California Zephyr discussion 2024 H2

[zephyr17]

Honestly, I think most of the reason for the meal times that aren't lining up consistently is just institutional inertia. Until the controversial Crescent schedule revisions a couple years ago, the Crescent had left New Orleans at or around 7 am since Amtrak took it in 1979. Breakfast service for a train leaving at 7 would be a close to a requirement. The California Zephyr used to leave its East Bay terminus mid-day, like its 1970 WP predecessor. In 1990 at 11:50 am, in 1991 at 10:40 am, 1993 at 10:10 am, 1995, OKJ at 9:55, EMY at 10:28, 1998 at 10:40 (EMY), 2001 at 9:35, 2005 at 9:15, 2008 at 8:55. Cannot pinpoint when it got moved to 8:25, as archived timetables don't go past 2010, but you see the picture.

They just didn't adjust meal service as the schedules changed. In the Crescent's case it was a sudden change, for the Zephyr it was a case of the proverbial frog getting boiled. If the trains were starting/taken over today on the current schedules the Zephyr probably would have breakfast and the Crescent probably wouldn't.

It is yet another example of the care and attention Amtrak management gives to their long distance services. That is to say approaching zero. They changed the schedule but neglected to look at anything else involved.

 

[Cal]

archived timetables don't go past 2010, but you see the picture.

Use https://juckins.net/amtrak_timetables/archive/home.php to see timetables from 2010 to present.

 

[zephyr17]

Use https://juckins.net/amtrak_timetables/archive/home.php to see timetables from 2010 to present.

Thanks, I was looking at www.timetables.org.

 

[Brian Battuello]

As most of you know, I've been riding the CZ since 1966, with real Zephyrettes and all. Jump ahead to the early 1990s, when I was living in San Francisco and routinely took the CZ up to Reno and back. After we passed through Soda Springs eastbound, we'd approach the snow sheds and the big question was if we would immediately go into the lower tunnel or get sent "over the top" on the original route, presumably to get out of the way of a UP westbound freight. After 1993, the upper route was abandoned.

Fast forward to now, and I happened across this youtube of a hike through the high tunnels. Amazing how things change in a lifetime...

 

[Taste Within Reach]

My wife and I just completed our first cross-country rail journey from LAX to NYC.
The eastbound California Zephyr was incredible in late September, with stunning canyons, winding rivers, and golden trees. On the Cardinal 50, we were so lucky to ride in a Viewliner II roomette, following your suggestion to look for a car number ending in 09. It worked out perfectly—thanks for the tip!

 

[PaTrainFan]

My wife and I just completed our first cross-country rail journey from LAX to NYC.
The eastbound California Zephyr was incredible in late September, with stunning canyons, winding rivers, and golden trees. On the Cardinal 50, we were so lucky to ride in a Viewliner II roomette, following your suggestion to look for a car number ending in 09. It worked out perfectly—thanks for the tip!View attachment 38285View attachment 38286

Glad you had a terrific experience. I think we're all curious how you were able to grab these photos leaning out the window without being thrown off the train. ;-)

 

[Taste Within Reach]

Glad you had a terrific experience. I think we're all curious how you were able to grab these photos leaning out the window without being thrown off the train. ;-)

lol! I held the camera tightly while my wife held me.

 

[joelkfla]

lol! I held the camera tightly while my wife held me.

I think @PaTrainFan meant being thrown off the train by the conductor.

 

[Asher]

As most of you know, I've been riding the CZ since 1966, with real Zephyrettes and all. Jump ahead to the early 1990s, when I was living in San Francisco and routinely took the CZ up to Reno and back. After we passed through Soda Springs eastbound, we'd approach the snow sheds and the big question was if we would immediately go into the lower tunnel or get sent "over the top" on the original route, presumably to get out of the way of a UP westbound freight. After 1993, the upper route was abandoned.

Fast forward to now, and I happened across this youtube of a hike through the high tunnels. Amazing how things change in a lifetime...

Interesting look at the snow sheds. Growing up in Sacramento l heard the words snow sheds a lot. The Chinese who migrated here into early1850s ended up working on a lot of important infrastructure along travel routes both rail and roads I’ve come across riding motorcycles in remote areas of the desert. I think most of the roads were access to mines that were in operation back then.

 

[Brian Battuello]

For many years I've loved popping open a Superliner vestibule window (easy to do) and leaning out for pictures and fresh air. But word is they've gotten much stricter about it. They warn you not to do it in the safety briefing, and I wouldn't count on just getting another warning. If you get a conductor in a bad mood you could get thrown off the train, literally, at the next stop. I can't say I've ever heard of it happening, but I wouldn't take the chance.

