California Zephyr

[greg1956a]

im planing to take the CZ this summer .would like to hear from anybody who has taken recently.gonna travel in coach.read some post from here git some ideas

thanks

greg

 

[KrazyKoala]

Coach sounds painfully uncomfortable, but I've been on it 4 times this past month.

 

[Kathy]

I'm a newbie, too - never been on a train before, but the CZ is on my bucket list and my parents live close to Sacramento. Hoping to do it this fall. Have been really enjoying reading blogs and watching you-tube videos to gather information.

 

[jb64]

Many of us here have ridden the California Zephyr, sometimes multiple times. You can read the trip reports to get information; or if you have specific questions, ask the specific question and we will try to help you as best we can. It is a fun trip and one of the most scenic, too.

 

[Shanghai]

I've been on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville & return twice in the past two years.

Both trips were most enjoyable and the scenery was spectaular. I was in a sleeper accommodation

but spent several hours in the sightseer lounge. It is a wonderful trip. We are going again next month.

 

[dabrilloman]

I will be riding the CZ at the end of March, I will give some thoughts of my trip when I am back.

 

[TimePeace]

Coach is not a painful ordeal. Sleeper is more comfortable but if you can't afford it don't decide not to go. If you are not too old and stiff, if you are used to sleeping near others (for example, a hostel or a military barracks) you'll be fine.

 

[tomfuller]

I agree with Maine Rider. Coach Is not too bad. Which direction are you riding greg?

I've ridden on many overnight trains on Amtrak and ViaRail. I never saw the need to spend big bucks for a level bed.

When riding the CZ between Chicago and Sacramento, I stop for a night in Glenwood Springs.

The biggest hot spring fed swimming pool in the world is across the Colorado River from the Amtrak station.

Long live the Hotel Colorado.

 

[iPat09]

The one time I have ridden the CZ, it was WB and I got off in Denver. And from what I have read, that was right before the route gets really good.

 

[USN-retired]

Rode the CZ between CHI and SAC once each way. When I was younger, coach travel was the real adventure. Now much older and for overnight(s) use sleeper but it is still a real adventure. Glad to be a new member.

 

[Notelvis]

The California Zephyr is my favorite Amtrak route. Here's a picture I took on my most recent trip (three weeks ago) during our station stop at Glenwood Springs, CO.

 

[crescent2]

Beautiful!

 

[Ted Bell]

Coach is more comfortable and relaxing than any airline I have ever been on. As long as you're not fat or pretentious you will enjoy the California Zephyr coach class more than any other travel experience.

I'll be traveling in a roomette for the first time in a few weeks. Almost ashamed to admit it, as "first class" is far above my usual place in the world.

 

[dabrilloman]

The California Zephyr is my favorite Amtrak route. Here's a picture I took on my most recent trip (three weeks ago) during our station stop at Glenwood Springs, CO.

That is just an awesome picture! It's getting just all that more jacked up for my ride in about 4 weeks. Round trip Ottumwa-Reno. I take it you traveling westbound when you took this? I hope it is still this scenic at the end of March!

 

[chakk]

Yes, that is a picture of the westbound train #5 at GSC. The station is worth a quick look inside -- just don't miss the reboarding call for your train if you are not interupting your journey for an overnight stay in GSC.

Westbound travel is especially beautiful for the morning climb out of Denver, the late afternoon transit of Ruby Canyon west of Grand Junction, and the next morning journey over Donner Pass in California.

Travel in March should not be too crowded, so coach is fine. But if amsnag.net indicates that the coaches are filling up (with higher bucket fares being charged on your travel day), but that roomettes are still being offered at the lowest bucket price, then it might be worthwhile to upgrade your ticket via telephone to Amtrak to a roomette.

 

[greg1956a]

thanks for the info.I changed my mind gonna go with a roomette planing to go sometime in July Aug.can anyone tell me what the best time to go is and also where stay on.upper or lower level right or left side.am leaving from philadelphia to Emeryville.reading on this site different opinions

thanks

greg

 

[ehbowen]

I've traveled in roomettes on both the upper level and lower level and enjoyed them both. Given the choice I would normally prefer upper level, but I wouldn't hesitate to accept a lower level room if that was what was available.

In sleeper cars there is no way to know in advance which end of the car will face forward; the yards just slot the cars in as they come. (Coach cars, OTOH, are always oriented correctly; if it is too difficult to turn the entire coach the servicing crew will turn the seats to face forward). So, regardless of which room you pick, you have no way of knowing if you will end up on the engineer's (right) or fireman's (left) side. At least in a roomette you have your choice of a comfortable seat facing either direction; in the bedrooms you may end up with only the "jump seat" facing forward.

 

[chakk]

Book your roomette as early as possible, as the CZ very often sells out its sleeper space on summer days.

 

[IowaGirl]

Do you know about the AmSnag site? You can check to see how much tickets are on various days. It is a very helpful site!!!

http://biketrain.net/fooonuAmtrak/amSnag.php

 

[zepherdude]

Nice picture of the train in Glenwood Springs. I have been on the CZ both in coach and in a roomette. Coach is Ok, roomette is nicer, but its whatever you can afford. Sightseer Lounge is friendly and people are easy to talk too. I enjoyed it as that trip was my first train trip in many years. Need to take some munchies and a book. Need a blanket and pillow for sleep. This is a very cool trip and you will like it! Book early as possible!

 

[BCL]

Honestly - coach in a Superliner is bigger than a first-class seat on a commercial jet. You've got a foot rest, and something like 3 feet of legroom. You could lean your seat all the way back, and nobody will ever complain.

I've ridden a couple of LD trains for a short distance. I've also seen a few Superliner cafe cars on my normal commute, and the ride is really cushy although the attendants don't seem to like them (downstairs feels like a 70s Formica throwback). I remember kicking back, reclining all the way, and propping the leg rest up to a comfortable level. The only issue I had was that there was often this nasty squeaking noise.

 

[jmx53]

A recent video featuring the California Zephyr from Truckee to Emeryville:



It is really well done and includes a brief on board tour of each car, a time lapse of the entire journey from TRU-EMY on the right side, another view of scenery along the line, and GPS tracking so you know where on the route the video is from.

I have taken overnight trips in coach several times and don't have any problems sleeping in a coach seat...I do spend most of my awake hours in the lounge car though.

 

[HiGracie]

I am currently on the CZ #5 Westbound in a roomette. I rode coach last night to Chicago on the CL and that is about my maximum comfort limit riding coach ... Around 17 hours. Tonight will be an early one for me so I can catch upon sleep and enjoy the view tomorrow, well rested.

 

[jb64]

A recent video featuring the California Zephyr from Truckee to Emeryville:

What a fun video. (Does that make me a nerd?)

 

[Amtrak Cajun]

I enjoyed that video. I got to see the portion of the Zephyr trip that I havent ridden yet. I hope to see it in real life at normal speed though lol.