Emeryville to Denver to Emeryville

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texline

Service Attendant
Joined
Oct 8, 2016
Messages
127
My wife and I scheduled a trip to Denver to add to our visit of Major League Ballparks the last part of April. We headed out from Sonoma County bright and early. The commute traffic was surprising light. We made good time to Emeryville and the only traffic hitch at all was we needed to circle the block a couple times near the station due to construction of the new parking garage. We found a space and took our parking ticket to the Amtrak agent for validation. We put that in a safe place, got some coffee and sat outside in the great weather. We met a couple that was going to go cross country on Amtrak for their 40[SIZE=small]th[/SIZE] wedding anniversary. I heard the sound of the engine and our ride pulled into the station.

We were in 0631 and had bedroom D. We met our SCA Tony at the door. A really nice guy with a big smile. He gave us a quick welcome, he took our two suitcases and stored them downstairs (Plenty of space this trip). We took our day bags with us up to the room. I started to check out the room and Tony came by. He explained how he worked his car. He liked to have iced juices, coffee and snacks for everyone. He carefully explained the ice was not for human consumption. Please ask him for ice and he will get it right away. But please don’t use the ice in the trays. He took our timetable and circled the fresh air stops. He talked about the dining car. Told us how to find him and was really great at explaining things thoroughly and always added he wanted us to have a great experience.

Our train left pretty much on time. I checked out the bedroom. Water had pressure, hot and cold work, shower clean and works, lights good, electric good, door adjoining rooms duct tapped closed (before I got there)and the overall room was clean and stocked properly. The PA didn’t work very well but rarely have I been on a superliner with a fully functional PA. I bought a Uniden scanner cheap and programmed in the frequencies suggested on AU and kind of hide it beside the table with just my earphone attached. Got our things arranged and sat back. Tony came by and we talked a little about sports.

We were on time and I had a chance to listen to the scanner. I really enjoyed listening to all the stuff. I heard a banging outside and it got my attention. I went down to hall to see the conductor with a pry bar smacking a door and saying “ok push now”. Our SCA was stuck in his room with a jammed door. It was pretty funny listening to the exchange and the door was popped open. We then met the conductor (called Petie (sp?)) and he was one funny guy. He would crack me up with some of his jokes. Train was ahead of schedule pulling into Sacramento.

Lunch service was announced. It is interesting to note in the intro speech on the PA, the dining car repeated that alcohol and gratuities were not included. The dining car crew was great. Our server had a big smile and lots of laughs. She came over and asked what we wanted. I mentioned I noticed the menu change, what is new that I can try. She laughed and said they may change the menu but that food doesn’t find its way here until just before they change the menu again. All kidding aside, she did show me a couple of things they actually had on board and my wife and I tried out stuff. Everyone has different tastes so you might like it, maybe not. Service was really good and we had good table mates. A couple in our age range, traveling for an event and didn’t like dealing with airports. They were new to Amtrak. When we left, I put a tip down. Our table mates looked surprised.

The train continued to make great time. Not a lot of traffic for whatever reason. We watched the scenery and listened to the scanner. The Sierra’s had a lot of snow. A lot of coach passengers were occupying seats in the SSL so we spent time watching from the bedroom. Reno was an on time stop with a lot of coach passengers leaving.

We had our call to dinner somewhere in Nevada. Met another nice couple and talked about travels. This couple was making cross country trips because they were certain Amtrak was being cancelled and they wanted to see it all before that happened. For Dinner my wife tried a new item and I had the steak. It is funny because whenever I have had the Amtrak menu come up in conversation with crew members, they almost always say “go with the steak”. I find it is a safe bet. Tony had come around and asked when we wanted to convert to night time in our room and he showed up right on time and he flipped it in a minute. We elected to both sleep on the bottom. Size wise it is ok but it did get very warm and uncomfortable at times, the air in the room was ok, just didn’t really cool the room off at max setting. We woke up in Helper, Utah. Breakfast was good, I hadn’t had railroad French toast in forever so I ordered that new item. It of course was not anything like Santa Fe French Toast but it did bring back memories. Good table company again and another surprised look when we left a tip.

Traveling up the Colorado River was just perfect this day. There was so much to see. We had a good long stop Grand Junction. Lots of people used the gift shop that day. Even though we had some time, the SCA and conductor warned people not to stray too far. They tell the story of the $500 cab ride. Going up the canyon was excellent. Saw so many interesting sites.

