An Ill Wind Blows on the Zephyr, But All Ends Well
I’ve just left Amtrak‘s California Zephyr at Davis, California, after a fine ride from Chicago. The equipment was in good shape and the crew was excellent … at least that’s true of the car attendant in my sleeper: personable, outgoing, on the ball, and right there whenever anyone needed him.
The first pleasant surprise occurred in Denver where the windows on the train were washed! I can’t remember that ever happening before. First came a guy with a soapy wet long-handled mop, followed immediately by another guy with a squeegie. I have no idea if this is a regular feature, but on what I think is probably Amtrak’s most scenic route, it’s a great idea and very welcome.
Ah, but the best laid plans …
Late yesterday afternoon, as we were sitting in Grand Junction, Colorado — just east of the Nevada border) –it rained just enough to wet down the cars. But then the wind picked up and blew dust everywhere, leaving our nice clean windows a streaky brown mess. Not a happy situation with a full 24 hours left on board.
But this morning we woke up to sparkling clean windows! I was sound asleep, but a fellow passenger said it had rained like hell for about 20 minutes an hour or so after we had left Salt Lake City. Thank goodness, because that two hour stretch after the Zephyr leaves Reno — through Truckee and up and across the Sierras by way of Donner Pass — is probably the most spectacular scenery offered on any of Amtrak’s routes. 
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Guys,
I left the train at Davis by choice. I’m taking the Coast Starlight from here to LA where I’ll catch a non-stop back to Maui. Davis is a stop in common. Plus is close to Napa and I drove over there today to take the Wine Train. I’ll try to do a post about that in the next day or so.
And, yes …LOTS of bikers in Davis. I drove around here a bit and it’s really a very pretty town. Lots of shade trees along most of the residential streets. Just a very nice feel to it.
Davis, California, the USA’s cycling capital. With 25% of all travel by bicycle, and a Dutch-style set of fully-separated bicycle roads.
Were you able to get out on a bike and see the people of Davis using their superb infrastructure?
I have been to The Netherlands, but never to Davis. But I understand that Dutch-style infrastructure works just fine in the USA. It is only a matter of building it.
Jim, if it’s not being too nosey, did you leave the train at Davis by your own choice or was the route cut short?
When we rode the Zephyr last November, there was a crew at Denver washing the windows – most of the windows anyway! But it was most welcome and I hope they continue that investment.
I only remember two servers in the dining car. Tony and “Mr B” – both real gentlemen and hard workers. Don’t know how many were downstairs in the kitchen. Our car attendant “PJ” was great, too. All got mentioned by name in the e-mail I like to send Amtrak afterwards.
Good point about the western Nevada and northern California being the most scenic part of the trip. Wife and used to love to drive up into “Gold Rush Country” from Sacramento when I was in navigator training back in ’74-’75.
Amtrak to me is about renewing one’s love affair with our country. So glad we have a new administration that recognizes the value and need for passenger rail.