Southwest Chief or Cal Zephyr

[Nic]

We are taking a trip from Chicago to San Francisco on Jan 1st 2013 and returning to Chicago on Jan 11th. Is it better to take the cal zephyr east and the sw chief west or vise versa?

We want to get the most scenery as we can! Thanks in advance!

 

[Henry Kisor]

On the Zephyr I don't think it makes much difference. So long as the trains are on time, you'll see the Rockies and Sierras by daylight and will cross the Great Basin desert and the Great Plains at night.

Probably the same thing so far as the Chief is concerned.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I'm inclined to agree with Henry Kisor. There's not a whole lot of difference in my view, and you can see why with this map...

 

[Notelvis]

The primary deciding factor, in my opinion, is whether you want to see the Front Range of the Rockies departing Denver in the daylight.

If so, you want the California Zephyr westbound. Otherwise the scenery by daylight is about equal in both directions.

I will add that as cool as climbing the Front Range is going west, it is also breathtaking going eastbound on the California Zephyr seeing the lights of Denver below you as the train works it's way down out of the mountains. You're in for a treat either way.

I think on this trip I would be inclined to go west on the SWC and east on the CZ. This would insure maximum daylight viewing over Raton Pass which is not likely to host the SWC much longer. A late eastbound SWC would put you through here in the dark.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

The primary deciding factor, in my opinion, is whether you want to see the Front Range of the Rockies departing Denver in the daylight.

If so, you want the California Zephyr westbound. Otherwise the scenery by daylight is about equal in both directions.

I will add that as cool as climbing the Front Range is going west, it is also breathtaking going eastbound on the California Zephyr seeing the lights of Denver below you as the train works it's way down out of the mountains. You're in for a treat either way.

I think on this trip I would be inclined to go west on the SWC and east on the CZ. This would insure maximum daylight viewing over Raton Pass which is not likely to host the SWC much longer. A late eastbound SWC would put you through here in the dark.

This. I agree with Notelvis. Better get the SWC before it gets rerouted!

 

[NETrainfan]

What a great map.

Agree with Notelvis also.

The Raton Pass is quite an experience.

 

[greatcats]

You will see more of the spectacular Utah canyon and cliff country if you take the CZ eastbound. I think Soldier Summit will still be dark early in the morning, however. The SWC has its own charms through the area between Lamy and Trinidad, and I would make sure to ride that also, as I will next May. Unless someone has a really brilliant idea, I don't see how that line can be maintained for two trains a day, something around 200 miles of track.