Is CZ Really That Rundown?

[guest]

Is the CZ really that rundown a train in the sleepers? I've ponied up 30,000 points with a reservation from Chicago to San Francisco in June in a bedroom, but after reading all these various postings the last many weeks on different threads about how bad the rooms seem to be, from bad toilets to faulty beds and the like, I'm beginning to wonder if I wouldn't be better off saving my points for some other trip to some other location at some other time--and flying to San Francisco!

 

[Green Maned Lion]

It's not the train, it's the equipment, which is largely chance. On my zephyr trip I had a fully refurbed S1 complete with new room switch plates and bathroom/shower modules.

 

[jis]

Is the CZ really that rundown a train in the sleepers? I've ponied up 30,000 points with a reservation from Chicago to San Francisco in June in a bedroom, but after reading all these various postings the last many weeks on different threads about how bad the rooms seem to be, from bad toilets to faulty beds and the like, I'm beginning to wonder if I wouldn't be better off saving my points for some other trip to some other location at some other time--and flying to San Francisco!

GML is right.

You also need to take into consideration that people post more often when they are upset with something than when they are satisfied. Occasionally they post when they have a really good experience, but not as often as they do when they have something go wrong. So reading here you are likely to get an impression that the world is going to hell in a handbasket. But usually the reality is far from that.

 

[Montanan]

I've ridden the Zephyr three times in the last few years, and not had any issues at all ... the trips have all been great. The thing to remember when reading those reports is that people who don't experience problems are far less likely to post than those who do ... and that people who simply like to complain are the most likely to post of all.

That's not to say that all of Amtrak's equipment is in stellar condition -- we all know that's not the case. But you run a chance of getting a non-rehabbed sleeper on any long-distance Amtrak run ... and even if you do, most of the time it's only likely to ruin your trip if you're hypersensitive about things.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Rode the CZ(5) in Nov '11 and didn't notice anything "bad" (to my untrained eye).

 

[river]

We took the CZ from CHI to Emeryville the very end of January and were in Bedroom E. The couch and chair were in fine shape; the carpet--no problems; the toilet/shower combo was in fine condition; everything flushed well, the shower drained ok; the sink was fine, the door latched fine. All three outlets worked; the climate control dial worked. The large mirror looked a little old and spotted but not annoyingly so. The beds were comfortable. Where the upper berth was screwed into the ceiling, there were 2 screws missing, but it didn't appear to be unsafe. Everything was as clean as it could be. We were fine with the accomodations.

 

[PaulM]

I saw no problems whatsoever on 2 sleeper and one coach trips in the last 6 weeks.

 

[caravanman]

The best bit about the CZ is the fantastic scenery, you won't see anything that good from 30,000 feet up in the air.

I have riden the CZ several times and have always had a great experience.

Ed

 

[TexRail]

Is the CZ really that rundown a train in the sleepers? I've ponied up 30,000 points with a reservation from Chicago to San Francisco in June in a bedroom, but after reading all these various postings the last many weeks on different threads about how bad the rooms seem to be, from bad toilets to faulty beds and the like, I'm beginning to wonder if I wouldn't be better off saving my points for some other trip to some other location at some other time--and flying to San Francisco!

Montana sleeper was very hot near the side vents at times (coincidentally there was a sleeper fire on the CZ just a few days after I complained about unusually hot vents). It sucked if you had no choice but to sit in that chair. Chair was also broken so the bottom seat was angled so I would be sliding forward off the seat. Good thing I had a bag to put underneath to flatten it some. Nothing that ruined the trip, just minor annoyances. But like other posters stated, you could find this on any route, not just the CZ.

 

[Linda T]

Is the CZ really that rundown a train in the sleepers? I've ponied up 30,000 points with a reservation from Chicago to San Francisco in June in a bedroom, but after reading all these various postings the last many weeks on different threads about how bad the rooms seem to be, from bad toilets to faulty beds and the like, I'm beginning to wonder if I wouldn't be better off saving my points for some other trip to some other location at some other time--and flying to San Francisco!

