3 Days in First Class Roomette on Amtrak's California Zephyr - San Francisco to Chicago

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  • Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
  • A train trip from San Francisco to Chicago on Amtrak's California Zephyr. The trip takes about three days and two nights.
    This was recorded in late August 2022.
    There was too much info for one video so here are a few additional tidbits:
    - The "tipping rock" mentioned in the video seems to be called the "rocking stone." It's located in Truckee, California and no longer rocks. Here's someone else's video of it: • The Rocking Stone in T...
    - I used Amtrak Vacations to book the trip, which put me on the lower level. This meant less foot traffic and less rocking, but I'd book an upper-level room on future rides for better views.
    - We were 6.5 hours late arriving in Chicago, which was the same as my previous trip. This was mainly due to ceding the right-of-way to freight traffic. At one point, we stopped while three freight trains passed us. Amtrak doesn't own most tracks in the U.S.
    - The weather was 65 F (18 C) in San Francisco and 90 F (32 C) in Reno later that day. Temperatures can vary significantly.
    - We had about two fresh air breaks a day where we could exit the train for 10-15 minutes.
    - We passed through Moffat Tunnel in Colorado, which is 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). It's a cool tunnel but there was no good way to represent it in the video. All footage was either pitch black or else reflections from the windows.
    - Tipping is standard both at meals and for the room attendant at the end of the trip. I couldn't find good info online but left about $2-$3 at meals and $40 at the end of the trip. This seemed to be in line with what frequent Amtrak travelers suggested.
    - The train is largely divided by long-distance travelers in sleeper cars and short-distance day trippers in coach cars. I got to know many of those in the sleeper cars by the end of the trip.
    - The train parallels major roads much of the way with a few exceptions. Near the Utah-Colorado border, you'll see some canyons only accessible by train or raft along the Colorado River.
    - Speaking of the Colorado River, it's also known as "Moon River" due to the number of rafters who moon the train. There were probably 100 backsides presented. It's a strong case for travel during the colder seasons.
    - Amtrak has a great train tracking map that shows the train's current location, ETA (although dubious), and other Amtrak trains across the country. www.amtrak.com/services/maps....
    0:00 - Intro and map
    0:34 - Bus ride to the train
    1:49 - Boarding the train
    3:08 - Traveling through California
    4:31 - Train walkthrough
    6:26 - Nevada
    7:34 - Bedroom turndown service
    7:54 - Utah
    10:24 - Colorado
    10:50 - Shower and bathroom review
    11:26 - Along the Colorado River
    13:00 - Arriving in Denver
    13:44 - Nebraska
    14:15 - Iowa
    14:36 - Roomette feature review
    16:30 - Menu and food review
    17:09 - The Mississippi River
    17:40 - Illinois
    18:30 - Arriving in Chicago

Комментарии • 217

  • @marysheeran519
    @marysheeran519 Год назад +40

    I have crossed the country on Amtrak a couple of times. I love the Chicago/SF trip. The roomettes are certainly cozy, but you have just enough time on the train. You get to meet people in the dining room and also on the breaks when you go outside and chat with them. The hard working crews are pleasant and helpful. Traveling along with your video brought back what a wonderful feeling - the beauty and the bigness of this country. You don't get that when you fly.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +4

      I agree with you on the pleasure of talking with strangers from various backgrounds. There are a lot of seasoned travelers in the sleeper cars and it's fun to swap stories.

  • @markakira8988
    @markakira8988 Год назад +6

    161 days until my Emeryville to Chicago Zephyr trip. Thank you for the scouting report! Appreciate the effort.

  • @litaperna1128
    @litaperna1128 Год назад +5

    I went from Chicago to Klamath Falls Oregon. It was the trip of a lifetime; magnificent. Nowt,ten years later I hope to go from California to Chicago, my home town. Thanks for this video.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      I'm glad to hear it. If you liked the trip to Oregon, I think you'll like the California Zephyr.

  • @joannmclaughlin8897
    @joannmclaughlin8897 3 месяца назад +3

    I rode the California Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento in 1952. I was 4 years old then. I can still remember the smell of the dining car. It was winter time so crossed the sierra's through the many snow sheds. I have always wanted to relive that ride.

  • @markreece8904
    @markreece8904 Год назад +15

    This is an outstanding video 👍🏻👍🏻. The quality of the scenery captured of this beautiful country was impressive. Brings back a lot of memories.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Mark. It really does remind me how big and pretty the U.S. is.

