A nice atmospheric video that lets the viewer feel the distances you crossed. Also, my condolences for getting stuck in Ottumwa. I grew up not far from there and do not miss those convection oven summers.
Excellent coverage. You have a MARVELOUS gift for story telling my man!! Excellent job in showing what this train is from a coach seat all the way to Chicago. What I recommend for you personally is to next try the same trip the other way in First Class. It is ALMOST an entirely different experience. You sleep well. You can have your meals in your roomette or in the diner.
You are a very talented filmmaker and storyteller as well as a photographer. I really enjoyed this video. I've often thought I would like to take a cross-country train trip and this shows many of the good things and the bad things. Thanks for taking us along!
I love this video! I study photography in Munich an for my final exam I travelled with trains and busses from coast to coast in the US. I took the Zephyr as well from Denver to SLC and took nearly the exact same image as at 12:18 in the video. Right now, I´m in the process of layouting and even if there are just around 200 images left (I made about 10k), I still really love this one^^
I'm a college exchange student from europe currently studying in Michigan and I am going to take the zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco when the semester ends. I know its going to be an exhausting journey, but I am so so excited to experience it. It's just a fun way to see some of americas beauty and something I have been dreaming about for years :)
Welcome to the world of Amtrak! I think that Amtrak operates in a different time continuum to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, train travel in the US pales in comparison to travel in Europe. At least the video was beautiful and enjoyable!
This is why I actually want to travel by train: Yes, it takes longer, but you miss so many beautiful sights if you take a plane. Plus, for some odd reason, I feel like there is a connection to our distant ancestors when they either rode by carriage or train. It’s weird.
@@scotttild That last bit is mainly because of shitty leadership on the political side. I don’t want to get into that particular can of worms, but I will say as a resident of CA that I hate the state and want to move out as soon as possible.
@@scotttild There are myriads of reasons for the differences. If a European comes to America, expecting a comparable experience to what he's used to, he will be disappointed. That is the only real take-away. As to the reasons, some are not so big as we assume, and some can be mitigated to some degree (regional travel, for instance, is quite doable, as we see in the NEC between Boston and DC) but I think the most insurmountable one is simply culture and long-standing infrastructure investments. To make any changes work, it would require a major shift in the thinking of the average traveler first of all, and that is not likely to change. There was one, tiny window of opportunity after 9/11, when people were afraid to fly, when the railroads could have made a positive change, but it never happened. That's what I think, at least. :-)
Thank you so much for this video! We plan to go with the Zephyr Express when we visit Wisconsin, but I see now wee need to take this train first, if not we might come too late for our plane back to Norway. I too see we need to bring some video games and films for the kids through Nebraska, and some good books for ourselves.
Getting ready for trip from Memphis to LA, then Oregon and back, I have been watching many videos. In the sixties and seventies I was on many trains but mostly day trips with no long overnight trips. I'm very excited about my trip but I am also aware that there are delays with some long. To me, the beautiful and interesting scenery will far outweigh the negative aspects of the trip. Your video was visually nice but your constant complaining from start to finish was hard to take.
we recently did a very, very truncated version of your experience travelling from denver to grand junction through the winter snow. it was an incredible experience. however, i think if we were to go on something that involved anywhere near the distance you travelled that we'd spring for a sleeper car even though it's so ridiculously expensive.
Nice trip. Well edited video. That train with those windows is amazing. Is it possible to stay in some towns and take the next day train with the same tiket? It would be nice to see a portion of America by train. A roadtrip would be nice as well but with the increasing price of petrol I suppose the train is difficult to beat.
