Good point the narrator makes “To me less clutter makes space less claustrophobic...” or words to that effect. I like that finding it a very apt reminder.
Excellent video, really enjoyed it, felt like I was on the train! I'd have the bed in place permanently. I'd be happy spending my journey with my feet up watching the scenery go by!
Once again Jacob, I'll say this. This is the best Zepher vid out there. You got the money shot of the east portal of the Moffat. And the #6 passing the #5. Great job!
Phenomenal! Great job with the documentary and the narration. I watched the video on mute for the most part, just following the written updates, until I got to the Colorado River...Love every bit of it, but my favorite parts of all --- the backward shots, crossing the mighty Mississippi, the big ten curve, all of Colorado, the sunset on day 2, the sunrise on day three, Glenwood Canyon, and Donner Pass (1:00:15 - 1:00:28). My only negative comment (not of your documentary) was that the traffic in California is ridiculous. I'd have to buy a chopper. It was more torture for me watching the bus trip from Emeryville Bus Terminal to the San Francisco Bay Bridge than the entire train journey of 51 hours. Unbelievable, but true. Again, Kudus! Great job...I wouldn't have done it any other way.
I took this train several times and all other west-bound Amtrak trains from Chicago. Always travelled in Coach, carried lots of snacks and a travel-size electric kettle to make coffee and all my on-train creative meals. I prefer coach because it gives me greater flexibility of switching to both sides as scenery demands, socialize better and LOT cheaper. Love Amtrak!
I'm a docent at the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) in their Amtrak Ambassador program. In the pre-Covid days, docents from the CSRM would board east bound trains in Sacramento and narrate about the building of the Central Pacific (western) portion of the Transcontinental Railroad. We would depart in Reno and then the next day, board the west bound train in Reno, and narrate about sights and westward expansion from 1840 through about 1880. You had to be in the Lounge Car to hear the narration. As a note, at about 1:00:02 in your video, you are looking out the right or north side of the train. The square object on the mountain side is the end of the original CP line as it emerged from the original summit tunnel. The summit tunnel is over 1200 feet long and was blasted through solid granite by Chinese workers using mostly hand drills and black powder. The work was so slow that first the tunnel was worked from each end. When that was not fast enough, they bored a center shaft, and worked the tunnel from four faces. Hopefully we will be able to return to work after Covid is tamed. Started in 1863, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory, Utah on May 10, 1869.
Jacob, I just want to say how much I enjoyed the trip with you. I went from California to Newport News, Va. and then back to California (Greenville, S.C. to New Orleans and New Orleans back to L.A.) I bought a Roommate trip. I was already in my eighties and people could not get over that I was traveling alone. I met so many great friends along the way and we enjoyed dining together.
Nice report. A few points... For those not as adventurous as we, all you have to do is ring for the attendant who will makeup or stow the bed for you when you wish by your schedule, or on call. And I usually take the upper mattress set and put it atop the lower one. Two blankets, 4 pillows and a comfy ride! Two people in a Roomette can be quite comfortable. Just takes a little thought. And if you are Very Good Friends... Remember, additional people in sleepers get the 3 meals a day at no extra charge since you only pay for the room once. Also, my kit for Amtrak sleepers ALWAYS includes a couple of rubber doorstops for those annoying squeaks and rattles (the doors are prone to this), a roll of duct tape - can block off the cold air register or the window vents when they won't close - it will also muffle the sound of the speaker if it is set for All Hands volume. At least a 3 foot power strip for wall warts, a can of Lysol (or your favorite) spray, a light jacket or sweater and a comfy pair of sneakers. And of course, a jug of your favorite snakebite medicine. You can indulge in your room, but it is frowned upon to imbibe in the coaches, the sightseer lounge or the diner. However, if you are cool, and DISCREET... I also bring my 2meter Amateur transciever which doubles as a scanner. I listen to the train crews and learn interesting things the crew won't tell you. And most important - ALWAYS remember to tip the dining car staff (at each meal, I do 1,2,3 B,L,D unless service is bad or very good, and remember your Sleeping Car Attendant - at least $10 a day as you detrain. Remember, the SCA is on duty more or less 24/7 end to end. The SCA will usually offer you a wakeup call, and coffee/juice and even a newspaper in the morning, ice, coffee, water 'most any time, and will on request bring your meal from the diner if need be. I tip at least $10 a day.
I will have to say that THIS Movie deserves the UA-cam Golden Globe !! For the First time ..EVER...I was not bored a SINGLE TIME during your Adventure ! It was EXTRAORDINARY and its amazing how GOOD you were able to catch the whole scenery CLEAN despite the dirty Windows as to Information, Time-line, etc etc !! You have to be nominated...!!! You deserves it 110 % !!! You have also inspired me, to take the Journey and HOPEFULLY MANY OTHERS !!! You should sell this movie to National Geographic ! PLEASE FOLKS ..NOMINATE THIS VIDEO AS THE BEST YOU-TUBE VIDEO OF THE YEAR !!! THIS REALLY DESERVES IT !!!!! Thank you so VERY VERY much for taking your time editing etc and adding so much time and efforts into this wonderful Movie !! You have inspired me and my Family !!! Thank You !!!!
I did the Zephyr in 2012. It was was March, and we passed the mountains with snow everwhere, amazing. Your video captures the journey that I experienced perfectly.
So awesome thank you for taking everyone along 😎👍🏻 I rode the California Zephyr it was awesome to go to California with my mom 30 years ago my mom recently passed in the past 6 months this video took me away back to that wonderful train ride I had with my mom memories that make me weep with pain and heartache missing my mom to laughing at some of the things we seen and talked about on the train ❤️we were in coach and a lot goes on in coach 😳🤫🤣 thank you for taking me back the scenery was beautiful especially around Colorado mountains ❤️❤️I had to add I love the music you used in this video as well really beautiful soft just so awesome thank you God Bless ❤️❤️
Great video. Everyone heads to the airport and jumps on a plane. Most people never see 99% of the scenery. I worked for an airline, even have a general aviation pilots license, but my true love is, and always, will be railroads and seeing the world from the ground level!
I enjoy watching your video very much being a fellow St Louis in I enjoy your commentary and you're a very nice person you always keep everything on the positive side and I like that thanks again for the great video and God bless
I’ve always preferred seeing the world from an aerial view, but that’s only because I like how everything seems so small from above 1000 feet. I’ve always loved how during landing the airport goes from a tiny speck to this huge place with over 100 airplanes.
