Travel in Winter

[MistressJane]

Are there any noteworthy differences between traveling via Amtrak in Summer/Fall vs traveling in Winter? I'm taking the CZ/LsL from EMY to SYR in January and I don't really know what to expect. Slower travel? More delays? Colder cars? What about going through Colorado? I'll be totally honest... going through the Rockies in snowy weather has me a little freaked out!

 

[bobnabq]

Are there any noteworthy differences between traveling via Amtrak in Summer/Fall vs traveling in Winter? I'm taking the CZ/LsL from EMY to SYR in January and I don't really know what to expect. Slower travel? More delays? Colder cars? What about going through Colorado? I'll be totally honest... going through the Rockies in snowy weather has me a little freaked out!

Bring a blanket ?

 

[George Harris]

First, this is a simply beautiful ride. If you are at all interested in wintry mountain scenery, the time of year and the train are at the absolute top. Yes there is a potential for delay on the day of and the day or so after a major snowfall. But otherwise, snowy and cold in the winter has been the operational norm for this railroad line for over a century. There is no need to be freaked out. If anything does happen, the situation will be taken care of.

We are considering a ride from Emeryville to Reno and back sometime mid winter just for the scenery. That should give you a hint of my level of fear concerning this route.

 

[MikeM]

Personally, I have ridden the CZ a lot in the winter, and it's my favorite time of the year. Yes, there can be delays due to snow, but it's really restful I think to be snuggled up in a sleeper while looking out on a snowy landscape while you're toasty in the train. Always gives me a far away feeling to travel Donner Pass when there's lots of snow. Having said that, it isn't certain there will be snow, drought being what it is, and sometimes UP can't keep the route open which leads to train cancellations. But I think you'll have a nice trip. If you are in coach, you might want to pack a small throw and pillow(never hurts to do that any time of the year); if you're in a sleeper you're covered for bedding and pillows.

 

[PaulM]

In the last 5 years I've taken the CZ about 12 times to or from Winter Park/Fraser. Of those 12, I encountered only 1 weather related problem. And that was a blizzard in central Nebraska, not the Rockies.

 

[abcnews]

In the winter it is really nice - better views, since some of the hardwood trees along the tracks can actually block the view in the summer due to their leaves - there are no leaves in the winter. Plus - if at all possible, try to travel near a full moon, and get a private room. Then you can turn out the lights in the cabin - once it is dark, (say 6 PM or 7 PM) and enjoy seeing the snow covered landscape with the help of the full moon. Add a distant, occasional whistle of the locomotive, and the changing colored lights of the trackside train signals... If you sit just right you can often see the signals change from green to red as the engine passes the signals.

Also fewer people on the train (less crowded) and lower fares. I really like winter travel - but please don't tell anyone. Lets keep it that way.

 

[zepherdude]

In the winter it is really nice - better views, since some of the hardwood trees along the tracks can actually block the view in the summer due to their leaves - there are no leaves in the winter. Plus - if at all possible, try to travel near a full moon, and get a private room. Then you can turn out the lights in the cabin - once it is dark, (say 6 PM or 7 PM) and enjoy seeing the snow covered landscape with the help of the full moon. Add a distant, occasional whistle of the locomotive, and the changing colored lights of the trackside train signals... If you sit just right you can often see the signals change from green to red as the engine passes the signals.

Also fewer people on the train (less crowded) and lower fares. I really like winter travel - but please don't tell anyone. Lets keep it that way.

ABC, that is one cool description! Do you know, is there still snow in May or is it a gonner? That is my next trip via that train.

Thanks

 

[MistressJane]

Well you all made me feel about 1,000 times better!

And one of these trips I'll spring for a sleeper, but I'll be in coach this time. I'd already planned to bring a pillow and blanket; I found a inexpensive electric throw and I think I'll bring that. Can't wait to see some of this scenery. You made it sound magnificent, abcnews!

 

[PRR 60]

Here's a little hint of how Byers Canyon in Colorado looks from the Zephyr in January:

Have some flexibility in case of trouble, and enjoy the ride.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Our California Zephyr adventure in the winter involved following a giant snowplow through the Sierras west of Reno. :giggle: Track crews were thawing out the switches and waved as we went by. Donner Pass brought back historical thoughts of the unfortunate pioneers who died in the valley below.

What a beautiful winter scene and glad we were not stranded on I-80 like most were that afternoon. By the time we got to Sacramento it was raining. Have a great trip

 

[SP&S]

I'd pack a sweater in my carry-on just to have one.

I love the train in winter. Gliding along the rails, warm and comfortable, looking out at the snowy countryside is one of the finest things on earth. One thing, in particular, about the train is that often you're going thru otherwise undeveloped country - the only footprints you see are from wildlife.

The scenery going over the Donner Pass is spectacular - in summer it's pretty but in winter it's wow. Not to be missed.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

One thing, in particular, about the train is that often you're going thru otherwise undeveloped country - the only footprints you see are from wildlife.

So where did all those "undeveloped" service roads come from? :lol:

 

[Ocala Mike]

I too got to travel on the CZ through the Rockies around five winters ago. The wife (official trip photographer) has a whole album full of wintry snowscapes she took from the bedroom window.

As far as the downside, well here's a "modern-day" (I was 10 years old when this was in the news) true story of the possible hazards of winter rail travel:

http://cprr.org/Museum/Stranded_Streamliner_1952/index.html

Ocala Mike

 

[guest]

One thing, in particular, about the train is that often you're going thru otherwise undeveloped country - the only footprints you see are from wildlife.

So where did all those "undeveloped" service roads come from? :lol:

Probably from all the "undevelopment" that took place when Chinese labor blasted the route through the Donner Pass!

 

[SP&S]

So where did all those "undeveloped" service roads come from? :lol:

A bit of poetic license there, but if it's snowed recently there won't be any prints on them. Still beautiful. Pardon me while I go and renew my poet's license.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

One thing, in particular, about the train is that often you're going thru otherwise undeveloped country - the only footprints you see are from wildlife.

So where did all those "undeveloped" service roads come from? :lol:

Probably from all the "undevelopment" that took place when Chinese labor blasted the route through the Donner Pass!

Really? Do they appear in original photographs?

A bit of poetic license there, but if it's snowed recently there won't be any prints on them. Still beautiful. Pardon me while I go and renew my poet's license.

Hey it's all good. I actually find this to be a rather appealing trip idea that I would like to try myself. Just wish I could get enough time off to make it happen. -_-

 

[Shortline]

Took the train from Chicago-Minot ND last Jan. Outbound was ok, close to on time, but the showers froze up, and flooded. The return was 18+ hours late, I gave up waiting and flew. It was pretty though, I would do another winter trip if I wasn't in a hurry, and didn't NEED to be somewhere. Unfortunately I DID, and had to burn some FF miles to get back to Chicago for a meeting.