Hi All - I'll keep posting a couple of my trip reports if they're of interest - particularly as travel is difficult for many during COVID!
Here is my experience on Amtrak's California Zephyr riding from San Francisco (Emeryville) to Chicago - a great trip if you ever get the chance! Note - this experience was pre-COVID, so the food and service described is not Flex dining (fingers crossed we see full dining service back!).
Check it out here: https://trainreview.com/article/riding-the-california-zephyr-from-san-francisco-to-chicago
MemmaHi All - I'll keep posting a couple of my trip reports if they're of interest - particularly as travel is difficult for many during COVID!
I hope you keep posting. I, for one, am interested in your reports.
York1 John
Thanks!! I definitely will do!
You have mispelled Donna in "Crossing Donna Pass, where the fabled Donner Party" Otherwise, it is a little skimpy on details. Almost a Readers Digest review. Or did some editor trim it.
Some photos from my very first trip on the CZ in November 1960, all on the D&RGW portion:
Another, in Glenwood Canyon:
daveklepper Some photos from my very first trip on the CZ in November 1960, all on the D&RGW portion:
Were the first two photos at Bond?
Was the one at the station with the bus (Glenwood Aspen Stage?) at Glenwood Springs? I think I see skis.
You are correct on all three pictures, and I had intended to post that information with this posting. Not sure, but I think the 4th picture is at Summit. Crrection, it's at Bond.
Traces of "Giant's Ladder" were still evident in November 1960, the grade of the original Denver & Salt Lake RR, with its multiple switchbacks and linit-of-adhesin grades. By my next CZ trip. June 1968, the traces had dessapeared.
Ladder corrected; appologies
daveklepper Another, in Glenwood Canyon:
Those dome views are amazing. The superliner fleet makes a lot of sense and I get why Amtrak uses them, but losing those forward views sure is a shame.
The forward view is nice but how many riders beyond the first two or three rows get that much of a forward view?
Rode CZ in '68. Had snow in Glenwood Canyon in May. In the summer of 72 drove over the pass westbound up the ladder and through the eye of the needle in my '65 ford. Later, I thought how risky that was. No cell phone and no humans seen until we came down to US 40 on the west side. Could have snowed or the car (2 wheel drive) could have had problems. There were remenants of snow in some areas. But I am glad I did. No photos but great memories. Can't do it today. Trestles have fallen. All the structures at the top were gone when I was there.
CSSHEGEWISCHThe forward view is nice but how many riders beyond the first two or three rows get that much of a forward view?
From my times spent in the domes on the Capitol Limited - you can see through the forward glass very well, not as good as the first couple of rows but good enough to make it worthwhile. I have never been in a full length dome so I expect forward vision from the rear of the car would not be so hot.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
The background rock formation is the same in photo 2 and 4, so they apparently are both at Bond.
You are absolutely correct. Thanks for your correction. That is three at Bond.
And here is another dome-car view. Again, I need help as to the location:
Two more from that trip:
daveklepper Two more from that trip:
Looks like Gore Canyon where the line is higher up above the river than in the other Colorado River canyons.
Thanks!
This wonderful story brings back memories of when I rode this train in January of 2002. Riding in January meant that the Donner Pass was completely buried in fresh snow and was absolutely beautiful on that sunny day. The down side of an eastbound trip in January is that we descended from the Moffat Tunnel to Denver in darkness. Nearly 20 years later, I have not gotten back to ride this stretch in daylight.
Thanks for sharing the photos, the Rio Grande is one of my favorites.
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