Hello from Swindon, UK

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Joined
Feb 1, 2023
Messages
3
Location
Swindon, UK
Hi

This is Paul from Swindon in the UK.

So far my only LD trip has been from Seattle to LA on the Coast Starlight, which was great.

In Sept this year I am taking the Cardinal from NYC to Chicago and then, after a few days there, boarding the California Zephyr to spend a few days in San Francisco.

Looking forward to this coast to coast trip which was supposed to happen a while ago, but Covid got in the way!
 
That sounds like a great job riding Amtrak from coast to coast! You'll also get to experience the two different types of cars: amfleets and superliners.

With your trip on the California Zephyr, I highly recommend spending some time just relaxing in the observation car and taking in all of the scenery.

Please report back to us to let us know how it goes!
 
Welcome Paul.
Your home town Swindon is a historic railway town, having the former locomotive works for the Great Western Railway. Sort of like Altoona for the PRR.
One of the areas I have yet to travel to in Britain, having only ever gotten as far as Reading on the GWR :(
I have ridden through Swindon many times on the way from London to Bristol or back. In my HP days I used to visit the HP Labs in Bristol (Filton) near the Bristol Parkway station, at least once a year.
 
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The Cardinal is an enjoyable ride at that time of year. At this time the dining car service consists of flex dining and is available only to sleeping car passengers. Coach passengers eat from the snack car menu. I am hoping you have a sleeping car. The ride west from Charlottesville and the ride through the New River Gorge is especially scenic.

The California Zephyr has the traditional dining car service that is currently reserved for sleeping car passengers. This may change by the time you travel. When you depart Denver the best scenery is on the right side as you climb the front range of the Rockies. After the 6-mile-longt Moffat tunnel just before Winter Park, the best scenery is on the left side until about an hour before Glenwood Springs. Then the best scenery is on the right side as you go through Glenwood Canyon. The best scenery is mostly on the right as you go over Donner Pass between Truckee and Colfax. About 40 minutes before Colfax you want to be on the left side for the best views. After Colfax, the railroad is double-tracked, but each track follows a different alignment. This is so freights that are climbing have an easier grade.
 
Welcome Paul.
Your home town Swindon is a historic railway town, having the former locomotive works for the Great Western Railway. Sort of like Altoona for the PRR.
One of the areas I have yet to travel to in Britain, having only ever gotten as far as Reading on the GWR :(
We have managed to retain a large section of the Victorian engine and carriage works, has a variety of uses including shopping mall, offices and STEAM Museum. Several rows of the original workers cottages remain in what is known as the Railway Village which also includes the original hospital and swimming/Turkish baths.

I have ridden through Swindon many times on the way from London to Bristol or back. In my HP days I used to visit the HP Labs in Bristol (Filton) near the Bristol Parkway station, at least once a year.
I visited HP labs several times as a HP Reseller, mainly to look at tape technologies but on my last visit for a talk about nano robots.

The Cardinal is an enjoyable ride at that time of year. At this time the dining car service consists of flex dining and is available only to sleeping car passengers. Coach passengers eat from the snack car menu. I am hoping you have a sleeping car. The ride west from Charlottesville and the ride through the New River Gorge is especially scenic.

The California Zephyr has the traditional dining car service that is currently reserved for sleeping car passengers. This may change by the time you travel. When you depart Denver the best scenery is on the right side as you climb the front range of the Rockies. After the 6-mile-longt Moffat tunnel just before Winter Park, the best scenery is on the left side until about an hour before Glenwood Springs. Then the best scenery is on the right side as you go through Glenwood Canyon. The best scenery is mostly on the right as you go over Donner Pass between Truckee and Colfax. About 40 minutes before Colfax you want to be on the left side for the best views. After Colfax, the railroad is double-tracked, but each track follows a different alignment. This is so freights that are climbing have an easier grade.
Thanks Steve, yes I have a roomette on both journeys, so I am hoping to get fed, even if only microwave meals on the Cardinal. Looks like I am in the baggage car on the Cardinal - Car 5109 room 5 whilst normal sleeping car on Zephyr 531/6
 
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