I have seen people taken off the train and questioned by the local police many times, but don't know what their offense was. Still, not something I'd risk anymore.

 

[Eric in East County]

For many years I've loved popping open a Superliner vestibule window (easy to do) and leaning out for pictures and fresh air. But word is they've gotten much stricter about it. They warn you not to do it in the safety briefing, and I wouldn't count on just getting another warning. If you get a conductor in a bad mood you could get thrown off the train, literally, at the next stop. I can't say I've ever heard of it happening, but I wouldn't take the chance.

I have seen people taken off the train and questioned by the local police many times, but don't know what their offense was. Still, not something I'd risk anymore.

In 2023, while we were riding west on Southwest Chief No. 3, an announcement was made that windows were not to be opened in order to smoke. If you did so, you would be put off the train. (We're not sure if the greater offense was opening the window or smoking or both.)

 

[Steve4031]

When I was young and dumb, I challenged the no-open-windows edict on the EB Zephyr in the early 1980s. In the 1970s, opening the Dutch doors on the steam-heated equipment had been okay. I enjoyed riding in the vestibule with the dutch door open as much as many other railfans did in the 70s.

It apparently stopped being okay once the superliners entered service. I was a teenager then and was caught by an Amtrak coach attendant. I assumed that this person was too strict and that maybe he told me to close the window because the train was speeding across Utah. When we started following the Colorado River, I moved to another car and opened the window. About 15 minutes later, a different attendant asked me to close the window. I tried again, the third time east of Glenwood Springs. The conductor caught me this time and escorted me to the sightseer lounge car. He told me I would be put off the train the next time I did this. He emphasized the safety issues related to having the window open. I was traveling alone, and I did not want to call home to explain to my father that I had been put off the train for aggravating the crew.

Reflecting on this experience, I realized the different crew members communicated about my activities. I deserved the scolding I got from the conductor. Since then, I have not opened the windows on superliners or any other Amtrak equipment unless expressly given permission by a crew member or riding on a private car, and the private car crew gave permission.

The conductor's safety reasoning on the CZ was confirmed on another trip by personal experience. This time, I was lucky I had decided not to open the door and stand on the platform of a heritage fleet car on the back of 58 as we departed a Mississipi stop. I was enjoying the track view from the rail fan window when the train hit a rock. The rock curled back and smacked the window in front of my face. Had I been standing on the platform, I would have been injured if not killed. I listen if a railroader tells me something is to be done for a safety reason.

 

[Cal]

I feel like taking the Zephyr as your first Amtrak long distance route isn't a great recommendation. First off, it's super long, so if you find out it's not your thing you have a loong way to suffer. Second, if you do the best thing first, nothing else will live up to it. Anyone else share this mindset, or just me? I think the Starlight is an optimal first ride.

 

[Taste Within Reach]

I think @PaTrainFan meant being thrown off the train by the conductor.

I almost got thrown off the train by my wife first. You guys were right—definitely NOT opening the window on our next ride!

 

[Brian Battuello]

No problem. Just didn't want some newbie here thinking it was okay. And Steve4031, I did equally stupid things on Amtrak as a teenager!

Still, great pictures.

About the only reason I'd consider taking the Rocky Mountaineer:

 

[Brian Battuello]

Roughly 15 years ago I enjoyed playing with train simulators. I preferred Trainz, an Australian product but with a lot of US content. The general US map wasn't very detailed, but they had volunteers that created environments in areas that interested them. Some fellow foamers in Italy created the D&RGW climb from Denver to the Moffat tunnel using mapping material set in modern Colorado. Oddly, they didn't seem that interested in the CZ itself.

So I purchased a set of digital CZ rolling stock and put together a typical consist. I pulled out of Denver, around the Big 10 curve and up the front range to the Moffat. In those days YouTubes were limited to 10 minutes long, so I broke it into four representative segments.

The first video paused at each car to detail the name, number and purpose. Unfortunately YouTube did a major update of their CC software and I lost the captions. :-(

I enjoyed driving the train so each video except the last starts from a standing stop and takes its own sweet time getting going. If I did it over again I'd use a running start. In order to fit more in each scene, I went faster than the real speed limit.

I was particularly impressed with how the simulator handled the sound effects inside and outside the train. And I hope you enjoy the typical Colorado weather!

 

[Steve4031]

No problem. Just didn't want some newbie here thinking it was okay. And Steve4031, I did equally stupid things on Amtrak as a teenager!

Still, great pictures.

About the only reason I'd consider taking the Rocky Mountaineer:

View attachment 38295

View attachment 38296

I enjoyed my ride on the Rocky Mountaineer. Those platforms justify the expense.