Tour of Amtrak's California Zephyr
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- Wednesday, November 1, 2017. A tour of Amtrak's eastbound California Zephyr (train 6). Video shot in Iowa. Video edited and uploaded in Illinois, while still on the train. Shot using a GoPro Hero Session.
Bought my ticket yesterday. Starting my journey in Ohio and going to California. I found out about this train because of a casual conversation with a coworker about riding Greyhound and he said I should look at Amtrak. I started watching these videos and I knew I had to do it. Funny how things happen.
Congratulations! I hope you have a great trip. :)
how was your trip??
Took Amtrack from Salt Lake City UT to Syracuse NY. First was the California Zephyr to Chicago to catch the Lakeshore limited to Syracuse NY. The Zephyr was so late in Chicago we missed the Lakeshore and had to wait 22 hours in Chicago to catch it. But Amtrack put us all up in a beautiful hotel for the night. It was in downtown Chicago and was no cheap hotel either. My room had to be at least a 200 a night room. Amtrack even paid our cab rides both ways...I was so impressed. Greyhound would never do that. I love you, Amtrack.
It’s a bucket list item of mine to ride this train! I love how in depth you went.
Thanks. Let me know, if you have any more questions. Also, if you'd like to get involved in advocating for preserving and expanding the nation's passenger rail system, join RPA: www.railpassengers.org/
I'm British, and me and my best friend just booked tickets to take this train from Chicago to Emeryville next May, the two of us staying in a roomette. We're both incredibly excited! Thanks for the video. :-)
You're welcome. Let me know, if you have any questions.
@@cartographer1977 If you don't mind answering, then I have a few questions!
How long was your drain delayed (if at all)? I took a train from Pittsburgh to Chicago in March which was delayed seven hours, and another from Atlanta to New Orleans which was about four hours late. The former definitely almost killed me (ha!), but I'm hoping with a roomette it'll be a little better.
Also, what was the food like? I've seen and heard horror stories, but I've also heard that on the Zephyr in particular the fare is pretty good.
Thanks again!
@@sleepy4172 This particular train arrived 5 hours and 41 minutes late into Chicago. I travel on Amtrak frequently enough that I can't remember what caused the delay that time. It's difficult to anticipate Amtrak delays. A few weeks ago, I rode the California Zephyr to California, and it was on time in both directions. Earlier this year, I rode the Zephyr east, and it was was severely delayed due to flooding near Omaha, which required a detour and caused the train to be over 9 hours late.
Here are two websites that can be helpful for trip planning. ASMAD is a log of all departures and arrivals of Amtrak trains. It's great for trying to anticipate delays based on past on-time performance:
juckins.net/amtrak_status/archive/html/home.php
And this website features a map and station tracking tool that is far superior to what Amtrak offers on its website:
asm.transitdocs.com/
Having a room on the train helps make delays much more bearable, since you have the option of just going to sleep, if the train is late. The dining car food on the California Zephyr and the other overnight trains that operate in the west is still pretty good. The horror stories that have arisen lately are because of cuts made to dining cars in the east, where microwaved meals have replaced full-service dining.
Since I now serve on its board of directors, I also have to give a shout-out to the Rail Passengers Association, which has been doing tremendous advocacy to ensure that Amtrak continues to operate in the face of attacks from the current administration. Joining RPA also earns you a 10% discount on Amtrak fares:
www.railpassengers.org/
@disreputable_dog (not sure tagging is working, frustratingly!) Oh dear... Just seen this video and browsing the comments. I guess you had to cancel or postpone? I'm researching the Zephyr as an alternative to flying to CA.
Last year I took California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville & back & loved the entire journey! Went coach, but maybe this year I'll try a sleeper, I'm 70 now & coach starts getting a little rough after 1st night, but will make the trip again! No more flying for me, it's too much of a rude reality experience!
The roomette is the affordable way to have the sleeper experience. All your meals in the dining car are included in the cost of your ticket too! You also have access to the shower. Oh, and I totally agree with avoiding flying!