Thank you for including sleep, shower, meals, delays, and even dusty windows to your excellent video. It lets us weigh good with better and BETTER wins out on this trip through the Rockies. Thanks for sharing your travel time and taking time to tell us how it all works. EMPOWERED to do it myself now!
Awesome video. Brings back memories. My wife, at the time, and I took a cross county round trip on Amtrak from Baltimore to Seattle for a cruise leaving Vancouver back in 1996. We had a roomette the entire trip. On the way to Seattle, there was an issue with the train's engineer, I believe and we had to wait in Portland for a replacement. By the time we arrived in Seattle, we had missed our transfer to Vancouver. So Amtrak paid for a taxi to drive us to our Hotel in Vancouver that evening. After the cruise, we returned to Seattle and boarded the train home. We arrived in Denver and the train coming from California that we were to hook onto (with the dining cars) was delayed due to a freight train derailment. So we spent the night on the train in downtown Denver, free to explore the City. We departed the next day for Chicago. Upon arrival in Chicago (a day late), we had missed the train that we were to take to DC. Amtrak transported everyone by bus to a hotel in Chicago and provided the accommodations, cab fare for the return to the station the next day, any funds for food, on our own. Leaving Chicago the next day, we were traveling through rural Ohio during the middle of the night when a car drove through the gate and into the side of the train as we were traveling. When a train traveling at a decent speed applies its emergency brakes in the middle of the night, it wakes you up! I never did hear if anyone was injured in the vehicle, but we did have the bumper lodged in the side of the train. We finally made it home to Baltimore and knowing now to expect the unexpected when traveling by train in the future. Amtrak also provided us with a free trip of our choice in addition. But we never had the opportunity to use prior to expiration. I loved every minute of our journey and seeing this beautiful country by rail and your videos bring back so many good memories. I would love to do another cross country rail journey again. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed two long-distance trips (Empire Builder - Chicago to Seattle, & California Zephyr - San Fran to Chicago) back in 2014. The train was clean, comfortable, staff terrific, and the food more than. Trips to do again and again to show you how the railway stitched the country together.
So you had a pleasant not so pleasant journey cross country by rail huh? Glad you’d safely arrived to your destination. Those complementary entities that Amtrak offered you SHOULD NEVER expires, it’s not our fault there’s train trouble.
My favorite video of yours. Incredible how the music in the beginning set the stage for the rest of the trip. This has convinced me to take this ride one day. Thanks so much for sharing!
I know I'm late to this since this was a year ago you posted but I wanted to say thank you for filming your adventure. Some of us can't travel and its nice to watch what you have done, to sit back and relax and take in what you saw. Excellently done!
Living in Wales, a country that's only 170 miles north to south, it's hard to comprehend the distances involved in a journey like this, but it's something I would love to experience. The variety of scenery is stunning. Great video too.
Griff MJ Had the pleasure of visiting Cardiff Wales in the early 1970’s & remember my train from London & going through a Mountain tunnel that was very impressive. Our UK relatives do have a hard time with relating our distances though.
I Come from a long line of railroaders, myself included in between hitches in the military. An old conductor told me that if I ever had the opportunity to traverse the Feather River Canyon in California to not pass it up. Well, some years later after receiving orders for Vietnam with a airplane flight scheduled from Norton Air Force Base, CA for October 30th, 1968, I killed several birds with one stone by leaving early, taking the Burlington's California Zephyr to Oroville, CA where my mother picked me up and I spent time with her prior to departing the US. Prior to reaching Oroville and shortly after the sun came up, we did traverse the Feather River Canyon and believe me I would have loved to have worked that Southern Pacific line making the daily run between Oakland and Salt Lake City. The entire trip which began in Omaha in the evening, arrived in the Colorado Foothills with sunup, spent much of the day going through the Mountains to the western slope of the Rockies and as I said, arriving in the Sierras with the sun coming up. A magnificent trip, beautiful scenery, hard-working helpful staff and well worth the cost. Would do it again in a minute were I not disabled.
I had the same experience at union station in the summer of 2018! My big brother couldn’t guide me all the way through the rest of the terminal and make sure I get on the right train so I was pretty nervous being it my first time. I was barely unable to hear this woman at the ticket desk through her mic. I asked her to repeat herself a couple times like scared little panzy. Definitely wasn’t coming from an agitated place on my end. So I just walked away because she refused to talk to me anymore. .. eventually after managing to get onto the cab I thought was mine basically first, I realized in a bit that I lost my spot for one of those recliner type seats but lost my spot apparently because no one would help guide me. They definitely don’t make directions clear where to go essentially anywhere if you’re experiencing it for the first time. Felt a little disappointed but tried to chill out in the lounge for most of my way back from DC to CLE. I hope their services improve sooner than later 😕
Just found your channel today. Loved every minute of this video. I rode the Southwest Chief from San Diego to Boston about 20 years ago. I live near Sedona now. Sometimes I go have coffee in Flagstaff just to watch trains. You make me want to go on another jaunt across America.
Here's a pro tip: You are doing this for the scenery. Around the end of June, the days are longest and you get to see much more. There is also stunning beauty when the Rockies are snowbound, but the days are shortest at the end of December. In February, there's still plenty of snow, but you get more daylight to see it. This is a wonderful way to spend a couple of days seeing the majesty that is the American west.
I have been inspired by your video to take the train from Saint Louis to Chicago. Then catch the California Zephyr to Emeryville. Spend a night then it’s off to Seattle. Spend 3 nights then back to Chicago on the Empire builder then back to Saint Louis starting March 29 - April 7. Very excited to take this Amtrak Vacation!! Just booked bedroom sleepers through the app!!
trains sound like a whole adventure in and of itself! who needs a destination when you can just ride a train for a few days? thank you for making me realize i needed to add something to my bucket list!
Like your style. Realistic. Just the facts. My one (and only train trip) was from New York to Chicago in December 1960. I was young then and spent the entire time watching the landscape out the window. Your video did the same thing for me. My love for trains never left me. I have an HO layout with over 40 engines, more than 100 passenger cars and over 100 freight cars. Seeing your video I definitely missed something that I wish I had taken advantage of in my younger years.
Thank you for the detailed information and video/description of the cars, the facilities and the stops. It was very helpful in looking to plan a trip like this. The scenery is beautiful and you have a steady camera hand. Excellent shots and very helpful commentary.
I've always liked trains - when I was a child I took the train to to Florida - it was 🙂 seeing this makes me want to consider doing it again, after all I am 70 + now and perhaps seeing the world from another perspective is promising - SO thanks for sharing with others. Enjoy your trip!
