I was thinking about this and decided to post the question.
Are you confident on the CZ/SWC connection?Hmm. EB-CS-CZ-SWC-TE/SL ?
Overnight in Chicago? He didn't say it couldn't have overnight layovers.Are you confident on the CZ/SWC connection?
I would be starting in Chicago. Just fooling around. Not that serious about rules. But yes to overnights to avoid tight connections.
If you want to ride the entire routes of each train:EB (CHI-SEA)-CS (SEA-EMY)-CZ-SWC-TE-CONO-SL-CS (LAX-PDX)-EB (PDX-CHI)
In my case, I'd fly to ORD, and then SWC --> CS -->EB back to chicago. If I were doing the entire US, I'd fly to NYC then Crescent --> SLtd. --> CS --> EB --> LSL.
However, I'd more than likely break things up, fly to ORD and then do CZ, get off in Reno, fly to Las Vegas, spend a night or two there, then fly to LAX and then on the CS --> EB.
Are you confident on the CZ/SWC connection?
It depends on what you want to see and at what time of day. If you want to do complete routes and see all you can from them, then I'd recommend SWC-->CS-->EB.
If, for example, you want to see the California Coast one would see south of EMY on the CS, then I'd take the SWC from CHI, or I'd take the CZ (which is the train I'd prefer to take) to Reno and then Fly to LAX and then take the CS the full route - or maybe fly from Reno to Bob Hope Airport (Burbank) and the catch the CS there. I'd be able to see much of the coast line. I'd prefer the CZ as having the better scenery going westbound than the SWC. But that's just me.
If you want to ride the entire routes of each train:
CHI TO PDX
PDX TO SPOKANE
SPOKANE TO SEA
SEA TO LAUS
LAUS TO CHI VIA SAN ANTONIO
CHI TO LAUS VIA ABQ
LAUS TO EMERYVILLE
EMERYVILLE TO CHI VIA DENVER
The only backtracking you do is from LAUS to Emeryville. You might have to stay overnight somewhre to make some of the connections.
You also backtrack PDX to Spokane.
Still, this seems the most efficient way of getting every mile.
No, PDX to Spokane is a different route than Spokane to Seattle. Of course I don't have a timetable in hand, so I don't know what kind of connection the is btwee the eastbound Builder and the westbound. It might require spening a night in Spokane.
Yep, I have ridden that part. Once you get to PDX, you have to turn around and backtrack to get to Spokane.No, PDX to Spokane is a different route than Spokane to Seattle.
Whoops, you're right.Yep, I have ridden that part. Once you get to PDX, you have to turn around and backtrack to get to Spokane.
Yep, I have ridden that part. Once you get to PDX, you have to turn around and backtrack to get to Spokane.
SL - Nola to LA
SWC - LA to Chicago
EB - Chicago to Seattle
CS - Seattle to Emy
CZ - EMY to Chicago
TE - Chicago to LA
CS - LA to Emy
Almost everything but no repeat!
If you want to ride the entire routes of each train:
CHI TO PDX
PDX TO SPOKANE
SPOKANE TO SEA
SEA TO LAUS
LAUS TO CHI VIA SAN ANTONIO
CHI TO LAUS VIA ABQ
LAUS TO EMERYVILLE
EMERYVILLE TO CHI VIA DENVER
The only backtracking you do is from LAUS to Emeryville. You might have to stay overnight somewhre to make some of the connections.
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