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Well, my Christmas trip on the California Zephyr to Reno was a spectacular success – beyond what I had even hoped for!! We left SF in a heavy rain, armed with a baguette from Acme bakery and coffee (free on Christmas eve) from Peet’s in the new market in the Ferry Building. The Zephyy left EMY on time and was very full. But I had followed my instructions from this forum and was the first on board having my choice of seats. We whistled up the corridor and on into the Sierras – through Colfax, Jonathon, where there was a big statue of a man panning for gold just by the depot. Snow began to appear and by Truckee and the Donner Pass it was beautiful and the air was very clear with excellent visibility from the lounge car especially. Pulled into Reno half an hour late; $22 night in the Fitzgerald and an all you can eat dinner buffet and breakfast; back on the #5 next morning which arrived half an hour late, but what a thrill it was, that #72 locomotive powering into town. It had snowed some more over night and it was incredible. Mile after mile the train glided silently through pristine expanses of Christmas card scenery, with occasional glimpses of the difficulties on I-80. There was at least three feet of snow on the ground (at places up to the lower level windows of the Superliners) and more falling which reduced the distance visibility but it was so soothing. Truckee was totally picturesque blanketed with snow and rows of icicles hanging off the eaves of the quaint depot. What a Christmas! I felt like I was in a movie. This train was pretty empty (consisting of #72, a baggage car, 9 passenger cars and 4 box cars; of the passenger cars there was a lounge car, dining car, transitional sleeper (what is that??), 2 sleepers and 4 Superliners, a couple of which were empty). I easily had a seat to myself the whole way. The only meal I had was lunch WB; the Jambalaya was good and the apple pie and coffee was good. We arrived EMY on time. Amtrak Rules!! When is the next trip I want to know? Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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A transition sleeper servers 2 purposes: Rooms for the crew and on one end, the pass through is a single level hight to allow access to the baggage car.
Posts: 12 | From: Rowland Hts, CA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Sounds like a great trip. If I'm ever in San Francisco with a few days to spare, I think I'll do just that--perhaps overnighting in Truckee instead of Reno. With the CZ's famed crossing of the Rockies, it's easy to forget that the route through California can be just as beautiul.
This never would have occured to me without your travelogue. I thank you greatly for your unintended advice.
Posts: 60 | From: Brooklyn, NY | Registered: May 2003
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I must congratulate you for your EXCELLENT travelogue. In reading it, I felt as if I was on that trip with you. I hope you keep up the excellent travelogues that you post. I am really looking forward to your next adventure.
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