Really enjoyed it great footage never traveled on a train before, taking my granddaughter to NM to see my sister don’t think I we’ll get those amazing views Thank You
I actually live in southeast Missouri and will be moving to Cali for a new job. I have to go to Sacramento for the training and was thinking about taking the train. Your video has made my mind up, Totally taking Amtrak. Thanks for the awesome video
Awesome video. My wife and I took this train eastbound when it traveled the previous route between Los Angeles and Chicago. It was an awesome trip then, and apparently still is. I've also traveled o the Southwest Chief, City of New Orleans, and other trains operated by Amtrak, including on the Northeast Corridor. Others may hate train ravel; but, I absolutely enjoy it. Keep up the great work.
Man, I've said for a couple of decades how nice it would be to take a train across the country in order to take in the scenery. This just really makes me want to make that trip happen! Really enjoyed your video!
Thank you for posting this video. I found it spellbinding - amazing scenery with a real "you are there" feel to it. Really looking forward to taking this trip myself someday.
Took the Zephyr east from Emeryville to Chicago (Train #6), and it was a great scenic experience. Our dining car Maitre D was a gentlemen named 'Stefan'. He was fabulous to say the least. He made you want to come to the diner because of his enthusiasm to serve you. You could see that he thoroughly enjoyed is work. Kudos to you Stefan..Great job.
As someone who has ridden the Cal Zephyr over 50 x's, I was extremely impressed by your steady video and exceptional color. Each time I hate seeing I-70 run through Glenwood Canyon. Of all places to put that damn highway... I remember when the train was Western Pacific out of SF to Ogden then Rio Grande to Denver then CBQ to Chicago... Again, thanks for a great trip...
Wonderful video! So good to see that restoration continues on Chicago's Union Station. I took the Zephyr a year ago (sleeper) fron San Francisco to Chicago, the scenery was beautiful. Can't wait tto take another trip by rail, to me it's worth it.
Hi from San Jose, CA. Needless to say, I've taken the California Zephyr numerous times. It is indeed one of Amtrak's most scenic routes. I've also driven the distance between home and Denver a few times too. That's lovely too. Hope you enjoyed San Francisco.
hello LisaMarli. I plan on taking this line from San Francisco to Denver and back end of December. Do you have a recommendation of which side of the train has the more scenic view from a sleeper?
I love this video because of the scenery. This is a trip I plan to take next summer. I can't help thinking how beautiful the the scenery is over all. He managed to fit a two day trip into a 1:13minutes. I am sure there is a lot more to see. That is why this one is at the top of my travel list. I want to see more.
I enjoy your videos but your travel videos are my favorite. I really like how they are filmed. Your cinematography skills are pretty impressive. I hope that you can travel on more Amtrak trains in the future.
At 1:01:18 -the several metal buildings are actually Newcastle California which was considered America’s Fruit basket in the early to mid 20th century. Orchard men grew apples, pears, plums, mandarins, tangerines and cherries which then were packed and shipped from these sheds. Ice from lakes was used for refrigeration back then. It is still another 30 miles from Sacramento from this point.
Go west was a refrain by Horace Greelly over 100 years ago and it still applies in 2020. The west is wonderful and the east is unspectacular, ugly and crime ridden. That is why I live out west.
Great videos of the Amtrak journeys, thanks. I'm from Glasgow, Scotland and have been visiting the states since 1984, mainly flying and driving about apart from a couple of short train rides, but have always had a hankering for the longer journeys, this gives a great perspective of them 🏴🇺🇸
One of the best domestic train adventures I've seen in a while. I've taken the coast starlight and some others. This scenery beats them all hands down. Can't wait to give it a go. Just awesome!!
Wow! Great video. Thanks so much. Never considered adding the California Zephyr to my ‘want to ride’ list. Really appreciate including the narration approaching the 28 tunnels. Thanks again for a truly professional video.
save 50 bucks a week. took me over 2yrs with half my income tax to save 4500. had a roomeete on cal zep. worth every penny. going to do it again next yr.
Thanks for filming the footage from this train trip, pretty cool. Hard to beat a train trip if you want to see it and enjoy without the hassle of driving yourself. On a side note, I saw the sticker on the second engine that read "THE HEARTLAND FLYER'S BIG GAME TRAIN" - it seems Amtrak had not removed that yet. If you didn't already know, Amtrak's Heartland Flyer runs daily between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth's downtown station. On the way, it stops in Norman, a suburb of Oklahoma City. Norman's the home of the Sooners, and every year, the Sooners play against the Texas Longhorns in what is the classic "Red River Rivalry" football game of the Big 12. So every year, Amtrak runs the Heartland Flyer as the "Big Game Train" in October a few days before and after the Big Game. It's also known as the Red River Shootout and the Red River Classic among other colloquial names. Thought I'd put this there since that caught my attention, being a Sooner fan myself ;)
I'm going from Kentucky to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Seattle in 10 days, super excited for my roomette! Also, thanks for the beautiful beginning of this video. Lovely editing!
you go mamma. my 2 kids got to do it in the 80's at 12 and 14 they were of the 'punk (rebellious ) nature, but they gasped several times! I heard it ! lol
a few years ago, i did what's called the mini circle via Amtrak. The Californa Zephyr, The Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder back to Chicago. Of the three, each had magnificent vistas. What you are calling the dorm room, also sometimes, if available, offers a roomette when folks decide to upgrade after the train leaves the station. Usually, there is a baggage car as well either just behind the locomotives or at the very end of the train. On my train, the sleepers were at the end, I was in the last car, with the coach cars in front. It was very quiet and my car attendant (as on the two other trains) was very good at her job. We had the opportunity to have a couple of chats and she told me, as well as being of service to the folks in the bedrooms and roomettes, one of their primary goals was to secure the cars and the belongings of the people in her car. In other words, she was a guardian as well as a service person and information center. She always made sure all the bathrooms were spotless and fully stocked, coffee was hot and ready early in the morning, and water replenished during the turndown service, or anytime it was requested. I've traveled a great deal, and the service I've received on Amtrak was always very good. The best perhaps was on the Empire Builder, which was extraordinarily fine and doggedly devoted to the guests aboard. I was amazed. There were little candies treats, juice, water, and even little bottles of sparking wine as part of the service. That being said, California Zephyr was very good indeed and the mountains were breathtaking. I only wish the United States would invest in the rail infrastructure for passenger trains. The locomotives are capable of speeds far beyond 100mph, but the tracks are of such low quality, there are doing well to hit 80...and that is an unnecessary disgrace to the industry.
