wb CZ: least risk of detour or other surprises

[crescent2]

I need to stop procrastinating and book the wb CZ from Denver. Which time of year within the next 11 months is least likely to have a detour, bustituion, cancellation, etc.? I'd be taking this trip solely for the scenery and train ride and would like to minimize the chances of an unpleasant surprise. Thanks

 

[chakk]

Colorado tracks are clearest in Oct and Nov, in my opinion. Rock slides are most common in spring, UP track maintenance most common in summer. The odd super-heavy snowstorm or bitter cold could produce snowslides or broken rails in winter.

 

[HenryK]

I think Chakk is right and that October and November are the months unlikeliest to see problems on the CZ tracks.

 

[TrainLoverJoy]

I'll be taking the Zephyr Chicago to Emeryville in just a few days. This is my favorite time.....still lots of daylight and summer rush is over

 

[Steve4031]

Do it before the time change so you have longer daylight hours.

 

[D.P. Roberts]

Checking ASMAD indicates that the CZ is most often late during the summer months - usually about 5 hours late to EMY. It looks like it has been a lot better during the past month - does UP do more trackwork in June or July rather than August, or was this just random?

I saw an article about summer flooding in the midwest back in 2011 and again this summer that caused problems for the Zephyr, and what appears to be 3 cancellations (ASMAD lists "PT", which I assume means a cancellation) in July. Is this common for the Zephyr? I guess we'll see what kind of winter / spring we have this year...