We just completed a week long journey to and from Salt Lake City last Saturday as part of our local genealogy society venture to the Family History Library. 10 other passengers joined my wife and I for another great Amtrak adventure. Only three of our fellow travelers had ridden a train before so it was really an experience for them.
We bought our tickets back in October so we got a good deal on sleepers on the CZ and the home bound trip on the CL 30. We were fortunate to have good weather for northern Ohio (no freezing rain, sleet or snow) and our trip to Cleveland was uneventful except for one of our group who forgot their wallet with ID. Back to home for retrieval (luckily only a twenty mile trip) and we arrived in CLE in plenty of time to check bags and get oriented to what was going to happen.
We booked coach seats on #29 since I figured everyone would be wide awake with excitement anyway and it would save the cost of a sleeper. The train was ontime and many people were boarding and unloading on the platform.
I was pleased to see the young man who served as our assist conductor was the same guy we had on the LSL last October from Buffalo to CLE. He has matured some and was all business in getting everyone seated and off down the line we went. Picked up speed as we left the CLE environs and moved across northern Ohio. No passengers getting on at Elyria or Sandusky so we made Toledo in good time.
A layover in TOL for crew changes and several new passengers. A few add ons in Waterloo, IN and then into Elkhart. They called for breakfast at 6:30am. Wife and I decided to have the blueberry muffins and juice from the lounge but some of our group wanted to try the diner and had the RR French Toast and omelets. A very quick breakfast as they announced the CCC diner would be closing at South Bend. That was Quick!!
As the sun came up we passed through SB and closer to Chicago. Lots of photos of the old steel mills and casino, and the Chicago skyline. Surprisingly little traffic on the NS this morning. Our train had no delays and we arrived in CUS about 20 minutes early.
I lead the group to the Metro Lounge and they were impressed with the nice surroundings. Not many in the room so plenty of seats to get organized and discuss our 5 hours layover in Chicago.
It was a nice day for the St. Patricks Day parade but most of our group did not want to walk all the way over to the park where the parade was to step off. We went over to the original station hall and toured the remainder of the station for a few minutes. I checked on our summer trip to CA to verify a couple of reservations and then went up to Jackson St. Some of our group had mobility problems so we went to the Sears (soon to be Willis) Tower. No line so we went up and had a beautiful view of the city. After an hour or so we split up and six of us headed to Giardano's for pizza and the others tried the food court for lunch. Another great filling pizza!!
Walked up Wacker Drive awhile and then back to the river. They were supposed to color the Chicago River green but the dye was dropped in up at the Lake Michigan end and we never saw any GREEN on the CUS end.
We were called to #5 at 1:30 and everyone was excited about boarding the CZ. We had three roomettes in 0532 and three in 0531. Our consist was the usual 2 locos, baggage car, Trans Dorm, 2 sleepers, diner, lounge, and three coaches.
Lots of photos as we moved out of the Chicago suburbs into the Illinois countryside. A longer than usual stay in Galesburg allowed for photos of the steam engine, our train and the station. Back on board our 032 car attendant , Rowland, talked with us awhile about his 29 years with Amtrak and his life in New Orleans where he lives. His house was flooded by Katrina and he had to live in Atlanta for several months before returning. He covers the CZ back and forth to Emeryville and then gets a CONO to New Orleans for his rest back home. Then takes the CONO back to Chicago and another round on the CZ.
We are having dinner in the diner when we cross the Mississippi at Burlington, Iowa. Photo shoots of the bridge and river as we take on the Flat Iron Steak (very good), Salmon, (very good), Roast Hen, excellent and huge serving) and the raspberry cheesecake, chocolate delight and Haagan Das ice cream for desserts. Stuffed and ready for a walk, we all took advantage of the stop in Ottumwa, Iowa and got some exercise.
Our group was mostly all in the post 60 years old category but the designated one was able to climb into the upper bunks. We all headed for bed around 10 after a long day of Amtraking. The tracks were a bit rough in Nebraska but most said they slept pretty well as we awoke in Ft Morgan, CO ready for a new day.
