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Ok, I need some help on this one. I am thinking about taking a train this fall to the west area. In Alabama now, but would fly to Denver and see if I could finish the trip in Utah or Wyoming? A day trip I guess? (2 adults) Would I be on the Zepher and see alot of the mountains & tunnels? I watched a piece on Public TV and thought it was amazing, though it was on the Orient Exp. Any directions or guides would be appreciated! Thanks !!
maxmarch Member # 2495
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I would consider flying to Omaha... Zephyr scheduled to leave out of there around 11PM... sleep on the train, wake up early, get early breakfast and stake your claim in the observation car... Once the Zephyr leaves Denver, the scenery and the 6 mile long Moffat tunnel are sure to provide some cool memories. Don't expect the ammenities and the "free-to-roam" off the train as depicted in the American Orient express show suggests... As far as Wyoming is concerned, your closest stop is Utah.
Visit Amtrak.com then click on Routes, then search that page for the link to download the California Zephyr Route Guide. What the heck, fly to Chicago and take the entire route...
One more thing... Get a sleeper.
mc9112 Member # 3927
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The reason for the Fall time is so maybe the kids will be back in school. Looking the Zephry schedule, will it stop at all the cities between Co & Ut ? How far is the Moffat Tunnel from Denver..time...
Geoff M Member # 153
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The tunnel is just over 2 hours out of Denver, but that can vary depending on freight traffic. It'll be announced on the train because they like to stop people moving between the cars while the train is in the tunnel (diesel fumes seep in between the cars). About 50 miles in terms of distance, and uphill for most of it.
Something I did a couple of years ago was fly to Denver, catch the train (albeit replaced by a bus) to Glenwood Springs, overnight there, then train back the following day. Given the choice I would have stayed an extra night in Glenwood Springs as there is plenty to do around there - swimming in the hot springs pool (with rail view!), river rafting (with rail view!), cycling (with - you guessed it - rail view!), etc. I hear Grand Junction is good too.
If you don't have much time then just do the CO bit. If you have several days, then do as Maxmarch says and do the whole route. You won't need a sleeper for daytime segments as the lounge car is far better to relax in, but if you overnight, then get a sleeper - deluxe if you can afford it for 2 people.
Geoff M.
mc9112 Member # 3927
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Well,,,this may not workout. I see Amtrak will be doing some rail work the months of Sept & Oct..not sure of the detours of the cities.
maxmarch Member # 2495
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If scenery is what you are after, consider the western leg of the Empire Builder... all route guides (descriptions of what you go by) and schedules the where's and when's of the train are available at amtrak.com.
Nothing beats a relaxing train ride... especially if your schedule is flexible.
North American Railroader Member # 3398
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Personally, I love the Southwest Chief. The scenery through New Mexico and Arizona is really breath taking, a lot better than one would think. A good trip would be to fly to Kansas City, and take the train overnight, waking up around Lamer, CO and travelling through Lamy, NM and Albuquerque, NM before getting off at either Williams, AZ or Flagstaff. For a shorter trip, I would fly to Albuquerque and take the train during the day to one of those Arizona points. I believe that a National Park ranger still comes on board at Albuquerque for the day, and it is very interesting to listen to him in the lounge car. Also, if you've never seen the Grand Canyon, the train arrives at Williams, AZ just before 10 pm, and from there the Grand Canyon Railroad runs daily trains directly to the rim (about a 1 1/2 hr trip); the Grand Canyon Railroad also has a wonderful hotel in Williams for its guests. I strongly recommend this and I hope that you have a good trip where ever you go!
mc9112 Member # 3927
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For sure the scenery is what I am going for. I need to look into the airlines about flying into one city and then leaving another. This would be my vacation, so I'm trying to think about the stress level also. I have always wanted to see Arizona and Canyon area, sure the Fall time of the year is awesome. I have some time to plan though...thanks for all your suggestions..I'm taking them all into consideration.
mikesmith Member # 447
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In order of most spectacular scenery: 1. Denver to Sacramento, California Zephyr 2. Los Angeles to Seattle, Coast Starlight 3. Garden City KS to Gallup NM, Southwest Chief 4. Portland or Seattle to East Glacier Park, Empire Builder
I've traveled all the western routes, several times.
George Harris Member # 2077
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Since you are starting in Alabama, can it be asummed that you are taking Southwest airlines out of Birmingham? I think you have to juggle the whole thing together. Airline to reasonable point on the train route, then train timetable. Get the SW scedules off their web and get the various train timetables off the Amtrak web site, or if you are actually in B'ham, pick up a national timetable from the station.
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