Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy this feature length Christmas Special on the California Zephyr, as I take a roomette across the USA from Chicago to San Francisco (OK, well Emeryville!). I hope you have all had a super restful Christmas. Thanks so much for following me this year and here's to a successful 2022 for us all!

"Doing the full journey is like reading a whole book, and not just the 2 chapters you like best". What a great analogy!

i’m from california, and a lot of people on the east and west coasts make fun that the midwest is boring - but i adore the midwest. the flatness, the farms, the way industrialization has shaped these small towns. the midwest is one of the truest pictures of what americana is. i also think it’s beautiful, seeing the sunset over miles and miles of farmland.

Amtrak is a national treasure. Do please ride the rails.

I am pleased how kind and thoughtful you are about the train staff.

As a person who has criss-crossed the US and Canada several times, I can attest to the absolute openness and grandeur of most of North America. This trip is on my bucket list!

Taking the Zephyr in 1954, as a 20 year old Sailor to Chicago has left me with many pleasant memories 😉

Love this video Paul, thank you. As a disabled wheelchair bound man in his 60's this my only means of seeing what travel is like. You Jeb, Noel and Sam keep my sane, thank you.

We took the Zephyr 12-24 to 12-26. We got stuck in Truckee/Donner Pass area. Finally got to Emeryville 13 hours late. Then we took the Coast Starlight on 12/27 to LAX. It was late and instead of arriving about 9:30pm, we got to LAX about 3am. The Amtrak employees are worth their weight in gold. Patience like I have never seen. Bless them.

I took my son last year in this trip over the early summer, a beautiful and relaxing trip disconnected from phones and life!

This sort of thing has for a long time been a bucket list item of mine.

Thank you very much for these glimpses of a travelling life experience. I take much vicarious pleasure in them. I love a long railway journey - there's a particular feeling that I don't get in a car, plane or boat. You can almost touch people's lives, get a brief glimpse through a window and feel something of their own world. Good health to you.

As a visiting Brit, in 2012 my Dad and I took the Zephyr from Chicago in 2012 in late Feb. The Rockies by train are some the best scenery I have seen. We then rented a car in CA, and headed back on the Southwest Chief, stopping for a week in NM. Also an amazing journey. These are must do journeys and great value.

Legally speaking Amtrak has priority over the freight trains, but their is a catch. The fine for making a passenger train isn't much more than the access fee the railroads get for hosting Amtrak trains, which is cost plus a bonus for on time performance. Part of the deal the railroads for for giving up their passenger trains was the Amtrak trains got track access at cost and most of the old railways passenger equipment. But, since the fine is so low and there isn't a consequence (pending FRA rules on OTP) most of the railroads don't care about making the trains late. Union Pacific (Zephyr and Starlight), Canadian National (City of New Orleans) and CSX (NYC Florida services) are the worst about passenger trains. Canadian Pacific (Empire Builder east of St. Paul) and BNSF (Builder west of St. Paul and the Southwest Chief) are the better two with OTP.

Brought back memories, i rode it in Jan of 1967, they must have reworked the route thru the feather river canyon, when i went it was 1 track hugging the escarpment in many places. Thanks for the mems.

Fabulous video....I have done this trip many times and other Amtrak trip since 1962. It has not changed. Amtrak is a time portal to enjoy for ever. I wish that I could have worked for them decades ago. I recommend Amtrak to anyone I know as it allows the world to stop and focus on the simpler things in life. Bravo.

Fun fact, by law Amtrak gets priority over the freight traffic. The freight companies know this is not enforced and simply ignore it.

This is one of my bucket list goals. Cross country trip from MD to CA. Gotta do this trip SOON!!

I took it in 2023, eastbound. A wonderful trip highly recommend! My train was stopped overnight in Illinois due to a tornado, we were in no danger. Amtrak gave us a luxury hotel room in Chicago for the remainder of the night.

Wife and I took the New Orleans to Chicago and return 2 days later, it was a surprise for her for our Anniversary. We are looking into the California Zephyr as we have w grown grandchildren in San Diego area. Had a chance to transfer with my job to either Grand Junction, CO or Louisiana as I was so tired of the cold and snowy conditions.

Hello Paul, as a simple Brit living in Korea and unable to travel easily, I want to thank you for taking me on so many wonderful trips this year. Your videos have kept me inspired and informed, not many go to the efforts you do to provide reviews but also the insight you put in. Wishing you all the best for 2022 and hope to see more content.

