Riding Amtrak's California Zephyr | Superliner Roomette | Chicago-Emeryville
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- In February, I took a trip aboard one of Amtrak's premier long-distance trains, the California Zephyr from Chicago, Illinois to Emeryville, California. The 52+ hour journey will take us across seven states, three time zones, and span 2,438 Miles as we travel from The Windy City to the San Francisco Bay Area, Ending our trip in Emeryville, CA, just across the bay from San Francisco. I'll be traveling in a Superliner Roomette, one of Amtrak's premium sleeping car accommodations. The Zephyr offers Traditional Dining which means chef prepared meals will be served in the Dining Car for sleeping car passengers. We'll travel across the plains of the Midwest, Through the magnificent Rocky Mountains, go through the third longest railroad tunnel in the United States, ride through the desert of Nevada, and traverse Donner Pass before making our way into the Bay Area. It was such an amazing trip and I'm so excited to bring you along with me! Enjoy the video!
GE P42DC (44)
GE P42DC (159)
Viewliner II Baggage Car (61062)
Superliner II Transition Sleeper (39044)
Superliner I Sleeping Car (32042) (My Car)
Superliner II Sleeping Car (32103) "Ohio"
Superliner II Dining Car (32103)
Superliner I Sightseer Lounge (33024)
Superliner I Coach (Refurbished) (34029)
Superliner I Coach/Baggage (Refurbished) (31025)
Railroad: Amtrak
Train: California Zephyr (5) Chicago, IL to Emeryville, CA
Class: Sleeping Car (Superliner Roomette)
Fare: $540.60
Date: February 15th-18th, 2022
I really appreciate the ambient noise and no narration in this video! I booked this route for my vacation next year! I’m so looking forward to it!
This is one of the best videos about this route. Appreciate the subtitles instead of yakking. And you concentrated on the trip and not on you. Some of them just keep the camera on themselves but this really gave me a good idea of what the trip is like. I leave next week for a trip to Denver from Seattle. One thing I think really needs to be emphasized is that they WILL leave you if you are not on the train when it's ready to leave. I used to travel from Seattle to LA and I bet every single time someone was left behind, including a woman whose 7 year old daughter was still on the train. Also, obey the rules! Once someone was let off in the middle of nowhere with only a sheriff to greet him. I think that was the guy who also got caught smoking on the train. That's why I enjoy the train. They can drop trouble makers off anywhere. Hard to do from 30,000 feet in the air. LOL Anyway, thanks for an awesome video.
Absolutely LOVED this video. I felt like I took the trip with you. (And felt sad when the trip ended!) From the accommodations to the food to the scenery, you did a great job capturing it all on video. I found this so relaxing. I especially appreciated all of your observations in the captions and also appreciated that you did not talk over the video. Great job! Can't wait to see more.
This is definitely on my bucket list of things to do.
It's a great trip!
I'm usually a freight train fan, but after looking at some of these passenger rail cars, I think I'm developing some love for their design.
Absolutely the best trail travel video. I especially loved that there was no dialogue just information about the points of interest. Your video should encourage others to take a long distance Amtrak trip.
I have taken the southwest chief to los Angeles three times ,it's a journey that you will never forget ,you will always be telling people about this trip. I take Amtrak for all my traveling . You can see do much.
The Southwest Chief is on my bucket list! Yeah, Amtrak is a great way to travel and see the country!
The California Zephyr is my favorite.....should do it in the winter for best scenes.
Thank you so much for a great videio. Your comments are factual and to the point. Some folks you can tell don't have facts correct and therefore wrong information is given out. Thank you! 😊
I've taken this trip perhaps 6 times and it never gets old. Very nice video. It's interesting how the chatter from the conductor varies. Some are far more loquacious than others. This is the first time I've heard of rationing seats in the lounge car though. I like your attitude. I figured if the train was late I was just getting extra time for free. Most of my trips have actually been on time or close.
I've taken this trip 3 times and was the best trips I ever have been on.