Breakfast was RR French toast for me, several omelets and healthy breakfast of cereal and oatmeal for others. Our dining car staff was excellent, food was hot and tasted great. We finished in time to make a quick stop in Denver, but since we had lost a little time overnight, we chose not to go into the station. There were hundreds boarding our train now and the sleepers that had been somewhat empty were now full. The Ski Train was leaving ahead of us and we would see it in Frasier when we reached the summit later in the morning.
I told everyone to grab a seat in the lounge car for the trip from Denver to Grand Junction as the scenery was spectacular. It was an old style car with single seats in the old brown leather and obviously had seen better days. Our sleepers were also Superliner IIs with bathrooms that needed refurbishing but were kept clean for the most part. <_<
As we headed up the grade to Moffitt Tunnel, the cameras were clicking continuously. It is a great view even after the third time for wife and I. No snow until we reached the area above the tunnel but then skiers everywhere on the slopes. We passed a couple of UP freights and had a clear sailing all the way across Colorado. A sunny day in the 60s lent itself for great pictures. We had lunch after Granby and I decided to try the chef's special. Chicken, Mushroom over rice. It was very good despite the warning from our server **smile***. Others had the Angus Burger and it was filling as usual.
We had our stop in Glenwood Springs and many people boarding and detraining this day. One canoe on the Colorado gave us a quick mooning (the tradition continues). The river ran swiftly through the beautiful canyon walls as we moved into Grand Junction. Everyone hit the souvenir store and spent some money on cards, magnets and munchies.
One problem we experienced was a young man who barged his way into our seats in the lounge car and obviously had some issues. He told us he had spent the night in jail near Denver and was on his way to California for a drug party. He wanted to be friendly and then started asking everyone for money. When some of our group discouraged his attention, he became loud and stormed back to his seat in coach. Later he attempted to panhandle more passengers and then arrived in the diner while some of us were eating and asked for free food. Interestingly enough the server fixed a tray for him and told him to take it to the lounge car. After such a nice gesture, he returned a few minutes later to say he has spilled his drink on the tray and wanted more free food. This set off the dining car crew and they called for the conductor.
I approached the conductor in the hall of the sleeper and told him what we had experienced earlier in the day. He assured me that the man was going to be "detrained" in Helper, UT. Sure enough, a police car was waiting at the station and escorted him to the jailhouse. Hey, its always an adventure on Amtrak.
We arrived in SLC about 40 minutes down after some signal problems in Colorado had forced us to slow down and do approaches between blocks. Our hotel had sent a van to take us to the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, which is a very nice place to stay for only $80/night. Right next to the Mormon Library and across the street from Temple Square. The TRAX lightrail system was at our front door and we enjoyed riding the free train around the city to the malls, museums and train depots (UP and Rio Grande Depots were great, as was the trip on the Frontrunner train to Ogden, where we toured the station museums and had a nice lunch at a deli downtown. Lots of great rolling stock at the museum.
We spent three days doing family history research, touring the Mormon sites, taking in the art museums, eating at some nice restaurants and enjoying the 65 degree sunny weather each day.
We left SLC on an early Thursday morning. The CZ 6 was almost 40 minutes early so we were permitted to board and get into our beds for an hour of sleep before the train moved. That was great!
We had a special car on the rear. A neatly decked out Canadian National car named "Metis" that had some passengers heading for Chicago. The dining car staff took meals to them and every so often we would see some of them standing on the observation platform at the rear of the car. A very stylish way to travel.
Our car attendant in the 0631 car was Joel. He had only worked for Amtrak for about 9 years and was a more "senior" gentleman with a professional manner. He said he quit his old job and decided he wanted to work for Amtrak when he was 45 years old. He was a personable man who kept everything clean and was available when we needed him. We had a great conversation in Denver about his relatives from Romania and their immigration to the US. He is very interested in genealogy.
Our meals on the return trip were excellent again. Steaks were good, chicken excellent, pastas were so-so but o.k. according to my group survey. Weather was in 70s when we reached Glenwood Springs and still warm in Denver when we arrived around 7:30PM. I took a group into the Denver station and got a nice picture of the sign out front. A little more security than usual as guard was checking passenger tickets before letting anyone up the ramp to the platform.
A good sleeping night across Nebraska and awakened to find another partly sunny day in Iowa. A few more freights but nothing seemed to stop our progress. It is obvious that except for the 100+car coal unit trains, there was very little business on the railroads. Lots of empty cars sitting on long passing sidings.
