You can take the train through the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada: the views along the way will be remembered for a long time

Reputed to be one of the most beautiful rail routes in North America, the Amtrak California Zephyr operates daily between Chicago, Illinois and the San Francisco Bay Area, California on a 51-hour, 20-minute journey covering 2437 miles (3 km). Edition Travel and Leisure told about the breathtaking views that await you on this journey.

Photo: IStock

“The California Zephyr passes through two magnificent mountain ranges,” said Amtrak spokesman Mark Magliari, referring to the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. “In some places you will have views that you can’t see from the road, because many of the railroad tracks there were built long before cars were invented and roads were paved.”

Passengers can make daily trips on any part of the route through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California, including stops in major cities such as Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Grand Junction, Salt Lake City and Reno, as well as Naperville, Lincoln, Fraser, Glenwood Springs, Davis and Truckee. While the Bay Area stop is at the East Bay in Emeryville, the Thruway bus connects to both Oakland and San Francisco.

There are many stunning viewpoints throughout the journey.

“Coming out of Denver, look down from the train and you'll be over the Mile High City. But first you'll go through a series of tunnels that will lead you to a place called Fraser and Winter Park,” Magliari detailed. — The train continues its journey through the mountain. You drive through Salt Lake City in the dark, but get out in time to see Reno once you're in the Sierras.”

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He said that during this section of the journey, the charm is especially strong, as you pass the hand-built railroad between Reno and Sacramento, which is "part of the original transcontinental rail route built during the Civil War to unify the country."

This is not the only historical aspect of the route - the name California Zephyr also goes back to the train, which ran from 1949 to 1970, even before Amtrak began its work.

Amtrak 5 departs from Union Station in Chicago at 14:00 pm each day and arrives in Emeryville at 16:10 pm two days later, while train 6 departs Emeryville daily at 09:10 am and arrives in Chicago at 14:50 pm, also two days later . Both have lunch and dinner on the first day, three meals a day the next day, and breakfast and lunch on the third day.

Travelers can choose from a variety of accommodation options on the train, from regular seats to sleeping suites. Five types of Superliner rooms are available on two levels starting with Roomette. It has two seats that convert into upper and lower bunks at night with access to a shared toilet and shower.

Those who crave more space and their own bathroom can upgrade to a bedroom with double the area. The bedroom for two adults has a sofa and a separate armchair that converts into an upper and lower bed at night, as well as a sink, toilet and shower.

Families can even get double the amount by choosing a bedroom suite that can accommodate up to four adults. Basically, these are two adjacent bedrooms. There is also a family room designed for two adults and two children, with four seats during the day, as well as two upper and two lower beds at night, a separate toilet and shower. For passengers with disabilities, there is an inclusive bedroom that can accommodate two adults in the upper and lower beds. This space has special facilities in a separate restroom, it has more space.

All Superliner rooms feature new bedding and linens, pillows and towels. Customers are also provided with a dedicated first-class escort, lounge access and priority boarding.

For those who prefer more standard seating, Amtrak's economy class is available, with reclining seats, reading tables, and electrical outlets, as well as two-by-two seats, with no middle seats.

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Those staying in private rooms receive all the meals included on the trip, with a seasonal menu featuring a variety of options such as omelettes and quesadillas for breakfast and burgers and salads for lunch. The three-course dinner includes wine, appetizers such as caprese skewers and coconut shrimp, main courses of steak and Atlantic salmon, and dessert of chocolate mousse and lemon tart. Depending on seat availability, Economy Class passengers may purchase access to the onboard dining car. There is also a room service service. All passengers have access to the cafe.

The California Zephyr offers check-in for luggage and bicycles, among other things, and also allows small cats and dogs on board (check restrictions).

No matter which part of the itinerary you choose, the California Zephyr offers a way to experience America's landscape, especially with some of the country's greatest mountain ranges. Magliari remarked, "The difference between the California Zephyr and other routes is that you get more miles in the mountains."

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