I am really not sure about the radio conversation but something about flags showing and warnings and I noticed the train slowed a bit and the horn started sounding. A lot of backhoes and fiber optic trays were on the side of the track. Some new shiny UP pickups. Not really a delay at all.

Got into Denver early. The SCA told us we could have dinner anytime before leaving the train and that our sleeper car had first call. We elected to eat on the train again and was nice seeing the Denver station.

We had gotten suggestions here on where to stay. We chose the Oxford Hotel which indeed was just steps away from the station. I really want to point out that I fault no one here for the suggestion. On any other week, it might have been great. For us, it was a disater. The Hotel didn’t bother to tell us that they were in the middle of major construction. The fourth floor was gutted. The fifth floor had guests sandwiched in between rooms being renovated. Was a loud and smelly mess. No amenities available yet they booked us full price. I took some pictures and we discussed it with the hotel. We got a lot of money back. Extremely dishonest staff apolized over and over but it doesn’t really matter at that point.

We did enjoy Denver and seeing the sites. We toured the city via light rail one day. Was a very good system. I did take note that every crossing on the airport line as a flagger. Didn’t really raise my eyebrow too much as we live near the SMART train which has career flaggers it seems at each crossing.

On the return trip, we heard #5 pull into the Denver station from our hotel. We ate at the Union Station and then found car 0532. We met our SCA, Dennis. He took our bags and told us to settle in upstairs and he would stop by. Again our room was in very good shape, no problems noted. Dennis stopped by and told us how he runs his car. He said he doesn’t do the iced down drinks, just too many problems but he said the juice boxes were on top of the coffee station and just ask him for ice. He says he is always around and here is how to find him. He said he prefers to give people their privacy and not make regular visits. He mentioned his schedule but said we could always call him. A lot different from Tony but again it worked very well. I had chances to talk at breaks and I enjoyed chatting with Dennis at our break stops. Again the train was right on time.

Dennis was good about annoucing things on the car PA. We could hear that. And he would occasionally point out things of interest. He repeated dining car calls. He annouced stops and the best practices at each. It was very helpful for us.

We made good time again and had nice long stretch break stops. I met a lot of good people who liked to look at train stuff at these stops. A few people would gather to look at something of interest and before long the conversation would start and we were members of the same forum at some train site. Fun to put a face with the names.

They kept the train on time and we continued to enjoy the ride. The bedroom was just excellent although coming back we were on the second car from the diner so we almost entered the first car bedroom before we would remember one more car to go. The bedroom was much more comfortable than a roomette and I liked that shower better than the one downstairs . The views were great: I enjoyed watching the UP crews doing work here and there, a lot of interesting equipment. All the towns rolling by. My wife favored just lounging in our room more than going to the SSL. I enjoyed listening to the scanner and reading about the towns in areas were the view wasn’t as exciting.

Lunch was interesting. We dined with a couple and talked of our reasons for taking the train. He was from England and had done a bit of traveling. It was interesting as we finished our meal, we both reached for some cash and as he took out his money he said “I don’t understand your practice of tipping but I do it”. He went on to talk about the history of tipping and how offensive it is in many other parts of the world. He had a good chat about that and our observations. Seemed like dinner time came upon us quickly. Had another nice set of people to eat with and talked about trains and travel. My wife had mentioned how low key this diner car crew was. She said everyone seemed tired but pleasant. It was very different from the crew we had coming out.

Our room was turned down at a good time. My wife slept on the top bunk and I took the bottom. Was a much better nights sleep and the temperature of the room was a bit on the high side for me but not really too bad. I like the orientation of the beds as compared to a roomette. The only thing I really notice is the hard bounce ,the side to side isn’t an issue. Those sheets and blankets are so light and I remember AU members taking about when things get cold. I was prepared but despite the control on lowest setting, the room ran a little on the warm side. I woke up at Salt Lake City and I slipped on my sweats and went outside. Was kind of fun to do, I always sleep through this stop.

I liked getting up, having coffee waiting just down the hall, coming back, taking a shower and being fresh for the day. The sleepers are the only way to travel. We headed off to breakfast and Dennis made up our room while we were out. He was always at the right place at the right time. We met another great couple, chatted about all kind of things and then spent time in the SSL. Had time to chat with folks in the SSL as Nevada can get dull. Coming into Reno things get interesting. The PA annoucement this time was a firm don’t get too far from the train. Again a story about wanting to play one slot machine, etc. At the Reno stop I witnessed another thing I wondered about seeing on AU and that was the police dog at Reno. Yes there really is a police dog. He was waiting at the Amtrak doors and when we were stepping off, the officer and dog headed right to the coach passengers. Interesting. And three people almost got left behind, they just had to wonder off but fortunately they yelled loud enough.