We arrived in Chicago 20 minutes early which relieved my mind. I have been worried about not making our Capitol Ltd connection with traditionally late CZ trains. But lately the CZ ontime performance has been excellent and those old worries have been put to rest.
We decided to camp out in the Metro Lounge, watch TV and prepare for our final leg home on #30. There were mechanical problems and the train was delayed about 30 minutes for boarding. We did finally get to our rooms around 7 PM, met our car man Bill, who we have had on previous CL trains, and then headed to dinner. A large crowd of people waiting to eat and glad we had the early seating. It was after 10 before the last group had their dinner. Along the way we had a minor delay as a man in our Handicapped Room had a leak in his oxygen tanks and the train had to stop in South Bend and let the fire department check it out. After some wrenches and twisting moves they finally agreed he could make it to Pittsburgh and the conductor approved the train to go ahead.
Our sleepers on #30 were all refurbished cars with nice restrooms and showers. I was able to show our group what all Amtrak trains should look like and they were impressed. Sorry that Amtrak doesnt have enough nice cars to place on the California Zephyr--one of its most beautiful routes--
We arrived in CLE only twenty minutes down and were on our way to pick up our checked bags when we were disheartened to learn that about a dozen cars in the CLE lot had been vandalized with broken windows and some stolen items. One of our members' vehicles had been broken into but nothing taken.
I was upset especially after I have touted the safety of parking at CLE. We have parked there on a dozen different trips with no problems but not tonight. The Amtrak agent were very understanding and it was not their fault. They gave us brooms and boxes to put the glass in and they had placed the garbage bags over the windows of all the vandalized cars. It was 3 am in the morning and after helping to clean out the glass and fixing a garbage bag provided by the Amtrak agents around the windown opening, we accompanied our friend on a 65 mile trip home. Apparently this has happened several times at CLE in the last few months and there is a need for additional security in the parking area. :angry:
Despite this troubling end, all had a great time on the trip and enjoyed their Amtrak adventure. We are glad they had a good time. Wife and I are off in a few weeks for our excursion on the Capitol Ltd, Texas Eagle, San Jaoquins, California Corridors, Surfliners and Southwest Chief. We will be spending time at Yosemite, San Francisco and four days in San Diego. Yahooo!!!.
We bought our tickets back in October so we got a good deal on sleepers on the CZ and the home bound trip on the CL 30. We were fortunate to have good weather for northern Ohio (no freezing rain, sleet or snow) and our trip to Cleveland was uneventful except for one of our group who forgot their wallet with ID. Back to home for retrieval (luckily only a twenty mile trip) and we arrived in CLE in plenty of time to check bags and get oriented to what was going to happen.
We booked coach seats on #29 since I figured everyone would be wide awake with excitement anyway and it would save the cost of a sleeper. The train was ontime and many people were boarding and unloading on the platform.
I was pleased to see the young man who served as our assist conductor was the same guy we had on the LSL last October from Buffalo to CLE. He has matured some and was all business in getting everyone seated and off down the line we went. Picked up speed as we left the CLE environs and moved across northern Ohio. No passengers getting on at Elyria or Sandusky so we made Toledo in good time.
A layover in TOL for crew changes and several new passengers. A few add ons in Waterloo, IN and then into Elkhart. They called for breakfast at 6:30am. Wife and I decided to have the blueberry muffins and juice from the lounge but some of our group wanted to try the diner and had the RR French Toast and omelets. A very quick breakfast as they announced the CCC diner would be closing at South Bend. That was Quick!!
As the sun came up we passed through SB and closer to Chicago. Lots of photos of the old steel mills and casino, and the Chicago skyline. Surprisingly little traffic on the NS this morning. Our train had no delays and we arrived in CUS about 20 minutes early.
I lead the group to the Metro Lounge and they were impressed with the nice surroundings. Not many in the room so plenty of seats to get organized and discuss our 5 hours layover in Chicago.
It was a nice day for the St. Patricks Day parade but most of our group did not want to walk all the way over to the park where the parade was to step off. We went over to the original station hall and toured the remainder of the station for a few minutes. I checked on our summer trip to CA to verify a couple of reservations and then went up to Jackson St. Some of our group had mobility problems so we went to the Sears (soon to be Willis) Tower. No line so we went up and had a beautiful view of the city. After an hour or so we split up and six of us headed to Giardano's for pizza and the others tried the food court for lunch. Another great filling pizza!!
