California Zephyr & Long Haul Amtrak

Overview of Amtrak

Amtrak is a publicly traded, for-profit company funded by the federal and state governments. It is an unusual public-private partnership for the U.S. Amtrak runs long-haul scenic routes as well as regional routes. The long-haul routes run primarily from Chicago west on freight rail lines and have a reputation for being frequently delayed.

Classes of Service

There are three classes of service on Amtrak's long-haul routes:

• Coach - Regular train seats with more legroom than an airline.
• Roomettes - Compact sleeper accommodations for 1-2 people with bunk beds.
• Bedrooms - Larger sleeper accommodations with a couch that converts to a bed.

Sleeper car tickets include meals in the dining car. Coach passengers can pay extra to eat in the dining car.

The California Zephyr Route

The California Zephyr runs daily from Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area) in 51.5 hours. It runs through:

• Rocky Mountains in Colorado
• Upper Colorado River
• Sierra Nevada Mountains in California

Major cities along the route include Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, Reno, and Emeryville.

Our Experience on the California Zephyr

We traveled in a roomette sleeper cabin. The roomette was very small but comfortable. Sleeping was challenging due to the motion and noise of the train. The food in the dining car was quite good overall.

We had a 3.5 hour delay in Colorado due to engine trouble but enjoyed the scenery. The route through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada was spectacular.

The communal dining was pleasant and we enjoyed chatting with fellow travelers. The observation car was a great place to relax and enjoy the views.

Positives and Negatives of Amtrak

Positives:

• Comfortable, relaxing way to travel
• Get to see the scenery without having to drive

Negatives:

• Very expensive compared to flying
• Often significantly delayed

Tips for Riding Amtrak

• Pack light - space is very limited
• Bring an eye mask for sleeping
• Power options are limited - bring backup chargers
• Plan for delays and schedule flexibly

Wine Break

This episode's wine break featured Red Door wine from Door 44 Winery in Wisconsin. Located on the Door Peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan, Door 44 makes high-quality wines despite Wisconsin not being known as a wine region.

Travel Tip - Always Be Charging

Always put your devices in low-power mode before traveling. Have chargers, cables, and backup batteries readily available. Take every opportunity to charge devices while in transit.