My son and I want to connect from the south-bound Starlate to the east-bound Zephyr---somewhere between Sacramento and Emeryville.
We do not want any "bus-titution."
Must we plan an over-nite to make the connection ?This is a possibility , but this adds yet another nite to an already very tight schedule. We must plan an over-nite in Chicago on the way back to Pittsburgh, also , because there is very little chance we can connect (same day)from the Zephyr to the Capitol.
Is anybody else as dismayed as I am that , today , there seem to be very few "safe" same-day connections possible between the long-distance trains. It seems not so long ago I never had to fret about such details.
Over-niting simply adds unnecessary expense to an already costly trip , as I always travel first-class. Hotel , meals and cab fare really add up.
I realize that if the connection is "guaranteed" , there is the possibility that over-nite expenses are paid by Amtrak. My major concern in situations like this is that my sleeping-car accomodations may not be available the next day , OR that I would be "forced" to use a different train. I simply do not want to take that chance anymore.
I HAVE connected from the south-bound Starlight to the east-bound Zephyr at least twice before. BUT, that was before these horrendous delays have become routine with the Starlight.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Since nobody else has responded, I'll offer my $.02. I notice in the last 6 days, #11 has arrived in SAC too late twice. It was able to make the connection four times. There is a five hour window, and the Starlight is seldom more than five hours late. But it does happen, especially in winter due to weather delays. Once upon a time I would have said don't worry about it, but in the last couple of years the Starlight has been all over the clock. The odds are in your favor, but just barely. To be absolutely safe, plan an overnight. But it doesn't have to be in Sacramento. It could be Emeryville or Oakland, or Davis or Martinez. Take your pick.
Posted by TALKrr (Member # 683) on :
Thanks for your response, Mr. Toy.
If we do try to make the connection, we will plan on an over-nite in one of those cities---better safe than sorry.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
If you decide to overnight around SAC, you would also have the option taking the CS on to LAX instead, and catching the Southwest Chief. You would arrive in CHI the same day as the CZ would and have 23 hours padding in LA.
The Chief might be reliable enough not to have to overnight in CHI. It was early into CHI 4 of the last 5 days, and only 17 minutes late on one. By contrast the CZ was up to 3.5 hours late 4 of the last 5 days. Why? BNSF vs. UP.
And if the Starlate is late enough, you wouldn't have to overnight in LA (lol).
Posted by TALKrr (Member # 683) on :
We specifically want to take the Zephyr back to Chicago. So, given the operating status of both the Starlate and the Zephyr presently , I see no choice but to overnite before making connections the next day.
But , needless to say , this adds both time and expense to our trip.
It seems so complicated lately planning for a multi-train, long-distance trip related to same day connections.
But, I absolutely love rail travel and consider the trip itself a vacation. Fortunately my older son likes it very much too---unlike my two daughters.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
The Vagabond Inn in Sacramento is a recommended overnight accomodation. It's right across the parking lot and street from the Amtrak station and only a couple of blocks from Old Sacramento.
A day hitting the California Railroad Museum and then a good night's rest in a clean, reasonably affordable hotel will have you in a better frame of mind to enjoy the Zephyr's trip across the Sierra Nevada's.
Happy trip planning!
Posted by MontanaJim (Member # 2323) on :
i will be attempting a same day connection from these two trains on January 7th. i wonder what will happen if the starlight is running too late to make the connection? a bus to reno? i sure hope not, cause i want to see the sierra nevadas from the train.
Posted by TALKrr (Member # 683) on :
MontanaJim:
Lately, the Starlight has not been able to keep on schedule in either direction, it seems. Thus, it is very likely that a same-day connection from it to the Zephyr is not possible. In that situation, I have heard that passengers are bussed over to Reno. As you know, this cancels a very scenic part of the trip east.
Because of this, my son and I are planning to over-nite somewhere between Sacramento and Emeryville and make the connection to the Zephyr next day.
As I mentioned in my original post, I do not like this idea because it adds both expense and time to our trip. BUT, I simply do not want to risk the possibility of missing the connection.
So, GOOD LUCK on your attempt to make the connection. Please post (on your return) whether or not you were able to make a same-day connection. I especially will be curious.
Posted by MontanaJim (Member # 2323) on :
im hoping these delays are due to the storms and that things will be back to normal by the 7th.
Posted by CHANGEATJAMAICA (Member # 3737) on :
TALKrr I direct your attention to my post "CS to CZ" of 12.21. We've given up any idea of making a "day of" connection and decided to O/N in SAC which is the half way point of a 14 day excursion to among other things do the laundry. SAC seems to be better one day stop over than EMY and with Notelvis "pushing" the Vagabon we're sold. Best of luck Best regards Rodger
Posted by MontanaJim (Member # 2323) on :
good news! todays coast starlight arrived in sac at 11:45 am, only 5 and a half hours late, and they held the zephyr so passengers were able to make a same day connection between the two trains. im keeping my fingers crossed that ill be able to do the same on the 7th. wish me all luck!