California Zephyr Travelogue

The roomettes are waste on the Zephyr. I don't know how anyone could sleep in the upper birth. The only way to make that trip, and I have done it twice in the last 4 years is to get a bedroom. That is a nice video that you made of the trip.

I took the upper bunk both ways and didn't really find much difference between the two. I can definitely understand that for older people it's a challenge. 

Very nice video.  I enjoyed watching it.  Thanks for posting it.

I've taken a roomette and found it fine, but then I travelled alone, so the upper berth was empty. I'm in my mid-70s but tend to actand think—like someone much younger.

Here are two of my photos of the train while it was stopped in Denver, on the way out:

Excellent report throughout!

Rode the WP leg of the Zephyr back in 67 and again in 68 with my family, and later watched the final run on its way through Stockton.  My wife and I have been wanting to take the Amtrak Zephyr to Denver for a while now... maybe later this year (or next).  

 Very informative and enjoyable to view'... Nice job! Thanks for posting.  I appreciate the time you devoted in making this film'....

Burst out laughing on comment about more room than airlines, but it gave me an idea for fantasy cars: model railroad stock cars lettered for airlines....think they would sell in air terminals?  (I used to love to fly)

Bravo! Such a trip is for the young at heart.

A few years back, my wife and I traveled from LA to Washington DC and back by AMTRAK. We started with the Coast Starlight to Emeryville and thence by Cal Zephyr to Chicago. The Zephyr portion was, hands down, the best part of the ordeal. I would not *ever* do this again. However, my wife subscribes to the last two lines of Edna St. Vincent Millay's famous poem:    Yet there isn't a train I wouldn't take, No matter where it's going.

We were six hours late arriving in Chicago, due to recent rains and some iffy track (AMTRAK, in my experience, is *always* late getting to Chicago, so if you need to make a connection, reserve a night in Chicago). The good news is that because we were so late our luxo hotel upgraded us to a super-luxo room, thus further spoiling my wife.
Not a fan of AMTRAK food after the first couple of days. In fairness, we had several interesting dining companions.
Had a bedroom throughout. Because my wife is, how shall we say, gymnastics-challenged, she got the lower, comfy bunk and I the upper slab of plywood with micro-thin mattress. If you're young &c, likely OK; my busted back guaranteed very little sleep.
Our return trip from Chi was via the Empire Builder. Who knew North Dakota was so enormous, made even larger by interminable waits for bulk-load trains.

Finally, don't get me started about Washington Union Station.

Thank you all for your kind feedback! 

Eastbound Zephyr

Will...i had to re- sign in/log in to say it isnt too late for starting your new career as a travelogue videographer.  Good stuff!   Hope to see more.

Thank you! 

Some recent photos of the CZ in Colorado all since April, 1

Will E.

I suggest you attach your video to AMTRAK as a qualification for a job in their PR department.  Keep on riding!

Mike Mottler, retired PR Executive