available services at the station and the downtown area. It looks like there are an abundance of hotels and restaurants in the area but are they are short walking distance from the station? If necessary (we have luggage) can we get a taxi? Closest good hotels? Comments are certainly appreciated.
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The Pufferbelly restaurant near the station is supposed to be decent. I haven't actually tried it. The station itself is nothing to look at but has all the necessary facilities.
 
Amtrak #5(15) lost about forty-five minutes between Mount Pleasant and Ottumwa, Iowa from a severe storm this evening. #5 was running slowly as instructed with a high wind warning. When I caught this train after it made it through the storm, the lead engine had bits of tree on it, including a branch on top.

20240715_200911C.jpg

1721103693931.jpeg
 
I'm thinking of a possible trip, possibly next year, on the Cal. Zephyr from Martinez, CA to Glenwood Springs, CO.

Questions:

If I don't go during peak summer months, possibly early May or late September would be my choice. Which would be better? Would weather be a factor?

What side of the train has the best scenic view, for both the Sierras and for Glenwood Canyon?

For lodging at Glenwood Springs, I am thinking of either the Hotel Colorado or the Hotel Glenwood Springs.

I stayed in Glenwood about 25-30 years ago. At that time, I stayed at the Hotel Colorado, The grounds and lobby were nice, but I didn't think much of the rooms. Have the rooms been refurbished? Another possibility would be the Hotel Glenwood Springs. I believe it's in downtown Glenwood. Is the Hotel Glenwood Springs within walking distance of the Glenwood Amtrak station?

Any suggestions for restaurants in Glenwood Springs?

Thanks.
 
Northwestern said:
I'm thinking of a possible trip, possibly next year, on the Cal. Zephyr from Martinez, CA to Glenwood Springs, CO.

Questions:

If I don't go during peak summer months, possibly early May or late September would be my choice. Which would be better? Would weather be a factor?

What side of the train has the best scenic view, for both the Sierras and for Glenwood Canyon?

For lodging at Glenwood Springs, I am thinking of either the Hotel Colorado or the Hotel Glenwood Springs.

I stayed in Glenwood about 25-30 years ago. At that time, I stayed at the Hotel Colorado, The grounds and lobby were nice, but I didn't think much of the rooms. Have the rooms been refurbished? Another possibility would be the Hotel Glenwood Springs. I believe it's in downtown Glenwood. Is the Hotel Glenwood Springs within walking distance of the Glenwood Amtrak station?

Any suggestions for restaurants in Glenwood Springs?

Thanks.
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1) September is the best month for the "High Country" in Colorado as the Aspen are golden at that time of year.
2) Side of train? -- I can't help you as I come from the east.
3) Lodging? -- I have always stayed at the Hotel Denver (Now called "Hotel Maxwell Anderson") which is literally steps across the street form the train station. My experience has always been very good there but who know under the new name?
4) I am not a good restaurant resource as I tend to eat anything and eat cheap.

I hope you have a great trip!

​

 
Northwestern said:
If I don't go during peak summer months, possibly early May or late September would be my choice. Which would be better? Would weather be a factor?
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I do most of my travel in "shoulder season" and Fall seems to better than Spring in terms of possible weather disruption. In Spring flooding is not uncommon.

As to side, the left/north side is better for Glenwood Canyon. In the Sierra, the train goes back and forth over ridges so the views switch sides. The views as you approach the summit are better on the left, though. Remember if you are in a roomette or bedroom you cannot predict which side you'll be on unless you're in a transdorm roomette.
 
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Northwestern said:
I'm thinking of a possible trip, possibly next year, on the Cal. Zephyr from Martinez, CA to Glenwood Springs, CO.

Questions:

If I don't go during peak summer months, possibly early May or late September would be my choice. Which would be better? Would weather be a factor?

What side of the train has the best scenic view, for both the Sierras and for Glenwood Canyon?

For lodging at Glenwood Springs, I am thinking of either the Hotel Colorado or the Hotel Glenwood Springs.

I stayed in Glenwood about 25-30 years ago. At that time, I stayed at the Hotel Colorado, The grounds and lobby were nice, but I didn't think much of the rooms. Have the rooms been refurbished? Another possibility would be the Hotel Glenwood Springs. I believe it's in downtown Glenwood. Is the Hotel Glenwood Springs within walking distance of the Glenwood Amtrak station?

Any suggestions for restaurants in Glenwood Springs?

Thanks.
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I would say weather will be a minimal factor between May or September. The one advantage May will have is a longer time of daylight.

For the Sierra’s, as others have said, the views change so a nice seat in the SSL is best. After that there is the isolated section of the Colorado River just west of Grand Junction for which the south side of the train is by far the best. If you come from the west and get off in Glenwood Springs, you won’t go through Glenwood Canyon as it starts just east of the station. If you are riding coach, much of the time the crew has been assigning seats, which makes picking a side of the train much more difficult. For the best selection you might want to consider backtracking to Emeryville and boarding at the origination. If you don’t get the seat you want, consult the car attendant or conductor after getting underway.

