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Zephyr Detour over Overland Route Begins Tomorrow

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  • Member since
    May 2007
  • 82 posts
Zephyr Detour over Overland Route Begins Tomorrow
Posted by AmtrakRider on Monday, July 9, 2007 8:25 AM

The California Zephyr (Trains 5 and 6) is being detoured through WY on UP due to track work west of Granby, CO on several occasions this summer. July 10 and 11 are the first two days when this detour will take place.

The westbound train is due to arrive Denver at 7:35 am and depart at 8:05 am. Usually this train is anywhere from a few minutes to more than an hour late, so this could be more like 9 a.m. departure. Arrival in Salt Lake City - SLC (there are no intervening stops) is scheduled for 11:05 pm.

Since Amtrak isn't subtracting any additional time from their schedule, does that mean the WY route is a longer one? Or must they go slower? I'd think since they don't have any stops they would be more likely to arrive in SLC up to an hour earlier. Also, is anybody riding or railfanning this detour?  It would be great to hear and / or see what the trip was like.

  • Member since
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  • From: Midtown Sacramento
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Posted by Jetrock on Monday, July 9, 2007 12:41 PM
I rode/railfanned this route a couple of years ago, and plan on riding it this summer (pure coincidence, but a happy one) and it's a nice trip to railfan. The ride is actually smoother than the regular Colorado route. It takes longer because it goes out of the way--faster travel but more miles traveled.
  • Member since
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Posted by AmtrakRider on Monday, July 9, 2007 11:49 PM

I'm looking forward to riding myself, if I can get things worked out.

I note from elsewhere that a fair number of the train depot buildings in the various communities are still around.  I also am hoping the travel through / along the southern Wyoming Mtns and the Great Basin area will allow for some dramatic photographs . ..

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northern Nevada
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Posted by brad on Monday, July 16, 2007 4:39 PM

The train does arrive in Salt Lake City about an hour earlier when they operate through wyoming.

Ray Jones
  • Member since
    May 2007
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Posted by AmtrakRider on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 9:50 AM
 brad wrote:

The train does arrive in Salt Lake City about an hour earlier when they operate through wyoming.

So I've been noticing.  What about 6? is that getting into Denver any earlier? (didn't check that one)

  • Member since
    May 2007
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Posted by AmtrakRider on Saturday, July 28, 2007 11:26 PM
 brad wrote:

The train does arrive in Salt Lake City about an hour earlier when they operate through wyoming.

Salt Lake City residents have been noticing this.

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