Great to see it! When I asked the LSA in August, she told me they were looking to expand it to other routes but AFAIK that has not happened.
California Zephyr discussion 2024 H2 - 2025
- Thread starter pennyk
- Start date
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Cal H
Train Attendant
Which locale are you referring to as “The City”?
We enjoyed our couple days spent in LA. In fact, for myself getting to tour city hall was one of my trip highlights! We stayed at the Metro because of the convenience to LAUS and our travel inexperience. I hope we can do LA again in the future.
Nice to hear you enjoyed your stay here. “The City” is a term locals used for San Francisco at one time. Their NBA basketball team used to have it on the front of their uniforms.
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trimetbusfan
OBS Chief
If you aren't checking any bags, yes, perfectly ok to arrive 25 minutes before departure.
Thanks!
That reminds me - there's plenty of space in luggage racks in the sleepers to store a bag, right? And it's easy enough to go grab stuff from my suitcase if I forgot to pack something into my smaller backpack?
trimetbusfan
OBS Chief
Yes. There’s a rack downstairs for larger bags and space inside the rooms for smaller bags.
As long as you're sure that you won't run into any traffic delays on the way.
If you are checking baggage at Emeryville, however, you should try to arrive 1 hour early. Bring something to read (or a game to play on your phone) while waiting for the boarding call.
The map is not accurate. You cannot turn right into Powell and walk west. At this point Powell crosses over Horton. You have to walk east a block and the to Powell and over a bridge before turning right again to go to the Hyatt house. If you are Ed not in good condition this would be a challenging walk.
The hubby and I aren't in good condition either, so the non-elevator route described would be challenging for us, too.
greatwestern
Service Attendant
I don't think you can use Powell on foot to cross the tracks - there are notices each end of the bridge saying No Pedestrians (there do not appear to be any footpaths on that section of Powell).
I never noticed that. Uber or Lyft are the best options for EMY. My go-to hotel if the rate is below 200 is the Hilton Garden Inn. The Oakland Marriott downtown is my favorite if I stay more than one night. The hotel is right by the BART station, and from there, it is an easy ride to Embarcadero, where you can ride cable cars or the F line with PCC street cars.
In. the Oakland area, Mountain Mike Pizza has several stores where you can get excellent Pizza. If you want seafood at Fisherman's Wharf, try Scomas. The food is delicious. The service is outstanding. Use OpenTable to book a table ahead of time. If you are running late, as I did once, they gave accurate information on how long the wait would be if we missed our reservation time. The host was polite and respectful throughout the entire process.
I Will be on The Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville in a few days.
Today, I got an email from Amtrak outlining baggage requirements for my upcoming trip on July 18, 2025! I have no reservations for that distant date.
I did go to the Amtrak website and confirmed my reservation number for this week. All seems well, but why the mistaken baggage notice?
Today, I got an email from Amtrak outlining baggage requirements for my upcoming trip on July 18, 2025! I have no reservations for that distant date.
I did go to the Amtrak website and confirmed my reservation number for this week. All seems well, but why the mistaken baggage notice?
UserNameRequired
Lead Service Attendant
I think I partially disagree and @AmtrakBlue may have been most accurate. You can (from looking at street view) walk over tracks on the Powell bridge, but only on the pedestrian path hanging off the north side of the Powell bridge and navigating the steps up and down. At Horton and Powell but at street level head west there are a set of stairs to go up and over the tracks, then back down the stairs on the other side.
That pathway looks like an excellent, dark place for sketchy people to hang out on and less escape paths once you are on the bridge. Plus the staircases look quite tall. I don’t see an elevator shaft there. But I would say you should be able to walk across, and not have to go back east to get across.
Thanks.
I just did a street view on my phone and saw this sign on both sides of the tracks near the road bridge. This one was easier to read. It’s near the hotel parking lot.
They don't want pedestrians crossing the Powell bridge with the street, they do have a separate walkway for pedestrians. I was there over the summer, stayed at the Hyatt, and used the elevator and bridge across, Zephyr is there during morning and afternoon hours, I thought it was ok. Uber wanted a rip off price.
I am asking a few questions on behalf of a friend of a friend. Some of the following are my words are some are hers. I tried to answer as many questions as possible but I thought getting a wider persceptive would be more valuable. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
The traveler will be taking the CZ westbound this summer. She is new to long distance travel and has only traveled a few times in the northeast and New York State.