My wife and I took this (bedroom for us) as part of our honeymoon back in 2009. Our travel agent kept trying to talk us out of it because it would eat up travel time. That’s precisely why we wanted it. Awesome video, Paul! Thank you for your channel!

This is the best way to start my day! Thanks, Paul. I was particularly looking forward to this Zephyr video from you and, as usual, you did not disappoint in the amazing amount of information, superb and thorough coverage and your signature expertise from beginning to end! I hope you had a most Merry Christmas and that 2022 bring you countless safe, healthy, joyous journeys!

I've done this trip and it's wonderful. Yes, getting outside your comfort zone by meeting fellow passengers over meals is a great part of the experience. I still laugh how they call them "fresh air stops" and then all the smokers light up as soon as they step off. :P

One of the best Amtrak travelogues I’ve seen. We’ve taken the Southwest Chief 3 times and the Coast Starlight once. Zephyr on our list. Two suggestions 1-shower early to insure plenty of hot water. 2-photography, if using a DSLR, bring a rubber lens cap so you can keep the lens right up to the window there by eliminating glare & reflection from all the windows .

We just did this "bucket list" trip in November, from near Boston to Emeryville, round trip. It was so awesome I just want to do it again. Thanks for your excellent videography and narration. I'll be sharing with my friends who wanted to see our (poor) pictures. It brings back great memories!

Yes I've wanted to take this trip. God willing, if I'm very lucky, next year.

I am scheduled to take the Zephry from Chicago to Salt Lake City on April 5th starting from Washington DC on Monday to Chicago. This video showed me what to expect in the roomette, and along the way. Thank you

My family and I went to the USA back in 2011 and one of my priorities was to take this train. Due to flooding and other numerous delays, we went across the Rockies in the darkness. That was meant to be the highlight of the journey. Got to Salt Lake City and all trains westbound were canceled. You have provided a great insight into a train lovers train journey. Thank you. I’m from Australia and I still haven’t been on the Indian Pacific or the Ghan but hopefully one day…

I love this trip in winter. The convenience store in Grand Junction used to sell a great guidebook for the Zephyr's route. If it's still available, it adds a lot to the trip, and I'd recommend it to anyone taking the Zephyr. Thanks for this wonderful and evocative special on my favorite train trip.

I really these train videos more than the flight ones. This just seems so much more peaceful and relaxing!

I've done the Denver - Emeryville leg of this trip and it's one of the best travel experiences I have had. I just spend two days watching the amazing scenery of West Coast America pass by in all its glory. Well recommended

The California Zephyr follows parts of the original Transcontinental Railroad which got developed in the 1860s

Love and respect from a fan in China! It is a hash period of time at this moment for not being able to travel abroad because of the COVID pandemic, but your videoes, especially how you combine those spectacular views with your touching narration do make my days when under quarantine! Hopes that someday I can step on these Amtrack trains as well!

I've taken this trip a bunch of times over the years, going back to the pre-Superliner days, and I agree it is probably Amtrak's best route. (Though the two other Chicago-west coast long haul routes are pretty good too.) The last time I took it was with my wife in a roomette and we were fine in terms of the amount of space. I think if you're with someone you don't mind touching every once in a while, it's totally ok. Still plenty of legroom and room to sleep, and obviously on Amtrak you can walk around the train and stretch out. I also agree that there is something fundamentally different about long-haul trains in the US vs. the rest of the world. I haven't yet taken European long-hauls but I have taken night trains in Asia and while that was fun too, it's almost a rushed experience compared to a 2-day Amtrak train. On Amtrak there is a *lot* of time to just sit and contemplate, or do whatever you want. On long-hauls in smaller countries, I feel like you're always *doing* something, or sleeping, and there's no time to really just relax and unwind. I actually prefer Amtrak.

I take Amtrak's Empire Builder semi-regularly between my university in Minnesota and my home in Chicago and I had no idea you could request specific roomettes over the phone. I've never actually been put in the roomette shown on my ticket, they always have a different one ready for me. I'm also very surprised they had you board only 10 minutes before departure. For the Empire Builder, boarding has always been 45 minutes before in my experience.

I’ve taken this exact trip twice. We were 9 hours late the first time, 14 hours late the second. But in my roomette it was bearable. The scenery was better than any of Amtrak’s other cross country routes. Thanks for your video!

After a long Christmas weekend I want to relax a little on youtube and then there is a new Paul Lucas railroad trip report. That’s just perfect! Thanks Paul!

