Newbie to train travel

My wife and I's first trip is coming up in early May. We're flying to Denver spending a few days and taking the Zephyr to San Francisco. We've booked a roomette. Our latest trips, which were before COVID, we tried using public transportation where we went instead of renting a car. It's really worked out well in San Diego and Seattle. We plan to do the same on this trip in Denver and San Francisco. We've been wanting to go on a train trip for many years. Ties into the concept of letting somebody else do the driving so we can see the scenery. No parking hassles or getting lost also. I'll be interested to read the forms about various topics. I hope to have many more train trips in the future.

dannerjohn said:

My wife and I's first trip is coming up in early May. We're flying to Denver spending a few days and taking the Zephyr to San Francisco. We've booked a roomette. Our latest trips, which were before COVID, we tried using public transportation where we went instead of renting a car. It's really worked out well in San Diego and Seattle. We plan to do the same on this trip in Denver and San Francisco. We've been wanting to go on a train trip for many years. Ties into the concept of letting somebody else do the driving so we can see the scenery. No parking hassles or getting lost also. I'll be interested to read the forms about various topics. I hope to have many more train trips in the future.

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Welcome to Amtrak Unlimited. The California Zephyr west from Denver is my favorite trip. Enjoy!

We are of the same mindset as you about the joys of train travel! If you haven't done so, I recommend a trip to Washington DC on the Capitol Limited in a roomette. There are quite a few hotels within a few blocks of Union Station--VERY walkable. You can walk or use public transportation everywhere. The Smithsonians are great! So much to see and do.
We did your California Zephyr trip to Emeryville too, and then took the Coast Starlight from there to LA. We then flew home from LA. Wonderful trip!

Welcome! I just did the Zephyr westbound in early February, and you are in for a treat! If you are not on the left side of the train, I recommend heading to the Sightseer Lounge or the diner soon after Granby, so you can have a view out the left side as you enter the remotest area on the trip. In some sections, your train seems to be floating above a steep slope in a roadless canyon. Watch for wildlife along this stretch, especially eagles in the large trees along the river. Views will eventually be great on both sides, as you travel to Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction. Of course, your trip will be in spring and there will only be snow on the mountain slopes high above the train route, but here are a few photos to whet your appetite for the scenery:

You'll have the most fun if you aren't concerned about time ...

Tom Booth said:

The CZ arrived over 5 hours late yesterday in Emeryville, which serves a major world city - San Francisco. Every day last week ir was significantly late.SLC seems to start the real delays. . Is this all freight interference? Back in the day, freight and passenger trains seemed to have been far, far better coordinated and there were probably 20 times more passenger trains. I realize that private RR's have no stake in the game now but why isn't Amtrak more forceful? Amtrak can't even run a truncated schedule without always be shunted to side rails or just stopped dead in its tracks.

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I have heard about the delays. Fortunately we have no close connections.

If you are boarding in Denver, get at least one member of your party to rush to the sightseer lounge and grab a couple of chairs, preferably on the right side as you face the engine. Ten minutes after the train pulls out the lounge will be jammed and have people standing in the aisles looking over your shoulder. Whatever you do, don't give up your seats until after the Moffat tunnel.