I've travelled on Amtrak train (even former private RR Company before Amtrak merged) for 52 years. So, I go once (sometime twice) a year in any part of USA as I love it and no matter if on time or delays. Train travel is a blast and amazing trips.
trains are cool, and the food is good too, thanks for the video
You're welcome.
Cartographer1977 I love trains. There is a train here in Vegas and I went on. I got to meet the conductor and yell all aboard. It wasn’t like the train you’re on. It was the Railway museum. But, I’ve always wanted to take a train and sleep on it and eat on board. I heard that the train sounds can make you very sleepy.
A really good video, thank you for uploading and sharing. There are many videos about the journey, mostly looking out the window and talking about the food and experience. But this is the first video I've found that actually shows what the train is really like onboard.
I'd long planned a 'comprehensive' tour around USA, but the idea of an V8 Mustang and Route 66 has gone out the window now. THIS is the way to see USA.
Train travel is the best.I took the Via Rail Canadian a few times as a kid and I loved it.Best trip was from Revelstoke to Calgary.When the train got into Golden my father who worked for CP Rail overheard the conductor talking to the engineer via radio that the locomotive had an oiling problem.My father went up front and told them to get going as he could fix it.Between Golden and Field he did fix the problem.When the train arrived in Field he came back and said "grab your stuff boy we are riding up front" and off we went to the locomotive.The train pulled out of Field and in between Field and Banff the engineer taught me how to operate the bell/whistle and the throttle.From Banff to Calgary I drove the train.At every crossing I turned on the bell and blew the whistle and I controlled the speed.The only thing I was not taught was the brakes.The engineer did my dad a SOLID for fixing the locomotive and it was his last run.When he arrived in Montreal he was getting his golden handshake retirement.
At the age of 12 it is pretty uber cool to have driven a train.
Awesome!
Lucky... I’m 13 p atm and I’ve only ever ridden an Amtrak train once. I rode metra trains from Joliet to Chicago a hell of a lot though.
Thank you for taking us along.
You're welcome.
I need to ride this at least once in my life. Looks so cool and fun. I conveniently live about a 10 minute drive from a Salt Lake City Amtrak stop.
It's a great ride. I also live in Salt Lake City.
I live near the Salt Lake City stop as well.
@@michaelneff5293 yo same
Your video was very informative! Thank you. Can’t wait to take a California Zephyr to Michigan to visit my sister. It seems like a once in a lifetime experience and I can’t wait!
You're welcome.
I wanna go on the train!!! I wanna stay overnight and eat luxurious dinner while lounging.
It's worth it.
That was a great video for someone like me that never took the train across county and I need to take s trip on it thank you
Glad you enjoyed it.
great tour of this long distance train
Thanks for making this video. It was helpful to me.
You're welcome.
Great tour of the whole train. Most videos either show just the view out the window, or tour an individual sleeper bedroom, both lf which can be interesting, but I really enjoyed your tour of the whole train.
Thank you.
Great video. Thank you. You didn’t show the lower level in the Coach car. No one ever does. I’m taking the Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago in May, with stopovers in Grand Junction (to drive to Durango) and then Denver, with a Roomette the first and last legs and Coach the second leg. That’s why I queried the Coach car lower level. I’m really looking forward to it. Cheers, from Australia.
Crosshead1 I hope you have a nice trip! :) I did video the lower level, while aboard the Coast Starlight: ua-cam.com/video/YSBU44yb1uE/v-deo.html
cartographer1977 Thank you for that. I was mostly interested to know if there was luggage storage space in the Coach cars or if I’d need to check my larger bag into the baggage car. Looks like there’s a fair amount of storage on the lower level racks. Cheers.
You're welcome. :) If you are traveling between staffed stations that allow you to check baggage, I recommend checking the bags that you won't be needing while on the train, since it saves space on the baggage racks.
cartographer1977 Thanks again. That’s good advice which I’ll look into.
You're welcome.
Ah! Looks like you got roomette #2. I just booked from Emeryville to Chicago in Jan 2022 with my dad. We were assigned roomette #2.
Have fun. :)
I have taken this train from Sacramento to Reno and back many times. It is very scenic going over the Sierra-Nevada range and past Donner lake.
