California Zephyr first time rider

[caravanman]

Prohibiting passengers from opening windows is not just another of those arbitrary “rules”. It can be downright dangerous at times, such as passing a freight train either standing or moving on an adjacent track, where sometimes things like steel cargo tie-down bands can be loose, and can slap you right across your eyes.

Just don’t do it!

I never imagined it was an arbitrary rule, but thanks for the advice.


Mumbai commuter train, and yes, we are moving!

 

[jis]

I never imagined it was an arbitrary rule, but thanks for the advice.

View attachment 38137
Mumbai commuter train, and yes, we are moving!

Speaking of Mumbai Suburban trains, it is estimated that about 2500 people on an average die each year. A lot of those involve falling off trains. And another lot are trespassers.

Frankly those official number appear to be somewhat shall we say muted, as such things often are in India, in my experience.

Anyhow here is a source:

https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story...t-deaths-accidents-injured-2589745-2024-08-29

 

[caravanman]

Speaking of Mumbai Suburban trains, it is estimated that about 2500 people on an average die each year. A lot of those involve falling off trains. And another lot are trespassers.

Frankly those official number appear to be somewhat shall we say muted, as such things often are in India, in my experience.

Be reassured that I am not completely mad, my left arm is curled around a metal post. As you probably know, they don't even close the doors on these EMU's... Not too bad on this ride from Neral back into Mumbai, but pretty dodgy at rush hour, which I think they call "super dense crush load! Deaths definitely under reported!

 

[zephyr17]

I much prefer being able to reserve. I tend to prefer eating lunch late, and I wouldn't want to be refused service because all seats are taken in the last round.

It is generally when there's a relatively light load. When they do it, just show up before or when they announce last call. If they're full, they'll wait list you and you'll be seated and served. It's just like breakfast service in that regard. You just need to be attentive to last call and show up.

Me, I'm neutral, never had a problem with either.

PS, I was looking in the Service Standards Manual (aka the Blue Book, aka the Amtrak Book of Jokes) last night for something else and ran across that the policy is for lunch to be by reservation with no option.

 

[cirdan]

I never imagined it was an arbitrary rule, but thanks for the advice.

View attachment 38137
Mumbai commuter train, and yes, we are moving!

It is sort of ironic that they fit bars over the windows so you can't lean out, but the doors can be opened with ease.

 

[Willbridge]

As for snow... I've ridden the Zephyr in January and not seen any snow at all, and I rode in October and it was like being inside of a snow globe - completely magical. November is a good chance in my book!

The first Colorado ski resort is now open, but it's at Wolf Creek, not on the CZ. I was on the E-Line LRT this afternoon, and when we went over Broadway, the top of the Front Range was covered bright with new snow.

 

[zephyr17]

Not to be confused with Lounge Lizard in the SSL.. I'm that too!

Do you sleep in there? Only those who stretch out on the floor of the SSL overnight qualify for that title as far as I am concerned.

Spending a lot of (conscious) time in there doesn't qualify, as far as I am concerned. You're just enjoying the ride.

 

[zephyr17]

Digressing a bit, the RM seems to be a popular and for some folks worthwhile experience. However I'm not going to give them money because when COVID hit, they cancelled several years worth of trains in Canada, and refused to issue refunds, only vouchers. If you didn't use the vouchers in a year, you lost your money completely. Apparently Canada law and their fine print allowed voucher payment for cancellations, but not in the US. This wouldn't affect the Denver run, but buyer beware...

RMR bites. There's no way I'd pay those prices to ride coach and sleep in Holiday Inns, much as I'd like to ride through the Spiral Tunnels or Cheakamus Canyon again. The cherry on top is their punitive, nearly non-extent, cancellation and refund policies.

As far as that Colorado run goes, buy a coach ticket between Denver and Green River, arrange your own Holiday Inn, see the same things and save a few thousand dollars. They started that because their American clientele couldn't cross the border during and immediately after COVID.