  • @N25Commando
    @N25Commando 2 месяца назад +1

    Absolutely fantastic. This was truly inspiring. I definitely want to do this trip.

  • @controlZchannel
    @controlZchannel Год назад +3

    Nice to see a video from the very beginning of the trip instead of starting already on the train.

  • @reenahtabounnaah8820
    @reenahtabounnaah8820 Год назад +11

    I really appreciate the format of the video: no words or focus on yourself, well filmed and edited, with authentic sounds and emulates actual experience more than any other person's train trip videos that I've seen. This is the first time I've seen one of yours. I've taken many long Amtrak trips across US, and miss the train since Covid began. Your video brought back the feeling of the trip. I look forward to watching more of your videos. Not sure what you were asking about combining or keeping separate, but I'd like to view separate videos for each train route. Would be great if you recorded round trip, since different scenery available during waking hrs, and to compare/confirm experience.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Thanks for the kind words, Reenah. Most of my trips are one-way but I hope to offer other videos in the future similar to what you're suggesting. I'm thinking maybe the California Zephyr westbound during the winter.

    • @reenahtabounnaah8820
      @reenahtabounnaah8820 Год назад +1

      I can't find any videos on your channel other than a flight from Tahiti to Bora Bora. Do you have others posted somewhere?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +2

      I started the channel two months ago and only have the two videos so far. My goal is to release about one per month. I already have two more recorded and simply need to edit them. Please feel free to subscribe and turn on notifications if you'd like to see them as soon as they're released.

  • @keithburkhead8270
    @keithburkhead8270 Год назад +8

    This is the best video I have seen of the Zephyr trip. I've taken it many times and loved the experience!

  • @farcloud3701
    @farcloud3701 Год назад +7

    Thanks for sharing this trip - fantastic views of the west (all those states I have yet to visit between the coasts). Greatly appreciated you letting us enjoy the ambient sounds and your written commentary vs verbal narration. Made it that much more relaxing.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Thanks, Far Cloud. That's exactly what I was going for.

  • @SuperBOOKNUT
    @SuperBOOKNUT Год назад +4

    Loved the trip, thank you from Australia.

  • @pauldavis8418
    @pauldavis8418 Месяц назад +1

    Great video! I just completed a round trip on the Zephyr in April and about the nicest compliments I can make are we arrived ahead of schedule on both trips and the scenery was incredible! I rode this same route thirty years ago and it was amazing! However,this time I found the train to be filthy! Not only that,but there was a very unpleasant odor in the sleeper cars and finding a room attendant was difficult. Meals were served Luke warm and on our last days lunch was served from ten thirty until eleven thirty. Many did not get to eat. We had only one section of the trip with any sort of tour guide and that was it. I will go on another trip ,however I was very disappointed on the lack of service on this trip.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  24 дня назад

      Thanks for the thorough feedback from your trip. I'd agree that the cleanliness and service is very dependent on the car attendant who's tied to your room throughout the journey. This might have been one of the older sleeper cars as well. I believe they only have a volunteer docent in the view car between Sacramento and maybe Reno? Short meals can be a possibility when there's a final stop soon. Sorry you didn't enjoy it more but I'm glad you liked the scenery.

  • @dresteve1
    @dresteve1 Год назад +3

    Good job. I liked the way you did this

  • @timtraver7152
    @timtraver7152 Год назад +2

    So relaxing, thank you so much for posting this!

  • @lisav4219
    @lisav4219 Год назад +4

    Thank you for taking us along for the trip... loved the scenery! Fun fact: I know the "clown" Martin, he's been a friend of ours for quite a long time. He's just as humorous in real life, besides being on the train.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +3

      I asked Martin about seeing someone in a clown wig and he told me to stay away from that person because he's unhinged. Ha!

  • @wallybelp1
    @wallybelp1 Год назад +5

    Beautifully filmed. Love the captions, and no verbal commentary. Many thanks. Wish we had trains like this in Australia. Gary.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Thanks. Australia has The Ghan. That sounds like a pretty great ride.

