California Zephyr first time rider

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You will love the Zephyr! There really isn't a "best" side of the train because there is incredible scenery on both sides of the train. Westbound, I'd recommend grabbing a seat in the lounge car right after you leave Denver and staying there until lunch time - that is when you climb up and go through the Rocky Mountains and there is so much to see you really want to be in the lounge.

I have a standard carry-on-size suitcase and it fits nicely on the "step" in the roomette next to the seat. I like to keep it in the room with me for easy access.
 
turtlypo said:
I'm taking the westbound CZ in a month! For Glenwood Canyon, should I also get to the SSL extra early? Is 20 mins before Glenwood Springs station enough?
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I've taken the Zephyr several times and the only times I've seen the SSL actually full was westbound through the Rockies usually until around Winter Park. At other times it may be crowded, but you can usually find a seat.

Sometimes you have to be a bit adamant about sharing seats... couples will try to "reserve" an entire booth to themselves, if the car is crowded every open seat is an open seat and the scenery is worth it.

I like sitting at a booth better than the lounge seats - but I always make it very obvious that I welcome others to join me - this is a great way to make friends on the train as well!
 
turtlypo said:
I'm taking the westbound CZ in a month! For Glenwood Canyon, should I also get to the SSL extra early? Is 20 mins before Glenwood Springs station enough?
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20 minutes before Glenwood Springs you'll be in Glenwood Canyon westbound.

Myself, I'd go to the Sightseer 30 or 40 minutes after Granby for Gore Canyon and stay in it until Glenwood Springs.
 
This community of train travelers is so helpful! How would a first-time rider know some of these important details, such as the meal process? Does the attendant give any sort of brief "orientation" at the start of the journey?
 
Kat Delta said:
This community of train travelers is so helpful! How would a first-time rider know some of these important details, such as the meal process? Does the attendant give any sort of brief "orientation" at the start of the journey?
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Amtrak staff behavior can be highly variable. But in my experience it is more the rule than the exception that in Sleepers the Sleeping Car Attendant comes by to welcome new boardings and offers to give a short orientation. Of course frequent riders like me have a little chit chat about other stuff and really don;t go through the orientation one more time. But for new riders that is a very nice thing.
 
Anybody have any timing suggestions on when to make sure to hit the SSL going eastbound? I know that it seems to be the less favorable direction, but my partner and I will be going EMY to DEN mid-November with two 2nd floor roomettes across from each other and wanna make sure that we get the most out of it that we can. I'm presuming we'll encounter a good bit of snow by then?
 
adambrich said:
Anybody have any timing suggestions on when to make sure to hit the SSL going eastbound? I know that it seems to be the less favorable direction, but my partner and I will be going EMY to DEN mid-November with two 2nd floor roomettes across from each other and wanna make sure that we get the most out of it that we can. I'm presuming we'll encounter a good bit of snow by then?
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Probably head to the SSL around Green River or a bit after so as to ensure seats through Ruby Canyon.

They'll likely be some snow at higher elevations. A "good bit" by only mid-November is chancy at best.
 

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