This was originally posted in 2015 as part of a longer trip to LA. So many people are interested in traveling by train I thought I'd repost just the part of the longer post to focus on the train trip. We had to take an Amtrak bus from San Francisco to Emeryville, CA, to catch the train to Chicago. Here's the route the train followed. |
I understand train travel isn't for everyone. Even though we had a private bedroom and bath, quarters were still tight. There's not a lot to do except watch the country go by, read, play board games, and eat and/or drink but for me that's the wonder of train travel. It's not the destination that matters but enjoying getting there. Not a lot of opportunities for exercise unless you got off the train at some of the longer stops. Of course, you were in danger of being knocked down by the smokers rushing to light up. We spent a lot of time in the observation car taking photos and I was 1 of several knitters who managed to stay busy. Here are just a few of the shots I took.
California Zephyr, Day 1
Davis, CA
Lake Tahoe
Day 2
Running next to Colorado River.
Note front of train on the left of the image.
Obviously taken from the Observation Car
Stacked 4 lane highway
The higher we got, the more snow we saw.
Day 3
Radar's home!
After breakfast and a brief stop in Ottumwa, we arrived in Burlington, IA. The conductor got on the PA and informed us that the train in front of us had derailed. He didn't have any additional information but he promised to keep us informed. Not too long after that he reported that it was a serious derailment and because it was going to take a long time to clear the tracks we would have to get off the train and take buses to our next stops.
I have to give kudos to Amtrak. We were out in the middle of nowhere (with apologies to IA) but a convoy of buses arrived in two hours fully loaded with plenty of bottled water and snacks.
Passengers were divided into 2 groups - passengers who were going all the way to Chicago and those who were getting off at various stations before Chicago. Those of us headed for Chicago were boarded first because it was becoming doubtful that we'd make our connections, but the driver said he'd do his best.
Waiting for the buses.
While loading the buses, I discovered that we had a large Mennonite contingency on board. These are just a few of them.
When I first retired I volunteered in the DC office of Rail Passengers Assoc. One of my tasks was maintaining the membership data base. That's when I discovered that the Mennonites were the largest membership block. They also represent the constituents who need improved service in rural areas.
Pt
his is a very small portion of the train before tPPPhe derailedction.
The top photo shows a portion of the very long coal train that didn't derail. The 2nd photo shows the 3rd engine and several cars immediately behind it that turned over. The coal had been dumped in the culvert running parallel to the road.
We spent eight and one half hours on the bus. Managed to get to Chicago during rush hour. Instead of the 2 hour layover as scheduled, we had SEVEN MINUTES to get off the bus (we were in the last row, of course) find our luggage, and dash to our train. To say we barely made it is such an understatement but we did make it. There were 3 buses loaded with passengers going straight to Chicago and we have no idea if everyone made it.
To say we were relieved is another understatement. That evening the Mennonites and the Pentecostals met up in the club car and had an old fashioned hymnal hootenanny. By the look on his face, I'm pretty sure the bartender had never seen or heard anything like it before.
To say we were relieved is another understatement. That evening the Mennonites and the Pentecostals met up in the club car and had an old fashioned hymnal hootenanny. By the look on his face, I'm pretty sure the bartender had never seen or heard anything like it before.
Day 4
The homestretch took us through more familiar territory.
Harpers Ferry WV
Finally back in DC
Crossing the Potomac on Metro's Yellow Line
Even the Metro signs at the stations remind us
Virginia is for Lovers!
ANOTHER NEAR MISS
Listening to the news the next day we heard that a strong blizzard had just crossed the plains, going right along our path. Had it hit the same day as the derailment, we would have been in a world of trouble. We had enjoyed perfect weather the entire trip and are happy for the many wonderful experiences along the way.