    • @mnewm21
      @mnewm21 Год назад +2

      @@thebayrambler it is a great ride but it is a premium train that costs $$$$ All our "great train journeys" now are, the Ghan, the Indian Pacific and the Great Southern. I will say having done the Ghan it is a brilliant trip and the food and service are next level in general so I guess you get what you pay for but you do pay for it! 🤣

  • @cats0182
    @cats0182 Год назад +4

    Did this trip on the original CZ. Remember much of it to this day. Train was classic luxury. Scenery was breathtaking. The Vista Dome cars offered an amazing 360 degree view experience.

  • @Ann-ny7dc
    @Ann-ny7dc Год назад +2

    I really enjoyed your San Francisco to Chicago trip. The views are awesome!😊

  • @kymmoulds
    @kymmoulds Год назад +2

    A great video and thanks for sharing. Oh, and a BIG thumbs up!!!

  • @sakshiaggarwal9732
    @sakshiaggarwal9732 Год назад +3

    Loved the suite, the piano room and the carriage at the end...the Eunos island was a surprise..interesting food ...thanks you tube for these lovely times

    • @Sally-rn9rm
      @Sally-rn9rm Год назад +1

      I think you're on the wrong trip ....no suite, piano room or carriage @ the end ....or Eunos Island to surprise!

  • @sd1jrrt
    @sd1jrrt Год назад +2

    Greetings from Australia. Thank you for a wonderful, enjoyable video coverage. 😀

  • @denniswoods3909
    @denniswoods3909 Год назад +2

    Great tour. Thank you.

  • @avidparent4643
    @avidparent4643 Год назад +1

    That is a super huge, long train!!! Looks like fun and something we'd like to do. Thanks for the video

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      It's a fun train. I'm sure there are bigger, but it does take two engines to pull it through the mountains

  • @doublepanthers3088
    @doublepanthers3088 Год назад +1

    Thank you for sharing your experience.

  • @nightthornkvala94132
    @nightthornkvala94132 Год назад +6

    Except for an hour or so long coach seat ride between Sacto and Stockton a few months ago, my anticipated trip next summer will be my first ride on Amtrak. I have no idea where or exactly when I'm going -- the concert schedule for June-July isn't set yet -- but videos like this make me really look forward to the experience. I want to make my 65th birthday an amazing experience, and Amtrak and Home Free will certainly make it so. Even if the guys have no shows or go out of the country, I think the beautiful views alone will make it special.

    • @AlphaGeekgirl
      @AlphaGeekgirl 2 месяца назад

      What concert?

    • @nightthornkvala94132
      @nightthornkvala94132 2 месяца назад

      @@AlphaGeekgirl I fell in love with the a cappella group Home Free almost 3 years ago and it took me almost a year to decide to go see them live, then find a convenient venue that had available seats since they were all a hold over from the tour that go interrupted by covid. I flew to Canada for my first show and got Greyhound tickets for the next two shows in California. I never made it to the first show because the damn bus NEVER SHOWED UP. I cancelled the bus ticket for the next one and wet by Amtrak instead. Stateline, NV, Omaha, NE, and Denver, CO held my next three shows, the last one just 3 weeks ago, and I traveled by Amtrak and the rides were wonderful. Much more comfortable and with fabulous views.

  • @billmiller1445
    @billmiller1445 Год назад +2

    Beautify filmed. Nice not having a constant commentary. Loved your choices of images to include. Look forward to more.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Thank you. That's helpful to know. The next four videos are already recorded in the same manor. I expect to release the next one in 2-3 weeks.

  • @shanwang9973
    @shanwang9973 Год назад +2

    Thank you❤I will take it from Chicago to San Francisco soon.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      Chicago to SF is the more traditional direction. It's nice in winter to go from somewhere cold to somewhere warmer.

  • @maximusw01
    @maximusw01 Год назад +5

    I took this train trip in June this year. There were several delays but it was an amazing experience

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +2

      Glad to hear you liked it. I think it's probably the best train trip in the US

  • @pamelaj.gipson5438
    @pamelaj.gipson5438 Год назад +2

    Looks amazing!

  • @RonMontagueSWRR
    @RonMontagueSWRR 26 дней назад +1

    I'm three months away from taking that trip. Can't wait.#6

  • @akagumasony
    @akagumasony Год назад +2

    Sleeper trains are nice. And the view was great.