Yes, it is very scenic. The stretch between Salt Lake City and Denver is also very scenic.
Have not gone beyond Reno yet. I have taken the Coast Starlight from Sacramento to Seattle. That ride is also very scenic.
William Erdman Yes it is. The Ventura to San Luis Obispo stretch is also very scenic. Great views of the ocean!
I have mentioned that to my wife and daughter. Get on in Davis and ride to San Diego and back since the Surfliner and Coast Starlight can be changed over from one to the other.
William Erdman The Surfliner is on my bucket list.
7:15 For so long I thought that the little noise you hear from the wheels, what's it called? running mode or something? Unsure. But for so long I thought that sound was only on the trains where I am in my local place in Brisbane because It's the only thing you can hear after the beautiful motor sound you hear when the QLD Rail IMU/SMU gets going but that running sound I never knew was everywhere.
I took I think was the Zephyr to Colorado by myself when I was 15. I had a good time as I got to walk around and explore. I did come prepared with a cooler as the food on the train was expensive. Would love to go on a train again since I hate driving and flying freaks me out.
It's a great ride. :)
Just last month i rode the same train f rom slc ut to truckee calif to and from i love sitting in the table area window on both sides i could see everything its a very fun train to ride indeed
The Amtrak Superliner II exterior and vestibule windows are made of Lexan Polycarbonate, this prevents the window panes from shattering if a large object impacts them, such as a brick thrown from a bridge above the tracks, as regular safety glass would shatter. This protects passengers and crew members from flying debris. I do not know if the interior window panes on Amtrak Superliner roomettes are Lexan though.
Like how you explored each car. Well edited. Very informative! Thank you. :)
Leann Hodge You're welcome. :)
I took that train from Denver Colorado to Granby Colorado this morning. I've ridden The Zephyr several times
Thank you for sharing your video. 🙂🚅👍👍
On my bucket list
It's a great ride. :)
I was going Through my Emails and I saw Amtrak give me a job offer to work for them...So I thought I'd do some research and thanks for the Tour it helped with my research
You're welcome.
That train is also not far from my old apartment, it was in the suburbs of chicago and the route that train goes down the BNSF-Metra corridor
Nice video. We look forward to our Amtrack ride - coming from Denmark ( like you ? ) we are used to train rides but Amtrack seems quit different 🤞😃
Wow man this is a real US train I can tell by the genuine "yellow stool" passengers have to use to enter exit trains
hey! I’m Kat! Can you come check out my channel please? I wanna reach 1,000 subscribers and I’m only at 433 subscribers.
Im currently planning a trip from Boston, MA to Appleton, WI and another from Massachusetts to Minnesota on Amtrak. Several videos are going to be filmed during those trips! I’m making a lot of good content and I work hard on each video!! I really want people to see it!
Does the door to the roommettes lock? Im taking this train from Chicago to Emeryville, CA in September. I cant wait. I 😍 Amtrak
You can lock the door to your roomette from the inside when you're inside.
I am writing a murder mystery and I plan to have it take place on this so this will be very helpful thank you
You're welcome. Let me know, if you have any questions.
Oh yah i rode train 5 from slc ut june 15th 2019 to emerville then bus to la downtown. Then train 6 from down town la to santa Barbara then bus threw san franisco then train to slc ut june 25th 2019 back at slc the 26th june that was fun. Indeed
I really enjoyed this!!!!
California Zephyr goes behind my house as well as the regional Capitol Corridor
Cartographer 1977 - Are they making progress on building the hotel rooms at Chicago Union Station? That hotel would be nice if I came into Union Station on the Empire Builder, stayed overnight, & departed on the California Zephyr the next day!
Is there a comment you didnt like? Props to you responding and the video. Thinking bout taking it somewhere
Well, occasionally I have to delete a comment that's rude or off-topic. ;)
I LOVE YOUR VIDEO
The sleeping car, facilities such as shower and toilet and the observation car look much newer/modern than most California Zephyr videos i've seen. Have they recently updated their trains as far as you know? And how was the food? Thanks!
