I realize this may not be the best forum for this, but then don't see a more appropriate one either.
Given that our "dear leader" and the Amtrak czar both seem intent on destroying the LD system, I'm thinking I should do a trip while I still can. I've just started looking into this last night and so far my basic plan is:
LSL Boston to Chicago
Zephyr to Sacramento - possible overnights and day in Denver and Salt Lake City - But 3 AM ???
- Possible? overnights and day in Sacramento
San Joaquin service to Bakersfield and Connecting bus to Barstow - looks like I can do this in one day
- with an early start and catch the train as it comes through that night
Chief from Barstow - possible overnights and day in Albuquerque
- NM RailRunner (very handsome trainset) to Sante Fe (overnight $$$???) and bus south to Lamy ?
LSL Chicago to Boston
I'm figuring 11-13 days including the overnight city stays and same day in and out of Chicago both ways. The possible overnights are cities that I haven't visited, while I have seen enough of LA and SF, so are avoiding them and the attendant congestion. I need to research these places to decide just how much interest each might have for me - and lodging costs reasonably near the station. I'll be going coach, so getting off the train will allow me to shower at least every two days, and have real meals (I don't buy Amtrak "food").
I've chosen a counter-clockwise route mostly because of the Day/Night map from Trains magazine. I just realized the schedules may have changed since then, but wouldn't expect by much? They based it on the autumnal equinox, so I figure the closer to the solstice I go I'll have that much more daylight viewing.
Also, maybe three decades ago, my employer sent me to a conference in Scottsdale and I decided to make it a combo trip. I took the Chief, got off in Flagstaff and cycled to Scottsdale through some fine scenery. Actually, I'd been in the area the previous summer and spotted a small ledge some ways south of Flagstaff that I decided I wanted to sleep on - hoping I didn't roll off during the night.
When the conference ended I caught the Sunset in Maricopa (or was it Tucson?), but got off to explore San Antonio for a day, riding the downtown River Walk loop on a quiet weekday morning. Back on the Sunset I went to N'awleans to visit a painter friend from Boston who had moved down there. After two days of riding around the city - hoping I wouldn't get shot (N.O. was like that back then), I took the Crescent and NEC regional services back to Boston. So - not that I remember much of the route, but wanted to ride the Chief the other way this time.
I'm considering this trip for next May or June. For those with experience, when would be the best time to view a "western spring" but balanced for maximum daylight? Or, is even May too late for that? I have thought that it might still be mid-late spring in the mountains but early summer in the west. I remember seeing a lot of flowing water - and wanting to canoe it - in April on the earlier trip, but suspect that will be over by this time?
Another consideration is how crowded the trains might be - would it make sense to go around Memorial Day or Father's Day with the idea that many folks might have other plans then, or are these routes always full? I do like window seats, and realize my off-on plans might make that difficult or impossible.
Also, does it make financial sense to book the two western segments as multi-city trips?
From a prior post, I gather the RailRunner ride and bus to Lamy may not allow that as Amtrack expects a contiguous trip, although I could go back to Albuquerque? I've seen a comment that multi-city doesn't allow you to change your plans as you go, but once I make up my mind I invariably do what I planned to do, so have never bought travel insurance. I don't carry a phone, so a change would be difficult anyway.
Lastly, does day of week timing make any difference at any point on this itinerary?
- Places to avoid on weekends?
I've copied all the timetables, including the bus, so will start working on a more detailed draft schedule.
Given that our "dear leader" and the Amtrak czar both seem intent on destroying the LD system, I'm thinking I should do a trip while I still can. I've just started looking into this last night and so far my basic plan is:
LSL Boston to Chicago
Zephyr to Sacramento - possible overnights and day in Denver and Salt Lake City - But 3 AM ???
- Possible? overnights and day in Sacramento
San Joaquin service to Bakersfield and Connecting bus to Barstow - looks like I can do this in one day
- with an early start and catch the train as it comes through that night
Chief from Barstow - possible overnights and day in Albuquerque
- NM RailRunner (very handsome trainset) to Sante Fe (overnight $$$???) and bus south to Lamy ?
LSL Chicago to Boston
I'm figuring 11-13 days including the overnight city stays and same day in and out of Chicago both ways. The possible overnights are cities that I haven't visited, while I have seen enough of LA and SF, so are avoiding them and the attendant congestion. I need to research these places to decide just how much interest each might have for me - and lodging costs reasonably near the station. I'll be going coach, so getting off the train will allow me to shower at least every two days, and have real meals (I don't buy Amtrak "food").
I've chosen a counter-clockwise route mostly because of the Day/Night map from Trains magazine. I just realized the schedules may have changed since then, but wouldn't expect by much? They based it on the autumnal equinox, so I figure the closer to the solstice I go I'll have that much more daylight viewing.
Also, maybe three decades ago, my employer sent me to a conference in Scottsdale and I decided to make it a combo trip. I took the Chief, got off in Flagstaff and cycled to Scottsdale through some fine scenery. Actually, I'd been in the area the previous summer and spotted a small ledge some ways south of Flagstaff that I decided I wanted to sleep on - hoping I didn't roll off during the night.
When the conference ended I caught the Sunset in Maricopa (or was it Tucson?), but got off to explore San Antonio for a day, riding the downtown River Walk loop on a quiet weekday morning. Back on the Sunset I went to N'awleans to visit a painter friend from Boston who had moved down there. After two days of riding around the city - hoping I wouldn't get shot (N.O. was like that back then), I took the Crescent and NEC regional services back to Boston. So - not that I remember much of the route, but wanted to ride the Chief the other way this time.
I'm considering this trip for next May or June. For those with experience, when would be the best time to view a "western spring" but balanced for maximum daylight? Or, is even May too late for that? I have thought that it might still be mid-late spring in the mountains but early summer in the west. I remember seeing a lot of flowing water - and wanting to canoe it - in April on the earlier trip, but suspect that will be over by this time?
Another consideration is how crowded the trains might be - would it make sense to go around Memorial Day or Father's Day with the idea that many folks might have other plans then, or are these routes always full? I do like window seats, and realize my off-on plans might make that difficult or impossible.
Also, does it make financial sense to book the two western segments as multi-city trips?
From a prior post, I gather the RailRunner ride and bus to Lamy may not allow that as Amtrack expects a contiguous trip, although I could go back to Albuquerque? I've seen a comment that multi-city doesn't allow you to change your plans as you go, but once I make up my mind I invariably do what I planned to do, so have never bought travel insurance. I don't carry a phone, so a change would be difficult anyway.
Lastly, does day of week timing make any difference at any point on this itinerary?
- Places to avoid on weekends?
I've copied all the timetables, including the bus, so will start working on a more detailed draft schedule.