Riding the California Zephyr
Вставка
- Опубліковано 21 жов 2024
- Take a ride from Salt Lake City to Grand Junction on the California Zephyr. Then look back at the history from the Exposition Flyer to the California Zephyr and the Rio Grande Zephyr. Beautiful scenes of the Ruby Canyon and Book Cliffs.
*********************************************************************
After the great flood of 1983 the Rio Grande Zephyr was retired and Amtrak took over the famous train. Our friend Mick Neiderhauser became engineer of the new version of the historic train. Today Mike still makes the trip twice a week, and another friend, Adam Pinales is conducted. Adam showed us around the train, and the clever Apple iPhones used to track the trains system wide as the amazing red rocks of Utah and Colorado speed past out window
****************************************************************
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The California Zephyr is a passenger train operated by Amtrak between Chicago, Illinois, and Emeryville, California (originally Oakland), via Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. At 2,438 miles (3,924 km) it is Amtrak's longest route after the Texas Eagle. Amtrak claims the route as one of its most scenic, with views of the upper Colorado River valley in the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada.
Before Amtrak, the California Zephyr (the CZ, or "Silver Lady") was a passenger train operated by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q), Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) and Western Pacific railroads, all which dubbed it "the most talked about train in America" on March 19, 1949, with the first departure the following day. It was scheduled to pass through the most spectacular scenery on its route in the daylight. The original train ceased operation in 1970, though the D&RGW continued to operate its own passenger service, the Rio Grande Zephyr, between Salt Lake City and Denver using the original equipment until 1983. Since 1983 the California Zephyr name has been applied to the Amtrak service, which operates daily and is a hybrid of the route of the original Zephyr and its former rival, the City of San Francisco.
During fiscal year 2012, the California Zephyr carried more than 376,000 passengers, an increase of 5.9% on 2011. The train had a total revenue of $47,605,728 in 2012, a 6.4% increase on 2011
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Please watch: "The Trains of Santa Cruz California"
• The Trains of Santa Cr...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
looks like a fantastic train ride. one of the greatest US train routes
YUP!!! Heading right back out too. Going to Denver, Glenwood, who knows, we may ride the whole line!!!
Great story, well told and documented. thank you!
Sure was a lot of fun! I can't wait to ride the Train again!! :D
Wonderful way to squeeze a couple of days into 17 minutes. Let the dream continue.
Fun ride. More coming on that trip, AND we are just back from chasing UP 844 on it's shake down runs. Amazing rebuild!!!!
I took the California Zephyr from Sacramento CA, to Provo. And it was my first major train trip I've taken so far. I loved it, and I would love to do it again.
We love it. Perhaps not for everyone but if you aren’t in a hurry and love scenery..... liking trains is always a plus too
Very enjoyable.....wonderful history and railroad trivia.....Thanks so much
You are SOOOOO welcome!! Love making these, love it when people watch and then tell us they like it. Makes it so rewarding.
Great video with so much to see wow thanks guys...
And LOVE these trains. Such history.
Another GREAT video! More, more!
Thank You for watching! There will definitely be more! :D
Thanks!!! Off to chase 844 in a few days!
Back in 1966, my wife and I rode the City of Los Angeles from San Diego to Salt Lake to visit friends for a couple of days. Her Grandpa was the engineer, way back when, on the City of Los Angeles, and held the time record for a while, probably in the late '40s or early '50s. She told me a story about the time he took her to a scrap yard where they were parting out old steam locomotives. She said he stood there, silently, with tears rolling down his cheeks.
My grandfather all but lived on that train. He was from Chicago. Always going back. Sometimes the Zephyr, but mostly the City of San Francisco or the City of Los Angeles.
I will always love the steam locomotives the best! :D
Excellent video guys. My wife and I took the Zephyr from Denver to Sacramento three years ago but missed the Utah part because of darkness. Glad we saw what we missed then.
great video, thanks for the history. I've been a fan of the California Zephyr since I found out it's one of the last great continental rail journeys. The Southwest chief being the other. Some fantastic terrain and landscapes. Thanks again.
Going back real soon. New stuff to cover!!
There are many Amtrak routes which have wonderful scenery. The mountains of Colorado between Denver and Salt Lake may be the best, but I have seen others. Cactus Jack country of West Texas, Marais Pass in Montana, Mount Shasta in Northern California, Appalachia in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia, even the corn fields of Illinois...
Another fantastic train episode from Mr. & Mrs. Funtime! Chooo Chooo baby! This was a beautiful excursion! Thank you! Hello to the Rat Fink!
Thanks, and keep watching! :)
One of my favorite episodes!
Ours too! What an experience! :D
I've wanted to ride the California Zephyr ever since I was a kid in the '50s when I used to see ads for it in the National Geographic magazine from way over here in Australia. I hope to finally make the trek to the States next year and ride the Zephyr all the way from Chicago to Emeryville. You've whetted my appetite even more. Thank you.