Richard Verreault I don't know all the fleet details, but they have been renovating a lot of equipment lately. :)
Also, the food was great. :)
It looks like there are a lot of empty seats in coach. One can't tell with sleeper. Was this the off-season? Lightly loaded trains leads to higher prices to cover the costs.
It was off-season in November. The sleepers were still mostly full.
Oh you wondering what month well september 2018
Cartographer1977, would you consider the accommodations comfortable for tall people? How tall are you?
That's a really good question. I'm 6'2". The beds in Amtrak's roomettes are 6'6", so I just fit and am able to stretch out completely.
cartographer1977 I’m 6,3” 220lbs so I was curious about that as well. Gotta stretch out those long legs!!!!
In 3 days, taking this train from Iowa to california.
I just rode it from Salt Lake City to Chicago. We were delayed six hours due to flooding. Hopefully it will be on time for you. :)
@@cartographer1977 thank you
@@josiahjohnson4037 You're welcome.
Currently planning a trip from Massachusetts to Wisconsin and one from Massachusetts to Minnesota! I’m gonna vlog it
wow thank you for great video!
Thanks. :)
Great video! Do you recall if the wifi was decent?
There is no WiFi on Amtrak's long-distance trains.
On some trains that is true and others only partly true since they have Wi-Fi when near the highway and no Wi-fi when going away from the away like in mountains, ocean space, and tunnels.
Never been on a train wow it looks like a airplane on wheels without shower.
That's how I roll. ;)
Showers ARE available. In first class.
WOW I may never travel by train why in Mexico they removed them in 1990 idea almost 20 years before I was born
Hi me and my parents are travelling from chicago to emeryville next week stopping off and staying overnight at denver and salt lake city have you been to these places and if so is there stuff to see and do ?? Thanks
Denver is a beautiful city with a great downtown that's easy to reach from the Amtrak station. There's a free shuttle on 16th Street that links the station to the state capitol and city hall: www.rtd-denver.com/FREEMallRide.shtml There's also lots more information here: www.denver.org/
I actually live in Salt Lake City, so I give you lots of information. There's also free light rail linking the Amtrak station to downtown: rideuta.com/Fares-And-Passes/Free-Fare-Zone There's also lots of information here: www.visitsaltlake.com/ Let me know, if you have more questions. :)
Hello. Nice. I’m thinking about taking the Amtrak from Fresno to Sacto, then over to Denver. Staying a couple nights in Denver, then flying back to Fresno. What I need to know is tricks of the trade to stretch my dollar. Although I make 6 figs a yr, I’m cheap and I value my dollar. For instance should I bring my own liquor? Is it worth it to get a sleeper Roomette or should I just power thru with a coach seat? And are those coach sears comfy? Do they have the 4 sears with a table also? If you get a coach seat do you still have access to showers? Can I bring my own snacks and sandwiches?All those little ins and outs is what I need to know.
From my point of view, getting a roomette is a better value. One of the things that Amtrak is poor at advertising is the fact that, for sleeping car passengers, meals in the dining car are included in the price of your ticket. For a trip from SAC to DEN, that means lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, depending on how much food you order, you'll get between $100 and $150 in additional value out of your sleeping car ticket. However, alcoholic beverages are not included with your dining car meals and are an additional cost. Personal alcoholic beverages can only be consumed in the privacy of your own sleeping car room and cannot be consumed anywhere else on the train including at coach seats. The coach seats are very comfortable, but I struggle falling asleep unless I can stretch out horizontally, so I struggle to sleep in them. Each coach seat has its own folding table. The roomettes also have a folding table. If you need a bigger table, the lounge car has tables that seat four. Only sleeping car passengers have access to the showers. You can bring your own snacks and sandwiches and are welcome to eat them everywhere, except for the dining car and the lower level of the lounge car. You can read Amtrak's official food, beverage, and medication policy here: www.amtrak.com/personal-food-beverages-medication Feel free to ask, if you have more questions.