I've been watching your Amtrak videos all evening Just found your site yesterday. I recently go to go back to Alton , Illinois for a relative's wedding . We both had a roomette on the Texas Eagle . My 15 year old grandson was with us and enjoyed the trip as much as we did . It had been 6 years since I'd been back . I have always loved train as far back as I can remember 5 years old . I'm now 82 and look so forward to go on a train trip.
Your videos make me feel like I'm on the train watching the beautiful scenery go by . My parents and I took the California Zephyr back in 1964 from Oakland , California to Salt Lake City . From there we took another train to Flagstaff Arizona and then the following day a bus trip to The Grand Canyon . Many great memories .
I love how you have the closed captions for us to read detailing your train journey in detail . I can read it and watch the beautiful country the train is traveling through .
You have a wonderful channel .
Thank you for all the time you take sharing your travels with us .
One of my best videos.Truly enjoyable with food.Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
You’ve done a great job on this one. In a previous video you mentioned traveling at night on a train. In my opinion one of the great experiences in the world is traveling on a train at night, through mountains, in a snow storm. If there is any romance in your soul you won’t want to sleep.
Lots of comments about on time performance and delays for various reasons. Train travel has always had those problems. And always will. If they're bothersome then you have alternatives. Of course I’d rather wait out a frozen switch for an hour or two than have a door plug blow out on an airplane. Last comment. I’ve been a train traveler for a long time. I remember when toilets on trains had signs the said, “Do not flush toilet in the station.” Everything went out on the tracks. And if you held the flush lever down you could see the tracks rush by.
I truly, truly appreciate this particular video, as I've ridden the route several times, just for the pleasure of it. Mainly though, I'm retired and love trains. My Grandfather and Father both worked for Union Pacific, when I turned 6 my dad got transferred to Omaha, from my hometown of St Louis. I noticed at the Omaha stop, it appeared the train, stopped at the old Union Station, rather than at the newer smaller building that I got off at a few years prior. I usually make this round trip journey from Oakland to Chicago at least once every year, just for the pleasure of it. just as I decided to explore further by traveling the east coast and west coast routes, covid hit, and when it became safe to do so, my youngest child has presented me with, and selected me to become daycare etc for my newest, youngest grandchild. So I now live my journeys through videos such as yours. I enjoy them tremendously. It's almost as if I'm there. Thank you
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!
I took it last August from Sacramento to Chicago, again last week from Chicago to Sacramento. I like it too, I'm going to do it at least once a year. Its only been a few days and I already want to do it again.
Thank you for posting such a nice video. My wife and I have been on the Zyphre several times between Galesburg and Sacramento. I appreciate you showing some of the stops, such as Galesburg, in the early part of your trip. Quite a few videos that I have seen posted bypass this part of the journey. It seems like they want to go right from Chicago to Denver without showing much of the countryside. Thank you again for a great video.
Oh my... 20 bucks!! Very generous of you.
I loved the video, though.
Thank you for the informative and entertaining video of the westbound California Zephyr. I'm taking the trip at the end of February 2024 and learned a lot from your video. :)
What an absolutely enjoyable video. I found myself sitting back and relaxing along with you. For the 50+ minutes of the video, I totally disengaged from life around me. I've taken the California Zephyr before and you did an outstanding job of bringing those memories back. I'm not sure how to articulate it but your presentation is unique and welcoming to viewers.
Thanks so much for your kind comments! It really means alot! I do my best to give the viewer as close to an experience you can get without physically being onboard. I'll have some more Amtrak videos coming soon!
I also liked this presentation. Also I took this trip with sleeper roomette(car 532 actually) twice in the past and loved reliving my journeys with this video. Such great memories.
Thanks, nice job!
I've done the 6 from EMY to CHI three times, all in Decembers. Beautiful trips.
This is sooo beautiful!!🥺☺️
Thank you for this video. We will be taking the same trip soon and it was helpful to see everything in detail.
