Aloha
Posting part 5, 6, 7, 8, I am back in LA on 9/20 WEB access was dificult..
Part 5 Wednesday September 15
The awaited California Zephyr trip begins ominously, It is 45 minutes late being brought into the Emeryville Station. On the front is a yellow UP freight motor, followed by Amtrak motor 500. 500 had been the second motor on the Starlight, supposedly the one that failed last night. I have received notification from the Station agent that train 59 which is a guaranteed connection will only run to Jackson on Wednesday and Thursday with no decision for Friday, my train.
Engine UP, Amtrak 500
Baggage 1856
Non Revenue/Transition Sleeper
Sleepers 39008, 32032 (car attendant Charley), 32068
Diner 38058
Sightseer Lounge
Coaches 1?, 2?, 3?
4 or 5 express Box cars
800636 PVT CAR “Scottish Thistle” removed in OKJ from Coast Starlight.
After walking to Berkley, The length of the train, to board my sleeper, I realized the agent hadn’t joked about where my car, the second sleeper was stopped. It was even with a sign “Berkley City Limit”. Apparently Emeryville is very small.
Part 6 Thursday September 16
We continue to loose time all day from the slower freight motor. Crew service is excellent and so are the meals. It is equal to the Coast Starlight yet there are less crew on the Zephyr. Now I have a tie for the number 1 train.
Some ware we received a genesis motor and continued without losing more time until just after Winter Park before the Moffat Tunnel entrance, the Amtrak engine 500 blows something and shuts down. I can hear them trying to restart it. The train lights go out and conductor announces that this is necessary so the train can continue the climb thru the tunnel. He also requested that passengers stay in the car they are in because of dirt and fumes. A new friend in a different car described the stench when someone opened the door between cars as, “a smoky rotten egg mixed with a diesel fuel chaser.”
Amtrak “management” has hit an incredible low in customer service. Because the freight motors don’t run as fast and whatever failed on the second unit, we are arriving in Denver 2 hours late. Some idiot decided that the people on the private car were more important than the passengers of the Zephyr getting on or off in Denver so they switched it out while the public waited over an hour. What am impression Amtrak has created for Piper, a 22 year old girl from England that missed the hostel curfew. I hope she is safe. We spent time with other travelers that I will never forget the rest of my life.
Part 7 Friday September 17
Having arrived in Denver late in the evening and saying goodbye to new friends it was time to turn in. Awaking at 7:00 AM and going to breakfast I find we are 5 hours late.
Interesting to note after all the comments recently about the showers in the sleepers the service on my car was excellent, had hot water all the time and never waited more than a few minutes before breakfast or dinner. If my loosing 30# since the last trip made a difference, the public showers were quite comfortable. I still feel I don’t like the private shower because my shoulders touch both sides unless I twist myself.
On a scenery note, we passed a dead tree, and the top moved, I realized it was a bird. At first I thought it was a vulture, but several in the lounge said it was probably an eagle as they are more common.
We are cruising at 79 MPH. The status of Connections to 59, New Orleans, and return to LA unknown.
Around 7:15 PM there is and announcement that Amtrak Customer Service Representative are ready and we are called to the diner for the arrangements. The 2 ladies are brisk, efficient and knowledgeable. I am given a voucher for the taxi and food, and advised that since I had the trip insurance I should check with the station for a direct return to LA. The Hotel provided was the Best Western on Ohio Street. The hotel is reasonable for the night but the expense money does not really cover the cost of the cab meal and tips. I think they use only the fare/meal cost and assume tipping not included.
6 California Zephyr Chicago, IL Union Station (CHI) 3:32 pm 17-SEP-04 8:37 pm Arrived 5 hours and 5 minutes late.
Part 8 Saturday September 18
The hotel room was clean and pleasant, nice to have a large bed and bath for the night. And the upload and retrieving of mail stayed under the hotel limit of free local phone service..
Arriving back at Union Station at 10:00AM the ticket agents replace my 59 and UAL flight air/rail Package and provide me with a sleeper to La Junta, CO and coach back to LA on train3, the South West Chief. I am wondering if this is the day Piper will be on the Chief. She had said she was going to the Chief in three days.
The New Lounge in Union Station opened on Friday 9/17 so I am seeing it new. It is done in a tasteful 3 tone brown walls, and a green patterned carpet except for the entrance which is green marble swirl. There are several large, wide screen TV and several displays of train status each with a digital clock above each display although one did not work.
The departure of train 3 Southwest Chief left on time the handling of the passenger boarding was quick but the lounge made the sleeper passengers have a longer walk to there cars and had to cross thru the coach passengers as they walked. This would not happen if the sleepers are on the rear. Also if a track other than track 28 was used this may not happen.
The Southwest Chief today left with:
Genesis Engine 84, 71, 90
Superliner Sightseer Lounge
Baggage
Non Revenue/Transition Sleeper
Sleepers 32038, 32072(car attendant Joan), 32038
Diner
Sightseer Lounge
Coaches 1?, 2?, 3?
4 or 5 express Box cars
I was substituted a family room # 15 to La Junta. I will need to be up early to move to a coach seat when we arrive there. Most of the view is the same as the Zephyr, even the first hour or so is the same track/route. The meals are the same as the Zephyr but service is a little less. Since I am changing to coach in the morning, after breakfast I just have these meals on the way back. The Chicago ticket agent says I am due a refund. Sleeping in the family room was comfortable the movement and was not to bad. Joan
the 331 car attendant says this room is normally not given to less than 3 but what a luxury for me to try it.