QUOTE: Originally posted by kenneo In addition, if you go coach, you get to pay for the food. If by sleeper, it is included in the ticket.[:D]
QUOTE: Originally posted by wes454 Originally posted by spbed Why would you want to spend 18 hours or so on a train when a car or bus would do the job much quicker especially if you are concerned about your children? [:o)] We thought the trip would be nice to relax on, watch the scenery and let someone else do the driving. The trip would take at least 12 hrs in a car and with us having to stop to feed and\or change the little one, most likely even longer. Why stress the kids out by having them sit in a car that long when for a few more hours everyone can be more comfortable... Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 10:23 AM Originally posted by spbed Why would you want to spend 18 hours or so on a train when a car or bus would do the job much quicker especially if you are concerned about your children? [:o)] We thought the trip would be nice to relax on, watch the scenery and let someone else do the driving. The trip would take at least 12 hrs in a car and with us having to stop to feed and\or change the little one, most likely even longer. Why stress the kids out by having them sit in a car that long when for a few more hours everyone can be more comfortable... Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 9:21 AM Just hope to God that you don't get delayed be a UP Coal Train. BNSFrailfan. Reply Edit spbed Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Austin TX 4,941 posts Posted by spbed on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 7:08 AM Why would you want to spend 18 hours or so on a train when a car or bus would do the job much quicker especially if you are concerned about your children? [:o)] QUOTE: Originally posted by wes454 I'm considering taking my wife and 2 (little) kids on a trip from Salt Lake City to San Jose via Amtrak's CA Zephyr. Amtral estimates the trip at over 18 hours. My wife is concerned about the kids being cooped up on the train that long. I'm wondering if any knows if there are usually any delays on this trip? Also, about how full would the train be? Thanks in advance Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub Reply daveklepper Member sinceJune 2002 20,060 posts Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 1:42 AM I'll add a comment that I never heard any parent complain about kids being "cooped up" on a train. A train is like a moving long house. In the sightseeing lounge, there is the scenery, which makes a good baby siter, TV is sometimes available, tables to bring scrable or kids games (good idea to bring anything that makes them happy on a rainy day at home0. The whole experience is very different that the restricted movement permitted to an airplane, bus, or car passenger. Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 12:48 AM Thanks everyone. My kids will be 3 and a half and about 7 mos when we make the trip. After reading your comments I think a sleeper would probably be the best. My 3 year old LOVES trains and I think she would do OK on the trip. She doesn't do to well whe she has to sit down for more than a few minutes, which is why we don't really want to fly, and I thought it might be a nice ride on the train (me not having to drive never even crossed my mind, I promise! [;)]) Again, thanks everyone, its nice to hear from people who actually have taken the trip, or at least similar trips, anyway. Reply Edit jeaton Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: Rockton, IL 4,821 posts Posted by jeaton on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:57 PM Just one thing you should be aware of. The coop on a train is much larger than any car, commercial bus or plane. Assuming they get seven or eight hours sleep, there is about 5 hours before and after. If your kids can spend a long afternoon in the house, say because of weather, or a four or five hour ride in a car without getting too fussy, they will be able to handle the train quite well. Good luck and have fun. Jay "We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics Reply dldance Member sinceAugust 2003 From: Near Promentory UT 1,590 posts Posted by dldance on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:02 PM I watched train 6 go through Price UT, 10 miles east of Helper at 7:45am Monday 3/14. Since the schedule shows the train at Helper at 7:15am it must have been almost exactly on time. dd Reply corwinda Member sinceJune 2001 From: US 389 posts Posted by corwinda on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 5:31 PM Here's my observations from riding it a few years ago. (Generally just before/after Christmas) It's usually not too full from SLC to Reno NV; can be quite full from Reno to Sacramento. Typically if the train is late going west it will be already be late getting to SLC. Check the Amtrak website before heading to the station. The only long delay I remember eastbound was the time the train hit a trespasser just east of Reno. An hour or two, Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 5:19 PM Are you going Coach, or are you going with sleepers? I highly recommend when traveling overnight, as you will be, to get at least a standard sleeper for two, in your case you'll need two standard sleepers (attempt to get them across the ailse so you can keep an eye on your kids). Its been my