RMR. Blech

 

[Brian Battuello]

Do you sleep in there? Only those who stretch out on the floor of the SSL overnight for that title as far as I am concerned.

Spending a lot of (conscious) time in there doesn't qualify, as far as I am concerned. You're just enjoying the ride.

I've seen sleeping in the SSL, but about 90% of the crew would gently or not-so-gently rouse you back to your seat. Bless the few with a sense of mercy.

I'd take Amtrak coach over Greyhound, but that isn't saying much. On your walk to the back "viewing area", check out the crying babies, bored fighting kids and the afternoon snorers (that was me).

And while we're on 10% of the crew, you'll occasionally run into a last car coach attendant that shoes you away from the back window.

Forty+ years ago I walked unnoticed into a baggage car, climbed up on a rack, pulled a bunch of bags in front of me and got 6 hours of badly needed sleep.

 

[Asher]

I never imagined it was an arbitrary rule, but thanks for the advice.

View attachment 38137
Mumbai commuter train, and yes, we are moving!

Did you ever get the soot off of that shirt after rubbing against the exterior of that rail car.

 

[caravanman]

It is sort of ironic that they fit bars over the windows so you can't lean out, but the doors can be opened with ease.

I believe the bars were a security feature, to stop "non ticketed people" from accessing the carriage at night etc, on loco hauled trains. The external vestibule doors are often "locked" from the inside at night too, to keep undesirables out... As India modernises train services, these door views will become rarer. I guess the suburban EMU featured would have window bars to stop folk diving in through the window to nab a seat at stations, I don't imagine the trains were originally expected to run with the doors wide open!

Did you ever get the soot off of that shirt after rubbing against the exterior of that rail car.

EMU, so soot free. I am quite adept at my dhobi shirt washing in the sink!

 

[jis]

I believe the bars were a security feature, to stop "non ticketed people" from accessing the carriage at night etc, on loco hauled trains. The external vestibule doors are often "locked" from the inside at night too, to keep undesirables out... As India modernises train services, these door views will become rarer. I guess the suburban EMU featured would have window bars to stop folk diving in through the window to nab a seat at stations, I don't imagine the trains were originally expected to run with the doors wide open!

Yes, they are to keep outsiders outside rather than insiders inside,though in accidents the latter is an additional incidental good thing.

In the most modern trains the doors are automatically operated from a central control point like say on Amtrak's NEC Regionals, and additionally in trains like the Vande Bharat the doors have to actually close and lock before the train can move. For EMUs as they progressively get replaced by A/C ones, the doors will close when running. And true, the days of "doorplating" are numbered, though it will be many years before all manual doors get replaced.

 

[01piglet_patinas]

I'm recently retired, 40 years Military, and will be taking my first Amtrak ride from Mt Pleasant, IA to Sacramento, CA end of October. I have a few questions before my trip. I have a Roomette for myself. Is there room for some of my luggage to be stowed with me, possibly top bunk? For luggage stored elsewhere, can I or should I put padlocks on stored luggage? Is ice available for my Yeti cup? Which side of the cars have the best views going west and east? Does the climate-controlled Roomette have adequate air flow or should I pack a mini fan? When not in my Roomette, is my room secured, (Lockable) while I'm gone to the Dining Car?

Any and all recommendations for a first-time Amtrak traveler would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

As a recent female solo traveler (oct 2024) on zephyr (SF) to Chicago then to City of New Orleans and Sunset limited home to LA - I recommend to take a fan for the roomette-all 3 trains varied on temp. in roomette-some trains were too hot some where fine-but I wish I had brought a fan. Also, as a solo traveler I placed my small luggage and duffel on the top bunk. Roomette is not locked when you leave the room - yet in the past 2 yrs of traveling long distance solo on many trains no issues occurred re theft-I did carry a small cloth bag with my wallet and tech devices when I left the room to dining car or getting off the train at rest stops aka smoke breaks - but not to the bathroom of course.