I did the same trip...only in reverse. I had a roomette and I could not imagine NOT having my own little cabin. It was worth every single penny.

Thanks for this, it reminded me of a great trip we took back with the kids in 2008. Dubai to NYC with Emirates, Lake Shore Ltd to Chicago, Zephyr to Emeryville, Coastal Starlight to LA, LA to NYC on AA, followed by Emirates back to Dubai on the 380, which had only entered service that week. It sounds bizarre but the highlight of the trip was getting off a battered old AA 767 on to the brand spanking new Emirates 380

The California zephyr was the first long distance train I ever took. Went from Davis, CA to Denver, CO. Beautiful 😍. And you passed my hometown and where I currently live!

Well, this was a treat. I live in downtown Denver in a condo which overlooks Union Station. (Yes, it’s a bit noisy but very convenient for most daily necessities.) I have never taken the Zephyr so was fascinated by your experience and observations so I thank you sincerely for publishing!

Boxing day 45 minute video! cheers, Paul.

You're spoiled! I did this trip in 1975 in coach the whole way! Trust me, the trains are 100x nicer than they were then. Back then though, we didn't take Moffatt Tunnel, we went north from Denver to Cheyenne and west through Wyoming, across Utah and Nevada. One thing I saw you didn't was going across the Great Salt Lake at morning. It was all bright purple and orange. Fantastic but LONG trip. We did it in winter and our brakes froze constantly, causing us to stop and defrost.

Your videos are always interesting, but your train videos are REALLY fascinating. Thanks, and I hope 2022 is a good year for you.

Upstairs at that Union Station looks like "The Untouchables". Downstairs looks like a Greyhound depot!

I was sad you didn't show the Stop in Ottumwa, IA. My hometown!

Great video, Paul. My wife and I have taken the Empire Builder on a few round trips between Seattle (near where we live in Washington State) and Chicago, a two-night trip (2,205 miles) like that of the California Zephyr. In case you and any of your followers are not aware, Sleeper Class passengers passing through Union Station in Chicago have access to a spacious, beautifully appointed and equipped private shower located within the Sleeper Class Lounge. I don't remember how I learned about it, but on our last trip through Chicago, awaiting a connection to Amtrak's Capitol Limited to Washington DC, I spoke to a Lounge attendant, got put on a list, and in only a few minutes was called to say that the shower was available. Though I'm grateful for the understandably cramped shower on the train, the Sleeper Class Lounge shower in Union Station can provide a wonderfully refreshing ending to a long trip!

I rode it going east in October 2021, I also had a Roomette. It was a gorgeous trip that I would recommend to everyone! Your video is making me so very nostalgic, and excited for another trip!

Been looking forward to this one. I don't know why, but your train ones are the only train trip reports I like. Something about how you present them.

This looks like a lot of fun. I have added it to my bucket list.

Your videos, Paul , are so fascinating that I only ,on average, need 2/3 cups of strong coffee to see them through to the end. Thanks, on behalf of the; 'I thought I'd never be able to get to sleep again in my life society of insomniacs. x

Now how the world should i pitch this trip to my wife. Lets fly to the US and take a 3 day trip over to the other side. Great video Paul. Loved it! 😁

Happy New Year, Paul! One thing I might add, you can bring all the food and bevs (non-alcoholic) on Amtrak that you can carry! No TSA to deal with! I have taken the Wolverine from Detroit to Chicago several times, and always bring snacks and drinks with me!

Interesting video of a great trip. Wife and i took the Cal Zephyr Denver to Sacramento a few years ago - the station had renovation planned and the track arrangements didn't require a backing movement - that was all in the future. So - your video through the mountains was a trip down memory lane, and a nice one. Oh - another Old West character who died in (and is buried at) Glenwood Springs was John "Doc" Holliday, participant in the famous OK Corral gunfight, with the Earp brothers.

I'm so glad that I found you again. I got "lost" from KZfaq and Microsoft for several days. I don't know what happened, but I'm back with NO help from my grandchildren. I enjoy your videos.

This feature length video was absolutely fantastic to watch! It was amazing to see the contrast from the city to the rural US country side. Certainly not a luxury trip but an adventure cross several states. ✈️

Wow I just calculated that the government subsidises each trip Amtrak makes by about $2700! That’s insane. Also having one power point is ridiculous. That should be a priority to upgrade for a long trip. Enjoyed the video thanks.