experience that two standard sleepers is cheaper than the one family room.... If you can't afford two standard sleepers, then Coach is a must. If going coach attempt to keep your kids in front of you. There are two seats and ailse, and two seats per row. As the California Zephyr has a Sighseeing Lounge car with TV video at night, and in the afternoons, your kids can enjoy stretching out in the Lounge car whenever they get bored seating in the Coach.... There are tables downstairs in the Lounge car in which to play cards or even a board game, such as Scrabble or Monopoly.... However, I find it difficult to sleep in a coach car, as there is no privacy and there is at least somebody snoring as loud as a horse, which is why I prefer the privacy of a sleeper accomodation in the sleeper cars.... If you are going with a sleeper, keep in mind Amtrak usually sells them out a month or more in advance. Most of the time Amtrak coaches are less than half full westbound after Denver, and less than half full east of Reno... East of Denver westbound and west of Reno eastbound the coaches are close to being full.... Reply Edit CopCarSS Member sinceAugust 2002 From: Turner Junction 3,076 posts Posted by CopCarSS on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 4:45 PM I've never traveled west beyond Denver, but I do travel east a lot. I'd say about half of the time the train is late. Usually not more than an hour, but I have been as late as 5 hours before. Conversely, I've been 45 minutes early before, too. It really depends on the day, the railroads, and the equipment. How old are the kids in question? I'm not sure I'd take really young ones with me, but wouldn't have a problem with kids that are a little older. Maybe above 7 or 8, I guess. It probably depends on the kids (I don't have any, so I can't help an awful lot). Best of luck with whatever you decide! Chris Denver, CO -ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Amtrak delays on CA Zephyr? Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 3:31 PM I'm considering taking my wife and 2 (little) kids on a trip from Salt Lake City to San Jose via Amtrak's CA Zephyr. Amtral estimates the trip at over 18 hours. My wife is concerned about the kids being cooped up on the train that long. I'm wondering if any knows if there are usually any delays on this trip? Also, about how full would the train be? Thanks in advance Reply Edit Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login » Register » Search the Community Newsletter Sign-Up By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
Originally posted by spbed Why would you want to spend 18 hours or so on a train when a car or bus would do the job much quicker especially if you are concerned about your children? [:o)] We thought the trip would be nice to relax on, watch the scenery and let someone else do the driving. The trip would take at least 12 hrs in a car and with us having to stop to feed and\or change the little one, most likely even longer. Why stress the kids out by having them sit in a car that long when for a few more hours everyone can be more comfortable...
Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
Originally posted by spbed Why would you want to spend 18 hours or so on a train when a car or bus would do the job much quicker especially if you are concerned about your children? [:o)] We thought the trip would be nice to relax on, watch the scenery and let someone else do the driving. The trip would take at least 12 hrs in a car and with us having to stop to feed and\or change the little one, most likely even longer. Why stress the kids out by having them sit in a car that long when for a few more hours everyone can be more comfortable... Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 9:21 AM Just hope to God that you don't get delayed be a UP Coal Train. BNSFrailfan. Reply Edit spbed Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Austin TX 4,941 posts Posted by spbed on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 7:08 AM Why would you want to spend 18 hours or so on a train when a car or bus would do the job much quicker especially if you are concerned about your children? [:o)] QUOTE: Originally posted by wes454 I'm considering taking my wife and 2 (little) kids on a trip from Salt Lake City to San Jose via Amtrak's CA Zephyr. Amtral estimates the trip at over 18 hours. My wife is concerned about the kids being cooped up on the train that long. I'm wondering if any knows if there are usually any delays on this trip? Also, about how full would the train be? Thanks in advance Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub Reply daveklepper Member sinceJune 2002 20,060 posts Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 1:42 AM I'll add a comment that I never heard any parent complain about kids being "cooped up" on a train. A train is like a moving long house. In the sightseeing lounge, there is the scenery, which makes a good baby siter, TV is sometimes available, tables to bring scrable or kids games (good idea to bring anything that makes them happy on a rainy day at home0. The whole experience is very different that the restricted movement permitted to an airplane, bus, or car passenger. Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 12:48 AM Thanks everyone. My kids will be 3 and a half and about 7 mos when we make the trip. After reading your comments I think a sleeper would probably be the best. My 3 year old LOVES trains and I think she would do OK on the trip. She doesn't do to well whe she has to sit down for more than a few minutes, which is why we don't really want to fly, and I thought it might be a nice ride on the train (me not having to drive never even crossed my mind, I promise! [;)]) Again, thanks everyone, its nice to hear from people who actually have taken the trip, or at least similar trips, anyway. Reply Edit jeaton Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: Rockton, IL 4,821 posts Posted by jeaton on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:57 PM Just one thing you should be aware of. The coop on a train is much larger than any car, commercial bus or plane. Assuming they get seven or eight hours sleep, there is about 5 hours before and after. If your kids can spend a long afternoon in the house, say because of weather, or a four or five hour ride in a car without getting too fussy, they will be able to handle the train quite well. Good luck and have fun. Jay "We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics Reply dldance Member sinceAugust 2003 From: Near Promentory UT 1,590 posts Posted by dldance on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:02 PM I watched train 6 go through Price UT, 10 miles east of Helper at 7:45am Monday 3/14. Since the schedule shows the train at Helper at 7:15am it must have been almost exactly on time. dd Reply corwinda Member sinceJune 2001 From: US 389 posts Posted by corwinda on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 5:31 PM Here's my observations from riding it a few years ago. (Generally just before/after Christmas) It's usually not too full from SLC to Reno NV; can be quite full from Reno to Sacramento. Typically if the train is late going west it will be already be late getting to SLC. Check the Amtrak website before heading to the station. The only long delay I remember eastbound was the time the train hit a trespasser just east of Reno. An hour or two, Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 5:19 PM Are you going Coach, or are you going with sleepers? I highly recommend when traveling overnight, as you will be, to get at least a standard sleeper for two, in your case you'll need two standard sleepers (attempt to get them across the ailse so you can keep an eye on your kids). Its been my experience that two standard sleepers is cheaper than the one family room.... If you can't afford two standard sleepers, then Coach is a must. If going coach attempt to keep your kids in front of you. There are two seats and ailse, and two seats per row. As the California Zephyr has a Sighseeing Lounge car with TV video at night, and in the afternoons, your kids can enjoy stretching out in the Lounge car whenever they get bored seating in the Coach.... There are tables downstairs in the Lounge car in which to play cards or even a board game, such as Scrabble or Monopoly.... However, I find it difficult to sleep in a coach car, as there is no privacy and there is at least somebody snoring as loud as a horse, which is why I prefer the privacy of a sleeper accomodation in the sleeper cars.... If you are going with a sleeper, keep in mind Amtrak usually sells them out a month or more in advance. Most of the time Amtrak coaches are less than half full westbound after Denver, and less than half full east of Reno... East of Denver westbound and west of Reno eastbound the coaches are close to being full.... Reply Edit CopCarSS Member sinceAugust 2002 From: Turner Junction 3,076 posts Posted by CopCarSS on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 4:45 PM I've never traveled west beyond Denver, but I do travel east a lot. I'd say about half of the time the train is late. Usually not more than an hour, but I have been as late as 5 hours before. Conversely, I've been 45 minutes early before, too. It really depends on the day, the railroads, and the equipment. How old are the kids in question? I'm not sure I'd take really young ones with me, but wouldn't have a problem with kids that are a little older. Maybe above 7 or 8, I guess. It probably depends on the kids (I don't have any, so I can't help an awful lot). Best of luck with whatever you decide! Chris Denver, CO -ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Amtrak delays on CA Zephyr? Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 3:31 PM I'm considering taking my wife and 2 (little) kids on a trip from Salt Lake City to San Jose via Amtrak's CA Zephyr. Amtral estimates the trip at over 18 hours. My wife is concerned about the kids being cooped up on the train that long. I'm wondering if any knows if there are usually any delays on this trip? Also, about how full would the train be? Thanks in advance Reply Edit Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login » Register » Search the Community Newsletter Sign-Up By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
QUOTE: Originally posted by wes454 I'm considering taking my wife and 2 (little) kids on a trip from Salt Lake City to San Jose via Amtrak's CA Zephyr. Amtral estimates the trip at over 18 hours. My wife is concerned about the kids being cooped up on the train that long. I'm wondering if any knows if there are usually any delays on this trip? Also, about how full would the train be? Thanks in advance
"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.