  • @darrellsephus5378
    @darrellsephus5378 Год назад +3

    I also have taken the Amtrak and used the roomette. Was ok for one person. I would suggest taking a pair of flip flops for when you have to go to the restroom in the middle of the night. On the down side I took the train in August 2021 and nine days later had covid. But, I would do it again in a heart beat. Great video.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I brought flip flops and was glad to have them. I did worry a bit about illness since it's such an enclosed space.

  • @glennmartin8664
    @glennmartin8664 14 часов назад

    13:00 BNSF yard slug 65! Nice catch!

  • @judithpearson8870
    @judithpearson8870 Год назад +2

    Excellent video. Made me want to make a reservation!

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      Thanks, Judith. It's worth taking if you like trains.

  • @michaelyette7513
    @michaelyette7513 Год назад +1

    Excellent video. Well done.

  • @youssefkamel3216
    @youssefkamel3216 Год назад +3

    Beautiful trip ❤

  • @miguelzazopulosgaray7596
    @miguelzazopulosgaray7596 Год назад +1

    great video, fabolous¡ greetings from the south

  • @theUnusualMomma
    @theUnusualMomma Год назад +1

    I am going on this trip next month in November...can't wait

  • @jimpern
    @jimpern Год назад +2

    I recently took a trip around the country on Amtrak. The westbound Sunset Limited from New Orleans arrived in Los Angeles 7 hours late, but on the other hand, the eastbound Empire Builder from Seattle arrived in Chicago less than 20 minutes late, so you can never tell. I rode roomettes on both trains and on one of them, the bathrooms were bigger. On other trains I traveled in coach and found noise-cancelling headphones to be a must. The food was quite good, though I wish that different trains had different choices related to the regions they travel in, and all the Amtrak personnel were friendly and helpful.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      Thanks, James, that's helpful. I tried to keep noise levels accurate in my video. The roomette was really quiet. I agree noise-canceling headphones are useful when stuck in a designated seat in coach. You never know who will be making noise nearby.

  • @EURAMBLER
    @EURAMBLER Год назад +2

    cool trip 😎 👌 greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪👍🤟

  • @Aviation_traveler
    @Aviation_traveler Год назад +2

    Wow beautiful video watching from nepal.i love ur vlog so much keep it up...

  • @kenlasky3904
    @kenlasky3904 Год назад +1

    Great video!

  • @Tuckaway
    @Tuckaway Год назад +2

    We've just done this trip last month first class from Emeryville to Chicago it was excellent. We even had "Mooners" on the upper reaches of the Colorado River. Very entertaining. LOL

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      I'm glad you enjoyed your trip!

    • @chrisdobrowolski2783
      @chrisdobrowolski2783 3 месяца назад

      The Moon River is a tradition on the zephyr look it up on google.

  • @claudiahansen4938
    @claudiahansen4938 Год назад +3

    Outstanding job of editing and compilation. Would love to do this trip!

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +2

      Thanks for noticing the editing. It's not the hardest I've done, but was surprisingly difficult with three days' footage and trying to color grade changing light through the train's window wraps.

    • @claudiahansen4938
      @claudiahansen4938 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler was very skilled, and also tight in the sense of every shot containing just the perfect amount of the essence of the material. Enjoyed it!

  • @user-di2on5gl2d
    @user-di2on5gl2d 2 месяца назад +1

    Just completed this tour. It wasn't what I expected. Horrible experience!

  • @50buttfish
    @50buttfish Год назад +1

    Did the reverse route, before I was 5; traveled the roads growing up.

  • @Whatamidoinghere262
    @Whatamidoinghere262 Год назад +1

    I had the best trip with my 6 year old daughter at the time in Christmas of 2018 going from Chicago to Davis, Ca.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      It's good to hear your daughter enjoyed it. I wasn't sure if children would like such a long trip.

    • @Whatamidoinghere262
      @Whatamidoinghere262 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler I did have a portable DVD player for nights but she enjoyed watching the scenery. Plus we played UNO a lot, even with some Amish teenagers. And she met a couple girls her age from South Korea. They spoke no English but they made it work, even building a snowman at the Frasier stop.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +2

      There were a couple of Amish teenagers in our lounge car for a day or so patiently answering people's questions. Glad you had a good trip.

