First they need to fix the car washers some of which don't seem to work in Summers either
California Zephyr discussion
- Thread starter trainnewbee
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zephyr17
Engineer
I understand the car washers at both Sunnyside and Chicago are down and have been for at least a couple years. They may not be the only ones.
The ones in Seattle and LA apparently work.
The ones in Seattle and LA apparently work.
Radio reports this morning that the three major crashes that closed segments of the Interstate across Colorado have been cleared up, and temperatures in Denver are expected to rise to normal cold levels around freezing. Fraser (Winter Park) expected to get up to 19 degrees F. this afternoon.
Do they still clean the Windows on the Chief during the Albuquerque stop?
zephyr17
Engineer
When I rode it in November 2021 they did.
So does this mean that windows on the California Zephyr do not get cleaned nowadays? How easy/hard is it to see clearly through the windows?
zephyr17
Engineer
Not sure about the status of the washer in the Oakland Coach Yard.
I know for sure the windows on the Lake Shore Limited are not cleaned and have not been for years. If there is any sun on them, they're damn near opaque.
MccfamschoolMom
OBS Chief
I've heard of people with rooms on the lower level of a Superliner sleeping car (on the CZ and other routes) cleaning the outside of their room's window at "fresh air stops" with window-cleaning wipes.
zephyr17
Engineer
Yes. And after my opaque window experience on the LSL in 2021, on my November 2022 trip, I brought along Windex wipes and cleaned my window from the platform of Penn Station.
Attachments
Maybe that stuff is not compatible with their machinery. I would guess that the car washing machines use an all-purpose soap on the entire exterior. You don't usually want to use a chemical preparation for something other than its intended purpose. And maybe they just don't have the budget to pay $3-$4 a gallon.
Anyhow, I was thinking of the hand washing that is (or used to be) done at Denver. The antifreeze washer fluid is toxic, so maybe not suitable for washing by hand without lots of PPE.
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west point
Engineer
Just remember that in many cities and / or states the wash runoff has to be filtered / treated/ otherwise before discharged into some type of drain either waterway and / or sewer system. Treatment fcilities can cost much more than the washing equipment.
Anyone know if EPA has shut down some facilities for this reason ?
Anyone know if EPA has shut down some facilities for this reason ?
Gary Behling
Service Attendant
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2019
- Messages
- 109
Ya know, sometimes we need to give people and companies a little space and refrain from constant criticism when conditions are such when little can be done other than to provide the basics. It's when the basics can't be provided that aggressive criticism is merited.
Hello! Im finally taking the Zephyr from Chicago-Emeryville, both ways. We are going to to stay the night in Emeryville then hop back on home to Chicago the following morning. Would we be able to call and get our roomettes moved to the north/south sides of the train if they’re available? I would love to experience both sides during this trip.
I was told i would most likely be on the exact same train equipment when we turn around in EMY and most likely they will just turn the entire train around overnight. So if im in an even numbered sleeper going to EMY, Id also want an even numbered sleeper going back. Or if odd, stay in an odd sleeper going back? Is this correct?
Thanks so much and sorry for the noob question lol.
I was told i would most likely be on the exact same train equipment when we turn around in EMY and most likely they will just turn the entire train around overnight. So if im in an even numbered sleeper going to EMY, Id also want an even numbered sleeper going back. Or if odd, stay in an odd sleeper going back? Is this correct?
Thanks so much and sorry for the noob question lol.
There’s no way of knowing which side of the train you’ll be on when you board in Chicago. The cars can be facing either way, bedrooms forward or roomettes forward. I’ve been on trains were each sleeper was facing a different way than the other.
Yes, they do turn the train in Oakland after passengers detraining in Emeryville.
Yes, they do turn the train in Oakland after passengers detraining in Emeryville.
MccfamschoolMom
OBS Chief
Hi! The hubby and I will be taking the CZ both ways, too, but not until the end of September/beginning of October. We're currently in the base sleeper (631) for the return trip from Emeryville, but the second sleeper (532) for the westbound trip from Chicago, so I'm keeping an eye on that, as the second sleeper seems to often get dropped during off-peak seasons. I still have to book our hotel room for the overnight in Emeryville, but have heard a lot of nice things about the Hyatt House, just across the tracks (via pedestrian overpass) from the Emeryville station.
Gp30sieb
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2016
- Messages
- 23
With sun glare you see nothing. Without it you are looking through speckles and a general dinge. Totally detracts from the experience, which is, or used to be, a selling point for Amtrak.
Kind of related.... Several years ago when I was headed to SLC, I decided to take a shower while in the Denver station and the train wasn't moving. It wasn't long until I realized that I had water around my ankles!! Yep! The drain was frozen!!! That ended my plan for a shower! When the train started, the movement sloshed the water out of the shower stall and eventually into the hall!!
Henry Kisor
Service Attendant
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2007
- Messages
- 193
I suspect the near-zero temps in Chicago shut down the car wash . . . and a late arrival of No. 6 may have required a quick turnaround of the consist in any case.
Gp30sieb
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2016
- Messages
- 23
Ya know, Amtrak uses "see America" as part of its advertising. That makes views out the window unimpeded by dirt speckles and grime "the basics".
The windows are dirty many times during the summer months. No excuse for not getting the washing machines fixed. The "view" is part of the journey and what Amtrak is selling. Do you think the Super Chief and 20th Century Limited had dirty windows upon departure?
I've usually found the windows to be clean when the Zephyr leaves Chicago. One advantage of having the Handicapped Accessible bedroom (there are several, BTW) is that you can clean the windows during a "smoke break". Admittedly, there is access to one side only, but that is better than looking through dirty windows on both sides.
Hi,
I'm traveling in Zephyr next month and have a couple of questions:
1) Is there a charging outlet inside the Roomette?
2) Does the attendant come in to clean the room when you are not around?
3) Am I allowed to plug in a small rice cooker?
TIA!
I'm traveling in Zephyr next month and have a couple of questions:
1) Is there a charging outlet inside the Roomette?
2) Does the attendant come in to clean the room when you are not around?
3) Am I allowed to plug in a small rice cooker?
TIA!
1) Yes.
2) They will at least make up the beds etc. I don't recall how much actual cleaning they do, may depend on the SCA
3) You have to be careful as I don't think the circuits are designed to take too much load. Plus why would you want to since the CZ has traditional dining which is included with your roomette fare.
2). They only come into the rooms to make the beds. I suppose if you spill something, they'll come to help clean it up.
3). Perhaps is a dietary or culture need or preference to have rice.
JWM
Service Attendant
Granted years ago, but I remember departing Chicago in 5 degree weather in February of 1971 on the "Super Chief" and those windows were clean as a whistle. Also, cleaned during Albuquerque stop as well. Seems a lot has gone down the toilet since then. Sometimes, it is the small things that make a trip.