As my friend Mike was one of the engineers on the Rio Granade Zephyr, , on the nights when he brought the thing into Salt Lake, often I would go down to the depot and ride the train as they turned it on the wye. Love to do that again.
I've been on that train twice from Chicago all the way to Los Angeles it is a great ride.
joe yeah we're going to be back on the Zephyr to very soon. For now will have to put up with chasing 844 through Idaho!
Great train ride you had, and beautiful scenery to boot. Thanks.
Heading back too!!
Superb train and scenery. I love the old cars, like giant Airstreams.
I have grown fascinated with Air Stream. They are cool. BUT the Budd cars..... WOW. Most still running, many are used for excursions. www.calzephyrrailcar.com/
They don't seem large, when inside... But seem like buildings, from the outside! Impressive! :D
Aloha and the scenery alone with the train makes me wish that we were right there too!!!! Looking forward to the next episode
It's a great way to get where you want to be...
Denver is worth the trip. They've renewed it, using many other station ideas from across the country as inspiration. Great show here, if course. Thank you for it .
Love that area! Planning like 10 shows there this summer.
Another fun ride. I've always liked trains, particularly vintage trains. I rarely ever get to ride one, because where I'm going is not on its route.
They tell me I'm on a highway to hell. That explains the pot holes. But I'm pretty sure there is a train that goes that way as well. Publicly funded I'll bet.
I imagine.
Dale and Karyn, thanks for another great video. Thoroughly enjoyed the train ride on the California Zephyr.
It was a "first" for me! Riding an actual passenger train... especially the California Zephyr!! :D
Thanks!!!! We are going to ride right back soon too!! Found a guy building WWII German tanks in Junction!!
Simply great!
Heading back!! Found a guy who is building german tanks in Junction. WOW. And has one real one.
Indeed it was! Quite an experience! :D
Another great video!
Tom Klock A fun trip was had! And we're still screwing around and find ourselves today in lava Hot Springs Idaho chasing union pacific 844.
Great video. That looks like a great train trip.
It sure was a lot of fun! Do go for a train ride, every chance you get! :D
Loved the video! Thank you for another great episode!
Oh Gosh! What a lifting of my spirit. You guys are "over the top" on this adventure. Yep, could of come all the way into Roseville, CA and had a visit. This adventure comes on the heels of my Cousin and her family seeing the Union Pacific #844 at the historic Boise Depot, On the "Bench" in Boise. I tell you what, you two, the hair is still standing on my neck and arms from this golden trip. As always: A fantastic adventure. Greg and Jeanne
HI!! We are heading that way soon. Still figuring that out. Riding the train would be great!! But we need a car, so... But trains will be ridden!!!!
It was a un adventure! Definitely doing that again!! :D
Dale. Wife is gone for almost a month, so, borrow the van. It comes fully equipped with GSD fur. She is in S.C. to about mid may, maybe a week more. Having a kitchen built in our home in S.C. I am no longer portable so I don't go places. I wouldn't worry about your driving if you have all them custom Mustangs. LOL !
Just back from a great chase!!!! UP 844!! Totally rebuilt!! Like new!! Test runs on the OSL. WOW!!!!!
Good stuff as always. Thanks for the history lesson too!
Thanks!!! Next week, HO scale operations!!
Thanks for watching! :D
You are one of the best channels on UA-cam!
Gee thanks!!! Tell your friends. More the merrier! Again THANKS
Always enjoy all your videos!
Always enjoy making them. THANKS
One of your best episodes yet. I would love to see you and Karin do a series from SLC to CHI on the Zephyr. Always enjoy how you include the history of the areas you visit.Watching Toyman Television is a Sunday morning tradition, Thanks for a great video1
Planning that!! I have taken the whole train, years ago, Really want to get into the two stations in Omaha.
As long as we could talk the engineer into stopping at every point of interest along the way... Could take a while! :D
:)
Again, thanks for the great Friday Night ride on the CA Zephyr Toy Man n Woman.................
:)
Doing that again soon!!!
I love the western mountain area but your mountains are often totaly naked of trees.
Over 3 decades ago I took a train from NYCity to Montreal Canada, perhaps I passed by and saw millions of lovely full size trees all over the east coast's Mini Mountains...
Keep up the good work sharing your toys..............
You guys are awesome! One of theses days id like to meet yall, who knows never say never 😎😎 take care be safe enjoyed the video
Fun show tomorrow! Denver model railroad club at golden Colorado
Riding this train is cheaper than a bus, amazing!
Need to do it again. Still a cheep way to get around. With gas at $6.
Thank you for this great video. You brought back some wonderful memories of my recent travels on the California Zephyr. I just love you guys amazing presentation style. Keep ‘em coming.
