California Zephyr. EMY-CHI on modified schedule

[Steve4031]

This is a last-minute venture before the start of the new school year. I have been looking at Amtrak, sleeping car fares for the California zephyr all summer. Also saw was 1000 1300 or another high amount for a room up from Emeryville to Chicago is fared are all too high. Then last week I saw a sleeping car for for $749 I booked it then I quickly made arrangements to fly to San Francisco via Los Angeles on United using frequent flyer miles.

The trip out on United Airlines is about as smooth as the flight could be. Everything was on time, and my one hour in connection in San Diego was made I was on Bart riding to Oakland when I looked at my Amtrak ticket on my phone.

At that moment, I realized that I had booked a zephyr departing on Thursday night on Wednesday. This resulted in panic I quickly looked in Amtrak app to see if I could move my reservation from Thursday to Wednesday. I was able to do that there was space available i dreaded looking at the price. I expected to see one of those $1300 fares or sold out. I was astounded want to discover the fair was $600. I am be getting $150 refund.

Oh, so right now I’m sitting in my favorite place in the Amtrak system which is a Emeryville train station in California. Zephyr will be departing in 40 minutes.

Moderator's Note: See post below for the time table...

 

[Steve4031]

I am now onboard. The sleepers our at the front. The sca is Rita. She remembered me from past trips. We departed 1 minute late.

 

[jis]

Here you go:

 

[Steve4031]

The lsa made the lunch announcement. 25 for adult coach passengers. 20 for children.

Thank you Jishnu. Lunch was announced right after departure from emy.

Crossing the bridge

 

[Steve4031]

Lunch in the the dining car was enjoyable. I had the Angus burger cheese. They were serving brownies and butter cakes for dessert. I ordered a brownie but they forgot to bring it. at this point I really wasn’t that hungry so I’ll have one at dinner.

We were sitting in the station in Davis, and I heard the strangest announce all over the PA. The conductor told the engineer, the highball. And I don’t think they have a PA system link to the Engine, so this is really strange to me.

 

[caravanman]

Not been too aware of timetable changes, is the above timetable permanent or just a "one off"? I will be travelling in late September myself?

 

[Steve4031]

The schedule change is temporary to accommodate Union Pacific track work in Donner Pass. We departed Sacramento 25 minutes late.

 

[Steve4031]

We just met a freight west of Rocklin. We are on the northern set of tracks. Around Rocklin we usually switch to the other track. This is also happening today.

 

[Steve4031]

We did not lose time between Roseville and Colfax. There was a work train parked in a siding west of Colfax I posted a link from my gpa app which details what happened. Wednesday Afternoon Track.png

A very short stop in Colfax.

We are slowly climbing. 12 mph according to navigation app. I’m thinking slow orders from track work.

Dinner is 45 dollars for coach passengers. I never get tired of riding the Zephyr over Donner pass. We are picking up speed now after rounding Cape Horn.

 

[Steve4031]

We’ve been moving steadily over Donner Pass. I took the 7:30 dinner reservation. We are now descending to Truckee as we round Stanford curve.

 

[Steve4031]

We departed Truckee 35 minutes late.

 

[Steve4031]

We are now in Reno. I wasn’t questioned by the police. My 7:30 dinner reservation should coincide with the departure from Reno.

 

[Steve4031]

As walked to the diner the conductor made an Announcement apologizing for the delay leaving Reno. There’s an issue with the engine “linking up”. Assuming this means PTC issues.

 

[Steve4031]

Tonight’s dinner in the diner was great. The food was good but the conversation was better. All the tables were full and I enjoyed the camaraderie.

We are approximately 80 miles from Winnemucca. Iirc there’s padding into Winnemucca so we might make up some of the time lost in Reno.

 

[Steve4031]

We departed Salt Lake City 90 minutes late. There was slow running with meets with freight trains. I showered and finished before arriving Salt Lake City.

 

[wrowland]

love it!

 

[Steve4031]

Day one photos.

 

[Steve4031]

Day 2 photos. Still running 90 minutes late. Slow orders east of grand junction will probably add to that.

 

[Steve4031]

We departed Glenwood springs 2 hours 20 late. Probably will lose more time. Conductor says we will run slow through Glenwood canyon.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Looks like the GJCO station (had brunch in the restaurant adjacent earlier this year).

 

[Steve4031]

As we departed Glenwood Springs the conductor announced it would take 4 hours to get to Granby. This will make us 3 hours late. The reason is slow running through the canyons.

 

[DetroitDave]

Love your pics! I'm on the train a day behind you. Safe travels @Steve4031!

 

[Steve4031]

As we approached Winter Park the conductor made an announcement that by skipping the smoke stop in Winter Park we could get to Denver by midnight. I fell asleep and woke up at 2 am and we are still in Denver. Train status shows we did arrive at midnight. We are now looking at least a 4 hour delay.

We pulled into the station without the usual back up move. The HEP is off and the train has jerked several times between 1:50 and 2. I think they are adding cars.

 

[caravanman]

I notice the old station building at Grand Junction is fenced off now. I recall the building being "for sale" a while ago. Any indication of it's future use?
I hope the little shop is still open, I used to enjoy an ice cream or two from there on my Zephyr trips?

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

I notice the old station building at Grand Junction is fenced off now. I recall the building being "for sale" a while ago. Any indication of it's future use?
I hope the little shop is still open, I used to enjoy an ice cream or two from there on my Zephyr trips?

It is on the National Register of Historic Places and was bought by a developer in 2016 with plans to restore it starting in 2024. We shall see