Here are some of her questions:
1. Since she is somewhat afraid of heights, how can she make the best of this trip. Have others, who are afraid of heights, had issues with the CZ westbound?
2. Is it likely she will get "mountain sickness" since she has always lived at or below sea level in a coastal area? Are there any tips to mitigate or prevent this?
3. Is it safe to travel alone on this train? (I have answered this in the affirmative since I have traveled alone on the CZ numerous times and never felt unsafe).
4. Can the roomette be made more comfortable (YouTube videos show very flat mattresses)?
5. Are there some people with medical issues that should not travel this route?
Thanks!
The traveler will be taking the CZ westbound this summer. She is new to long distance travel and has only traveled a few times in the northeast and New York State.
Here are some of her questions:
1. Since she is somewhat afraid of heights, how can she make the best of this trip. Have others, who are afraid of heights, had issues with the CZ westbound?
2. Is it likely she will get "mountain sickness" since she has always lived at or below sea level in a coastal area? Are there any tips to mitigate or prevent this?
3. Is it safe to travel alone on this train? (I have answered this in the affirmative since I have traveled alone on the CZ numerous times and never felt unsafe).
4. Can the roomette be made more comfortable (YouTube videos show very flat mattresses)?
5. Are there some people with medical issues that should not travel this route?
Thanks!
After Denver, the train climbs through the mountains, and runs along rivers and gorges, but I never had a sense of scary heights or "being on the edge" I think that widely varies person to person.
I'm ok with the roomette, but if you are solo, you can have the SCA take the upper mattress to double up. You will be at elevation while approaching Denver (mile high city) and climbing through the mountains. Hydrate well, if it bothers you at all, avoid exertion until you adjust. The highest elevation on the train is not much different than an airliner cabin pressure altitude, and it is only a short part of the trip.
I'm ok with the roomette, but if you are solo, you can have the SCA take the upper mattress to double up. You will be at elevation while approaching Denver (mile high city) and climbing through the mountains. Hydrate well, if it bothers you at all, avoid exertion until you adjust. The highest elevation on the train is not much different than an airliner cabin pressure altitude, and it is only a short part of the trip.
The key to avoiding altitude sickness is to climb gradually. It’s making quick ascents that are trouble, for anybody. Case in point, the Jungfrau railway, which is not your normal railway geometry. LD trains climb at a very shallow - and often slow - rate so I would think altitude sickness will not be an issue.
Others can chime in with their own experiences to check my thoughts.
Others can chime in with their own experiences to check my thoughts.
I have asthma, and I have traveled numerous times on the Zephyr. I have noticed a bit of shortness of breath, but I bring my inhaler and use it, so I am fine. The 6-mile-long Moffat tunnel may be more of an issue. Some people may be bothered by the tunnel and the diesel fumes. The conductor and crew always remind passengers not to pass between cars while the train is in the tunnel.
Safety should not be an issue if you are traveling in a sleeper. Sleepers are usually full or mostly complete so people will be in nearby rooms. People from the coach would have difficulty getting through the diner to the sleepers because the dining car staff learn pretty quickly who is in the sleepers and would stop coach passengers from going beyond the diner,
Safety should not be an issue if you are traveling in a sleeper. Sleepers are usually full or mostly complete so people will be in nearby rooms. People from the coach would have difficulty getting through the diner to the sleepers because the dining car staff learn pretty quickly who is in the sleepers and would stop coach passengers from going beyond the diner,
UserNameRequired
Lead Service Attendant
A simple item to use for altitude sickness is to have some real aspirin available in case you get a headache from altitude. This is what I carry if hiking up a 14’er. I have never had to use it, my thoughts and body just slowed down with no headache. Each persons response to altitude may vary, “AMS symptoms are like those of an alcohol hangover; headache is the cardinal symptom, usually accompanied by ≥1 of the following: anorexia, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, or, occasionally, vomiting.”
Sounds like a bonus perk for a couple (like the hubby & me) booking 2 roomettes instead of 1. We're thinking of doing this because of concerns about the hubby being able to climb safely into & out of the upper bunk in a roomette (and having enough room up there), but having a thicker mattress at night would make 1 person/roomette even nicer.
For fear of heights, closing the curtains might help. I think that’s what @Mystic River Dragon did when she took the Empire Builder to a Gathering.
I don’t recall having any altitude issues on any trains.
I don’t recall having any altitude issues on any trains.