Walked up Wacker Drive awhile and then back to the river. They were supposed to color the Chicago River green but the dye was dropped in up at the Lake Michigan end and we never saw any GREEN on the CUS end.
We were called to #5 at 1:30 and everyone was excited about boarding the CZ. We had three roomettes in 0532 and three in 0531. Our consist was the usual 2 locos, baggage car, Trans Dorm, 2 sleepers, diner, lounge, and three coaches.
Lots of photos as we moved out of the Chicago suburbs into the Illinois countryside. A longer than usual stay in Galesburg allowed for photos of the steam engine, our train and the station. Back on board our 032 car attendant , Rowland, talked with us awhile about his 29 years with Amtrak and his life in New Orleans where he lives. His house was flooded by Katrina and he had to live in Atlanta for several months before returning. He covers the CZ back and forth to Emeryville and then gets a CONO to New Orleans for his rest back home. Then takes the CONO back to Chicago and another round on the CZ.
We are having dinner in the diner when we cross the Mississippi at Burlington, Iowa. Photo shoots of the bridge and river as we take on the Flat Iron Steak (very good), Salmon, (very good), Roast Hen, excellent and huge serving) and the raspberry cheesecake, chocolate delight and Haagan Das ice cream for desserts. Stuffed and ready for a walk, we all took advantage of the stop in Ottumwa, Iowa and got some exercise.
Our group was mostly all in the post 60 years old category but the designated one was able to climb into the upper bunks. We all headed for bed around 10 after a long day of Amtraking. The tracks were a bit rough in Nebraska but most said they slept pretty well as we awoke in Ft Morgan, CO ready for a new day.
Breakfast was RR French toast for me, several omelets and healthy breakfast of cereal and oatmeal for others. Our dining car staff was excellent, food was hot and tasted great. We finished in time to make a quick stop in Denver, but since we had lost a little time overnight, we chose not to go into the station. There were hundreds boarding our train now and the sleepers that had been somewhat empty were now full. The Ski Train was leaving ahead of us and we would see it in Frasier when we reached the summit later in the morning.
I told everyone to grab a seat in the lounge car for the trip from Denver to Grand Junction as the scenery was spectacular. It was an old style car with single seats in the old brown leather and obviously had seen better days. Our sleepers were also Superliner IIs with bathrooms that needed refurbishing but were kept clean for the most part. <_<
As we headed up the grade to Moffitt Tunnel, the cameras were clicking continuously. It is a great view even after the third time for wife and I. No snow until we reached the area above the tunnel but then skiers everywhere on the slopes. We passed a couple of UP freights and had a clear sailing all the way across Colorado. A sunny day in the 60s lent itself for great pictures. We had lunch after Granby and I decided to try the chef's special. Chicken, Mushroom over rice. It was very good despite the warning from our server **smile***. Others had the Angus Burger and it was filling as usual.
We had our stop in Glenwood Springs and many people boarding and detraining this day. One canoe on the Colorado gave us a quick mooning (the tradition continues). The river ran swiftly through the beautiful canyon walls as we moved into Grand Junction. Everyone hit the souvenir store and spent some money on cards, magnets and munchies.
One problem we experienced was a young man who barged his way into our seats in the lounge car and obviously had some issues. He told us he had spent the night in jail near Denver and was on his way to California for a drug party. He wanted to be friendly and then started asking everyone for money. When some of our group discouraged his attention, he became loud and stormed back to his seat in coach. Later he attempted to panhandle more passengers and then arrived in the diner while some of us were eating and asked for free food. Interestingly enough the server fixed a tray for him and told him to take it to the lounge car. After such a nice gesture, he returned a few minutes later to say he has spilled his drink on the tray and wanted more free food. This set off the dining car crew and they called for the conductor.
I approached the conductor in the hall of the sleeper and told him what we had experienced earlier in the day. He assured me that the man was going to be "detrained" in Helper, UT. Sure enough, a police car was waiting at the station and escorted him to the jailhouse. Hey, its always an adventure on Amtrak.