And I’m so jealous you got to ride the old CZ. That must have been amazing. I have memories of seeing ads for it in old National Geographic mags from the late 1950s when I was just a kid.
Dale you make some of the best content on youtube...wonderful stories, beautiful video, excellent narration, top notch production. I look forward to them every week. Why you don't have a couple hundred thousand subscribers is beyond me. Thanks for putting these out for us!
That is the goal!! Do share! We sure have a lot of fun making these! The more the merrier!! :D
wow I really love your adventure
Heading right back soon. Engeneer Mike found a guy in Junction who builds WWII German tanks as a hobby!! Full sized, just thinner steel as he's not worried armor!! AND he has a real one too. Has built 2. Starting a third.
wow I can't wait to see
Great video. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your viewership! :D
Off in a few minutes to a hot springs... AND locomotive 844
Will look forward to that video! Safe travels!!
Just back. WOW. 844 looks like it's new! Perfect. Amazing. Stayed in a 100 year old hotel on top of a hot spring. Baths in the basement. Weird. Fun. NICE!!!
We took that ride several years ago (to Denver). You're lucky. It didn't get light for us until we hit Price.
You need to take the Zephyr to Denver sometime, though. The drop from the Moffat Tunnel down to Denver through the Tunnel Division is incredible.
I typed too fast (close to the beginning of the video). We hit Caboose Hobbies on our trip, too.
Doing that SOON!!!
Hi Guys, another great video but this time I can say I have been there!! When in the States in 2015, I did my whole 10 weeks by Amtrak, rode over 12 different trains including the "Zephyr" 3 times! I can't speak highly enough of the scenery and service on all the Amtrak
trains, the staff were fantastic and most of the time the trains were full, so people are using them??. As you said, the scenery rivals some of the best tourist railroads and the food is top notch. We were 10hrs late leaving Denver due to a freight train derailment so we got to go through Salt lake around lunch and got to see Bonneyville and the spectacular scenery after that. I will do a video to thank the train crews as I think they deserve a lot more for the services they provide.
It was the best way to see your country and meet "real" down to earth yanks..LOL....not the ones we see on TV!
Keep up the good work and btw, it's nice to hear Karen doing some voice over , you're both very soothing to listen too.
Cheers Gregg
FishplateFilms we have plans to ride the Zephyr again in just a few weeks. Lovely Train! Miss the old one but the new one is just fine. Right now we are out chasing union pacific 844 through Idaho!
HI again!! We just rolled in from chasing the UP 844 Northern.WOW!!!! Totally rebuilt. New firebox. New part on the frame. Now looks like the day it rolled off the assembly floor. These were test runs from the roundhouse to northern Idaho. In Ogden tonight. Thursday to Green River, then home to the roundhouse in Cheyenne. We are heading there in 3 weeks to see the shops and see how the Big Boy is doing...
Look forward to the video as always!
Cheers Gregg.
The scenery alone is reason for the US Government to enable funding for trains like the California Zephyr and the Coast Starlight. Spectacular! And representative of the these great United States. Scenery you can't, for the most part, see while driving on the Interstate highways.
Very true, lets hope sanity prevails???
As a youth and young man, I used to take the CB&Q/D&RGW/WP California Zephyr from Chicago all the way through to Oakland. I remember the dining service on that train as wonderful. There was real silver utensils and serving dishes on tables covered in real linen tablecloths and napkins. Each table, for every service, there was a fresh carnation on each table. In Denver they would put fresh trout on and we'd have that for dinner in the Mountains. Mmmmm! Unfortunately that sort of service is no longer practiced by Amtrak.
At least they got rid (mostly) of the cars that were supposed to make you think you were in a jet, small, cramped and microwave food. Not sure what they were thinking there. Better now, but still not as good as "the good old days". Still though, better, way better, and still running.
Yeah, but there was nothing like the quality and comfort of those old Budd cars! Even though when I rode the Zephyr, those cars were getting a little weary. On our Grand Tour trip, we were particularly dismayed at the quite shoddy condition of the Amtrak cars used on the Empire Builder. I guess its just a name for a train any longer. Not indicative of the grand transportation experience of "before".
Wow, what a great video from inside the Zephyr! And what timing! Just yesterday I shot and posted on my UA-cam channel a railfanning video of the Zephyr passing through Glenwood Canyon, Colorado (just east of Glenwood Springs). It's too bad you didn't go that far. The view inside that canyon is truly spectacular. Your "screwing around" in Grand Junction looked like loads of fun! -from Tom Pilling
Heading right back!!! Found a guy building WWII German tanks in Junction!! And on to Denver, and Glenwood. I used to take the RG Zephyr to Denver several times a summer. And then it was gone..... Took the Amtrak version a few times, but life was getting in the way. Could not get time off any more. SO nice to get back to something I used to do and love, AND with Karyn now!!! Life is good....