Hotel wise, the Hotel Glenwood Springs is about a mile walk from the station as it’s located on the north side of town. Walking is doable, but a hike with luggage. I haven’t stayed there but it looks fun as it has a water park and is next to the gondola to the adventure park on the mountain. I’ve also heard good things about Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which isn’t far from that hotel. There is also two Marriott properties, a Courtyard and Residence Inn if those are attractive to you.

There are many good restaurants in town. Juicy Lucy’s, The Pullman, Colorado Ranch House, The Italian Underground, Smoke Modern BBQ, Slope and Hatch, Rocky Mountain Pizza, The Daily Bread, and Rosi’s Little Bavarian all have very good food and there are many more. Google map reviews hold pretty true and are reliable.

If you are up for seeing something different than just Glenwood, the RFTA busses go up to Aspen with the possibility of stops along the way (Carbondale and Basalt both have interesting towns to walk around) or riding an express bus.
 
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F900ElCapitan said:
After that there is the isolated section of the Colorado River just west of Grand Junction for which the south side of the train is by far the best. If you come from the west and get off in
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Ruby Canyon, and the south side is indeed better through there. South side is also better through Gore Canyon.
 
F900ElCapitan said:
I would say weather will be a minimal factor between May or September. The one advantage May will have is a longer time of daylight.

For the Sierra’s, as others have said, the views change so a nice seat in the SSL is best. After that there is the isolated section of the Colorado River just west of Grand Junction for which the south side of the train is by far the best. If you come from the west and get off in Glenwood Springs, you won’t go through Glenwood Canyon as it starts just east of the station. If you are riding coach, much of the time the crew has been assigning seats, which makes picking a side of the train much more difficult. For the best selection you might want to consider backtracking to Emeryville and boarding at the origination. If you don’t get the seat you want, consult the car attendant or conductor after getting underway.

Hotel wise, the Hotel Glenwood Springs is about a mile walk from the station as it’s located on the north side of town. Walking is doable, but a hike with luggage. I haven’t stayed there but it looks fun as it has a water park and is next to the gondola to the adventure park on the mountain. I’ve also heard good things about Iron Mountain Hot Springs, which isn’t far from that hotel. There is also two Marriott properties, a Courtyard and Residence Inn if those are attractive to you.

There are many good restaurants in town. Juicy Lucy’s, The Pullman, Colorado Ranch House, The Italian Underground, Smoke Modern BBQ, Slope and Hatch, Rocky Mountain Pizza, The Daily Bread, and Rosi’s Little Bavarian all have very good food and there are many more. Google map reviews hold pretty true and are reliable.

If you are up for seeing something different than just Glenwood, the RFTA busses go up to Aspen with the possibility of stops along the way (Carbondale and Basalt both have interesting towns to walk around) or riding an express bus.
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Are there car rentals in Glenwood Springs?
 
Thanks for all the good information.

If I make the trip to Glenwood, I will be in either a roomette or bedroom on the Zephyr.

The walk from the Amtrak station to the Hotel Colorado is little less than a 3rd of a mile, so it was an easy walk the last time I was there. I don't really want to walk a mile to Hotel Glenwood Springs while carrying luggage. So, if I opt to spend a night there, I hope there is a taxi available at the train station. I have found, in the last few years, finding a cab at some of the Amtrak stations (large or small) can be a problem. I guess a call to Uber might be the best bet. There is an Enterprise car rental which, I believe, is not far from the train depot. Possibly they will pick you up.

I have heard some good things about the Iron Mountain Hot Springs:

https://is.gd/NTifOv

I believe it is about a half mile from the Hotel Glenwood Springs. I appreciate the restaurant suggestions.

I forgot that Glenwood Canyon is east of Glenwood Springs. The last time I was in Glenwood I rented a car and drove up the canyon to Beaver Creek, where I booked a room at a lodge that turned out to be one of the best overnight accommodations in memory. Nearly as good as a cabin at Jasper Park Lodge and a lot cheaper. I can't remember the name of the lodge.

Richard
 
It’s been many years since I visited Glenwood Springs, but IIRC, each train was met with a bunch of hotel and resort courtesy van’s. Not sure if they still do that, but you can check with your choices…
 
Rough estimates for which side is better on the Zephyr going WEST.

DEN-Pinecliff Right
Pinecliff-Granby alternates
Granby-Berns Mostly left
Berns-Glenwood Springs Alternates at first then right
Glenwood Springs-Grand Junction Left
After Grand Junction Left

Before Truckee More left
After Truckee right at first, and then left. It switches a few times when you cross the 80.
 
MARC Rider said:
Are there car rentals in Glenwood Springs?
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As another poster said, there is Enterprise and other “adventure/Jeep” rentals in town. If a rental car is desired and Enterprise won’t work, I’d look at getting off the train in Grand Junction as there are many more options there, including an Enterprise just a couple of blocks away.
 

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