Denver and the California Zephyr

[rjemery]

I just learned that Amtrak's California Zephyr, after a three year hiatus, recently returned to Denver, CO, on its route between Chicago and Emeryville, CA.  Why was Denver bypassed, and what was the route during those three years?

[NorthWest]

The route was the same. I think you are referring to  Denver Union Station being closed for renovation for three years. Amtrak stopped at a temporary station nearby.

[rjemery]

Ah! Thanks for the clarification.

Did Amtrak ever have a route that took it through Wyoming?

[MidlandMike]

rjemery

Ah! Thanks for the clarification.

Did Amtrak ever have a route that took it through Wyoming?

Yes, at least twice.  At first in 1971 when D&RGW did not join Amtrak, at Denver ATK went north and crossed Wyoming on the UP.  About 1983 D&RGW joined ATK, and the Zepher used it's present route thru Colorado.  In the 1990's the Pioneer was rerouted from its connection with the Zepher at Salt Lake, to a connection further east at Denver, so the Pioneer section also went thru  Wyo. on the UP.  I took that train in 1993.  The Pioneer has been discontinued since then.

[rjemery]

I personally feel the routes of the Pioneer and Desert Wind should be reactivated.  I realize that these trains would unlikely be economically viable, but that is offset by the need to offer alternative transportation and to prevent the regions they would serve from becoming further isolated.

If it were left to me, I would mandate Amtrak run all is long distance trains on a twice a day schedule each way twelve hours apart, so that any station would see four trains per day.  With such frequency, I am certain ridership would increase substantially. I would also revive those trains and routes that connect major metropolitan areas. I would like to see, for example:

Cheyenne - Denver - Albuquerque - El Paso,
Denver - Fort Worth,
very frequent Los Angeles - Las Vegas, and
San Francisco - Sacramento - Reno service as well.

Some of those routes would require substantial track realignment and upgrades to maintain minimal 79 mph speeds between stops.  Oh well, it's nice to dream.

[Kevin C. Smith]

I was fortunate enough to ride the Desert Wind, Chicago-Las Vegas a few times. Never made the Pioneer, for which I am unhappy... However, I, too, have speculated on a second, 12 hour difference schedule for some of Amtrak's LD trains. It would allow much more convenient service to substantial places like Omaha, Salt Lake City and Spokane.

[rjemery]

Yes, we thought the trains would run forever.  I rode the various AT&SF Chiefs and El Cap. I wish I rode more western trains while they were still in their heyday. 

[doug u]

We took the Zephyr from Denver to Emeryville about 2 years ago. Only problems we face was large rocks on the tracks. The Zepher went straight west out of Denver and into the mountains . But it nice not having to drive all the miles back home.