We have been "spotted" before.... at Tangle-foot Pass.. on a goose!! You never know! We do love to wave at onlookers!! :D
Karyn, it's great now that you're taking a more active role in helping Dale narrate these outstanding videos. Your voice-overs alongside Dale's in the last 2 videos really add to the success of this great channel! -from Tom Pilling
Thanks!! :D
A great memory ride for me. I've never had good video equipment; and, on my last trip on the Zepher in '85, all I had was my film camera. God knows where those canisters wound up! So, this was a wonder blast from the pass for me. I remembered every scene you showed! Unfortunately, back then, the air conditioners on all the cars were stuck on high and I wound up being sick my two weeks back in Colorado. The return to California was much better, but I was still pretty green. I loved how you mentioned you took the train to Denver just to go to Caboose Hobbies! That's hobby dedication. '85 was my one an only visit to CH. I was back again in Colorado in '96 (applying to Aurora, CO as a cop) but had no extra money or any better excuse to take the side trip to visit CH again. Such were the days modeling Life in 1 to 1 Scale. I always love ya'll's shirts. Sweet.
Found caboose in the 1970s. Love at first site. Little hole in the wall place, yet if you asked for a 40' Garfield reefer in green they went somewhere and came back with it!! Then the move to the BIG store. WOW. Then they enlarged that. I went mostly to just SEE all the brass, and bag any castings I needed. Often left with a Brass loco in spite of coming in just for a snow plow or something. Glad to see it's coming back!!!! All the old shot in here are on 35mm film. Need to get the negatives scanned!! PS did you know Caboose also sold Bag Pipes? Weird....
Bag Pipes? And, here they knew I was Scottish! They'll not be lookin' up me kilt any time soon!
I admire your abilities with the computer and putting all ya'll do together for us. My best friend is a graphics wizard! I feel so unworthy to watch stuff, but constantly tell him, you, anybody, that if I knew one, one thousandth of what ya'll know, I be absolutely dangerous. Looking forward to next weeks "film".
At the Narrow Gauge Convention in the 80's and 90 the Caboose guys "piped in" the awards. Fun!!!
I have rode it also from slc ut to truckee calif or los Angeles its been really fun going west mt friend on this amrak train
Love riding trains.
Toy Man Television - When we decided to try Amtraking, we had to be very conscience about the altitude restrictions my cardio doc gave me when this death sentence CHF disease was discovered, un-pressurized limit is 4500 feet. Needless to say that nixed my first choice of either the Empire Builder or the California Zephyr so we chose a bedroom sleeper on the Chicago to LA Texas Eagle and despite being 6 hours late into LA, we had a GREAT time both ways!! In the mean time I watch UA-cam videos from people riding the Empire Builder and California Zephyr to enjoy the scenery I'll never be able to see and cry in my wine [I can't drink beer during the winter].
The only thing we were disappointed with enough to write Amtrak about was the food in the dining car. It sounds better on the menu and looks better in the Amtrak promos than it does when plated and put in front of you.
Our next Amtrak trip is a bedroom sleeper on the Chicago to Nawlins on the City of New Orleans this March, hubby grew up there 'til he was 10 when he and his parents moved to Chicago and YES it's pronounced Nawlins! We visited a few years ago and he wants to go back.
Another GREAT video, thanks Glen and Karyn!!
Nice video's! I also like the backing track music that your using. Who is doing the swing / gypsy jazz tunes and where did you find them?? Thanks
Get most of everything from Smart Sound. www.smartsound.com/
I'll check it out, Thanks!!
Hey Dale, the next time you take Amtrak's California Zephyr eastbound, don't get off the train in Glenwood Springs or else you'll miss the spectacular views in Glenwood Canyon just to the east. The 10-mile long canyon offers perhaps the most picturesque scenes of Mother Nature along the entire Zephyr route between Chicago and San Francisco. Instead, take the train all the way to Denver, stay the night and then return on the westbound Zephyr. You'll pass through Glenwood Canyon once more. Then you can de-train in Glenwood Springs and soak your weary bones in those wonderful hot springs. -from Tom Pilling
Great advice!! In the plans, for sure! Loved the trip.. and really want to get to Glenwood Springs... :D
YES!! I have never gotten off in Glenwood, but taken the rail trip like 10 times, and driven 70 more than that. And still, never spent any time on Glenwood. Karyn and I will be fixing that this year! AND doing to Denver - Golden - Ft Collins and so on. AND Pikes Peak!! I have footage of riding steam half way up the mountain. WOW~!!!!!
That's wonderful landscape. If I ever start another layout, it would be about the Rio Grande and the Zephyr. This video confirmed it.