Sierras were beautiful. It started snowing out of Truckee. Really nice to have a little snow shower to add to our adventure. DIdn’t slow the train which was still pretty much ahead of time. Enjoyed seeing the sites in the foothills and coming into Sacramento. After Sacramento, Dennis said he would be coming by to start to wrap things up. That whole process went very well I thought. The only time we were rushed the entire trip was back at Emeryville. The PA came on and a woman said please get off right now as we are not staying and you will pay for an expensive cab back from Oakland. We stepped off, Dennis had our suitcases on the platform, we said goodbyes to people we traveled with and walked to the car. The car was just fine, no scratches or tampering. Great trip.

Final thoughts:

The debate on ice was demonstrated for us. One did it, the other did not. The iced drinks were nice but there was one hitch. A ten year old kid made a trip every 20 minutes it seemed to fill up on juice and take a couple of snack packs. It got to be a pain as people tried to get through the hall only to have this kid firmly planted in front of the juice. Didn’t listen to the pardon me or excuse me and some large people had a tough squeeze through. The juice ran out quickly as well as the snacks. With the juices up top of the coffee station and no ice, wasn’t an issue and ice was available whenever you could let the SCA know.

The tipping debate. I saw some people tip and others pay cash, get change and leave. I have no idea on the credit cards how many tip. Some mentioned it was good to tip. A few (from outside US) really didn’t like it at all and that it was a very rude custom. So the debate continues.

The location of the bedroom. Bedroom C and D were excellent. The ride seemed smoother. More room than A. We could hear people next door a little but the toilets you can hear. We didn’t have an issue with power as there were two outlets. We brought a small cooler and snack bag which was a great suggestion. We had our luguage organized this time so no need to go downstairs for the main bags.

The scanner was a great suggestion. I kept it out of site and listened to all the interesting stuff. It did really well for being a simple scanner. I figured some stuff out and some stuff I will research for next time.

I have read on AU about people from overseas coming over to make cross country trips. We had a lot of those types on our train. Some were really sincere about Amtrak suddenly going away. It was really cool to hear the different legs of their journeys and what other Amtrak routes they had taken.

No problem with table mates. We have yet to run into much of a problem in that regard. And no one we saw was asking for a separate table or anything. Kind of uneventful as far as drama on the train.

And I am just so amazed that we had two on-time trains in a row! Next up is our trip to Safeco Park.

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Nice report! Sucks about the hotel though :angry2:

How did you enjoy Coors Field? Which game did you see? IMO there's no better view at a ballpark than in Denver :D
 
Coor's Field has some great views. The rooftop was great for watching the long ball. We sat in different spots. Watched the Giants get beat up for their series.
 
Enjoyed the report. Sorry about the hotel. In all my years on the train I don't think Ive ever had a functional thermostat.

From my travels superliner bedrooms have been colder and viewliner bedrooms have always been warmer rooms.
 
I've had Dennis a few times on the Zephyr and have really enjoyed his style. He's a really personable guy that is extremely pleasant to talk to.
 
I enjoyed reading your report. I'll be travelling on the CZ from Denver next week.

I've booked the Indigo Hotel for similar reasons; to be close to Union Station. Let's hope my accommodation experience is better than yours.

Paul in Australia
 
I've had Dennis a few times on the Zephyr and have really enjoyed his style. He's a really personable guy that is extremely pleasant to talk to.
Two years ago my son and I had the unfortunate experience of a "service disruption" on the CZ. We were several hours late into Denver after a washout in Iowa, and they turned it there to return to Chicago, and held the previous day's CZ in Glenwood Springs and got the rest of us there via bus bridge around 2 a.m. We were fortunate, however, to have Dennis on that second leg. As far as I'm concerned he made a miserable experience bearable as I had several conversations with him about the Amtrak culture, etc. The latter wasn't very encouraging. Nevertheless the guy really put his passengers first, probably got 6 hours sleep at most over two nights as we arrived in Emeryville at 4 a.m. I wrote to Amtrak about him. I just hope word filtered back to him that he was appreciated.
 
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