Montana sleeper was very hot near the side vents at times (coincidentally there was a sleeper fire on the CZ just a few days after I complained about unusually hot vents). It sucked if you had no choice but to sit in that chair. Chair was also broken so the bottom seat was angled so I would be sliding forward off the seat. Good thing I had a bag to put underneath to flatten it some. Nothing that ruined the trip, just minor annoyances. But like other posters stated, you could find this on any route, not just the CZ.

My husband and I were in a bedroom on the CZ last August (from SAC to CHI) and it was in fine condition. The scenery is hmm... well... let's just say God spared no expense -- it was magnificent! Fortunately we traveled the day after she hit the farm machinery on the track, but that was just an unfortunate year for the grand lady of the rails. If I had the points for a two zone trip I'd not hesitate one minute to take the Zephyr back through the Rockies. If you have the reservation I wouldn't change them for the world -- I'd consider myself quite fortunate and sit back and enjoy the ride!

Coming back from Tuscaloosa last spring on the Cresent and then transferring to the Cardinal the seat was broken in one of our rooms, and entirely missing in the other. So all trains have their occasional problems, but Amtrak is the greatest thing since sliced bread, especially if you want to see America at her finest. The three greatest scenery trains to me are, the CZ, the CS, and the SWC, of course I'm partial to mountains, canyons, gorges... And just the thrill of living on the edge! If you've not taken the CZ before, do so. You won't regret it.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

In your oopinion, which Amtrak train has the best equipment, scenery and route notwithstanding?

 

[Henry Kisor]

I'm riding the CZ Chicago-Emeryville and back in a bedroom (with a stopover in Glenwood Springs) four weeks from today and will report back on 1. the quality of service and 2. the quality of the hardware.

But the report will be valid only for the particular trips. Other rides may be better or worse.

 

[RRrich]

In your oopinion, which Amtrak train has the best equipment, scenery and route notwithstanding?

Best train to ride is the Zephyr. The scenery makes up for any shortfalls. IMHO

 

[Bob Dylan]

In your oopinion, which Amtrak train has the best equipment, scenery and route notwithstanding?

For Equipment Id say The Auto Train since it is the only LD Route that has Captive Equipment! O Short Haul Routes,the Down Easter, the Cascade Talgos and the Acelas take the Prize! I havent ridden on the Carolinian or the Palmeto, Ive read that their Refurbished Equipment is pretty Nice!

 

[TimePeace]

>>So reading here you are likely to get an impression that the world is going to hell in a handbasket.<<

Exactly right.

About the CZ - I also have ridden it a few times (twice each way) in the last 3 years and worn-out equipment never once figured into any problem for me.

Maybe it's partly due to our obsession as a people to always have new stuff. Go shopping for new stuff. That's us.

 

[JayPea]

The two times I've ridden the CZ there were no real problems. On one occasion the door to my roommette popped off its track (thank goodness it was only the DOOR that was off the track :lol: ) but that was fixed at Denver. Like some have said, you only hear about the bad things. Plus there are those who choose to let the little things annoy them. Some people aren't happy unless they're unhappy.

Don't worry about the equipment and enjoy the trip. The scenery is so very much worth it.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

In your opinion, which Amtrak train has the best equipment, scenery and route notwithstanding?

Best train to ride is the Zephyr. The scenery makes up for any shortfalls. IMHO

I did not ask for the best train to ride, I asked what train has the best equipment. The actual train, not concerning the passengers, crew, route, or scenery.

 

[Ryan]

I don't think that the Auto Train equipment is any better than the rest of the fleet in any meaningful way.

Past that you can't say, since any equipment can run on any train.

If you wanted to make a Superliners vs Single level equipment argument, you could make a argument that one group of trains has better equipment than the other, but not at the individual train level.

 

[Anderson]

I've noticed the luck factor as well. For example, one time on the Zephyr, there was a single car lacking at-seat outlets for computers and the like. I drew that coach twice in the space of less than two weeks (I got the same train and same crew CHI-OSC as OSC-CHI). But that was a bad equipment draw, probably due to a bad order and nothing more, not something regular. Likewise, I've seen virtually everything on the Capitol Limited (up to and including a last-minute diner exchange that made a royal mess out of dinner EB back in 2010).