Unfortunately the few remaining freight railroads own all of the tracks outside the northeast corridor. The freight railroads spend enough as it is to keep the signals and tracks sustained at up to 79 mph. They do not want to spend more, nor does the government. But Amtrak does run trains over 100 mph on the northeast corridor...
My uncle was the head conductor on the Chicago to L.A. train when I was a young girl in the 50 & 60's. I was always so impressed when he'd get dressed in his uniform and dreamed of traveling by train someday. When I worked in downtown Chicago I always traveled on the train, which was the closet I got until my husband and I traveled in Europe and used their trains. We loved every minute of sitting back and enjoying the scenery. This is a great video, thanks for sharing.
Great video, nicely recorded; you kept narration to a minimum at all the right times. Did you notice a lot of homeless encampments in Sacramento? You didn’t mention that. I took the Zephyr eastward a couple years back with my son in a roomette. Amazing experience, indeed. Thanks, again.
Thanks very much for your video. Am Australian and plan to take the California Zephyr soon... hopefully ?. Thanks again for all the good info, including at the end where you showed us your 'budget' motel room. Looked orright to me.Also appreciate how you let the scenery go by without the person recording being in front of the camera unnecessarily , which unfortunately a lot of travelogues have, and also recording the conductor descriptions in your video, that was good. Thanks again.
Thank you for posting such an interesting and informative video. We are from England and are taking a 3 day Amtrak trip in February 2019' so this really was a great source of information for us. Thanks mate.
Riding the Zephyr was a great thing to do for us a couple of years ago, however if I was to do it again, I would take an American fellow traveller's advice and fly to Denver then take the train over to SF. As this was one leg of a trip of a lifetime, we paid for a Roomette, which turned out to be over the bogie. The condition of the track made sleep impossible because of the huge and I mean huge jolts as wheels hit misaligned frogs and joints. We managed to get some sleep in the lounge car. Everything else was fine, but it took the edge of the experience and the contents of my wallet!
Too bad that you went through most of Utah when it was dark. The scenery there is pretty spectacular especially between Helper and Salt Lake. Missed the salt flats too. Thanks for posting.
Love the detail, the length, the insight, and your commitment to produce a very well structured, informative and well orchestrated trip review/movie. Keep it up. I truly look forward to watching these every single day.
Loved it. Thank you for sharing your experience. This a dream trip I have had for most of my life. I am not sure I will ever be able to have this experience, so greatful to see it thru your travels.
Did about the same trip with my parents back in 02'. It was the Great California Train Adventure with Holiday Vacations out of Wisconsin. We left from Union Station in Chicago. We got off the train in Reno then we continued the tour by tour bus along Cal. Hwy 101, stopping at various cities for a night or two and flew back to Chicago from Los Angeles. Was a wonderful trip.
Great video, thank you so much for uploading. Wanted to do this trip with my dad a few years ago. But we decided to do a western state road trip instead. My dad sadly passed a couple of years ago, but I remain determined to do this trip to honor him at some point in the not to distant future.
Thank you so much for your great movie! I did the same trip in 1997, and also took the California zephyr back to Chicago after a week in S F. Your fine film did so I remembered a lot from my trip, which I had almost forgotten. Thanks !!
Great video! Traveling by train is a relaxing way to go, especially seeing all that backed up traffic outside/approaching San Francisco. Never have taken long distance train trips, just from Central Illinois to Chicago and down to C'Dale. After watching your video, might have to plan one. :)
5 Years later, and many train videos, and this guy is still the best with these videos.
Good point the narrator makes “To me less clutter makes space less claustrophobic...” or words to that effect. I like that finding it a very apt reminder.
Excellent video, really enjoyed it, felt like I was on the train! I'd have the bed in place permanently. I'd be happy spending my journey with my feet up watching the scenery go by!
Once again Jacob, I'll say this. This is the best Zepher vid out there. You got the money shot of the east portal of the Moffat. And the #6 passing the #5. Great job!
Phenomenal! Great job with the documentary and the narration. I watched the video on mute for the most part, just following the written updates, until I got to the Colorado River...Love every bit of it, but my favorite parts of all --- the backward shots, crossing the mighty Mississippi, the big ten curve, all of Colorado, the sunset on day 2, the sunrise on day three, Glenwood Canyon, and Donner Pass (1:00:15 - 1:00:28). My only negative comment (not of your documentary) was that the traffic in California is ridiculous. I'd have to buy a chopper. It was more torture for me watching the bus trip from Emeryville Bus Terminal to the San Francisco Bay Bridge than the entire train journey of 51 hours. Unbelievable, but true. Again, Kudus! Great job...I wouldn't have done it any other way.
Watched this both routes and had to watch 3 times.
Excellent!!!
I took this train several times and all other west-bound Amtrak trains from Chicago. Always travelled in Coach, carried lots of snacks and a travel-size electric kettle to make coffee and all my on-train creative meals. I prefer coach because it gives me greater flexibility of switching to both sides as scenery demands, socialize better and LOT cheaper. Love Amtrak!
I'm a docent at the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) in their Amtrak Ambassador program. In the pre-Covid days, docents from the CSRM would board east bound trains in Sacramento and narrate about the building of the Central Pacific (western) portion of the Transcontinental Railroad. We would depart in Reno and then the next day, board the west bound train in Reno, and narrate about sights and westward expansion from 1840 through about 1880. You had to be in the Lounge Car to hear the narration. As a note, at about 1:00:02 in your video, you are looking out the right or north side of the train. The square object on the mountain side is the end of the original CP line as it emerged from the original summit tunnel. The summit tunnel is over 1200 feet long and was blasted through solid granite by Chinese workers using mostly hand drills and black powder. The work was so slow that first the tunnel was worked from each end. When that was not fast enough, they bored a center shaft, and worked the tunnel from four faces. Hopefully we will be able to return to work after Covid is tamed. Started in 1863, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed at Promontory, Utah on May 10, 1869.
Jacob, I just want to say how much I enjoyed the trip with you. I went from California to Newport News, Va. and then back to California (Greenville, S.C. to New Orleans and New Orleans back to L.A.) I bought a Roommate trip. I was already in my eighties and people could not get over that I was traveling alone. I met so many great friends along the way and we enjoyed dining together.
Roberta Gabor Hi Roberta! I’m nearing seventy and look forward to a train trip some day “soon”. I’m glad you’re enjoying your travels alone!
Nice report. A few points... For those not as adventurous as we, all you have to do is ring for the attendant who will makeup or stow the bed for you when you wish by your schedule, or on call. And I usually take the upper mattress set and put it atop the lower one. Two blankets, 4 pillows and a comfy ride!
