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October 06, 2006
Train Tripping - 53 Hours
I use to go to Sacramento on business quite often. I finally figured out how to do it right. Instead of flying to SAC, I'd fly to Chicago (Midway), and get on the California Zephyr. Well that's not exactly true, it's not the Zephyr yet, it is just the train. It departs at 2:40 in the afternoon, does Iowa and Nebraska at night, and arrives in Denver at dawn. Once you've seen a mile of those two states, you've seen it all. Anyway, the train is watered, and then begins to slowly chug up and over the Rockies. High enough, the snow never melts. Then, your hauling ass downhill for Salt Lake City. The train arrives at dusk, it is watered again, more engines are brought forth and they split it into three trains. The train station in Salt Lake is very close to the Mormon Tabernacle, and if you've never seen it glowing at night, you are missing a beautiful sight.
The first third of the train (now the California Zephyr) presses forward across the High Sierra to SAC and on to San Francisco. The middle (now the Desert Wind) heads for Las Vegas and terminates in the city of Angels. Problem is, all the Angels out there left along time ago. The tail end (now the Pioneer) heads north for Seattle.
This is a great way to see the country, in my opinion. When I was doing my "train tripping", I could purchase a ticket for the same price as a one way flight to SAC. You get, a private "room" with two bunk beds, windows that open, a semi private head, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner - cruise ship style. Two seatings, early and late. Also, the Bar Car. It is transparent, open 24 hours, has a live band, and is just very very cool. Set up for maximum sightseeing.
It's about as much traveling fun you can have in 53 hours, and you will be Mooned... by all the rafters going down the Colorado river. It is custom.
This is a beautiful country, and if you must go to the Left Coast...this is the way to do it.
Posted by Yabu at October 6, 2006 11:58 AM | The Past
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Cool. Wish we'd get back into passenger service, but that ain't gonna happen. We kill enough people at crossings. Funny thing, when we bought Conrail in 99 all those guys had to travel by Amtrak pass. No flying for them! We thought it was cheesy at the time, but it beats hell out of air travel.
Posted by: velociman at October 6, 2006 06:55 PM
Hmmm. That sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe I'll try that the next time I go to the left coast. It's damn bad enough when you get there putting up with all the lefties, fruits, nuts, flakes, fags and homeless. At least your way a normal person can have some fun on the way. If they didn't pay me so good I would never go over there for anything. Far as I am concerned it can't drop into the ocean soon enough for me.
Posted by: assrot at October 6, 2006 07:06 PM