 

[railiner]

Forty+ years ago I walked unnoticed into a baggage car, climbed up on a rack, pulled a bunch of bags in front of me and got 6 hours of badly needed sleep

I’ve seen a person climb into an Amfleet coach overhead rack with a bedroll, and sleep.
IIRC, it happened on an early edition Desert Wind. Later, the racks were modified with periodic “baffles”, as well as a railing, mainly to help retain baggage from falling out in an emergency, but it also made it extremely difficult to climb into and stretch out…

 

[flitcraft]

I did carry a small cloth bag with my wallet and tech devices when I left the room to dining car or getting off the train at rest stops aka smoke breaks - but not to the bathroom of course.

Very wise idea, especially when getting off the train at rest stops. If perchance you miss getting on board when the train leaves, you will definitely want your phone and wallet with you to communicate with those you traveled with and to make arrangements for booking and paying for escape. Some years back, we watched from our bedroom window as a guy failed to reboard, running and yelling along as the train pulled away from Whitefish. I always wondered what the end of that 'adventure' was for him...

 

[Asher]

As a recent female solo traveler (oct 2024) on zephyr (SF) to Chicago then to City of New Orleans and Sunset limited home to LA - I recommend to take a fan for the roomette-all 3 trains varied on temp. in roomette-some trains were too hot some where fine-but I wish I had brought a fan. Also, as a solo traveler I placed my small luggage and duffel on the top bunk. Roomette is not locked when you leave the room - yet in the past 2 yrs of traveling long distance solo on many trains no issues occurred re theft-I did carry a small cloth bag with my wallet and tech devices when I left the room to dining car or getting off the train at rest stops aka smoke breaks - but not to the bathroom of course.

The AKA smoke breaks keeps me on the train during most stops. Also, I can only imagine the reaction from most when one tried to explain why they had no phone, ID or funds. 🕵

 

[mldev]

As a recent female solo traveler (oct 2024) on zephyr (SF) to Chicago then to City of New Orleans and Sunset limited home to LA - I recommend to take a fan for the roomette-all 3 trains varied on temp. in roomette-some trains were too hot some where fine-but I wish I had brought a fan. Also, as a solo traveler I placed my small luggage and duffel on the top bunk. Roomette is not locked when you leave the room - yet in the past 2 yrs of traveling long distance solo on many trains no issues occurred re theft-I did carry a small cloth bag with my wallet and tech devices when I left the room to dining car or getting off the train at rest stops aka smoke breaks - but not to the bathroom of course.

I recently traveled the zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville and had a roommett. A small fan would help with circulating the air but there was only one outlet so bring some sort of electric extention so you can charge your devices and use the fan. There wasn't ice available in my car but there was a cold water dispenser. I took my wallet and phone whenever I left the car bit wasn't concerned about theft. It felt quite safe.

 

[glensfallsse]

On a different subject, can someone tell me if sleepers are still on the front end of the CZ? I’m traveling next week, departing from Richmond, which is a short stop and I’d like to be waiting on the right end.
The car is 632.

 

[Agent]

Sleepers are still up front on the California Zephyr.

 

[Douglas Nelson]

What is common practice for tipping in the dining car? Each meal? At the last meal? What about the car attendant? Typical amount? Thanks.

 

[Bob Dylan]

What is common practice for tipping in the dining car? Each meal? At the last meal? What about the car attendant? Typical amount? Thanks.

There are numerous Posts on AU about Tipping.

I suggest you Goggle them up and after reading, make your own decisions based on the Service you receive while aboard! YMMV

 

[pennyk]

What is common practice for tipping in the dining car? Each meal? At the last meal? What about the car attendant? Typical amount? Thanks.

I think most people tip at each meal (if they tip). I think most tip the sleeping car attendant at the end of the trip, but that varies.

I tend to tip $3 for breakfast, $4 for lunch and $5 for dinner. However, depending on the service, it could be more or less.

Here is a link to a fairly recent thread about tipping.
https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/tipping-on-amtrak.79064/