But for now, I will play with my European narrow gauge and my Digitrax Zephyr (at least I have some sort of Zephyr!)
Planning a bit of red rocks in the back yard railroad. About 30 feet long, 6 feet tall, tracks at about 4 feet up. Big trestle with Warren truss in the middle. Then heads south on a long trestle about 40 feet long to a mountain area. I see it in my mind.....
Then you will have to post it to You Tube!! :D
what a great video, you guys look like you had a great time! As always it's fabulous being cool and subscribed. I have become the envy of all my Facebook friends and neighbors, what a place to be. in all seriousness, if you make it to the east coast we'd love to meet up.
Plan on getting out that way again. SO MUCH TO SEE.
Our train was delayed 5 hours from a landslide just after Glenwood Springs! It was cool to see the crew back the train up to a siding. Nice staff and nice train though. Food and scenery was amazing. Would definitely ride again.
By the way, did you see the line of mothballed locomotives in the Grand Junction yard? They were mostly UP, but some HCLX and GATX. There were so many of them.
Another catchup I thoroughly enjoyed.
(btw I thought I saw Lot's poor long suffering wife earlier on)
don't ever look back...
Would it be alright to use this footage of the train for a video project? I would credit you as the source, of course.
Sure. If you can download it.
I used to work in Emeryville. I was within walking distance of the Emeryville station.
Beautiful place
Beautiful senery
Did you watch the Moab car show? Not trains, but what a place!!!!!!!!
That's Utah for ya! A different, and beautiful vista at every turn of the road... Or in this case... Track! :D
When the Zephyr was Western Pacific I had an opportunity to ride it from Sacramento to Portola CA. Later I rode the Amtrak Zephyr from Sacramento to Provo (Utah) for a job interview... Did not get the job but enjoyed the ride.
That is quite the ride!!! Continuing East it’s still amazing. The great zephyr
I love your videos. I’m planning on travelling from Australia to take the California Zephyr in May 2018 from San Francisco to Chicago. I was curious to know if it would still be daylight at that time of year when it travels through the Moffat Tunnel. I know it’s a bit odd but I have a childhood dream to get a shot of the eastern portal of the Moffat tunnel from the back of the train. Hope you can help. Thank you. Keep up the great videos.
I remember my grandma and grandpa telling me about dining on the Missouri Pacific and Frisco rail roads back in the mid 50's and they always talked about how good the food was. But they also mentioned the silver ware, dishes and glass ware was just beyond the best. I hope one my wife and I can take a trip like the California Zephyr and have a real train experience. But first she needs to experience the Durango and Silverton. Along with the Cumbres and Toltec; because as we rail road buff know.......that's the good stuff.
Back in the day the Zephyr would pick up rainbow trout in Denver. It was the featured menu item in the diner. Gone now. I'm OK with that. Now a fish fan, yet I always ate the trout on the Zephyr. It was tradition.
That, was, wonderful! Beautiful, scenic, inspiring! Riding the rails, and the California Zephyr. Does it get any better than that? I may not comment often, but I am an avid watcher of your videos and I appreciate every one, and the effort you two put in on them. Oh, the music selections for this one? Very nice! Keep on, keeping on! :)
Found that music, loved it and bought rights just 4 days ago. Love it!!
It was a nice trip! Great vistas... No.. It doesn't get much better than that! Thanks for your viewership!
My favorite California zephyr is the one on the Chicago Burlington and Quincy line
I was on the Eastbound CZ in December of '21 and the Grand Junction Depot is in the same condition.
One time when I was riding the Amtrak California Zephyr one of the AMD-103 locomotives caught on fire just west of Denver.
My train got into Salt Lake after sunrise and passed the eastbound Zephyr at 13th south in Salt Lake.
Oddly that would happen!! I was once that train, and out in Nevada in the middle of the night, the whole train shuddered made a horrid noise and stopped. Mike and the crew got off, I was on the 10 car (I had sneaked onto the train in Salt Lake) and we sat there for hours. Crew died at dawn, and a few hours later a new set of locos arrived with a fresh crew. We were broken down for like 8 hours. A piston had come right through the side of the engine on the unit making head end power!! FP 45 as I recall.....
For some reason.. That reminded me of the movie, "Planes Trains and Automobiles"... When that poor guy was trying to get home for Thanksgiving.. His flight was canceled due to weather... met up with the shower-curtain-fellow.. who was trying to "help"... They decided to go by rail... but the engine caught fire... and they had to walk through a field to get a ride back to the station.... ANYWAY. Love to see those trains passing each other! I swear they wave at each other, in passing! Thanks for watching!! :D
Hum.... great movie lines.... THOSE ARN'T PILLOWS!!
Delightful! :-)
Heading back that way soon. Just got back from following the test runs of UP 844. Still testing. Done on Friday. WOW, it looks new.
