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I am taking the California Zephyr this summer and would like to hear your accounts as to the ontime status of the train. Id also like to just hear from your experiences from riding on the train.
Thanks!
------------------ ~The best trains, are the late trains~
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Hmmmm... last time it was 7 hours late! That was a bit extreme though. I've been watching the train status in the Denver area and it seems to be on time to an hour late on average through Denver. But don't worry about the delays, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey! And try not to catch another train on the same day - have an overnight stay.
Geoff M.
irish1 Member # 222
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amtrak man. i agree with your signature when i am traveling alone. but when you are traveling with three young children and the train is suppose to leave denver at 8pm and it doesnt even get there till 3am and its about 90 degees out thats a different story. then a late train is not a great train.
------------------ The Copper Country Limited [Milwaukee Road] and the Peninsula 400 [CNW} still my favorites
irish1 Member # 222
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to the second part of your post. my experience with the cz is from denver east there is not much but cornfields. one town in iowa had a water tower shaped like a teapot. i thought that was kind of neat. also some very fast running through the chicago suburbs was ok too. denver west is great for scenery with the mountains and running with 1 70 and the colorado river. be ready to get mooned. the sierra nevada mtns to me were just as scenic as the rockies. very nice through there. enjoy.
------------------ The Copper Country Limited [Milwaukee Road] and the Peninsula 400 [CNW} still my favorites
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I don't have any current info, but my family rode from Emeryville to Denver in August 2000. Save for a few minor Amtrak glitches, it was a great trip overall.
I have a travelogue with photos on my website. Click on the link below, then scroll to the bottom of the page for my Train Travel Tales. They are kind of long, but I don't mind if you just look at the pictures.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
Only one EB was significantly late. We were on the Nebraska racetrack, and the freight 3 blocks ahead of us "died on the clock" (12 hour hog law).
The good news was we got breakfast before detraining in Omaha. Usually, EB CZ opens for breakfast AT Omaha.
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
Steve D Member # 2344
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The CZ is probably our favorite train -- great scenery (west of Denver), great crews, and service. Unlike much of the Empire Builder, the good scenery on the CZ is in daylight -- at least westbound. We made one stop in Salt Lake City, and I believe we were less than 1 hour late. When we continued on several days later to Emeryville if was maybe a couple of hours late, but we still made our connection with the northbound Coast Starlight, especially since the Coast was a little late too. You see, in some cases each train compensates a little for another. I know you'll have great trip! I think next time it would be fun to moon the kayakers back from my sleeper window.
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The Chief Member # 2172
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Amtrakman, In Dec. 2002 I took the WB California Zephyr from Chicago-Sacramento. We were on time until Winnemucca, Nev., when we were 40 minutes late. We steadily lost time, arriving Sacto 2'05" late.
The Zephyr is a great trip with beautiful scenery, namely the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas. Look on Trainweb.com for the CZ Route Guide and print it. Enjoy your trip.
- - - - The Chief
[This message has been edited by The Chief (edited 04-19-2003).]
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