cartographer1977 cartographer1977 thanks for the excellent info. From the way you’re describing it, the time it takes to go from Sac to Denver I can have up to 5 meals? And is there a limit as to how much food I can order at each meal? 🤫. Also, if the meals are included then is there a monetary limit on what I can get? If not then it would be logical to get the MOST EXPENSIVE thing on the menu at each serving right? SREAK AND LOBSTER AT EVERY DINNER! Or do they put a dollar cap on it? Lol. I’m a big boy, I gotta eat. So it’s beginning to sound similar to a cruise where meals are included. The no shower access is killing me. Because after being on a train ride for 35 hrs how can they NOT expect us to not want to take a shower?😤. The other thing that kills me is is the sleeper roomette price based on double occupancy? Similar to cruises? Do i have to pay more for a roomette even though I’m traveling by myself? If so, do Amtrak have a thing where you can book the roomette sleeper with ANOTHER solo traveler??🤷🏽♂️. I’ve taken my personal liquor on board before. As long as your discrete with drinking they usually don’t mind. Well it does sound like the roomette may be a better deal. In my case it’s a 200 dollar increase from the coach seat to the roomette; but with 5 included meals at let’s say 15 bucks average per meal puts me at 75 bucks. Plus comfy sleeping qtrs with shower and all the coffee and treats🤔. Hmmm. I’m contemplating. Or is there more to sway my decision? I’m just trying to find the most economical way to go about this.
cartographer1977 oh WOW! I re read your response. So you think I can get up to150 bucks in food? Wow that’s TWICE my estimate of 75 bucks. That kinda changes things. I heard they give you free coffee and cookies and snacks to the sleeper passengers? That’s another perk.
First off, you can download a PDF of the dining car menu here: www.amtrak.com/onboard/meals-dining/meal-choices-and-menus-at-a-glance.html For breakfast, I usually get scrambled eggs with sausage and an orange juice, which comes to $14.25. For lunch, I often start with the garden salad, followed by the angus burger with cheese and bacon and an apple juice, and finish with a desert and glass of milk, which comes to $30.50. For dinner, I usually start with the garden salad, then the "land and sea" combo with an apple juice, and finish with a desert and glass of milk, which comes to $53.50. So, if I were riding from SAC to DEN, I'd have $182.25 in food included in the price of my roomette ticket. If you're riding in coach, you have the choice of paying for full service in the dining car or getting food in the cafe in the lower level of the lounge car, which isn't nearly as good. You can download a PDF of the cafe menu here under "National Cafe Car Menu:" www.amtrak.com/onboard/meals-dining.html Also, the sleeping cars have complimentary coffee, orange juice, and bottled water, so you don't have to worry about getting thirsty.
Pricing for sleeper accommodations is similar to a cruise or booking a hotel room. You're paying for the room regardless of how many people are in it. Amtrak doesn't give you the option of sharing a roomette with strangers, but given how "comfy" the roomettes are, you wouldn't want to be sharing the limited space with anyone unless they were a close family member, close friend, or "significant other."
So, my recommendation is to go for the roomette, since you'll get all the meals and amenities included. Plus, you'll be able to shower.
Yep. In fact, once I looked at the menu and did all the math, my initial guess of $150 was a lot lower than what I would actually spend, which was $182.25. :) Plus, it's fun to be able to splurge without any hesitations, because you know that it's already paid for. ;)
Hi I have one question which is on the coach seats so the most basic ones do they have outlets/plugs? Thanks!
Yes. All the coach seats now have power outlets. Also, all the seats in the lounge car and in the dining car have power outlets.
How are toddlers on the Amtrak? my mom and 2 year old daughter are going to Reno from Chicago friday I'm really nervous I just want to make sure she will be safe. 😭😭
CrystalLovesG CrystalLovesG Will they be traveling in coach or in a room in the sleeper?
She will be perfectly safe. The conductors are good about that. I might recommend a room so she can take naps when tired. The coach seats are a lot like bus seats.
Is there free WiFi throughout the train and if so how fast is it? Could you stream Netflix? A
So, is there problems with motion sickness?
I've never had any issues with motion sickness. Some Amtrak trains have WiFi; however the California Zephyr is not yet one of them. I have unlimited data on my wireless plan, so I just use that.