  • @gusthesheltie154
    @gusthesheltie154 Год назад +1

    Nice job

  • @prudhvirajjangam4334
    @prudhvirajjangam4334 Год назад +1

    Beautiful America 🇺🇸

  • @sammy7068
    @sammy7068 Год назад +1

    hi taking the same route gonna use amtrak vac ations chicago ultimite and fly back took this route two times ty for bringing back memories

  • @mariegarside8830
    @mariegarside8830 Год назад +3

    I've gone from Emeryville to Reno in December. The views were wonderful. I would like to take this train to Denver to see the Denver station.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      Denver station was a surprise. I've taken this route three times but this was the first going inside during the stop. I'm looking forward to spending more time there when I take a trip to Denver this winter.

    • @mariegarside8830
      @mariegarside8830 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler I hope the Rails to Trails program with National Park Service volunteers soon. These wonderful folks ride the train with birds watchers charts, nature books on trees and flowers plus history books of the region. That route crosses the Sierra Nevada mountains and Rocky Mountains.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I haven't heard of that program but it sounds nice. The typical narration in the view lounge is generally good as well.

    • @mariegarside8830
      @mariegarside8830 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler I've been on the Starlight when the volunteers rode with us. The had a backpack of educational information.

  • @wizardofodds8239
    @wizardofodds8239 Год назад +2

    Good videography! Thanks for presenting your trip. However you did not show many beautiful and historic landscapes. I did not see any video of the Sierra Nevada route. I have ridden the Zephyr both ways many times and have enjoyed every one of them. If someone wants to make the trip, book a Roomette. This offers an opportunity to take rest breaks during the journey, and riders can visit the lounges or dining and food cars, and meet and greet fellow travelers. And if you have sufficient funds, a full bedroom is the best! That way you can take your family!

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      You're right, some areas weren't represented as well as others. In the case of the Sierra Nevadas, some of that came down to the afternoon sun hitting dirty windows. The footage wasn't good enough to use.

  • @kcvriess
    @kcvriess Год назад

    Man... A handful of Tramadol, bottled water and only eating dinner. This would be the ultimate trip to relax and enjoy.

  • @francisboutonnet4573
    @francisboutonnet4573 Год назад

    From France , wonderfull

  • @steventagawa6959
    @steventagawa6959 Год назад +1

    Interesting, the last time I was on a long-distance train, back in April, they had not gone back to communal dining yet.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I'm not sure if this is on all Amtrak lines, but I was happy about it. Shared tables broke up the trip with regular conversations three times per day. I think room service was available for those who preferred it.

  • @carolemerckel3461
    @carolemerckel3461 Год назад +3

    Yes the roomettes are tight for two people. But in our case we were in a Viewliner II on the Lakeshore Limited round trip from Chicago to Albany/Rensselaer a few weeks ago. If we get the chance to take a trip on the Zephyr we will try for 2 roomettes or 1 bedroom.
    Yes, a description of each type of sleeping arrangement would also be helpful. Put all reviews on one separate video would be my recommendation.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      The Zephyr is worth trying if you already like overnight trains
      It sounds like you'd prefer a video that compares various room types (roomette, bedroom, family) and puts those into one place. I'll give that some consideration.

    • @carolemerckel3461
      @carolemerckel3461 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler Thanks!

    • @ngaquach8295
      @ngaquach8295 Год назад +1

      Looking forward to see the description of each type of sleeping arrangements, please add the costs of each trip. Can we take part of the trip ? Thank you.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I'll try to do a quick review of other rooms in the future. And I'll probably add costs in the details beneath each video.

  • @steamer1112
    @steamer1112 Год назад +1

    I've been listening to Credence Clearwater Revival for decades and I finally see the Green River.

  • @sqooky
    @sqooky Год назад +1

    Thanks for the amazing video - I'm doing this trip n a few weeks. May I ask where you catch the Amtrak shuttle from? I'm staing at the Hilton in Union Square. Cheers.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      You can pick it up from next to 555 Mission St. It's a short Uber ride from the Hilton. Have fun!

  • @larrysroka6367
    @larrysroka6367 10 месяцев назад +1

    I've done this route, in this direction, three times. I"m about to do it a fourth time with three Amtrak rookies, in December.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  10 месяцев назад

      Let us know how it goes. Three days on Amtrak can be divisive for rookies. Having big enough beds will likely be key.

  • @Charger-ALC
    @Charger-ALC Год назад +1

    I have a HO scale model train that is the zephyr!

