42 replies to this topic

[steve4031]

All of these changes are improvements. Especially the Provo option. Were watching an artist at work.

[steve4031]

I think on possibility for this is to ride Chicago to slc on 5. Do the itinerary, and continue west on 5 to Reno and then catch 6 eb to Denver. Do Denver, and return to Chicago.

[jis]

I think on possibility for this is to ride Chicago to slc on 5. Do the itinerary, and continue west on 5 to Reno and then catch 6 eb to Denver. Do Denver, and return to Chicago.

I too have suggested that in conversations in the past.

If something can be figured out for the luggage, one could consider boarding at Provo too to get a more complete nights sleep.

If one must go to Reno, one might as well take in Donner and go all the way to Sacramento. Does not take any extra days. Some moonlight LRT riding that many like can be thrown in, properly armed of course, this being Sacramento afterall

[KevinKorell]

Reno would be a same day turn, since #5 arrives 8:36 AM and #6 departs 4:06 PM that afternoon. Time to perhaps play slots, get divorced if not already, and grab lunch. Sacramento is 21 hours and an overnight stay, as #5 gets there 2:13 PM, and #6 departs next morning 11:09 AM. Might as well be out doing moonlight riding on Sacramento's LRT since I'd be awake anyhow from the fire alarms at the hotel. But there should be plenty of sufficient daylight to ride most of the system before the outer segments quit for the evening. So if you made the Zephyr turnaround at Sacramento, you would be one day behind where you'd be if you turned around in Reno.

[jis]

So if you made the Zephyr turnaround at Sacramento, you would be one day behind where you'd be if you turned around in Reno.

Good point.

And we have already done Donner and Sacramento anyway. We have not played slot or gotten divorced or married in Reno, yet, at least most of us.

I remember the first time I went through Nevada was on Greyhound many moons ago in 79, and it made a food stop at Wendover. To my utter astonishment when I walked into the Men's Room, I found that there was a slot machine neatly set up next to each urinal! Go figure.

[steve4031]

Make sure you pull the correct lever!!

[steve4031]

I wouldnt mind Sacramento again. I never get tired of donner pass.

[jis]

Here's an idea for Amtrak to make some money! They should get a casino license for Penn Station

[KevinKorell]

At any rate, no matter what we do with Denver and Salt Lake City, it is more than a couple of years off. Too much is going on with new lines (and that's a GOOD thing!) to not wait and experience them all. 2015 seems about right for SLC, and Denver's FastTrax program should be up and running by sometime in 2017.

[jis]

I think 2015 or 2016 would be the right ballpark for this trip. We will never completely get ahead of all future constructions at these two cities, since I expect both to come up with additional projects as time goes on. For example, in the context of extremely expensive widening of I-80 through the Wasatch there has been quite a vocal view being presented in Salt lake City asking why can't a higher speed light rail line be built up the gorge to take quite a bit of local traffic off the I-80. So there is considerable enthusiasm for exploring additional corridors there. Similar is the case in Denver.