Awesome. Looking forward to it!
Great video! Really enjoyed the background music on this one... do you mind advising the artist / album used in this episode? Best regards from down under
The music is new! We wanted to try something different.. and this seems perfect! Thanks for watching!!
Love that music!! I get it from SmartSound. I get a good deal. I have like 100 CDs from them. Pay 25 per CD with rights. And the software lets me totally change the music, make it any length, add in instruments take out instruments. This is called "Just Browsing" www.smartsound.com/royalty-free-music/
A couple of years ago we rode from San Antonio to Los Angeles and up to Seattle and onward to Milwaukee, We rode on Amtrak taking the Sunset Limited to LA, the Coast Starlight to Seattle and the final leg to Milwaukee on the Empire Builder. All three trains had the same menu for all three meals. So you say the Zephyr has its own menu???
Not sure on that. Great history of great food, still god, but not sure if its the same as others.
You guys were sorta enthusiastic about the food on the Zephyr. A point to note is that the Amtrak Zephyr menu is the same as on all other Amtrak trains. Noting special like it used to be before Amtrak. I remember that they used to put on fresh Rocky Mountain trout during the morning stop (westbound) at Denver. That night it was such a treat to have the broiled trout served on real china with heavy silver utensils and serving pieces. Back then each name train had special menu items unique to only that train. It still is a beautiful trip. But, unfortunately, not as beautiful; as during the heyday of the Silver Lady!
Yup. I had that trout sever times. Glory. Rio Grande zephyr also had good eats as I recall. Sad. All gone. But this doesn’t suck. Still better than Delta Air.
Very nice, this is definitely one of my favorite episodes. Are you still going to do a show on 844 when it goes through Weber Canyon on Thursday? I've been looking forward to seeing it since you announced a few weeks ago that it was going to be featured on the show.
YES!!!!! And heading to Cheyenne for the Sherman Hill show in a few weeks.
Planning for that now! We will jump in the car, and head 'em off at the pass! :D
Seeing the country from a boxcar is grand also until you get caught...LOL,LOL... Use to be all you had to do was to out run the watchman now days it's not that way.... Not to many hobos out there like it was in the 60's and early 70's... from St. Joseph Mo. to Springfield, Mo. to St. Louis, Mo. and all the fun points in between... Of course hitch hiking back then was awesome back then too. You meant a lot of nice people and some not so nice... But now in my golden years I'll stick to my Cam Am Spyder... LOL,LOL,LOL....
It's been fun watching you kids have a good old time. Thanks for sharing. And taking my mind back too a long time ago... Growing up in the 50& 60's was the best years to grow up in... Life was hard at times BUT it sure was fun also!!!!!
Hoped a freight for a documentary in the 70's Weird! Bunch of people showing off for the camera. Glad no one (mostly myself) was killed. Hum... wonder what became of that show....
That would be cool if you could find it!!!!
I don't have it, but KUTV might. The show was called Extra.
I love taking the amtrak train from SLC TO FORT MORGAN CO. If I drive it takes 8 1/2 hours, take a plane, it takes 80 minutes and taking the train...around 16 hours. Leaving from Fort Morgan and back to SLC @ 6am and arrive @ 12:30am...by train is always funnier if time is not the issue.
Its a great ride!!!! Everyone should do it at least once in their life. Until people ride these trains they don't understand what a great experience it is.
If time is "of the essence"... Jet travel will certainly get one to their destination in jig-time... But riding on a train, makes time.... Time to watch the scenery go by.. Time to see the country from another angle... so different than highway travel. The train takes on a life-like persona. The train knows the way.. and it's pulling you along, showing you the sights which it is familiar with, with every turn of the track! Quite an experience! :D
On the old Rio Grande the Zephyr is the star of the show.
Recommended trip!! Rode the Zephyr from Chicago to Reno in 2010 and will do this again in the near future. After Reno we took the car through the Feather River Canyon, yes that's the former Western Pacific route the pre-Amtrak Zephyr took from Reno Junction to Oroville. The Feather River Canyon might be a good one for an epsiode! Lot's of RR memories there and a fabulous museum in Portola. Ask Adam, he knows (or me..lol)! Cheers from Holland, Fred Jansz
I have a tiny amount of footage of 3985 in the Feather River canyon. What a place!!!!! And the museum in Portola is great. We plan on staying in a caboose there at some point! FUN.
UP 3985 in The Canyon is a bit like cursin' in the church but sure looks cool. And of course you'll let The Lady run a locomotive around the museum's loop (not kidding!). Did that myself and it's a must when you're there. They have a few original Zephyr cars -among many others- and are restoring a WP 0-6-0 switcher. Don't forget William's Loop, Quincy Junction, Keddie Wye, the other spectacular bridges and the Feather River Railway, now buried under the hundreds of feet of water of Lake Oroville. When in former division point Oroville, check the remains of the giant roundhouse that are still visible (behind a fence).