I just rode today. I was surprised they had no wifi. Was kind of sad when our 6 hours was up though, I could have stayed on for 6 hours more I think. Regarding motion sickness, I felt nothing the entire time I was sitting, but I did feel it a bit when I walked around.
Life is a Photo Op hmmmmm For my future planned train trips guess I will bring a few books or a Kindle in case there is no WiFi. As far as the motion sickness I kind remember feeling that metallic queasy feeling when walking through the narrow corridors on the way to the dinner car.
Took a short trip to Pasadena recently, on Metrolink (same tracks as Amtrak) and felt no queasiness. If you are prone to motion sickness like me, just take it easy, don't try to do too much (reading on a bus seems to set me off)If there are rest stops, take them - and if you're worried, pop a Bonine or similar 30 minutes before boarding - if it's a night train, it will help you to sleep...
Andy Mackay , no the California Zephyr is very smooth, i rode the Zephyr from Chicago to Glennwood Springs.
*he will (not should or may) be travelling in this train*
Not good news for me. I’m 6’6”. Are there bigger rooms?
Unfortunately, 6'6" is as long as any of the beds get. You can see all the details yourself here: www.amtrak.com/onboard/onboard-accommodations-for-all-your-needs/sleeping-accommodations/sleeping-car-virtual-tours.html
Very informative. Thanks! What is downstairs in the coach cars? More coach seats?
Dana McCall Yes. There's a small section of coach seats with room for passengers in wheelchairs.
cartographer1977 thanks!
The coach cars also have the bathroom facilities downstairs.
I'm going this week and looking forward to it. Was that a first class seat you were in?
Have a nice trip! Yes, it was a roomette in the sleeper car. On Amtrak, all accommodations in the sleeper cars are considered first class.
Thanks it was fun! Here's Part 1 ua-cam.com/users/edit?o=U&video_id=hiWKxeCH-ag
Looks pretty empty in November. If I get a sleeper but want to spend some time in coach, do you think they sill allow that if it's that empty?
The lounge car is the best place to go, if you want to get out of your sleeper room and socialize with people. The lounge car is what we call "non-revenue seating," meaning that it's open on a first come basis for everyone who wants to enjoy the views from the big windows. Also, it's usually not a problem to sit in coach, if it's empty.
thank you!
@@sydansell1 You're welcome. :)
n
The other name for the lounge car is called “Observation car” those are all Amtrak train west of Chicago and San Antonio have them.
can coach tickets use the showers?
Unfortunately no.
😍
Oh man I really wanna take a train for birthday.
Great video 😊 Just wondering please, what video editing program you used?
Thanks. :) I used Adobe Premier.
cartographer1977 Is it easy to use? I’m always used to using Windows Movie Maker.
@@mayfleur36 Adobe Premiere is a professional-grade editing tool. Unfortunately, it's not really easy to use, but it is powerful, and you can do just about anything with it, if your computer has the power to keep up with you.
Cool!
any tv or computers available?
No. That's why I bring my laptop.
Are there any rooms where you can lay down flat?
Yes. All the rooms in the sleeper cars have seats that fold into beds that you can lay down flat on. More details here: www.amtrak.com/rooms
doin that run next april
It's a great ride. :)
Looks like a great experience. But I know my motion sickness would probably spoil it for me.
Tee L I experience motion sickness driving, if I read while driving in the car, but I've never had any issues on the train.
Trains don't have much side-to-side motion, like cars or buses when going round a curve..and certainly less than a boat!
Ms Tee , take Bonnie it's made for Motion Sickness
Wow what's it like?!
RailFanner Channel Well, I made the video to show what it's like. ;)
cartographer1977 wow I would love to ride on Amtrak in long distance.
RailFanner Channel Well, sounds like you're overdue for a ride. :)
railfanner/ let's go!!!!
sherrcon im ready
Does anyone who recently took California Zephyr know if they still don't have Wifi or not? Just trying to plan ahead :)
There's still no WiFi, since the train goes through long stretches where there are no cell towers nearby to get an internet connection from. I use the hotspot on my Sprint phone and also have a Verizon hotspot as a backup.
none.
Gee those hallways look narrow.
It can be a bit tight passing people. Just like in a submarine.
Ok