Thanks for sharing your adventure and very well done. Many years ago, I took Amtrak from Chicago to Lamy, New Mexico (to visit Ghost Ranch) and as I recall, it took about 60 hours each way. I barely slept the entire time (but I was much younger!). I also drove from near Detroit, Michigan to Moab, Utah (stopping a couple of times to get a little sleep in the car--again, younger and on a budget) and either way, there's a lot of flatland to suffer through, but the desert and mountains are worth the trip (although we fly more these days and rent a car one we get there). We're planning to go to Europe next year and considering travelling some by train. We're still in the planning stages but do you have any recommendations, especially for Italy/Switzerland (best train routes for Alpine scenery or would a car be better for photography)? I just hope they clean the windows better than Amtrak (not an easy task)!
Interesting exercise for sure, but the state of passenger rail travel in the US is a complete disgrace. Compared with rail travel in Europe, for instance, it's a total joke. How come they don't offer sleeper cars? Your patience and forbearance is absolutely amazing.
I wish you had been able to get a room or family bedroom ...with showers and hot meals your experience would have been better on one of the best train rides in America...yes I know there are far better ones in other countries, but this for most people is a wonderful experience.
wwo cool video but sorry ur train was late and delayed several hours. i took the california zephyr twice and going to take it a third timme this tiem in a sleeper
Great video. For me, the idea of travelling through America by train has been a compelling one for some time now. Everything I'm seeing on the subject recently just tells me to avoid it like the plague.
Thank you for sharing! I want to do a longhaul trip like this with my dad.
Gruelling for you, very interesting for us. Real story telling.
I am in awe with the video. Your skills including story telling is top notch.
Very interesting video…your videos of your wife added a cute element ..fun
Incredible video
Nicely done. Cannot wait for the return to San Francisco video.
A nice atmospheric video that lets the viewer feel the distances you crossed. Also, my condolences for getting stuck in Ottumwa. I grew up not far from there and do not miss those convection oven summers.
Excellent coverage. You have a MARVELOUS gift for story telling my man!! Excellent job in showing what this train is from a coach seat all the way to Chicago. What I recommend for you personally is to next try the same trip the other way in First Class. It is ALMOST an entirely different experience. You sleep well. You can have your meals in your roomette or in the diner.
Superb video mate.
Thank you for watching, Derren!
Awesome journey video and thank you for sharing your travel memories.
You are a very talented filmmaker and storyteller as well as a photographer. I really enjoyed this video. I've often thought I would like to take a cross-country train trip and this shows many of the good things and the bad things. Thanks for taking us along!
I have never traveled by train, however it has always been a bucket list item. You do a really good job of telling the story.
Thank you, Jon!
I’m taking this trip westbound in April, excited. Thank you
Nice, hope you enjoy it!
Really nice video. The pace and length is perfect. I feel good now ☺️
Beautifully done!
I love this video! I study photography in Munich an for my final exam I travelled with trains and busses from coast to coast in the US. I took the Zephyr as well from Denver to SLC and took nearly the exact same image as at 12:18 in the video. Right now, I´m in the process of layouting and even if there are just around 200 images left (I made about 10k), I still really love this one^^
A Tip, never take an extended trip with out having a bed to sleep in.
This is a really good video, keep it up!
A very nice roadbook !
I'm a college exchange student from europe currently studying in Michigan and I am going to take the zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco when the semester ends. I know its going to be an exhausting journey, but I am so so excited to experience it. It's just a fun way to see some of americas beauty and something I have been dreaming about for years :)
Good day-Enjoyd. you shared perfect . all the best-mate!💥
This guy is the stuff. 🎖
Hey Rachel.
Welcome to the world of Amtrak! I think that Amtrak operates in a different time continuum to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, train travel in the US pales in comparison to travel in Europe. At least the video was beautiful and enjoyable!
This is why I actually want to travel by train: Yes, it takes longer, but you miss so many beautiful sights if you take a plane. Plus, for some odd reason, I feel like there is a connection to our distant ancestors when they either rode by carriage or train. It’s weird.
@@scotttild That last bit is mainly because of shitty leadership on the political side. I don’t want to get into that particular can of worms, but I will say as a resident of CA that I hate the state and want to move out as soon as possible.
