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Post by Adam on Jan 2, 2024 13:19:00 GMT
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 2, 2024 14:10:11 GMT
I've never modelled the Western Pacific (and it's too late to start now) but the CZ was probably the epitome of modern era passenger trains.
I once used the soundtrack of the below for a home movie but I have always been confused by Hank Williams' reference to the train as "The Union Pacific Queen" (although I am not sure when he wrote this):
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 2, 2024 15:15:21 GMT
Amtrak still runs California Zephyr trains today (from Chicago to San Francisco), but it's luxury status of ultimate first class service is by no means what it was back in its heyday. If you want to experience the ultimate in first class rail travel today in North America, I would suggest the Rocky Mountaineer trains. For decades, RM has run its high-level full-dome daylight trains from Vancouver to Calgary and Vancouver to Jasper. And in the last couple of years, RM has offered its "Rockies to the Red Rocks" service from Denver CO to Moab UT. RM trains are strictly sightseeing trains. But with the amount of pampering that's offered, you don't mind the fact that the RM trains run with a lower priority than the Union Pacific freight and Amtrak CZ that share part of the same route.
The biggest difference between RM and CZ service is there are no sleeping accommodations on RM trains -- the reason being the scenery is too dramatic to not be enjoyed exclusively during daylight. So RM offers its riders overnight accommodations at hotels in Kamloops (Canada) and Glenwood Springs (Colorado). And travel resumes the next day. Baggage is handled for passengers as part of the "first class experience", so bags are waiting in the hotel rooms upon arrival in the overnight hotel. Baggage actually travels on a bus, whose route parallels that of the train.The RM trips are pretty much limited to just 2-day jaunts. So we're not talking about any itineraries that involve the long-distance travel tackled by the CZ trains.
Nonetheless, you will not experience anything more grand than Rocky Mountaineer service on North American rails. Of course, you definitely will pay a premium for this kind of luxury. But once you experience it, you'll realize nothing else compares. My wife and I traveled from Vancouver to Banff with Rocky Mountaineer back in 2000. And just last year, we traveled from Denver to Moab on their new service which tracks the former D&RGW line through the Rocky Mountains. The scenery is magnificent, and views are virtually unobstructed with overhead domes and floor-to-ceiling windows on the coach and lounge cars.
On a scale of 1-10, I'd give the Rocky Mountaineer a solid 15. It's how rail travel "should be" everywhere. However, the cost would be unbelievably prohibitive... although it reinforces how "civilized" rail travel once was back in the day vs. the cattle-car concept of just moving people that is more common with today's rail and air services.
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Post by eddieg on Jan 2, 2024 15:37:01 GMT
I have ridden the Zephyr 3 times in the past 5 years from Chicago to SF, and Grand Junction to Chicago. It is still a lot of fun & great ride.
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