Two people in a Roomette can be quite comfortable. Just takes a little thought. And if you are Very Good Friends...
Remember, additional people in sleepers get the 3 meals a day at no extra charge since you only pay for the room once.
Also, my kit for Amtrak sleepers ALWAYS includes a couple of rubber doorstops for those annoying squeaks and rattles (the doors are prone to this), a roll of duct tape - can block off the cold air register or the window vents when they won't close - it will also muffle the sound of the speaker if it is set for All Hands volume. At least a 3 foot power strip for wall warts, a can of Lysol (or your favorite) spray, a light jacket or sweater and a comfy pair of sneakers. And of course, a jug of your favorite snakebite medicine. You can indulge in your room, but it is frowned upon to imbibe in the coaches, the sightseer lounge or the diner. However, if you are cool, and DISCREET...
I also bring my 2meter Amateur transciever which doubles as a scanner. I listen to the train crews and learn interesting things the crew won't tell you.
And most important - ALWAYS remember to tip the dining car staff (at each meal, I do 1,2,3 B,L,D unless service is bad or very good, and remember your Sleeping Car Attendant - at least $10 a day as you detrain. Remember, the SCA is on duty more or less 24/7 end to end. The SCA will usually offer you a wakeup call, and coffee/juice and even a newspaper in the morning, ice, coffee, water 'most any time, and will on request bring your meal from the diner if need be. I tip at least $10 a day.
Thankyou for your well done videos. I’m a train buff and will always be. Thoroughly enjoyed the narrative.
I will have to say that THIS Movie deserves the UA-cam Golden Globe !! For the First time ..EVER...I was not bored a SINGLE TIME during your Adventure ! It was EXTRAORDINARY and its amazing how GOOD you were able to catch the whole scenery CLEAN despite the dirty Windows as to Information, Time-line, etc etc !! You have to be nominated...!!! You deserves it 110 % !!! You have also inspired me, to take the Journey and HOPEFULLY MANY OTHERS !!! You should sell this movie to National Geographic ! PLEASE FOLKS ..NOMINATE THIS VIDEO AS THE BEST YOU-TUBE VIDEO OF THE YEAR !!! THIS REALLY DESERVES IT !!!!! Thank you so VERY VERY much for taking your time editing etc and adding so much time and efforts into this wonderful Movie !! You have inspired me and my Family !!! Thank You !!!!
I love this trip and have been lucky enough to do 4-5 times, thanks for sharing!
Amazing. Taking this trip in just over a month in a roomette. Can't wait.
I did the Zephyr in 2012. It was was March, and we passed the mountains with snow everwhere, amazing. Your video captures the journey that I experienced perfectly.
We're from Chicago. We spent this afternoon watching your video and really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your adventures!
So awesome thank you for taking everyone along 😎👍🏻 I rode the California Zephyr it was awesome to go to California with my mom 30 years ago my mom recently passed in the past 6 months this video took me away back to that wonderful train ride I had with my mom memories that make me weep with pain and heartache missing my mom to laughing at some of the things we seen and talked about on the train ❤️we were in coach and a lot goes on in coach 😳🤫🤣 thank you for taking me back the scenery was beautiful especially around Colorado mountains ❤️❤️I had to add I love the music you used in this video as well really beautiful soft just so awesome thank you God Bless ❤️❤️
i daydream sittin on a train with a cup of coffee just enjoying the sights and sounds of train traveling... someday..
Great video. Everyone heads to the airport and jumps on a plane. Most people never see 99% of the scenery. I worked for an airline, even have a general aviation pilots license, but my true love is, and always, will be railroads and seeing the world from the ground level!
I enjoy watching your video very much being a fellow St Louis in I enjoy your commentary and you're a very nice person you always keep everything on the positive side and I like that thanks again for the great video and God bless
I’ve always preferred seeing the world from an aerial view, but that’s only because I like how everything seems so small from above 1000 feet. I’ve always loved how during landing the airport goes from a tiny speck to this huge place with over 100 airplanes.
Is your pfp the tunnel on the million dollar road?
Thank you for including sleep, shower, meals, delays, and even dusty windows to your excellent video. It lets us weigh good with better and BETTER wins out on this trip through the Rockies. Thanks for sharing your travel time and taking time to tell us how it all works. EMPOWERED to do it myself now!
One more, the guy who took this video did an outstanding job. Thumbs up! Good camera work.
ecept after complaining about the dirty window, He was at a break stop where he coulf have done a quick wipe at his window himself. just sayin'
@@fraslavko1 the dirt is on the outside
By far the most underrated travel review channel
Awesome video. Brings back memories. My wife, at the time, and I took a cross county round trip on Amtrak from Baltimore to Seattle for a cruise leaving Vancouver back in 1996. We had a roomette the entire trip. On the way to Seattle, there was an issue with the train's engineer, I believe and we had to wait in Portland for a replacement. By the time we arrived in Seattle, we had missed our transfer to Vancouver. So Amtrak paid for a taxi to drive us to our Hotel in Vancouver that evening. After the cruise, we returned to Seattle and boarded the train home. We arrived in Denver and the train coming from California that we were to hook onto (with the dining cars) was delayed due to a freight train derailment. So we spent the night on the train in downtown Denver, free to explore the City. We departed the next day for Chicago. Upon arrival in Chicago (a day late), we had missed the train that we were to take to DC. Amtrak transported everyone by bus to a hotel in Chicago and provided the accommodations, cab fare for the return to the station the next day, any funds for food, on our own. Leaving Chicago the next day, we were traveling through rural Ohio during the middle of the night when a car drove through the gate and into the side of the train as we were traveling. When a train traveling at a decent speed applies its emergency brakes in the middle of the night, it wakes you up! I never did hear if anyone was injured in the vehicle, but we did have the bumper lodged in the side of the train. We finally made it home to Baltimore and knowing now to expect the unexpected when traveling by train in the future. Amtrak also provided us with a free trip of our choice in addition. But we never had the opportunity to use prior to expiration. I loved every minute of our journey and seeing this beautiful country by rail and your videos bring back so many good memories. I would love to do another cross country rail journey again. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed two long-distance trips (Empire Builder - Chicago to Seattle, & California Zephyr - San Fran to Chicago) back in 2014. The train was clean, comfortable, staff terrific, and the food more than. Trips to do again and again to show you how the railway stitched the country together.
