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Offline DamonKelly  
#1 Posted : 28 April 2009 16:07:51(UTC)
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DamonKelly

Australia   
Joined: 26/03/2006(UTC)
Posts: 1,423
Location: Brisbane, QLD
I've actually stayed long enough to earn Long Service Leave at my current workplace, and the boss hates outstanding entitlements on the company books, so we're off the US again, in December/January! biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

Mrs Kelly wants an overnight train trip (in a sleeper etc...).

My plan was to pick up the California Zephyr at Oamaha, NE (and -- of course -- see the Big Boy there), and travel to SF (or maybe just to Sacremento, since SF is boring).

Two questions:
<ul><li>Just how good is the scenery through the Rocky Mountains? I've seen what I believe is that train while driving the I-70 over to Denver, and it certainly seems spectacular
UserPostedImage

UserPostedImage</li>

<li>Is it possible to get a ticket including a "stop-over"? We'd like to overnight in Winnemucca, NV (there's a great Basque restaurant there biggrin), but the on-line Amtrak booking system doesn't mention "stop-overs". What should I do, or what questions should I ask?</li></ul>

Cheers,
Damon
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Offline jselter  
#2 Posted : 28 April 2009 18:29:07(UTC)
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jselter


Joined: 09/08/2004(UTC)
Posts: 164
Location: DeLand, FL, USA
Damon,

I'd contact your local travel agent. They'll handle all the details with Amtrack. Probably at no charge.

PS. It's a trip well worth taking. Stunning scenery and a very nice train, at least by US standards.

Joe
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Offline spitzenklasse  
#3 Posted : 28 April 2009 20:29:10(UTC)
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spitzenklasse


Joined: 06/04/2008(UTC)
Posts: 1,573
Location: ,
Damon, though I have not been myself, Colorado is one of the most beautiful states. I saw a TV program about it.
There is a scenic route that was cared into the mountains along a river that is just awesome! It was done to blend into the environment and not to disturb the wildlife, and scenery.
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Offline jvuye  
#4 Posted : 28 April 2009 23:06:15(UTC)
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jvuye

Belgium   
Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC)
Posts: 2,883
Location: South Western France
Hi Damon,
If you think SFO is boring, you gonna fall asleep just walking off the train in Winnemuccawinkbiggrinbiggrin
Jokes aside, it is sad that the Amtrak Zephyr doesn't travel on the Feather River Canyon route!
First there is Portola, where you'll find a couple of nice B&Bs, a nice BBQ Western style restaurant, but also the very interesting Western Pacific Museum, where one can rent a loco and go for a ride at the throttle!
Then there is the spectacular Keddie Y, the famous Williams Loop and the filigrane Clio Bridge just to name a few.
In the SFO area there is a wonderful group of individuals under the banner of ETE (European train Enthusisasts) that meet on a regular basis. If you are there in August...you'll probably be able to attend the best European train event West of the Missisipi: Eurowest!
But if you are there in December you will have to visit their big yearly Train display at the Blackhawk Museum (which happens to be a wonderful Automobile Museum...something you like, don't you?)
Then you should check Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley for incredible wineries and Restaurants and best of all the Napa Valley Wine train which in fact is a fantastic Restaurant on Wheels.
The bay area is sprinkled with fantastic microbreweries, especially in Marin County
I can put you in touch with the local ETE guys and they will take care of you. (One of them is a local importer of Spaten and has a Märklin collection that will make you head spin)
So SFO is anything *but* boring..
(In fact I wonder why the h..l I ever left!)
Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success!
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Offline DamonKelly  
#5 Posted : 29 April 2009 17:44:15(UTC)
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DamonKelly

Australia   
Joined: 26/03/2006(UTC)
Posts: 1,423
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Jacques, "boring" was the wrong word -- we just don't like SF very much, or perhaps aren't interested. On our previous holiday to USA, about the only bad service and "attitude" we came across was in SF. The rest of our holiday was in "small town" South West, and we had a very friendly time. I have been to SF several times before, and other than restaurants (which are excellent), SF now holds little interest...

We have been to Winnemucca before -- yes, it is somewhat "small" -- but there is a great Basque restaurent there (The Martin Hotel), which we'd like to revisit. After checking the Zephyr timetable, I'm less keen. The train stops in Winnemucca at 6:30am (west-bound). So while arriving is alright, departing the next day mean getting up at sparrow-fart to be at the station by 6:30am! [:(] In winter... [:(][:(]

We have already been on the Napa Valley Wine Train (see here)

I'll consider the ETE -- it all depends on time, and whether Mrs Kelly can tolerate even more MRR stuff ;)

Spit - yes, Colorado is beautiful!

Joe -- I'll check to local (Australian) travel agents, but most don't really understand foreign rail...
Cheers,
Damon
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Offline mascagni  
#6 Posted : 29 April 2009 19:37:38(UTC)
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mascagni


Joined: 25/07/2002(UTC)
Posts: 826
Location: Tallahassee, FL USA
Damon: If you are looking for great views, I suggest that when you get off the train in CA (either SF or Sacramento), you head to Yosemite. This is the crown jewel of the Sierras, and one of the loveliest places in CA.--MM
Michael Mascagni, Tallahassee
If I weren't a Mathematician, I'd be a Violinist.--Albert Einstein
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Offline jselter  
#7 Posted : 29 April 2009 20:45:36(UTC)
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jselter


Joined: 09/08/2004(UTC)
Posts: 164
Location: DeLand, FL, USA
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by DamonKelly
<br />Jacques, "boring" was the wrong word -- we just don't like SF very much, or perhaps aren't interested. On our previous holiday to USA, about the only bad service and "attitude" we came across was in SF. The rest of our holiday was in "small town" South West, and we had a very friendly time. I have been to SF several times before, and other than restaurants (which are excellent), SF now holds little interest...

We have been to Winnemucca before -- yes, it is somewhat "small" -- but there is a great Basque restaurent there (The Martin Hotel), which we'd like to revisit. After checking the Zephyr timetable, I'm less keen. The train stops in Winnemucca at 6:30am (west-bound). So while arriving is alright, departing the next day mean getting up at sparrow-fart to be at the station by 6:30am! [:(] In winter... [:(][:(]

We have already been on the Napa Valley Wine Train (see here)

I'll consider the ETE -- it all depends on time, and whether Mrs Kelly can tolerate even more MRR stuff ;)

Spit - yes, Colorado is beautiful!

Joe -- I'll check to local (Australian) travel agents, but most don't really understand foreign rail...



Damon, try contacting Amtrak through e-mail. I've done this and their very good about responding.

http://www.amtrak.com/se...agename=Amtrak/ContactUs

Joe
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