I suspect this is off topic, but I’m too excited not to mention it. After years of modeling, I’ve never ridden a REAL passenger train. I’m booked on Amtrak in two weeks… California Zephyr from Nevada to Denver in a Roomette.
Any tips or cautions fromt hose who’ve done it?
Its a very bumby ride. Clickity clack clickity clack… But its a good way to see the country side.
Sounds like fun. I’ve never rode the route but there are a few tips that are NOT serious at all:
NEVER pull the emergency brake (if any) to grab a lollipop that fell out the window.
DON’T miss the train (This one is serious)
If you plan on leaning outside the train, keep you’re feet on the ground.
NEVER throw the engineer out of the train so you can “play” with the controls.
AND 5) if there is no dining car, bring snacks (if the trip is very LONG).
disclaimer: these tips are NOT serious at all. listening to these will result in serious injury or lawsuits. this is to be used as a joke ONLY.
Between meal hours the dining car is a great place to hang out, quite often you can find board games or non-gambling card games going on. It’s a good place to meet other passengers on the train. The windows are not crowded with seats, so quite often the view is better.
Snacks are very expensive ( IIRC $1.50 for an apple 10-12 yrs ago ), bring a bunch of your own to much on. Meals are expensive, but, tasty.
Take a bathroom break 15 min or so before the train comes to a station, or you may have to wait awaile, because they lock the restrooms while in town.
At stops, they may let passengers that are continuing, off to streach their legs or they may not. Some it depends on how long the stop is. If the do, take advantage of it, to loosen up and move around, and take proto-type pics.
Not a good idea to ask to see the engine up close or view the cab - even before 9-11, it made them nervious.
I don’t have any expereance with roomettes.
The novelty of the sleeper will not let you sleep the first night.
You will be wanting out of that little sleeper by the last day.
And dont pity the cattle in coach.
I rode the CZ from Omaha to Oakland (Emeryville) in June. Plan on the following:
The train will be LATE. The UP does everything it can to screw up Amtrak’s schedule. Westbound, we were 7 hours late pulling into Emeryville, 4 hours late into Omaha eastbound. (This contrasts with the BNSF, which expedites Amtrak trains .)
Roomettes are SMALL. There is barely room to turn around when configured for daytime seating. At night, that room disappears. There is zero headroom when the upper berth is down.
They no longer lock the restrooms in stations. All Amtrak trains are equipped with waste tanks (like a motor home). Showers and restrooms are on the lower floor of the sleepers.
Food quality has improved - I recommend the french toast for breakfast, and the sirloin burger for lunch or dinner.
Amtrak personnel are friendly, hard-working, and very concerned with the well-being of their passengers. They will do everything they can to make you comfortable.
The ride is not all that bumpy. It will take a bit before you get your “train legs”, though. Remember to keep your feet apart when walking through the cars, and hold onto everything available.
The ride goes through some beautiful country, though. Enjoy! It’s not about the destination, but about the journey!
The Cal Zephyr is not all that great of a train, but it is comfortable. Since you have a roomette, you can use the parlour car. That will give you more room and a better view of the fabulous scenery. You should enjoy it. Bill
We took the Empier Builder from St Paul to Seattle last fall. It was a great trip, 3 days. We had a blast. Food was ok. My biggest disappointment was that I could not see the bridges, we were on them. We were glad we did it, probably will not do it again.
Advice? Bring lots of patience, this is not 1930s style first class travel.
Take a good camera and bring us back a lot of interesting pictures.
Save some money for passenger cars when you get home!
Last Nov, I rode the Grand Canyon train and that was the first time for me as well. Had never been on train with exception of one short, but fun-filled, intense cab ride with my 6 year old son in a GP-40.
When I got back from the grand Canyon I had to get some. I never had much intrest in passenger cars. After the trip, I was gawking at them all. Yeah, I bought some Santa Fe’s…got plans for more too.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. In spite of the good suggestion to not ask for permission to see the cab, I’ll probably still do it… hope I don’t get scowls (or worse).
And Canazar, you’re right… I’ll probably be wanting a passenger train now for the layout. The good news: we disembark at Denver — I hear Caboose Hobbies calling my name!
I blogged a CZ trip in July. You may find it interesting: http://zephyr.midnightrailroader.com
Some small points that might help, don’t check luggage unless you have to, and if you do, keep your bags under 50 lbs. They charge extra. Just take some goodies for snacks, amtrax didn’t have much the last time we traveled and they want too much. The meals were very good, but the menu doesn’t change. They just run out of some meals as the train travels on…Otherwise enjoy yourself and I hope the weather is very good for you’ll. It was for us. Loved the trip from SLC to Denver…
As others have said a roomette is small, but much better than coach. I personally prefer the bedrooms (they have a private bathroom), so I recommend as you are checking in at the station, check with the agent to see if you could upgrade. Sometimes upgrades are really cheap right at departure time.
Others have mentioned the expense of the meals in the dining car. Unless they have changed things recently you don’t have to worry about that. The last time that I road meals are included with the 1st class room. Ditto for snacks. Your first class fare gives you a certain number of snack shop tickets. Also there are occasionally special events for first class passengers. We had a Midnight “wine and cheese” gathering leaving east out of Denver once.
If you want a seat in the lounge car (with the scenery view windows) while going through the mountains, you have to get there and stake out a place long before you get to Grand Junction. I think I moved up at “Green River”. Of course the view out of your roomette is better than coach window anyway since it is “all yours”.
We always take a “Railbaron”, “Railroad Tycoon”, or “Empire Builder” table game to play in the lounge OR the dining car after they have served the last meal. Dining car is better because the tables are bigger. There is not enough time for games like “1830”, “Silverton” or “Rails Through the Rockies”.
Don’t know your transportation situation in Denver, but you can get on the light rail right there at Union Station. Take it to the Alameda station walk across the K-mart & Sam’s Club parking lots and you are at Caboose.
dont forget your 100.00 per night beer voucher card…
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I’ll report back!
Bring a few good books!!! Also, tongs for the shower/walk down the hall. Snacks are a must! Enjoy! I had fun on Via from Vancouver to Jasper, but I have little experience with Amtrak!
Brian
Don’t fill your coffee cup to the top. It will slosh. An old trick from way back is to put a small piece of bread in the cup to disipate the waves.