Just back from chasing UP 844!! Total rebuild!!! Just like NEW!!! Wow!!
Great video! I've never been able to ride the Zephyr, but I've taken the Empire Builder a few times... half dozen maybe? Almost always from Grand Forks to Minneapolis-Saint Paul and back, but one time I rode it all the way to La Crosse. I'd really like to take it west one time, see the mountains of Montana and Washington from the rails. There's really no better way to just see the country, I think.
Did you have a chance to ride on trains pulled by the F40PH? What did you think of that compared to the current Genesis locomotives? I also wonder how the ride has been on Union Pacific trackage- Empire Builder runs on BNSF track, and the worst I ever had for delays was Thanksgiving 2013, but that's a story for another day.
The F40's blew up a lot. I really liked them. Seemed like the last of the real F units. And I LOVE F units. I have a bunch of F 9's in HO. UP paint. One set is a 3 unit lashup that can't be run separately. Motor in one unit, drive shafe through the whole set, with helical gears on each truck. I have pulled 100 cars with them and not even working hard. showed a picture in the Atomic Train show. Need to finish those, all they need are lights and electronics. AND scratch builder Don is building 2 Genesis locos in 1/35 scale, #1 gauge. Building out of steel!!! (long story why) BUt they are amazing. Working computer screens! Will be a show if he EVER FINISHES THEM!!! oscaleguys.com/sites/Models/Trains/locomotives-rolling-stock-big-uggly.html
For early part of my life, I was the one watching from the sidelines, watching.. waving... But it is much more fun to be one with the action, and waving back! I guess what I am trying to say... If there is something you really want to do.. Find a way to do it. For me.. Travel.. Be it Plane Train or Automobile. Riding a passenger train is something I always wanted to experience. What a fun adventure! :D
I have heard that riding the *Zephyr* _is a breeze._
{I'll see myself to the door now...😉}
What a great idea Dale!
Have you taken the train the other direction to Sacramento or San Francisco?
Mark Evans - SLC
Yes!! Been over the whole line at some point. Chi town to Frisco. The best parts are west of Denver to just east of Junction, Junction to Helper, Spanish Fork Canyon, and the Feather River Canyon in California. Denver east is all the same. But the depots in Omaha!! Old, broken down, abandoned yet amazing!!! And the station in Chicago. Wow!! Right on the river.
Next time you're in Grand Junction check out the Cross Orchards museum! The model railroad club there models the Rio Grande route there.
Did you see the show on that? We went and they were closed. Still planning to get back at some point!
I film and ride on the Amtrak California Zephyr from Reno, Nevada to Sacramento, California. It happened on the fall of 2017.
Rode the original CZ. What an experience.
Me too. CZ and Rio Grande Zephyr. And a track CZ.
The far right formation on "transportation mountain" could as well be an EMD low-hood diesel locomotive!
Hum.... Good point!
I love Transportation Mountain! It's like looking at cloud formations... I see different trains, ships, semi trucks etc.. with different angles too. Fun to see! :D
Next summer I'm going to ride the Zephyr from Chicago to Denver my grandfather and I are going to ride some Colorado railroads but we'll be riding 3/4s the county from Pennsylvania to Denver and I can't wait
I am excited for you! Some of my favorite memories are those spent with my grandparents! I hope you have the best time ever! :D
Awesome! Take lots of photos - video. It will be a treasure for the rest of your life.
How many states does California Zephyr passes in order to reach Los Angeles ? How long was the journey ? Do Zephyr follows the same route or different if it has any ? Can you phrase the name of the Engine in California Zephyr ?
Hi. It follows the original route mostly. From Chicago Illinois south west across Iowa to Omaha Nebraska. Across Nebraska to Denver Colorado. Across Colorado to salt Lake City Utah. Across Utah and Nevada to Reno Nevada. Into California over Donner Summit to Sacramento. The original route there was the feather river canyon but now Donner Pass. From Sacramento to Oakland in the Bay Area. So totally crosses 5 states and a bit of Illinois. Doesn’t go to Los Angeles and no longer a connection to Los Angeles.
I took some photos of Transportation Rock a couple days ago, but can't find the spot on Google Maps. Do you know where it is, exactly?
*EDIT* Nevermind, I found it. 39.069826, -110.197962
Shows best from the tracks. Appropriate
some of the original Zephyr cars are used in privet trains and I had help restore one for the used the North Shore Scenic RR
Planning on taking one at some point! www.calzephyrrailcar.com/
I am rather enjoying Karyn's additions to the latest videos, keep up the good work guys!
Thanks for watching too! :D
The CZ actually ran to Oakland.