So you had a pleasant not so pleasant journey cross country by rail huh? Glad you’d safely arrived to your destination. Those complementary entities that Amtrak offered you SHOULD NEVER expires, it’s not our fault there’s train trouble.
Wow! You had adventures within adventures, for sure!
Sounds like a typical amtrak trip. Although these days they dont compensate you like that.
Jim Norton sounds like a National Lampoons movie “Amtrak Adventure”
My favorite video of yours. Incredible how the music in the beginning set the stage for the rest of the trip. This has convinced me to take this ride one day. Thanks so much for sharing!
I have watched many videos on this particular trip. This is the best. Calm , relaxing and well paced. Thanks for sharing.
I know I'm late to this since this was a year ago you posted but I wanted to say thank you for filming your adventure. Some of us can't travel and its nice to watch what you have done, to sit back and relax and take in what you saw. Excellently done!
I love this! People say they dont like the bumpy ride...I love it! The rhythmic movement...idk...i would sleep like a baby!!!
Living in Wales, a country that's only 170 miles north to south, it's hard to comprehend the distances involved in a journey like this, but it's something I would love to experience. The variety of scenery is stunning. Great video too.
Ah, a fellow welsh person supporting american rail :D
Griff MJ Had the pleasure of visiting Cardiff Wales in the early 1970’s & remember my train from London & going through a Mountain tunnel that was very impressive. Our UK relatives do have a hard time with relating our distances though.
As they say, 100 miles to Americans is 100 years to the UK.
You’re welcome anytime 🏴🇺🇸
Wow I’m thinking of doing this for a solo trip. This has confirmed it for me. The scenery looks so amazing.
So Beautiful especially the rockies
I Come from a long line of railroaders, myself included in between hitches in the military. An old conductor told me that if I ever had the opportunity to traverse the Feather River Canyon in California to not pass it up. Well, some years later after receiving orders for Vietnam with a airplane flight scheduled from Norton Air Force Base, CA for October 30th, 1968, I killed several birds with one stone by leaving early, taking the Burlington's California Zephyr to Oroville, CA where my mother picked me up and I spent time with her prior to departing the US. Prior to reaching Oroville and shortly after the sun came up, we did traverse the Feather River Canyon and believe me I would have loved to have worked that Southern Pacific line making the daily run between Oakland and Salt Lake City. The entire trip which began in Omaha in the evening, arrived in the Colorado Foothills with sunup, spent much of the day going through the Mountains to the western slope of the Rockies and as I said, arriving in the Sierras with the sun coming up. A magnificent trip, beautiful scenery, hard-working helpful staff and well worth the cost. Would do it again in a minute were I not disabled.
I just moved to Quincy, CA. Right in the heart of the Feather River area. There's no place more beautiful in the US.
Terrific report. I’m ready to go!
I had the same experience at union station in the summer of 2018! My big brother couldn’t guide me all the way through the rest of the terminal and make sure I get on the right train so I was pretty nervous being it my first time. I was barely unable to hear this woman at the ticket desk through her mic. I asked her to repeat herself a couple times like scared little panzy. Definitely wasn’t coming from an agitated place on my end. So I just walked away because she refused to talk to me anymore.
.. eventually after managing to get onto the cab I thought was mine basically first, I realized in a bit that I lost my spot for one of those recliner type seats but lost my spot apparently because no one would help guide me.
They definitely don’t make directions clear where to go essentially anywhere if you’re experiencing it for the first time. Felt a little disappointed but tried to chill out in the lounge for most of my way back from DC to CLE. I hope their services improve sooner than later 😕
Just found your channel today. Loved every minute of this video. I rode the Southwest Chief from San Diego to Boston about 20 years ago. I live near Sedona now. Sometimes I go have coffee in Flagstaff just to watch trains. You make me want to go on another jaunt across America.
Here's a pro tip: You are doing this for the scenery. Around the end of June, the days are longest and you get to see much more. There is also stunning beauty when the Rockies are snowbound, but the days are shortest at the end of December. In February, there's still plenty of snow, but you get more daylight to see it. This is a wonderful way to spend a couple of days seeing the majesty that is the American west.
Here's a pro tip, dont travel by train unless you're rich, have unlimited time and have no cleanliness standards.
@@Groovy_Bruce ask ur mum
Jeff Dur what are you 8?
Very good tips, thanks!
@@jeffdur1330 Aaaand here you are commenting?
I have been inspired by your video to take the train from Saint Louis to Chicago. Then catch the California Zephyr to Emeryville. Spend a night then it’s off to Seattle. Spend 3 nights then back to Chicago on the Empire builder then back to Saint Louis starting March 29 - April 7. Very excited to take this Amtrak Vacation!! Just booked bedroom sleepers through the app!!
I moved from California to the east coast almost a year ago. Seeing this makes me miss my home. 😂❤️
My husband and I want to take this trip. Great video. Thank you!
trains sound like a whole adventure in and of itself! who needs a destination when you can just ride a train for a few days? thank you for making me realize i needed to add something to my bucket list!
Like your style. Realistic. Just the facts. My one (and only train trip) was from New York to Chicago in December 1960. I was young then and spent the entire time watching the landscape out the window. Your video did the same thing for me. My love for trains never left me. I have an HO layout with over 40 engines, more than 100 passenger cars and over 100 freight cars. Seeing your video I definitely missed something that I wish I had taken advantage of in my younger years.
Jacob, I loved every second of this trip report. Pure brilliance, the filming was just wonderful and the scenery - one word WOW!!
So did I. I felt like I was traveling with you.
Thank you for the detailed information and video/description of the cars, the facilities and the stops. It was very helpful in looking to plan a trip like this. The scenery is beautiful and you have a steady camera hand. Excellent shots and very helpful commentary.
Thank you for taking the time to produce this video for all to see. Much appreciated.
I've always liked trains - when I was a child I took the train to to Florida - it was 🙂 seeing this makes me want to consider doing it again, after all I am 70 + now and perhaps seeing the world from another perspective is promising - SO thanks for sharing with others. Enjoy your trip!
Really enjoyed it great footage never traveled on a train before, taking my granddaughter to NM to see my sister don’t think I we’ll get those amazing views Thank You
I actually live in southeast Missouri and will be moving to Cali for a new job. I have to go to Sacramento for the training and was thinking about taking the train. Your video has made my mind up, Totally taking Amtrak. Thanks for the awesome video
just moved from NE Missouri/Illinois border to Cali four years ago. You're going to LOVE it.
I did this in 2019! Best trip ever! Earplugs help at night.