  • @Ann-ny7dc
    @Ann-ny7dc Год назад +1

    Hi, I watched one train trip from Los Angeles to New York. Have you done that, if so, would you please give me some info on how to book. Thank you

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I haven't done any trips from LA yet. You have a few options to get from LA to Chicago, then on to NY. I hear they're not as good as the California Zephyr, but I'm sure they're fine and have nice scenery. The Southwest Chief is probably the most direct.

  • @NilsBeck-kk4nb
    @NilsBeck-kk4nb 6 месяцев назад +1

    I am about to trave[ from Denver to Chicago in a roomette, is the food any better than airp;lane food?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  6 месяцев назад

      Tough to say. First class meals on domestic airlines have improved a lot. The meal in my ANA video was excellent. I usually only get snack boxes if flying economy. Amtrak has some good food on the long distance routes if they have a dining car such as on this route.

  • @user-rc8sq8en2w
    @user-rc8sq8en2w Год назад +1

    All Aboard the Amtrak California Zephry Passenger Train. I said All Aboard

  • @admiralbenbow5083
    @admiralbenbow5083 Год назад +1

    If a French TGV were to do this journey non stop it would take 5 hours 30 minutes.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      That's the inherent problem with high-speed rail here--the US is really big. TGV travels about 199 mph at top commuting speeds, and this trip is about 2150 miles. Non-stop from SF to Chicago would take almost 11 hours non-stop. SF to NYC would be over 14.5 hours versus a flight, which is 5.25 hours. I love taking the Shinkansen and Eurostar, but they rely on a population density beyond many parts of the US. Boston-NYC-DC might work, and SF-LA, but I don't know if anything outside those markets is feasible.

  • @jiberri
    @jiberri 6 месяцев назад +1

    Please tell me what makes your trip considered First Class. Is it that you booked a sleeper? I'm trying to understand how a person is able to use the Metropolitan Lounge in stations that have one. Thanks

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  6 месяцев назад

      Yes, I believe the sleeper makes it first class. There's no lounge in San Francisco, but I used the one in Chicago ahead of the second leg of the trip. Not sure how other lounges stack up, but I was unimpressed with the one in Chicago. Plenty of seating but only a few bags of chips for food.

    • @jiberri
      @jiberri 6 месяцев назад

      Thank you so much for your reply!

  • @TheBandit7613
    @TheBandit7613 Год назад +1

    I'd like to bring my Jeep with. Toss a couple of auto hauling cars to the back of the train.

  • @chrisdobrowolski2783
    @chrisdobrowolski2783 3 месяца назад

    What was your favorite meal on this train? How many hours of uninterrupted sleep did you get on this train?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  3 месяца назад

      Meals were all pretty even. Maybe the veggie chili with bacon on top was my favorite. The first night, everyone slept well as we crossed the desert. Better than usual, actually. The next night wasn't as good as we tried to make up lost time on more curvy track.

  • @GermanyBerlinSven
    @GermanyBerlinSven Год назад +1

    Great video! How much does a trip like this cost?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      This is about $700 one way but it depends on the time of year.

  • @rengirl94
    @rengirl94 Год назад

    I’m taking this trip but have a 6.5 hour layover in Chicago before continuing on to New York via amtrak. Can anyone tell me how worried I should be that I might miss my connection 😅

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      You should be somewhat worried. I missed that connection the last time I took the Zephyr years ago and would have missed it this time if I was traveling on that same night. In the past, Amtrak put me up in Swisshotel for the night. I'm not sure if they still do that. It was nice spending an extra day in Chicago, but would have caused a problem if I had to be at my final destination that same night.

    • @rengirl94
      @rengirl94 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler thanks so much for the reply!! Might honestly just extend my New York trip by a day just in case the trains are running super late

  • @ryan_cy
    @ryan_cy Год назад

    Did the train arrive at Chicago Union Station behind schedule? It is supposed to be arriving at 2.50pm.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      We were 6.5 hours delayed due to freight traffic.

    • @ryan_cy
      @ryan_cy Год назад

      @@thebayrambler is it often to have 6.5 hours delay for California Zephyr?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I've taken this train three times over the years. One was on time and the other two were 6.5 hours late

  • @michaelsmiley15
    @michaelsmiley15 Год назад +1

    That's Suisun bay
    The Benicia Martinez bridge

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      You're correct. I think of the whole body of water connecting to the Sacramento River as SF Bay, but it's subdivided into other bays north of the Richmond Bridge. San Pablo Bay, Grizzly Bay, Suisun Bay, etc.

