RAILforum: Trip Reviews Needed: CZ, CS, RM, and Canadian

This is topic Trip Reviews Needed: CZ, CS, RM, and Canadian in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.

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Posted by dcfan (Member # 2311) on :

Looking for links to train reviews and recent trip logs for the California Zephyr westbound, Coast Stralight LA - Portland, Rocky Mountaineer Vancouver - Jasper and Canadian Jasper - Toronto.

Thanks.

Posted by coachclass (Member # 2382) on :

I took the California Zephyr between Chicago and Granby, Colorado in August and you are welcome to read my trip report on my webpage at www.geocities.com/coachseats
If you are planning a trip on any of these trips in the near future, be sure to report back to us how they went!

Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :

Look here:

www.trainweb.com/cgi-bin/top/tw_do.cgi?travelogues/index.htm

Posted by chrisg (Member # 2488) on :

All have been ridden and covered on my web site,
http://www.trainweb.org/chris

Enjoy,

Chris

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

I have trip reports over the last three years or so from the Zephyr and Starlight on my website. The link is below. Scroll down to Mr. Toy's Train Travel Tales.

------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

Posted by jp1822 (Member # 2596) on :

You have a great trip ahead, if you are doing all these trains in one trip. Have taken all these trains you mention, and the scenery is top notch.

Regarding your Rocky Mountaineer segment - did you consider taking the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff? The Vancouver to Jasper segment has great scenery, but Vancouver to Banff is my all-time favorite. Gold Leaf aboard Rocky Mountaineer is certainly a hefty price to pay, but worth the experience. I rented a car from Banff to Japser to hook back up with the Canadian. Car cost was $65. Rented through Avis - picked car up right in Banff, dropped off in downtown Jasper, right across from the train station. Cab transfer from train station to hotel in Banff was minimal. I was on the road by 8 a.m. and had plenty of time to catch my afternoon departure out of Jasper on the Canadian. The drive from Banff to Jasper, along the icefields Parkway is a highlight as well.

Last year I took the Canadian from Toronto to Jasper; spent a couple of days touring around Jasper; then Jasper to Prince Rupert on Via's Skeena (another great train for sightseeing - especially in their panoramic dome car in totem deluxe); a day spent in Prince Rupert; flew from Prince Rupert to Vancouver; toured Vancouver and Victoria for about 5 days; boarded the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff and then back up to Jasper to catch the Canadian into Vancouver. I connected in Vancouver to Amtrak Cascade service to Seattle and eventually home via the Empire Builder. It was the best trip I have ever taken. Would do this trip again in a heart beat - just have to find the time!

Posted by traveler (Member # 1415) on :

I'm off on the Zephyr Feb. 3 to MTZ from OMA. I'll give you an up to date report. Anybody else taking the Z on the 3rd.? Brad