Are you going all the way to Chicago or just to Denver? After you go through the Ruby Canyon this morning you will arrive in Grand Junction Colorado. You will have a few minutes to visit Dave' Depot to get some things that are not available on the train. He has in the shell peanuts if you like them. You will be in Glenwood Springs about noon for another fuel stop. Leaving Glenwood Springs you will be going through the most beautiful daytime scenery of the whole trip in the Glenwood Canyon. A few miles east of the Canyon, you will be meeting the westbound CZ (if it is on time).
You should have a great view of the lights of Denver as you come down from Winter Park/Fraser tonight.
The train backs into the Denver station right past Mile High stadium.

Having connectivity issues not surprising given the area

Going all the way to Chicago; sitting in Grand Junction now where I took a shower taking max advantage of non-movement

The ride along the Colorado River earlier this morning was wonderful; lots of kayakers out; beautiful scenery especially at this time of day.

We have had few "in the hole" experiences so timing has been great.

My biggest issue with these Superliner bedrooms is that when the lower bed is extended it is a real challenge to use the sink. Beds are hard but I prefer those.

Had another great eating experience at breakfast and a long conversation with a man from San Rafael who owns a Karate school and is accompanying his aged mother back to her home in New Jersey. the mom was also a karate instructor at one point...Black belt and all. starting the "climb" eastward now and loking forward to more great scenery

I'm guessing you will be reading this in Granby after you have met the late westbound train. Granby is at nearly 8000 feet above sea level. In less than an hour you will be in Winter Park/Fraser at an altitude of 9050'. Stay hydrated and take an Aleve if you think you may get altitude sickness.

Thanks for writing about this, Dukey1. Flying is stressing me more and more so I'm interested in the train.

More please soon!

I have a lot of pictures which I have been taking on my cellphone and once we get to the hotel in Chicago later on today I will attempt to put a few into this "report."

Yesterday as we approached the west portal of the Moffat Tunnel which takes trains under the Continental Divide it began to snow and continued snowing once we emerged on the Eastern Slope. This continued until the train reached a lower elevation and the precipitation turned to rain. I grew up in Southern Wyoming at an elevation of 7200 feet where Spring comes late and Fall starts early; I've seen snow in every month of the year so this situation brought back a few memories.

The train remains on time and as I type this we are about to depart Lincoln, NE at not quite 3:30 AM. It has been somewhat difficult to sleep due to the rocking and rolling but that really is due to the condition of the roadbed more than anything. And since Amtrak only controls the routes in the Northeast Corridor there is little it can do to effect improvements AFAIK.

I believe I made mention of the accommodation earlier. We are in a Superliner bedroom designed for two. The biggest "problem" with the layout comes at night when the "lower" is extended into the flat position: it becomes difficult to use the sink; the bathroom is easy to access and I found the shower works fine and the water pressure adequate; there has been plenty of hot water when needed.

I will say again that I would not trust any Amtrak timing other than those in the Northeast Corridor to be on time due to the freight movements which these trains are often delayed by. This current timing has been, IMO, exceptional and some of that has been due to the lack of freight traffic; we have spent very few minutes on sidings or "in the hole" as it is sometimes referred to.

I have found the situation with VIARail Canada to be similar and I have taken the trip between Toronto and Vancouver five different times over the past 30 years: I never make an ongoing travel arrangement after one of these trips under the assumption that I will make a connection. Others may have different experiences: I can only relate my own.

As to the scenery: we will be making the Empire Builder trip from Portland to Chicago later this year because the Husbear wants to do it. I have done it once and enjoyed it but overall the scenery and the timing of the eastbound Zephyr is, IMO, far superior to that of the Builder, especially in western Colorado but that's obviously very subjective.

Wear your jackets! Cold and rainy in Chicago.

Thanks. The train is in central southern Iowa at the moment (Ottumwa) and I have those jackets at the ready.

Glad you are having an on time trip on the CZ. Are you staying any time in Chicago or just flying back home?
On your eastbound Empire Builder trip I would encourage you to go overnight to Whitefish MT and rent a car for 24 hours to go see Glacier NP. The scenery east of Cut Bank is rather barren for many miles.

For those who wondered, Dukey's train arrived 41 minutes early in Chicago (2:09PM CT).

Dukey, I’m so sorry I didn’t read your trip report until this morning. I live near near Grand Junction and would have loved to meet you. You are one of my favorite Fodorites. Glad your trip is good. I have enjoyed every Amtrak trip I have taken.

Ottumwa, home of the loose meat sandwich. I rock and roll for a couple of days after train travel on Amtrak.

Lindagj, I am sorry we could not meet and I am thankful for your kind words.

Macross, thank you also for your comments.

I will try, now, to post a few pictures


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9b365d997b.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...34627d4d23.jpg

Snow around the Continental Divide which fell on both slopes

I have many more but these give, hopefully, a small taste of what was seen. Actually, some of the best things were the big vistas in central Nevada and of the various canyons, some of which really are only easily accessible by rail.

I am grateful for all the helpful comments.

One of the best parts of the trip was the interaction we had with folks when seated in the dining car; wonderful people and wonderful stories shared.

Dukey, I really enjoyed your report and pictures! I've always been a bit skeptical when my parents talk about the good meals and their interactions with other passengers, so I appreciate your perspective. You've just about convinced me to take the trip starting from Denver.

Be aware that there is one menu for all three meals. It does not change. We found the food acceptable. Someone once described it as "a cut above Denny's." I had steak for dinner two nights in a row and it was quite good.

As to the conversations at mealtime, it varies. We had some really interesting discussions for the most part. Sometimes you find yourself initiating the conversations but I have found that if you ask other folks questions about themselves you often are remembered as the best conversationalist and they have done all the talking! Only once did we get seated with two kinda 'dud' folks but they were pleasant enough.