  • @aaronwilliams6989
    @aaronwilliams6989 7 месяцев назад +1

    I would like to do that.

  • @saifdheensaifdheensyed4694
    @saifdheensaifdheensyed4694 Год назад +1

    👌👌👍👍👍👍👍

  • @r.3802
    @r.3802 Год назад +1

    Are the views the same if you go SF-Chicago compared to if you go Chicago-SF?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      It's a good question. I'm not sure, but I don't think it's identical views each way due to daylight hours. The views also depend on the train running on schedule, which rarely happens.

    • @r.3802
      @r.3802 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler thanks! I'm hoping to go from San Francisco to Chicago this August, and yours is the first video I've found of the Zephyr going in this direction :)

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      You should see most of the Rockies on the trip even if you're running late. We missed the last part into Denver because it grew dark, but saw the rest. Have fun!

  • @levoisj
    @levoisj Год назад +1

    It was dark when you pulled into Chicago, you were delayed at some point weren't you?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +2

      We were delayed by 6.5 hours, which was the same as the last time I took the trip years ago.

    • @lornamackenzie2694
      @lornamackenzie2694 Год назад +1

      Funny! I was just recollecting how I did this trip in the opposite direction, Chicago to SF, 30 years ago and it was delayed about that many hours then too.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Taking Amtrak through the western U.S. demands flexibility with your time, for sure. I hear it's more timely on the east coast where it owns the tracks.

  • @sutupachakarboty9436
    @sutupachakarboty9436 Год назад

    🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

  • @retiredtreatmaster
    @retiredtreatmaster Год назад +1

    Did many of your fellow passengers travel the full distance of the route?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      Good question. Not as many went the whole way as I thought would. There were certainly a few, though. Some I'd greet for two days and then they'd suddenly be gone.

    • @retiredtreatmaster
      @retiredtreatmaster Год назад

      Really loved this video, looking forward to doing it also

  • @mariomasis6261
    @mariomasis6261 Год назад +2

    El hotel, está cerca?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Cerca de la terminal en Chicago? Mi hotel estaba a 3 km, pero tambien hay muchos hoteles cerca

  • @invertirnet14
    @invertirnet14 Год назад +1

    3:37 Here we copy the name of a train station in Buenos Aires. "MARTINEZ", which is on the outskirts of that metropolis. Our station should be called "SMITH", NOT "MARTINEZ"

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Or just "Martin."
      There are lots of Spanish and Portuguese town names in California from the explorers who first documented the coast.

  • @peternolan4854
    @peternolan4854 Год назад +1

    How much was your ticket

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      Surprisingly expensive. I think the SF - Chicago portion was about $700, and even that required watching the fares and waiting for a price drop.

  • @johnburke1317
    @johnburke1317 Год назад

    Was the train late into Chicago?

  • @juliegere9415
    @juliegere9415 Год назад

    Cost?

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I think this portion was around $800 one way. It was originally $100 more but I waited and it dropped about a week before departure, so I bought it. This was part of a hotel and travel package through Amtrak Vacations so the total was over $1000. If I did this trip again, I would buy the tickets and hotel room myself without using Amtrak Vacations.

  • @pamelagabert4709
    @pamelagabert4709 Год назад +1

    You didn't show the food.

  • @StevePenney34
    @StevePenney34 Год назад

    No food?

  • @coolbreeze253
    @coolbreeze253 Год назад +1

    Nothing to eat?

  • @damonweathersby8465
    @damonweathersby8465 Год назад

    Yeah the price

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      $1222 covered a one-way sleeping car ticket from San Francisco to Chicago, one night at the Drake Hotel, and a coach ticket from Chicago to Cleveland. This was booked through Amtrak Vacations, but I probably wouldn't use them again

  • @user-qe8fc2lk9w
    @user-qe8fc2lk9w Год назад

    ОК ОК ОК

  • @youtuuba
    @youtuuba Год назад

    A lot of good things here, but it falls very short in terms of seeing the two main things that the California Zephyr is famous for: the crossing of the Sierras and the Rockies....virtually nothing was shown of either. It seems inconceivable that anyone would make a video of the CZ and leave those out. I also did not like the wide angle lens which greatly distorted so much of the views that WERE shown. I also noted that very few references were given to let the viewer know where the train was and what the viewer was looking at. But I AM glad that this was not just another 'talking head' video where about the only thing shown was beaming smiles of the narrator.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      Most video between Sacramento and Reno was the Sierra Nevadas. The Colorado River portion was mainly in the Rockies.

