First the good. IMO the CZ on-board service has improved noticeably over the last couple of years, not to mention on time performance.
Unfortunately, I can't say the same for equipment reliability. In a recent 3 segment trip:
GBB to DEN: the dining car was bad ordered out of CHI and the D/L replacement had some problem so sleeping car passenger got one selection from the lounge car for the main course.
DEN to WIP: horn in the lead engine went bad near FMD (Ft. Morgan) and the estimated 15 minutes early into DEN changed at the last minute to 1:15 late. I had no idea that the engineer couldn't blow the horn in the second engine. After all, he can control its speed and direction.
DEN - DAV: no HEP when we boarded in DEN. They were changing engines due to snow problems. Fortunately, there was a protect engine in DEN and we didn't lose too much time. Last year on a similar trip, it took 2 hours to get an UP engine to help out. Also, the grill in the diner was down, so no steaks at dinner and only scrambled eggs (much inferior to the omelet) and continental for breakfast.
It's off topic, but those defects paled compared to the 4th segment - DAV to SBA on the Coast Starlight. The Pacific Parlor Car, which I had been wanting to ride for a long time, was missing. At least if it had been there, I would have had a fighting chance of justifying to my wife the expense of a roomette for a day trip. Without it -- just plain embarrassing. :angry2:
