J
Jon
Guest
Hi everyone- I just wanted to recap my AWESOME trip from Chicago to Reno on the California Zephyr, Train 5. I will let you know the highlights and some things I noticed that could be improved. Thanks again for the advice you gave me prior to this!
CHECK-IN AT UNION STATION
Desk agent was friendly, prompt and very attentive. The moment she saw I was booked in a roomette, she directed me to the First Class Metropolitan lounge. I didn't even have to inquire- she was great.
The lounge itself is very big- plenty of seat options, coffee and snacks (doritoes and pretzels, the decent size bags). I did notice quite a few families with children screaming and running around, but this was no different then waiting in an airport. The bonus to this lounge is you get to check-in early with the conductor, and you get escorted directly to your train by a personnel employee. Quite convenient, since Union Station is a maze to get around, even for a Chicago native like me.
BOARDING THE TRAIN
I was a bit annoyed with my Sleeping Car Attendant because when I arrived and showed him my ticket, he seemed confused and pointed me to another sleeping car. Then I came back and told him this indeed was the right place for me to be. He then pointed for me to go inside, and that was it. Since I know the layout of the sleepers by research, I knew my roomette was upstairs- I was in 008, and in the last of three sleeping cars! (Very packed train, Memorial Day obviously).
My attendant came by to introduce himself to each of us in our rooms. It sounded like he was saying a script verbatim as he made little to no eye contact with me. Nonetheless I was very happy to see the ice was stocked, coffee was brewing and everything was in order in my room. I also noticed my SCA had a hearing problem, because I had to talk extra loud for him to hear me. But he was fine.
THE ROOM
Such a paradise! For one or two people, this is plenty of space. I was traveling solo, so put my carry-on bag on the steps that lead to the upper bunk. The air circulation was strong, and the views spectacular; I was on the right side of the moving train.
From Chicago to Denver, no children at all. I know I had inquired about that earlier. In Denver, a young boy of about 5 and his Great Grandfather boarded. He was cheerfully audible, but was not a nuisance and I liked his excitement. With my door closed and curtains drawn, its very quiet and foot traffic was not evident to me at all when I was encased in. The
MEALS
I was excited to be on my first overnight train adventure, and opted to eat in the dining car. Had dinner with a great couple from Miami and another woman who was a pro traveler on trains. Waitress was assertive- I tipped $5 for the steak dinner. The dining attendant was even more cheerful, enjoyed him.
The rest of my meals I enjoyed in the privacy of my room. My SCA was more then helpful in bringing the food to me, and my opinion of him changed and I liked him much better. I tipped him $3 for breakfast, $4 for lunch and $5 for dinner. He was even nice enough to knock on my door and ask if I wanted the food delivered to me. The main reason I liked eating in privacy was the next days the dining car informed us that there were long waiting lists to eat- and I didn't want to go through the hassle - delivery is much easier.
BEDTIME
I did have to ask my SCA to make my bed; he did not make it when I had went to dinner the first night. Sleeping was comfortable, but I admit on a train it was hard to go to sleep because of the environment; I was up by 6am the next day which was good because we were going to be going through the Rockies.
I was slightly aggravated with the Service Call button going off until about 2am the first evening. I think it would be wise if Amtrak would allow Superliners to do what Viewliners allegedly do- which is only have the call button sound ring in the attendant's room. Even with my door closed and locked, the sound wakes you up.
Cell phone service was spotty to me. Through Omaha it was fine, but Denver to Salt Lake City was a lot of dropped calls and no service, so if you do this run (and if you have Sprint like me), be warned it will be hard to make calls.
END OF THE LINE
Once in Reno, I had one of the best trips ever. I tipped the attendant another $10 for over-all service and would def do this trip again. Thanks everyone for all the advice!
CHECK-IN AT UNION STATION
Desk agent was friendly, prompt and very attentive. The moment she saw I was booked in a roomette, she directed me to the First Class Metropolitan lounge. I didn't even have to inquire- she was great.
The lounge itself is very big- plenty of seat options, coffee and snacks (doritoes and pretzels, the decent size bags). I did notice quite a few families with children screaming and running around, but this was no different then waiting in an airport. The bonus to this lounge is you get to check-in early with the conductor, and you get escorted directly to your train by a personnel employee. Quite convenient, since Union Station is a maze to get around, even for a Chicago native like me.
BOARDING THE TRAIN
I was a bit annoyed with my Sleeping Car Attendant because when I arrived and showed him my ticket, he seemed confused and pointed me to another sleeping car. Then I came back and told him this indeed was the right place for me to be. He then pointed for me to go inside, and that was it. Since I know the layout of the sleepers by research, I knew my roomette was upstairs- I was in 008, and in the last of three sleeping cars! (Very packed train, Memorial Day obviously).
My attendant came by to introduce himself to each of us in our rooms. It sounded like he was saying a script verbatim as he made little to no eye contact with me. Nonetheless I was very happy to see the ice was stocked, coffee was brewing and everything was in order in my room. I also noticed my SCA had a hearing problem, because I had to talk extra loud for him to hear me. But he was fine.
THE ROOM
Such a paradise! For one or two people, this is plenty of space. I was traveling solo, so put my carry-on bag on the steps that lead to the upper bunk. The air circulation was strong, and the views spectacular; I was on the right side of the moving train.
From Chicago to Denver, no children at all. I know I had inquired about that earlier. In Denver, a young boy of about 5 and his Great Grandfather boarded. He was cheerfully audible, but was not a nuisance and I liked his excitement. With my door closed and curtains drawn, its very quiet and foot traffic was not evident to me at all when I was encased in. The
MEALS
I was excited to be on my first overnight train adventure, and opted to eat in the dining car. Had dinner with a great couple from Miami and another woman who was a pro traveler on trains. Waitress was assertive- I tipped $5 for the steak dinner. The dining attendant was even more cheerful, enjoyed him.
The rest of my meals I enjoyed in the privacy of my room. My SCA was more then helpful in bringing the food to me, and my opinion of him changed and I liked him much better. I tipped him $3 for breakfast, $4 for lunch and $5 for dinner. He was even nice enough to knock on my door and ask if I wanted the food delivered to me. The main reason I liked eating in privacy was the next days the dining car informed us that there were long waiting lists to eat- and I didn't want to go through the hassle - delivery is much easier.
BEDTIME
I did have to ask my SCA to make my bed; he did not make it when I had went to dinner the first night. Sleeping was comfortable, but I admit on a train it was hard to go to sleep because of the environment; I was up by 6am the next day which was good because we were going to be going through the Rockies.
I was slightly aggravated with the Service Call button going off until about 2am the first evening. I think it would be wise if Amtrak would allow Superliners to do what Viewliners allegedly do- which is only have the call button sound ring in the attendant's room. Even with my door closed and locked, the sound wakes you up.
Cell phone service was spotty to me. Through Omaha it was fine, but Denver to Salt Lake City was a lot of dropped calls and no service, so if you do this run (and if you have Sprint like me), be warned it will be hard to make calls.
END OF THE LINE
Once in Reno, I had one of the best trips ever. I tipped the attendant another $10 for over-all service and would def do this trip again. Thanks everyone for all the advice!
And the LSA in the diner should have come through the Sleepers to take Dinner Reservations,