@@scotttild There are myriads of reasons for the differences. If a European comes to America, expecting a comparable experience to what he's used to, he will be disappointed. That is the only real take-away. As to the reasons, some are not so big as we assume, and some can be mitigated to some degree (regional travel, for instance, is quite doable, as we see in the NEC between Boston and DC) but I think the most insurmountable one is simply culture and long-standing infrastructure investments. To make any changes work, it would require a major shift in the thinking of the average traveler first of all, and that is not likely to change. There was one, tiny window of opportunity after 9/11, when people were afraid to fly, when the railroads could have made a positive change, but it never happened. That's what I think, at least. :-)
Thank you so much for this video! We plan to go with the Zephyr Express when we visit Wisconsin, but I see now wee need to take this train first, if not we might come too late for our plane back to Norway. I too see we need to bring some video games and films for the kids through Nebraska, and some good books for ourselves.
Getting ready for trip from Memphis to LA, then Oregon and back, I have been watching many videos. In the sixties and seventies I was on many trains but mostly day trips with no long overnight trips. I'm very excited about my trip but I am also aware that there are delays with some long. To me, the beautiful and interesting scenery will far outweigh the negative aspects of the trip. Your video was visually nice but your constant complaining from start to finish was hard to take.
we recently did a very, very truncated version of your experience travelling from denver to grand junction through the winter snow. it was an incredible experience. however, i think if we were to go on something that involved anywhere near the distance you travelled that we'd spring for a sleeper car even though it's so ridiculously expensive.
Very long trip wish you all the best
Nice trip. Well edited video. That train with those windows is amazing. Is it possible to stay in some towns and take the next day train with the same tiket? It would be nice to see a portion of America by train. A roadtrip would be nice as well but with the increasing price of petrol I suppose the train is difficult to beat.
Thanks for sharing your adventure and very well done. Many years ago, I took Amtrak from Chicago to Lamy, New Mexico (to visit Ghost Ranch) and as I recall, it took about 60 hours each way. I barely slept the entire time (but I was much younger!). I also drove from near Detroit, Michigan to Moab, Utah (stopping a couple of times to get a little sleep in the car--again, younger and on a budget) and either way, there's a lot of flatland to suffer through, but the desert and mountains are worth the trip (although we fly more these days and rent a car one we get there). We're planning to go to Europe next year and considering travelling some by train. We're still in the planning stages but do you have any recommendations, especially for Italy/Switzerland (best train routes for Alpine scenery or would a car be better for photography)? I just hope they clean the windows better than Amtrak (not an easy task)!
God damn Union Pacific did you guys dirty. 8 hours??
Interesting exercise for sure, but the state of passenger rail travel in the US is a complete disgrace. Compared with rail travel in Europe, for instance, it's a total joke. How come they don't offer sleeper cars? Your patience and forbearance is absolutely amazing.
You can get a sleeper car but they're quite expensive.
I wish you had been able to get a room or family bedroom ...with showers and hot meals your experience would have been better on one of the best train rides in America...yes I know there are far better ones in other countries, but this for most people is a wonderful experience.
wwo cool video but sorry ur train was late and delayed several hours. i took the california zephyr twice and going to take it a third timme this tiem in a sleeper
Are the views from Denver to Chicago good as well or is it more California to Colorado?
7:36 not entirely true. Technically speaking leagally Amtrak has priority. the Freight companies dont usually care though
Do they have wifi on the train, and how is the cell coverage in most of the route?
I think I was on that train! The delays were awful. Did you start the trip on June 14th?
Wait Nevermind. Looks like a few days later
You didn’t get a sleeper?
I am afraid that traveling coast to coast---in coach---is not advised, especially if you are older! !
Great video. For me, the idea of travelling through America by train has been a compelling one for some time now. Everything I'm seeing on the subject recently just tells me to avoid it like the plague.
Casinos are ok, but not wind turbine plants!