Yup. Jack London Square. But from there you could ride the light rail to San Francisco or really anywhere in the Bay Area.
Just imagine - you can take the train from Chicago the land of Jennifer to the town of Helper in Utah. But we do not know if Utah is known as a land of Jennifer; it's basically known as the land of Mormons although churches of other faiths can be found within Utah. Altogether, a trip to Utah sounds mighty fine to me. BTW, I'm currently doing a scenario on Microsoft Train Simulator on Soldier Summit in Utah on Union Pacific's former Rio Grande.
I want to try that train simulator program. It sounds like in a Normas amount of fun. There are many Mormons in Utah more in some areas than others. I have suggested that the town of Provo south of here should actually be the real Motown.
Excellent - thanks for the info
I wonder how much inflation and supply/labor shortages brought the cost up to to ride this since 2017?
I don’t think it has. Not sure. Amtrak has a pricing thing. Four prices. Tickets start at the lowest price. Once 25% are sold the price goes up to the second price. And so on. The key is buy super early and get the lowest price.
I rode on the California Zephyr.
Is that fun or WHAT??
No I actually did ride the train from the Windy City to Sacramento and saw UP Hartage unit 1996.
Cool!
Thanks.
I rode the California Zephyr from Denver to Glenwood Springs and back from Jan 1st to Jan 2nd! Whats pretty funny is that I left Denver at 8 AM and came back at 8 PM the next day! The power for the trip was non other than the my top 1 favorite P42DC #1 with #202 in the back! I hope Trump dosent replace Amtrak forever! I shall be enraged if he did!
Bruce Tharpe the bad thing is congress is so screwed up they can't do anything. The good news is that keeps trump from doing much. Hope he keeps his hands of all trains. Unless he wants to build a layout in the basement of the White House in which case I'll help build it. For a million dollars. Unless it's penn central, then its 2 million. Because it will go broke and he can get government grants to save it for over 30 million do I just want my share. Hum. Call it 3 million. Fairs fair.
I would say in the middle of the morning the wee hours of the night I just call the middle of the morning
I was a vampire in a previous life. Er.. can you say vampire and life? Anyway up all night. Asleep all day.
Hey guys, love your videos, but heard Holy Cr** at 12:40. Haven't heard that language before?
Oh crap. I mean poo. Oops. Sorry.
:)
Zephyr. [Cover picture of video misspelled]
Oops.
@@ToyManTelevision: Hahaha! That'd be MY luck!! Only I'd do it all the way thru & forget to spell check!!
Good thing I 'got it'!!
Wonder how many will go on thinking that's how it's spelled?, even tho you caught it IN the vid!!😉👍
Ride the Rio grande scenic railroad
On our list!! Almost rode it last year. Perhaps this fall.
BETTER FOR YOUR CHOLESTEROL...THEN EASTER EGGS
You are absolutely correct! Too many easter eggs.. and they will be rolling Dale and I down the hill!! :D
HOW ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE MORNING AS I CALL IT FIGURATIVELY
Great video! I just hope trump doesn't get his way. His budget plan kills the Amtrak western routes only preserving the northeast routes.
Like to see Trump figure it out. Stick him on the Zephyr for the day. No cell phone service in many places so few tweets. Like to se America figure this out as well. People will pay a fortune to ride a ship through the islands, but not drop 45 on a trip through the Rocky Mountains.
Thanks for watching! Maybe somebody should put Trump on-a-train.. like Amtrak.. and let him really SEE this wonderful country.. I mean... Really see it! This trip was really a great experience... I would encourage everyone to ride a passenger train at least once in their lives! Really... take in the vista! :D
I hear you, RCDesertRat. If Trump has his way, he'll spend all of our taxpayer money (not Mexico's) to build the border wall, leaving our great land north of the Mexican border as barren and devoid of anything worthwhile as he systematically dismantles iconic American institutions such as Amtrak just to pay for his wall. -from Tom Pilling
On/under. Tomato - tomayto!!! ;-)
I am all for keeping and increasing ridership on trains. Used to be there were tracks, thousands of miles of tracks, north-south and not just east to west. But, if people don't ride, which they don't, and freight makes more money over the same rail, well, it should be obvious what is going to win. This is not so much a Trump problem, as the owners, operators and maintainers of those rails don't want the passenger service on them either. Freight is preferred. It makes a lot more income per mile of track. It is a lack of passengers problem. This results in a, it is loosing money, proposition. It is easy to blame this on an administration. It is not so simple. People would rather be sardines in a can in an airplane, or drive their cars anymore than take the train. Fix that, start pushing train passenger service, increase its reliability, and more, make it a going concern. Which I would be, and am, all for. Saddest thing in the world to me, growing up, was watching the rails, one branch after another, being torn up, and great passenger runs, like the Milwaukee road, perish.