What a great video! 10+ years ago I was a shuttle driver in Emeryville and would pick up passengers from Amtrak who all LOVED the Zephyr. I never really looked into this Amtrak line until this video. I love the details you shared and all the notes. Beautifully done! Please make more 😊🚅🏞
This is the 2nd time I've watched this video, because tomorrow I will be boarding the California Zephyr from Denver to Chicago, then the Capitol Limited to DC, and finally the Northeast Regional to Norfolk. I want to thank you for being so thorough in this video so I know what to expect. I do plan to do the westbound route on the California Zephyr in the Spring.
Awesome video!! I am taking this trip next month. I was looking at all of the videos of this train ride on CZcams, and by far, yours was the best!! California Zephyr #5 here I come!!
Thanks so much! The California Zephyr is a fantastic choice!
@@travelingadventureswithdan3181 Wow. And I just noticed I will be in the same Sleeper (532) you were in for this video😁
I thoroughly enjoyed your video. Having ridden Amtrak only once (4-days in coach) I completely agree with your summation and appreciate your positive narrative of the experience. We need to be more appreciative of all that goes into providing this service inclusive of staff that must live their working hours, and off-duty hours within these confines as a profession. Appreciation for all gives enjoyment for all.
I hope to do a roomette trip (if not several) in my lifetime. Nice job👍🏽
Such a fine video; the daybreak stop. The sky cooperated with beautiful colors. Thanks!
Amazingly comprehensive and fascinating. Thank you so much for taking me along. You are so appreciated.
i can't believe i watched this entire video on my lunch break! Thank you so much for posting this. It really makes me want to make trips like these. I appreciate all of the fun facts you have about trains and stations and cities along the way.
What an amazing trip - feeling inspired to follow in your footsteps someday soon
Great video. Love that you include the announcements. I look forward to your next long distance trip!
I really enjoyed watching this. Thank-you so much for bringing us along the journey with you!
Your very welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
This is truly an epic trip!
It sure is!
If you haven't already done it, the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge tourist train might be of interest to many folks!
We have ridden the Texas eagle several times.. loved it every time
Great video!
Most of the stops in this video brought back memories... I was raised in southwest Iowa, and when I was pre-school age, we took the train (pre-Amtrak) from Omaha to Denver. I played high school sports and Creston was in our conference, so I've been there many times. I attended basketball camp in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and I've been across Illinois to Chicago (although never by train). I now live in California, and my younger son attends college in Davis.
I did this trip with my 7 year old daughter over Christmas a couple years ago. We loved every mile of it and I hope to do it again but probably over the summer.
I always wonder about traveling in the US by train. You’ve answered most of my questions about Amtrak trip. Thank you. I will watch more of your trip videos.
Thanks for your comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! If you have any other questions I'd be happy to try and answer them for you. Thanks for watching!
Excellent video. Nice views. I love the printed commentary! I don't enjoy a lot of extra talking that some people do. Your comments are to the point and brief. Yeah!!!
I love the sires though the whole vidio ty for posting this
Thank you for this video! I will be going on the California Zephyr in early June 🥰
I really enjoyed this video, I love train rides, there is nothing like it. I have taken the California Coast Starlight twice, both sleeper car, I am 83 years old and I would love very much to take the longer trip, to Chicago and back. Longer the trip better. Of course it has to be in the Sleeper car, economy sleeper is just as wonderful.
Thanks for much for your comment! I couldn't agree more and longer trips are always very enjoyable! I've taken the Coast Starlight once from Seattle to San Francisco, and I hope to take the full route sometime soon!
When boarding in Chicago there is 'Red Cap' service available from the lounge to your car, no charge, but tipping is suggested. It is always an "Adventure with Amtrak" as happened with the broken rail. Most delays are from freight trains and occasionally bad weather. Have taken the SWC many times and really want to try the Zepher but need a connection to LA. Crews have always been great and the return to regular diner service is great!
I've taken the Sacramento to Denver route many times in the past...always enjoyed it.
Nice! Some of the best scenery is between Denver and Sacramento. I highly recommend doing the entire journey start to end sometime, it's a beautiful ride!
