Least Scenic (copycat thread)?

[George K]

OK, the "Least Scenic Parts of the SWC and CZ" thread (http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/61396-least-scenic-parts-swc-cz/) got me thinking.

What are the least scenic parts of the ....

1) Westbound Empire Builder?

2) Southbound Coast Starlight (Portland to SF)

3) California Zephyr (eastbound)

Hmmmm?

 

[Bob Dylan]

OK, the "Least Scenic Parts of the SWC and CZ" thread (http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/61396-least-scenic-parts-swc-cz/) got me thinking.

What are the least scenic parts of the ....

1) Westbound Empire Builder?

2) Southbound Coast Starlight (Portland to SF)

3) California Zephyr (eastbound)

Hmmmm?

EB/Westbound; after MSP (in the dark) until you get to Glacier Park there is basically miles and miles of miles!
CS/SB; There is no bad scenery on the entire CS Route but Northbound you have a better chance I'm Daylight to see the Coast, Mt Shasta and the Cascades!!

CZ/Eastbound; Its dark thru The Nevada Desert and most of Utah and Eastern Colorado and Nebraska which is the bad scenery! GBB to the burbs of CHI isn't Travel Channel Scenery either! YMMV

 

[Long Train Runnin']

Newark to Metropark is pretty gritty.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Newark to Metropark is pretty gritty.

That's why Dick and Jis moved to Florida!!! LOL

 

[George K]

A bit of history:

Daughter #4 booked this trip months ago, and the Mrs. encouraged me to go along. Had *I* done it, I would have started on the CZ, spending 2 days in SF, then the Coast Starlight to Portland. Two days in Portland, and then the EB back to Chicago.

But...it is what it is.

Somehow, I know, it will be difficult, we will cope.*

*I'm bringing 3 bottles of fine Scotch whiskey with us. Yeah, we'll cope.

 

[zephyr17]

Empire Builder? Pretty much everything between Cut Bank (Shelby if we are being generous) and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I think the EB flat parts are not bad. The Crescent through miles and miles of kudzu was worse. I like my sight lines, thank you.

 

[JayPea]

I agree with Jim that there are no bad parts on the CS. On the EB, besides those areas mentioned Eastern Washington from just outside Spokane to the Columbia River isn't greatest either, though there is an impressive horseshoe curve between Ephrata and Wenatchee. Since I live in Eastern Washington and have seen the scenery and scenery like it a zillion times perhaps I'm prejudiced.

Eastbound on the CZ I don't think is too bad though the suburbia of Chicago gets tedious. I do like the old dilapidated factories and warehouses of Chicago, though. I'm always fascinated by these and wonder what businesses these old boarded up buildings once housed.

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

For me there is no bad scenery, especially on a train.

 

[NW cannonball]

Empire Builder? Pretty much everything between Cut Bank (Shelby if we are being generous) and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

And most of Wisconsin, except for a bit near the Dalles, and near StCroix. Even Milwaukee-Chicago has not a single "nature" scenic scene, not a "post-industrial" scene. The Jersey Meadows are more scenic than CHI-MKE. Unless you like endless "developments"?

Nodak GFK-MOT is not good, but not bad.