Awesome video. My wife and I took this train eastbound when it traveled the previous route between Los Angeles and Chicago. It was an awesome trip then, and apparently still is. I've also traveled o the Southwest Chief, City of New Orleans, and other trains operated by Amtrak, including on the Northeast Corridor. Others may hate train ravel; but, I absolutely enjoy it. Keep up the great work.
Excellent video. Scenery to die for!!! Wish I had done more of that kind of thing when I was young enough TO do it. Thanks.
The climb/descent into the foothills of the Rockies was a highlight as the train wound its way through the big ten grade....Fabulous!!!
Man, I've said for a couple of decades how nice it would be to take a train across the country in order to take in the scenery. This just really makes me want to make that trip happen! Really enjoyed your video!
Thank you for posting this video. I found it spellbinding - amazing scenery with a real "you are there" feel to it. Really looking forward to taking this trip myself someday.
Took the Zephyr east from Emeryville to Chicago (Train #6), and it was a great scenic experience. Our dining car Maitre D was a gentlemen named 'Stefan'. He was fabulous to say the least. He made you want to come to the diner because of his enthusiasm to serve you. You could see that he thoroughly enjoyed is work. Kudos to you Stefan..Great job.
Nice to hear positive things about food service on the rails.
I moved from California to the east coast almost a year ago. Seeing this makes me miss my home. 😂❤️
As someone who has ridden the Cal Zephyr over 50 x's, I was extremely impressed by your steady video and exceptional color. Each time I hate seeing I-70 run through Glenwood Canyon. Of all places to put that damn highway... I remember when the train was Western Pacific out of SF to Ogden then Rio Grande to Denver then CBQ to Chicago... Again, thanks for a great trip...
Wonderful video! So good to see that restoration continues on Chicago's Union Station. I took the Zephyr a year ago (sleeper) fron San Francisco to Chicago, the scenery was beautiful. Can't wait tto take another trip by rail, to me it's worth it.
What a terrific trip. Thanks for sharing this awesome experience. I plan to put in my do list for sometime into the future. Thanks!!
Your train videos have inspired me to do some traveling via railway...awesome video!
Colorado is the most scenic of the AMTRAK route.
Awesome. Great video and you did a great job. I would love to do the same thing that you did.
Hi from San Jose, CA. Needless to say, I've taken the California Zephyr numerous times. It is indeed one of Amtrak's most scenic routes. I've also driven the distance between home and Denver a few times too. That's lovely too.
Hope you enjoyed San Francisco.
LisaMarli lll.
hello LisaMarli. I plan on taking this line from San Francisco to Denver and back end of December. Do you have a recommendation of which side of the train has the more scenic view from a sleeper?
@@gglenn3099 SF to Chicago right side. Chicago back, left.
But if your room doesn't work out, there is always the lounge car.
@@LisaMarli thanks so much. I will keep that in mind definitely
Coast starlight is very scenic too.
I love this video because of the scenery. This is a trip I plan to take next summer. I can't help thinking how beautiful the the scenery is over all. He managed to fit a two day trip into a 1:13minutes. I am sure there is a lot more to see. That is why this one is at the top of my travel list. I want to see more.
Did you take the trip?
I enjoy your videos but your travel videos are my favorite. I really like how they are filmed. Your cinematography skills are pretty impressive. I hope that you can travel on more Amtrak trains in the future.
You got to be kidding. 'Skills impressive?".
At 1:01:18 -the several metal buildings are actually Newcastle California which was considered America’s Fruit basket in the early to mid 20th century. Orchard men grew apples, pears, plums, mandarins, tangerines and cherries which then were packed and shipped from these sheds. Ice from lakes was used for refrigeration back then. It is still another 30 miles from Sacramento from this point.
I took the same train 5 years ago. Fascinating, nice roomette, hot clean showers and bathrooms, great attendants. I loved it...round trip!
I had no idea Amtrak rides could be so beautiful. I live on the east coast where they suck. I should go west and check this out.
Michael Hurley Yeah they do suck over here
On the Hudson line there is some senerey
This was great ride. Did a stopover in Denver to split it up LY.
Go west was a refrain by Horace Greelly over 100 years ago and it still applies in 2020. The west is wonderful and the east is unspectacular, ugly and crime ridden. That is why I live out west.
Love your train videos! Please keep doing them. Your videos are what got me into traveling via Amtrak.
Great videos of the Amtrak journeys, thanks. I'm from Glasgow, Scotland and have been visiting the states since 1984, mainly flying and driving about apart from a couple of short train rides, but have always had a hankering for the longer journeys, this gives a great perspective of them 🏴🇺🇸
This is a FANTASTIC journey. I have done it. Epic scenery. One of the great train journeys in the World. Go and do it !
Glad I found this. Definitely going to do this trip.
One of the best domestic train adventures I've seen in a while. I've taken the coast starlight and some others. This scenery beats them all hands down. Can't wait to give it a go. Just awesome!!
Wow! Great video. Thanks so much. Never considered adding the California Zephyr to my ‘want to ride’ list. Really appreciate including the narration approaching the 28 tunnels. Thanks again for a truly professional video.
VIdeos like this give me an incredible wanderlust. I feel like I'm stuck where I live. Hopefully I can experience that train one day.
save 50 bucks a week. took me over 2yrs with half my income tax to save 4500. had a roomeete on cal zep. worth every penny. going to do it again next yr.
I do it every year. It's amazing. I also have reviews on my channel. All great things.
@@thesoftlifeadventurer Can anyone hear me?
@@thesoftlifeadventurer What's your favorite community?
@@kennypalermo9071 what do you mean, "can anyone hear me"?🤔
Thanks for filming the footage from this train trip, pretty cool. Hard to beat a train trip if you want to see it and enjoy without the hassle of driving yourself.
On a side note, I saw the sticker on the second engine that read "THE HEARTLAND FLYER'S BIG GAME TRAIN" - it seems Amtrak had not removed that yet. If you didn't already know, Amtrak's Heartland Flyer runs daily between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth's downtown station. On the way, it stops in Norman, a suburb of Oklahoma City. Norman's the home of the Sooners, and every year, the Sooners play against the Texas Longhorns in what is the classic "Red River Rivalry" football game of the Big 12.
So every year, Amtrak runs the Heartland Flyer as the "Big Game Train" in October a few days before and after the Big Game. It's also known as the Red River Shootout and the Red River Classic among other colloquial names. Thought I'd put this there since that caught my attention, being a Sooner fan myself ;)
I've done most of the long haul runs on amtrak and THIS is the next one on my list to ride. GREAT video.