Thank you for posting. Inspiring! Love it!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
been wanting to do this trip alone but in the reverse direction and this video convinced me of it!
I'm from Auburn & Nevada City, California, so it's nice to see Nevada County on the route!
I liked the video. Im going on this trip soon and this was a great way to see what to expect. I even got the same roomette as you, #7. I really wanted to take this trip in the winter to see the snowy mountains. Thanks for your tips and trip.
Have taken this route a couple times with mu husband, most recently in October. The scenery is amazeballs!
50 YRS ago I took this trip. I was 7 YRS old. The scenery was very nice, train had 2nd floor for sight seeing. It is 3 days enjoy this posting. From L. A. CA. Usa.
Excellent presentation! I look forward to other train videos that you make...
Thanks so much! I have quite a few train trips coming up so stay tuned!
Thank you! Love long distance train travel.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful video! I felt like I was right there enjoying the trip with you! ❤💯
I took the Zepher years ago before Amtrak with my parents and sister from Denver to Oakland through the Feather River Canyon. Had a sleeper, great time. My dad was able to arrange my sister and me to ride in the engine when the switched engines in Salt Lake City《I think》it was great fun.
I done this ride last summer it was worth it! Colorado is the best looking state!
Excellent video. And the Conductors message at the last stop was hilarious. Must be a Deadhead. 😁✌
I just rode this to Grand Junction and it was awesome
Great video! It feels like I was on the train (I like the subtitles along with the PA announcements). What an amazing trip - it’s definitely on my bucket list.
The final call was the best 🤣
This was wonderful. I felt like I was onboard. I'm a new sub too. Happy Trails!✌
I had the good fortune to be able to ride on the original California Zephyr on a round trip between Chicago and Oakland. The train was magnificent. The Vista Domes were an unbelievable way to see the scenery.
Loved this video! Thank you 😊
I'm doing this ride in April but from Denver CO to San Francisco. I can't wait!
Really enjoyed the video, Amtrak is definitely on my bucket list. This past June I had the pleasure of riding the Via Rail Canadian across Canada, left me with a new appreciation of the country. I highly recommend taking the journey.
I really enjoyed the video you made, informative, your comments and description of your trip are interesting.
The video quality is excellent, congratulations.
Bernard Babin - Quebec city, Canada
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Great journey I really enjoyed it anymore.
What a wonderful trip!!!
Can’t wait to experience it in person:-)))
Fantastic video! Really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Thanks for the video. We are planning a trip from Chicago to Seattle this fall. We want to tour the west coast, on our bucket list. We have traveled by train before to both coasts but it was a long time ago. Your video got us updated on current Amtrak conditions. Way back when I was returning from Vietnam I took the last Santa Fe passenger train out of Oakland. I didn't realize that it was the last one until I met some newspaper reporters in the dome car. Got off in Flagstaff & took a bus to Phoenix to visit relatives before heading on home.
I just saw your nice video on the City of New Orleans and came to your channel to tell you to take the California Zephyr. Doh! I road the California Zephyr in April in a bedroom car and loved the trip. I have booked the City of New Orleans in the opposite direction for next March. Safe travels.
Had conference in Denver then took Amtrak to San Fran. Beautiful ride through the Rockies. Have also taken Amtrak from San Louis Obispo to San Diego. Wonderful ride along the coast.
I'm excited I am flying to Denver end of February for the trip to Emeryville. Then Emeryville to Seattle. Then Seattle to Chicago. The whole circuit!
Gracias Amstrak , por llevarme en un viaje de ensueño ! 😀🚉 Adioooss!!
Great video !! THANX🎉
Thanks for the tip on tips!
This looks very nice. I just came off of a round-trip on the Empire Builder Chicago to Seattle and back. The trip was definitely awesome.
Thanks for this video Dan, planning to visit US this year end and decide to take a ride from Emeryville all the way to Chicago and continue my last trip to New York.
oo, if you're taking the train to NYC, which one are you taking?