  • @soavemusica
    @soavemusica Год назад

    "Pretty good" is good to know, but a more detailed review of the food would be better.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I don't know if I have a refined enough palette to give food ratings. I heard Amtrak was only offering microwaved meals for a while, so I was glad with what I got. The veggie chilli with bacon was probably my favorite.

  • @JonathanH658
    @JonathanH658 Год назад

    Bed does not look very long

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I'm 6'1" (1.85 m) and the bed was more than long enough for me.

  • @user-ne6yn5is2z
    @user-ne6yn5is2z Год назад

    Хороши только та техника и те машины и механизмы, которые образуют выгодную экономию потребителям от их продолжительной выгодной надежности и продолжительной выгодной безопасности, это обеспечивает даже безопасный их технический отказ или даже безопасную их техническую поломку.

  • @mikeymutual5489
    @mikeymutual5489 Год назад

    No personal comments or opinions makes this video useless. I'll stick with the 100 other postings of this route that actually give some insight and information on how this train trip is.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      I purposely try to avoid giving my opinions in the videos but instead show an accurate representation of the experience so viewers can make up their own minds. That being said, I'm happy to give my opinions in the comments if anyone asks.

    • @mikeymutual5489
      @mikeymutual5489 Год назад

      @@thebayrambler Why can't you give "an accurate representation of the experience" while giving your own opinions and insights as well? Sorry, you are making excuses for being lazy.

    • @carolemerckel3461
      @carolemerckel3461 Год назад

      Try Grounded Life Travel. That's how I started watching these train videos before gong on the Lake Shore Limited earlier this month.

    • @mikeymutual5489
      @mikeymutual5489 Год назад

      @@carolemerckel3461 Oh, I have watched them and they are very good and helpful! And I took the LSL earlier this month as well, but in coach, which few travel vloggers will post about!

    • @AJ-es5yd
      @AJ-es5yd 7 месяцев назад

      ​@@mikeymutual5489I prefer the non talking video so go somewhere else if you don't like it.

  • @donnalthood3102
    @donnalthood3102 Год назад

    I have travelled from Chicago to Seattle in a roomette...great fun! I was very interesred in this video but subtitles with no first hand account is boring to me .....not gonna watch.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +2

      Thanks for the critique. I know this type of video won't be for everyone, but my hope is to give as accurate a representation of each experience as I can.

    • @donnalthood3102
      @donnalthood3102 Год назад

      @@thebayrambler And from what I saw you did...just my perception, I guess.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад +1

      I like narrated videos, too, but I can name 5-10 people who are crushing those right now. Better if I add something different to the conversation.

    • @donnalthood3102
      @donnalthood3102 Год назад +1

      @@thebayrambler I wish you success...I think you will have it as the vid seemed well done and with good info from what I saw...fact remains...not gonna watch it...but others will...just not my thing. Carve out your niche!

  • @strawberryjackson3
    @strawberryjackson3 Год назад

    Would've been better if you showed your meals.

  • @EURAMBLER
    @EURAMBLER Год назад +2

    clown 🤡 on the train, lol 😆

  • @eriwidianto8215
    @eriwidianto8215 Год назад

    Subhanallah lakhaulla wallakuattaillabillahillallliyyil adhzim Allohu Rosyid Allahu hulghony Allahu mugghny Allah Akbar walillahilhamd, labaikallah humalabaik labaikallah di dunia

  • @thomasmathew1212
    @thomasmathew1212 Год назад +1

    3 days from SF to Chicago! slowest train in the world

  • @robincercone5117
    @robincercone5117 Год назад

    did you not eat on the train, why would you not show what the meals look like

  • @eriwidianto8215
    @eriwidianto8215 Год назад

    Di akhirat kelak

  • @mrlaw711
    @mrlaw711 Год назад +1

    These American trains today are complete garbage when compared to Canadian trains.

    • @thebayrambler
      @thebayrambler  Год назад

      It all depends on the route and operator. There are some excellent trains and some I'd avoid in each country.