I'm going from Kentucky to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Seattle in 10 days, super excited for my roomette! Also, thanks for the beautiful beginning of this video. Lovely editing!
Wowww amazing I want to take my daughter to this trip she is 17 and nothing I do is exciting for her anymore, but I know she'll love this.
you go mamma. my 2 kids got to do it in the 80's at 12 and 14 they were of the 'punk (rebellious ) nature, but they gasped several times! I heard it ! lol
Took this same run in 2015, first time. Incredible, impressive and hope to do it again. Your video was superb! Thanks so much for posting.
a few years ago, i did what's called the mini circle via Amtrak. The Californa Zephyr, The Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder back to Chicago. Of the three, each had magnificent vistas. What you are calling the dorm room, also sometimes, if available, offers a roomette when folks decide to upgrade after the train leaves the station. Usually, there is a baggage car as well either just behind the locomotives or at the very end of the train.
On my train, the sleepers were at the end, I was in the last car, with the coach cars in front. It was very quiet and my car attendant (as on the two other trains) was very good at her job. We had the opportunity to have a couple of chats and she told me, as well as being of service to the folks in the bedrooms and roomettes, one of their primary goals was to secure the cars and the belongings of the people in her car. In other words, she was a guardian as well as a service person and information center.
She always made sure all the bathrooms were spotless and fully stocked, coffee was hot and ready early in the morning, and water replenished during the turndown service, or anytime it was requested.
I've traveled a great deal, and the service I've received on Amtrak was always very good. The best perhaps was on the Empire Builder, which was extraordinarily fine and doggedly devoted to the guests aboard. I was amazed. There were little candies treats, juice, water, and even little bottles of sparking wine as part of the service.
That being said, California Zephyr was very good indeed and the mountains were breathtaking.
I only wish the United States would invest in the rail infrastructure for passenger trains. The locomotives are capable of speeds far beyond 100mph, but the tracks are of such low quality, there are doing well to hit 80...and that is an unnecessary disgrace to the industry.
Unfortunately the few remaining freight railroads own all of the tracks outside the northeast corridor. The freight railroads spend enough as it is to keep the signals and tracks sustained at up to 79 mph. They do not want to spend more, nor does the government. But Amtrak does run trains over 100 mph on the northeast corridor...
My uncle was the head conductor on the Chicago to L.A. train when I was a young girl in the 50 & 60's. I was always so impressed when he'd get dressed in his uniform and dreamed of traveling by train someday. When I worked in downtown Chicago I always traveled on the train, which was the closet I got until my husband and I traveled in Europe and used their trains. We loved every minute of sitting back and enjoying the scenery. This is a great video, thanks for sharing.
In two weeks I am doing the Zephyr starting out from Emeryville back to Chicago. Looking forward to it like crazy.
Great video, nicely recorded; you kept narration to a minimum at all the right times. Did you notice a lot of homeless encampments in Sacramento? You didn’t mention that. I took the Zephyr eastward a couple years back with my son in a roomette. Amazing experience, indeed. Thanks, again.
Thanks very much for your video. Am Australian and plan to take the California Zephyr soon... hopefully ?. Thanks again for all the good info, including at the end where you showed us your 'budget' motel room. Looked orright to me.Also appreciate how you let the scenery go by without the person recording being in front of the camera unnecessarily , which unfortunately a lot of travelogues have, and also recording the conductor descriptions in your video, that was good. Thanks again.
Incredible views! I am planning our first train trip from Chicago to LA and your videos are very helpful ! Thank you!
Loved this video, especially Glenwood Canyon! Thank you for sharing your trip!
Thank you for posting such an interesting and informative video. We are from England and are taking a 3 day Amtrak trip in February 2019' so this really was a great source of information for us. Thanks mate.
Riding the Zephyr was a great thing to do for us a couple of years ago, however if I was to do it again, I would take an American fellow traveller's advice and fly to Denver then take the train over to SF. As this was one leg of a trip of a lifetime, we paid for a Roomette, which turned out to be over the bogie. The condition of the track made sleep impossible because of the huge and I mean huge jolts as wheels hit misaligned frogs and joints. We managed to get some sleep in the lounge car. Everything else was fine, but it took the edge of the experience and the contents of my wallet!
That sunset you caught at 56:21 was AMAZING.
This is absolutely beautiful! I want so bad to take this route. Love your back ground music and it is the correct level not to be annoying.
I love it when the crews take time to talk about areas,it is clear he knows the areas
I loved traveling on the Zephyr. Made several trips in the 60’s when I was in the Navy stationed aboard ship’s stationed in CA.
Too bad that you went through most of Utah when it was dark. The scenery there is pretty spectacular especially between Helper and Salt Lake. Missed the salt flats too. Thanks for posting.
Excellent video - you really get the feel of being on board. Well done!
Love the detail, the length, the insight, and your commitment to produce a very well structured, informative and well orchestrated trip review/movie. Keep it up. I truly look forward to watching these every single day.
Loved it. Thank you for sharing your experience. This a dream trip I have had for most of my life. I am not sure I will ever be able to have this experience, so greatful to see it thru your travels.
Did about the same trip with my parents back in 02'. It was the Great California Train Adventure with Holiday Vacations out of Wisconsin. We left from Union Station in Chicago. We got off the train in Reno then we continued the tour by tour bus along Cal. Hwy 101, stopping at various cities for a night or two and flew back to Chicago from Los Angeles. Was a wonderful trip.
Thank you for a great video. Especially liked your ability to hold the camera steady, and to be quiet when the scenery needed no narration. Great job.
Great video, thank you so much for uploading. Wanted to do this trip with my dad a few years ago. But we decided to do a western state road trip instead. My dad sadly passed a couple of years ago, but I remain determined to do this trip to honor him at some point in the not to distant future.
I have to say this is one of the most thorough videos of travel we’ve seen. Great capture in all. Keep up the good work. Be safe on your journeys!
rode the california zepher last yr. had the time of my life!!!
Thank you so much for your great movie! I did the same trip in 1997, and also took the California zephyr back to Chicago after a week in S F. Your fine film did so I remembered a lot from my trip, which I had almost forgotten.
Thanks !!
I really want to take the California Zephyr after seeing this incredible video! Great job, Jacob! I enjoyed every minute of it!
Have watched other Amtrak videos on UA-cam. Yours are, without doubt, the best!
Thank you!
Great video! Traveling by train is a relaxing way to go, especially seeing all that backed up traffic outside/approaching San Francisco. Never have taken long distance train trips, just from Central Illinois to Chicago and down to C'Dale. After watching your video, might have to plan one. :)