Thought Truckee looked like the most charming and quaint village (community) of all outside of Glenwood Springs. And it's position in the beautiful Sierras makes it even more desirable.
Just discovered your channel because of this video; was due to do it in March 2020, but covid hit. Definitely want to do it in the future. It was a great video with the stunning scenery. I look forward to checking out your other videos 👍
This is a wonderful video! I'm doing the WB Zephyr the end of Sept. in a bedroom. You got me more excited about going! Thank you!
PS - Please do the Coast Starlight soon. 😀
We’ll be on train #5 February 2024. Looking forward to the journey. Thanks for sharing & taking the time to create this video. We’ve done both Southwest Chief & the Coast Starlight. The “Chief” we did with my wife’s sisters. They were 1st timers & vowed to never do a long distance train ever in life. They’re glad they had the experience but don’t want to repeat it. After the “CZ” we’re going to do the Empire Builder. I think that’s the last westbound train.
Fantastic video, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Best wishes from Ireland!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
After Amtrak grub, folks those vacuum pumps in the bathrooms, yah your gonna need those. 😃😄😁😆😅🤣😂
Thanks for your trip report. For historical clarification, the CZ follows the former CB&Q (Burlington Route) from Chicago to Galesburg. Although Galesburg was a station stop on the old ATSF, Galesburg was founded by the Q. After the merger of the BN and SF, a connection was built between the two lines at Cameron, IL (just west of Galesburg). The Amtrak Southwest Chief uses this connection to proceed on the original Santa Fe route to Ft. Madison, KC and LA, while the Zephyr continues west to Omaha and Denver.
"From here, I don't care where you go, you just can't stay here!" Bahahaha. 😂
Thanks for the ride,,,three days would not be enough for me though ,I would really start to enjoy to much by then to hop off..
hello ty so much for bringing back memories of taking this train. rode in coach in 2012 1992 both summer times had to sit with others which i didint like to mu ch so next time gettin a sleeper peace out good work
I’ve watched several CZcams videos on this route and somehow I liked yours the best, for you focus more on the terrain and less as to the activities occurring in the train.
I felt like I was enjoying the trip. thank you.
That means so much! I'm glad you liked it. I'll have plenty more train videos coming soon!
Great trip on the Zephyr. You are leaving on the day I usually take my birthday train trip, Feb 15th. I’ve done this trip several times over the years to connect with other great train lines around the country.
Thanks for your comment and what a coincidence! It's a great trip! Thanks for watching!
Great video! I've several times taken the Coast Starlight RT but never the Zephyr. Can't think of a good excuse for it as I actually have reason to head to LA. Yours was the best video I've seen of this route. Thanks again!
One could make a day train trip through the best part, Denver to Salt Lake City and fly there and back home. Frankly I would spend a day at Grand and Glenwood Springs as well as Denver and Salt Lake City. Ride in coach at a more affordable price or use the Amtrak's 30 day Railpass coach promotion whenever it is available....
My daughter went to college at Monmouth College, about 15 miles W of Galesburg. Lots of Monmouth College students take one of the Illinois Service trains to Galesburg from Chicago, and a shuttle bus from the college meets them at the train station.
Enjoyed it. Very informative and beautifully filmed. Will have to make that trip one day.
Enjoyed the video! Great info!
I agree this is my bucket list to. I'm just excited because we don't live to far from a train station.
It's definitely a trip worth taking!
Maybe the best of all Zephyr videos. Thanks Dan. BTW-California actually is served by 8 lines......other than those you mentioned are the Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle. Pacific Surfliner and Sunset Limited.
Great video !
AWESOME VIDEO I REALLY ENJOYED IT !!!
Thanks!
Great video! Good information!
Boa tarde Amigos ! Eu daqui de São Paulo ( Brasil ) assistindo esse maravilhoso canal ! Imagem bonita de se ver essas viagem de trem de Chicago para Califórnia ! Surpreendente.......Parabéns ! Like Like like ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