7 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

If you normally go to sleep early and are not comfortable with the 11:30 PM westbound California Zephyr departure from Salt Lake City, there is an alternative whereby you could get two more hours of sleep on the trip towards Reno. Besides Salt Lake City, the California Zephyr also stops at Provo, near the end of the FrontRunner line. The westbound Zephyr stops at Provo at 9:26 PM. To reach there with a comfortable layover between trains, you would have to leave Salt Lake Central Station on FrontRunner at 7:11 PM, getting to Provo at 8:12 PM. This gives you over an hour cushion at Provo and would also allow you have dinner with the group in Salt Lake City beforehand.

The Amtrak station in Provo is on the other side of the right-of-way (remember FrontRunner uses its own track separate from the UP track that Amtrak travels on), and about 1 block west. Tracks run east-west through downtown Provo.

At the current roomette rates, it would cost you an extra $45 to do this (PRO-RNO as opposed to SLC-RNO), plus the 6 bucks or so for the extra FrontRunner trip. If redeeming points it would cost no more on Amtrak as it's within the same western zone. Plus you would get an extra 45 miles towards our Amtrak tally. Coach fare on Amtrak PRO-SLC is $12.

I just wanted to throw this out there in case the extra sleep for anyone is worth the extra expense. You could be fast asleep already when the train does get to SLC and the rest of us are boarding. Plus doing this might be more appreciated if the train is running late.

Alternate itineary for Tuesday 7/15 only, showing the above: http://kevinkorell.c...tin/itinTUE.htm

[steve4031]

I am interested in this. What is the station like in Provo. Is there an indoor waiting room? This could still work even if 5 was late assuming the station is ok to wait at.

[KevinKorell]

Well now looking at the Provo train station amenities on Amtrak's site, there, um, aren't any. It is described as a platform with a shelter. No enclosed waiting area, and no rest rooms. You're on your own. It is a city, but one that may bring the sidewalks in early. On the other hand, it's a college town (BYU) so perhaps things are open late.

[pennyk]

I already have reservations from SLC and am fond of having restrooms in a waiting room. Even though I normally go to sleep earlier than midnight, I am inclined to leave out of SLC unless everyone else opts to leave out of Provo.

[steve4031]

Well now looking at the Provo train station amenities on Amtrak's site, there, um, aren't any. It is described as a platform with a shelter. No enclosed waiting area, and no rest rooms. You're on your own.

It is a city, but one that may bring the sidewalks in early. On the other hand, it's a college town (BYU) so perhaps things are open late.

This wouldn't be a good thing to do if there are no facilities IMHO. I looked at google maps satellite. Here is the link.
Amtrak Station-PRO
300 W 600 S, Provo, UT 84601
http://goo.gl/maps/s2Xa0

[BillMagee]

The difference between Provo and Salt Lake City may not be two hours. Two factors are involved. First, the CZ has 25 minutes of scheduled dwell at SLC. The scheduled arrival is 11:05pm and presumably boarding could take place shortly after arrival. Secondly, there is schedule padding inserted between PRO and SLC. While the schedule shows 1hr, 39min between PRO departure and SLC arrival, in reality the train usually takes less than one hour. A train leaving PRO on time at 9:26pm would get to SLC at about 10:25pm and should be ready for boarding a few minutes later. So, the trip down to PRO and waiting at station with only outdoor facilities would add maybe an hour of sleep time, not two. I'm not sure it's worth the effort. If the CZ is running late, SLC would be a much more comfortable place to wait.

Here is a report showing the actual PRO departures and SLC arrivals starting March 2 (the March 1 departure from CHI)

Date		   Dp PRO		Ar SLC		Min

03/02		  12:25 AM	  1:21 AM	   56
03/03		  10:11 PM	  11:06 PM	  55
03/04		  1:53 AM	   2:45 AM	   52
03/05		  9:55 PM	   10:48 PM	  53
03/06		  9:32 PM	   10:42 PM	  70

03/07		  10:25 PM	  11:30 PM	  65
03/08		  9:48 PM	   10:40 PM	  52
03/09		  10:55 PM	  11:52 PM	  57
03/10		  9:28 PM	   10:22 PM	  54
03/11		  10:40 PM	  11:34 PM	  54

03/12		  9:31 PM	   10:23 PM	  52
03/13		  9:26 PM	   10:18 PM	  52
03/14		  9:49 PM	   10:43 PM	  54
03/15		  9:26 PM	   10:16 PM	  50
03/16		  9:26 PM	   10:22 PM	  56

03/17		  9:28 PM	   10:23 PM	  55
03/18		  10:48 PM	  11:41 PM	  53

[steve4031]

Thanks for the info bill. There are enough late arrivals to encourage me to stick with Slc.

[KevinKorell]

Yes thanks, Bill. Agreed. It was just a thought.