Trip Report. Steve introduces Rosalyn to the Coast Starlight and California Zephyr

[Steve4031]

Call for lunch came at 12. Community seating is being implemented. I was second in and seated across from another guy. When the LSA tried to seat a 3rd he told her maybe he should eat in his room. She backed off.

 

[Steve4031]

The Angus Burger with cheese was good. About the same as before. The menu had a fancy name for the chips. We got the plain chips. Service was decent.
We met 6 at Gold Run. Both trains stopped for a minute.

the Ride over Donner pass is one of my favorite trips.Never get tired of it.

 

[OBS]

So glad you are enjoying your return trip! Hope the rest of trip goes smoothly.

Enjoying the reports/pictures.

 

[Bob Dylan]

California Zephyr arrived to Emeryville on time. The engineer waved at that the passenger as the train pulled into the station and welcomed us aboard. This was a classy start to the trip. I boarded the 640 car. I left my big suitcase on the lower level luggage rack. The conductor, helped me with my small bag to get up the stairs. Here are some photographs of six pulling into the station.

Surprised the Conductor helped you instead of the SCA.

How Full is the Train? Looking forward to your updates on one of my favorite Amtrak Routes!

 

[Steve4031]

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The Angus Burger with cheese was good. About the same as before. The menu had a fancy name for the chips. We got the plain chips. Service was decent.
We met 6 at Gold Run. Both trains stopped for a minute.

the Ride over Donner pass is one of my favorite trips.Never get tired of it.

 

[Steve4031]

The SCA saved the day. The server told me the LSA would come around to make dinner reservations at 3:30. I had my door open and headphones off. I nodded off. Woke up at 4:20 and. Ew I had missed her. Walked up to the diner. She wasn’t there. Chris, the SCA, was in his room. He answered my knock and immediately went to work. He asked me what time I wanted. I said earlier Is better. But I would take what is available. He came back with 5 pm.

 

[Steve4031]

The SCA saved the day. The server told me the LSA would come around to make dinner reservations at 3:30. I had my door open and headphones off. I nodded off. Woke up at 4:20 and. Ew I had missed her. Walked up to the diner. She wasn’t there. Chris, the SCA, was in his room. He answered my knock and immediately went to work. He asked me what time I wanted. I said earlier Is better. But I would take what is available. He came back with 5 pm.

 

[Steve4031]

This was an excellent steak. I like the onions. The sauce was good.

 

[Cal]

This was an excellent steak. I like the onions. The sauce was good.

How was the polenta?

 

[Steve4031]

I’m really enjoying this. A great day.

 

[Steve4031]

How was the polenta?

I like it. I’ve never had it before this trip. Had it on the starlight and tonight. Good both times. It’s made with cornmeal and mixed with cheddar cheese. It tastes good enough to annoy the weight watchers crowd.

 

[Steve4031]

I saw fireworks from the train Elko. Breakfast was delicious. They will happily serve the French toast without whipped cream and strawberries.
We have been running about 30 minutes late. Not sure how the time was lost. UP has done a decent job dispatching.

There are complaints about the transition car and the Engine blowing for grade crossings. I like it. Another plus is hearing the engines rev. Then coast.

 

[Steve4031]

Departed Grand Junction 37 minutes late. There was an announcement that they were working on an issue with the Engine. But that was resolved quickly. This crew announcement stated that masks were to be worn at all times except for eating or being in sleeping car accommodations.

 

[Cal]

Wonderful pictures and videos. I'm glad that traditional dining is good.

I enjoyed some fireworks last night, but I think I might've enjoyed them more if I was looking at them from a train.

 

[Steve4031]

An awesome day riding across Colorado. We arrived Denver about 45 minutes late.

The windows are being cleaned as I sit here posting.

 

[Bob Dylan]

An awesome day riding across Colorado. We arrived Denver about 45 minutes late.

The windows are being cleaned as I sit here posting.

Good to know Denver is cleaning the Windows during the Station work.

Albuquerque used to do this on the SWC during the Stop, not sure if they still do, it's been 2 years since I was there???( the Santa Fe used to feature giving their Trains " a Bath" in their Ads and Promo Films.)

Most trip reports on the various Rail sites mention the Filthy condition of the outside of the Train, including the Windows.

 

[Steve4031]

On the home stretch now. It will be nice to get home.

another advantage to the transition car is that there are two showers. One of them has a huge dressing room next to it.

 

[Cal]

Albuquerque used to do this on the SWC during the Stop, not sure if they still do, it's been 2 years since I was there???( the Santa Fe used to feature giving their Trains " a Bath" in their Ads and Promo Films.)

They still do

 

[Steve4031]

Met 5 near Aurora. Met 3 near Riverside. There were 2 California cars on the rear of 3.

 

[Cal]

There were 2 California cars on the rear of 3.

I really hope that the railfan window on my #3 will not be obstructed by a baggage car or Surfliner cars, really would like to get a video of the semaphores!

 

[Steve4031]

And a long sloooow back up move causes me to miss the 3:45 and wait till 4:30.

 

[Steve4031]

Spotted these backing in. Maybe they are fixed.

 

[Steve4031]

I really hope that the railfan window on my #3 will not be obstructed by a baggage car or Surfliner cars, really would like to get a video of the semaphores!

I don’t think the baggage is ever on the rear of 3/4. But you never know about deadhead moves or private cars. Hope it works out for you.

 

[Cal]

I don’t think the baggage is ever on the rear of 3/4. But you never know about deadhead moves or private cars. Hope it works out for you.

It is, it has been on the rear semi-frequently recently.

 

[Cal]

And a long sloooow back up move causes me to miss the 3:45 and wait till 4:30.

Why did you back into Union Station?