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The Zephyr had one or two tour groups taking up a lot of sleeper space. For the first time ever my room was in Car 0540, the crew dorm. There are several roomettes there that are sometimes used for regular sleeper passengers. An attendant handles those plus the adjoining coach.
As we all know, the prime scenery on the Zephyr is just west of Denver. From past experience, I know how important it is to get into the Sightseer Lounge while the train is still at Denver. Once it gets going and people realize what's coming up, they all drift in soon occupying all the seats. I was able to secure the ideal spot, the last table on the east end of the car, north side, right next to the door to the adjoining diner. Sitting facing the direction the train is going, you get great views on both sides. Sit a little farther up and the view to the left is blocked by the structures around the stairway down to the cafe.
There I sat with my loose-leaf binder of sections cut from 1/100,000 scale topographic maps with the rail line highlighted. Opposite pages have material gleaned from various route guides. I'm sure I looked old-fashioned among all the folks with their hand-held devices with Google earth or whatever. Yet several gathered around me at times to view the route, including a girl from Paris, a boy from Wales and another from New Orleans. Two men connected with the NPS spoke about some of the things we passed, but I couldn't always hear them well. I probably knew much of what they were saying anyway from my research and years of teaching geology and geography.
Unfortunately one has to go for lunch and dinner and must find another maybe less desirable seat on return. There was a long stop at Grand Junction where many got off for a bit. Some looked around in the famous Dave's Depot store, where you can buy some detailed route guides for various western trains.
Posts: 127 | From: Worcester, Massachusetts | Registered: Jan 2007
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Interesting report, Bob. Sounds like you had an enjoyable trip.
I stayed in Grand Junction a number of years ago, with a group of friends from Santa Rosa. I think the motel was the Clarion Inn which was quite nice and close to the airport. The next day we rented a van and drove to Durango for a trip on the Durango-Silverton train. A beautiful drive from Grand Junction to Durango.
Next time I'm in Grand Junction I will have to check out Dave's Depot store.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Dave's Depot store is right next to the track. I was wondering if it only opens when a train is due. Some announcer on the train made a big plug for it before we arrived.
Posts: 127 | From: Worcester, Massachusetts | Registered: Jan 2007
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