I've got a trip coming up to Las Vegas, NV for a few days in September. My poker buddy has decided to bail on me so I plan to take a short diversion and take a trip by train. I quite fancy the Zephyr from Denver to Salt Lake. I've driven Glenwood canyon and guess that's the route the train takes, should be good, and more enjoyable during the day than the overnight from Chicago to Denver. Any ideas or suggestions - is this a good trip or not worth it? My wife and I stayed in Durango a few years ago and did the Silverton run which I could easily do again but where are the other good steam runs I could do within reasonable reach of an airport hub? Any advice gratefully received. Regards Rob
The Amtrak Cal-Z from Denver to Salt Lake does indeed get routed via Glenwood Canyon. VERY much worth it; a beautiful ride it is.... I dunno about air hubs near Durango other than a small regional airport. Denver is halfway across the state from Durango, so flying to Denver and driving is still a long day. My suggestion is to take a flight from Vegas to Denver, and catch a regional flight to Durango. But that will be pricey. Then again, if you hit a jackpot on the Vegas slots, that shouldn't be a problem. Another idea is to detrain at Grand Junction, CO, and drive south to Durango, still a few hundred miles.
Cumbres and Toltec I am a huge fan of the C and T, which goes from Chama New Mexico to Antonito Colorado. Your schedule appears to be very difficult, and not much time to get to the good spots. You could do Amtrak round trip to Glenwood Springs, where they got the Hot Springs, from Denver, in 2 days. For Amtrak to follow a reliable "schedule" is unusual, so be flexible. They got steam engines in Las Vegas?
Check out my Railorad Adventures (RRAdventures) website which has several ideas you might find interesting to do. I've taken the Zephyr from Denver to Salt Lake through Glenwood Canyon and it's a great trip. Spent all my time enjoying the ride I forgot to take any photographs once we got into the canyon.
Darren may have forgotten to take pics, but I got a few from the train, and dozens from the scenery thru which the Zephyr traverses from Denver to Moffat Tunnel.... The scenery begins about milepost 15 or so...
Amtrak schedule reliability I must admit the Cal-Z from Denver looks a great option, it's been on my to do list for ages, and I can fly direct to Denver from the UK, bunk over at friends and catch the train in the morning. I notice on the Amtrak website that they're quoting delays due to congestion on the route. As a novice train traveller in the US does this simply mean I might get to Salt Lake late or that the 8:00 departure from Denver could be cancelled? Here in the UK delay and cancel can be synonymous! Having driven Glenwood Canyon several times I've always fancied being able to take in the scenery more and as I've never been driving when a train's been going past I figured a good way to get both would be to travel on it. What's your opinion on upper vs lower level seating, I'd guess upper out of choice? Now I've just seen the C&T web site, that looks fun, I shall be spoilt for choice. Any chance of snow in early September? Maybe I could take in C&T and D&SNGRR. Thanks for all the ideas. Rob
First, as you climb out of Rocky Siding, and thru Little Ten curve, you get a nice view of the Front Range: BNSF manifest on Big Ten curve:
Amtrak through Denver It's never on schedule because the Coal Trains have priority; hence the congestion on the route. They just delay the arrival/departure until they get clearance to get into or out of Denver UNION Station.
And this is a few views of Little Ten, Big Ten and the area near there, from the train: The famous windbreak: Little Ten: Denver's skyline from Big Ten:
I did this last fall and WOW! it was great... Check this out for the Durango & Silverton: September 23 & 24: Fall Photographer's Special Unique photo run-bys of the train. Click here for more information. My photographs: http://www.trainweb.org/rradventures/2005-09-Railfanning_DRGW.htm
I'm missing a few areas, but another highlight is the Coal Creek area, with the crossing at Blue Mtn Rd usually hosting railfans... Here's a shot form this location: http://www.railimages.com/albums/album21/abh.sized.jpg And Tunnel 1 in the upper right: http://www.railimages.com/albums/album71/aak.sized.jpg http://www.railimages.com/albums/album71/abt.sized.jpg
The scenery only gets better... A poor shot in the late afternoon, but incredible with morning light...
This is Sick! Just kidding! I was at Clay (next to the Big 10 curves) last Saturday. Got great videos AND golf ball size hail. We barely made it to the car. So yeah, it can snow in Sept easy, especially on the Cumbres Pass. Cool! Heilung
Thanks for the info Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to look into the Cal-Z. Hopefully we'll be back to Southern Colorado next year for a friends 40th so we'll have more time to take in the C&T. Regards
Quick travel tip As soon as you get your room or seat located and your gear stowed away in Denver, head to the lounge car (with glass all the way up) and stake out your seat(s). You will need to order enough drinks to keep your glass functioning, until Glenwood Springs or even Ruby Canyon if you go that far. Man, thats how you travel ! Heilung
All booked Thanks for all the advice. Booked by Amtrak ticket yesterday, travelling from Denver to Salt Lake on 4th September on the Cal-Z. Can't wait!!!!