We arrived in SLC about 40 minutes down after some signal problems in Colorado had forced us to slow down and do approaches between blocks. Our hotel had sent a van to take us to the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, which is a very nice place to stay for only $80/night. Right next to the Mormon Library and across the street from Temple Square. The TRAX lightrail system was at our front door and we enjoyed riding the free train around the city to the malls, museums and train depots (UP and Rio Grande Depots were great, as was the trip on the Frontrunner train to Ogden, where we toured the station museums and had a nice lunch at a deli downtown. Lots of great rolling stock at the museum.
We spent three days doing family history research, touring the Mormon sites, taking in the art museums, eating at some nice restaurants and enjoying the 65 degree sunny weather each day.
We left SLC on an early Thursday morning. The CZ 6 was almost 40 minutes early so we were permitted to board and get into our beds for an hour of sleep before the train moved. That was great!
We had a special car on the rear. A neatly decked out Canadian National car named "Metis" that had some passengers heading for Chicago. The dining car staff took meals to them and every so often we would see some of them standing on the observation platform at the rear of the car. A very stylish way to travel.
Our car attendant in the 0631 car was Joel. He had only worked for Amtrak for about 9 years and was a more "senior" gentleman with a professional manner. He said he quit his old job and decided he wanted to work for Amtrak when he was 45 years old. He was a personable man who kept everything clean and was available when we needed him. We had a great conversation in Denver about his relatives from Romania and their immigration to the US. He is very interested in genealogy.
Our meals on the return trip were excellent again. Steaks were good, chicken excellent, pastas were so-so but o.k. according to my group survey. Weather was in 70s when we reached Glenwood Springs and still warm in Denver when we arrived around 7:30PM. I took a group into the Denver station and got a nice picture of the sign out front. A little more security than usual as guard was checking passenger tickets before letting anyone up the ramp to the platform.
A good sleeping night across Nebraska and awakened to find another partly sunny day in Iowa. A few more freights but nothing seemed to stop our progress. It is obvious that except for the 100+car coal unit trains, there was very little business on the railroads. Lots of empty cars sitting on long passing sidings.
We arrived in Chicago 20 minutes early which relieved my mind. I have been worried about not making our Capitol Ltd connection with traditionally late CZ trains. But lately the CZ ontime performance has been excellent and those old worries have been put to rest.
We decided to camp out in the Metro Lounge, watch TV and prepare for our final leg home on #30. There were mechanical problems and the train was delayed about 30 minutes for boarding. We did finally get to our rooms around 7 PM, met our car man Bill, who we have had on previous CL trains, and then headed to dinner. A large crowd of people waiting to eat and glad we had the early seating. It was after 10 before the last group had their dinner. Along the way we had a minor delay as a man in our Handicapped Room had a leak in his oxygen tanks and the train had to stop in South Bend and let the fire department check it out. After some wrenches and twisting moves they finally agreed he could make it to Pittsburgh and the conductor approved the train to go ahead.
Our sleepers on #30 were all refurbished cars with nice restrooms and showers. I was able to show our group what all Amtrak trains should look like and they were impressed. Sorry that Amtrak doesnt have enough nice cars to place on the California Zephyr--one of its most beautiful routes--
We arrived in CLE only twenty minutes down and were on our way to pick up our checked bags when we were disheartened to learn that about a dozen cars in the CLE lot had been vandalized with broken windows and some stolen items. One of our members' vehicles had been broken into but nothing taken.
I was upset especially after I have touted the safety of parking at CLE. We have parked there on a dozen different trips with no problems but not tonight. The Amtrak agent were very understanding and it was not their fault. They gave us brooms and boxes to put the glass in and they had placed the garbage bags over the windows of all the vandalized cars. It was 3 am in the morning and after helping to clean out the glass and fixing a garbage bag provided by the Amtrak agents around the windown opening, we accompanied our friend on a 65 mile trip home. Apparently this has happened several times at CLE in the last few months and there is a need for additional security in the parking area. :angry:
Despite this troubling end, all had a great time on the trip and enjoyed their Amtrak adventure. We are glad they had a good time. Wife and I are off in a few weeks for our excursion on the Capitol Ltd, Texas Eagle, San Jaoquins, California Corridors, Surfliners and Southwest Chief. We will be spending time at Yosemite, San Francisco and four days in San Diego. Yahooo!!!.