I'm planning to take the California Zephyr and was wondering which direction to take it, east or west. Which way will be the best for scenery.
Posted by JSChicago (Member # 68) on :
Well, I haven't traveled that route, but looking at the timetable it seems that both directions traverse the same part of the country overnight--the Utah/Nevada desert and the Colorado/Nebraska Great Plains. So there wouldn't be an advantage based on scenery. Someone who has ridden it before may know if there is a directional advantage for some other reason, though.
------------------ Peace,
Jack S. Chicago, IL
Posted by Konstantin (Member # 18) on :
I recommend riding the California Zephyr westbound. If the train is on time, then it is about the same either way. The eastbound train tends to get way behind schedule. It gets dark while crossing the Rocky Mountains and you end up seeing the boring part of the ride in the daytime. Travelling westbound, the train leaves Denver in the morning to begin the trip through the Rockies. If it's late, you should still have a lot of daylight ahead of you for the best scenery.
Dean
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
I agree with West to East. I've done it both ways. And the east bound train is late very often, as a Konstantin said, so you'd miss the mountains. Also westbound you get great desert sunsets. Be sure when you leave Denver that you have breakfast early so you get a seat in the viewing car (either side really as here are a lot of windows). There are great mt and canyon views all the way to Grand Junction but especially from Denver to Glenwood. Hop off the train in Grand Junction and there may be peaches for sale from the local (Palisade) orchards. They are having a great crop this year and may have some in the store in the station. And the same for melons as you go thru Utah...
Posted by Ira Slotkin (Member # 81) on :
Pete - Ooops. I meant East to West. Take it from Chicago. Sorry about that.
Ira
Posted by LtPete (Member # 72) on :
thanks for the info folks. Its been most helpful.
Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :
My favorite direction is also east to west. The only down side would be if the train is very late you would miss the scenery through the Sierra Nevadas. Hopefully they will have additional rail service from Reno to The Bay Area, so you could detrain in Reno, win some money at the tables LOL & then continue on the next day to the Bay Area. Yours Reggie