When I was growing up, and used to visit my grandmother in the summers, the Zephyr would wake us up every morning at about 5 or 6am as her house was about three doors down from the tracks. In fact, before the stop was in Helper Utah, it was six or seven miles away in Price, Utah where my grandfather and his brothers had a hotel right by the tracks. I have fond childhood memories of this train.

My favorite creater on KZfaq. Thanks Paul

Paul, what a wonderful California Zephyr story you tell. I took this trip last March and every point you made about the journey matches my takeaway as well.

back in ;2002, I took this train from chicago to sacramento. the old lounge was tired then, and they had no refreshments available. I had a roomette. and the scenery in january was beautiful.

Great job.I took this train in the 50's as the Overland Express I think.Best was your telling us the cost.....Most reviewers fail to mention that....Keep up the good work....b

Absolutely amazing video, Paul. Your narration is very well done........Nice !!!!!

Enjoyed this very much . Such a beautiful country. Never taken a train but I have driven across the country.

Thanks Paul! We've done the Coast Starlight (LA to Seattle) about 4 times to visit family up there. There are 3 of us (Husband and daughter and I) and having 2 roomettes across from each other is great. (Calling to reserve it this way of course!) You get access to both sides of the train and a bit of extra space. I have yet to take an eastbound train, but I look forward to the Zephyr or the Empire Builder or even the southern routes! I can't wait to plan another trip! Happy New Year all!

Have done this trip three times, once in November and twice in March. Have to agree that it is spectacular.

Good job! I just took the California Zephyr from Denver to Reno. I was in 531-5, the "family room" at the back of the car. I was with my cousin to go see my brother in Reno. We flew back to Denver but the Zephyr is something that people must experience, we cannot explain the value of the train, you must see it for yourself!

Paul, this is one of your best videos (and that’s saying a lot because I think all your videos are terrific). Thank you for making my day brighter, and I will definitely take this train ride on your suggestion!!!

I wish amtrak had the funding it did to connect more of the midwest and great plains. We could really use it out here.

We did this trip in 2007 but had to be diverted via the northern route because of engineering works, Still a great way to see America.

i"m going to take the zephyr this summer to move back home that is the best ride ever.

This is really an excellently edited and paced video that covers a lot of information and scenery. I enjoyed this very much and I am inspired to try this trip myself.

Wow, 7:00 am on a late December morning n London and I have just vicariously enjoyed a trip on the Zephyr; the rest of the day will be a bit anti-climatic. Highly enjoyable video and I definitely want to follow in your footsteps for this one. Thank you, Paul

I took this train with my mother as a leg on a trip from Washington DC to Irvine, CA (Where I was living at the time). Hands down one of the best trips I've ever taken.

Marvelous train journey. I could feel as if I am in train.

Love the attention to detail in this video Paul. No BS, or extra stuff. Just a whole lotta train. Cheers

I literally just saw simply rail's review of this train and i prayed you would do it one day too (i'm not very active on instagram so i wasn't up to date with your journeys) and you did! How awesome! Love your reviews paul, keep it up!

My entire family grew up with trains, and we children were tagged train travelers( without adults) from the age of 7. We thought we owned it, because everyone took care of us so carefully. The California Zephyr is such a great train journey, and I am preparing for my regular "across America " trip, stopping in Denver and the Highlands Ranch community, then continuing on until Seattle and a step over into British territory. Love it 😀!

Going to do this trip in August from Australia with my 22 year old daughter, am really looking forward to it. Thanks for all of the really useful information in this video. Part of the joy of travel for me is the sense of anticipation….this has helped!

Wonderful video! You’ve really put work into the tidbits and history along your travels, and it helps your viewers come along on the journey. Safe travels and belated welcome to Northern California!

Excellent work on this, Paul! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Thank you for mentioning the tip info, as well. I have seen a few riders who think that “meals included” is a excuse to not tip. Shameful. And I also chuckled along when the announcement came on about the large Prius! 🤣 I have always loved the sense of humor the Amtrak staff seem to share - especially from the cafe car attendants. I did the Zephyr in the other direction a few years back but starting out in Sacramento. I stayed on the riverfront aboard the Delta Queen in the old town section where the California State Railroad Museum is located. Next time ‘round you may wish to check it out - it is an amazing place to visit!

I find it amazing these huge station buildings have so few people walking through them.

Rode that beauty westward in 1958

Damn you Paul!!!! This was a fantastic video….my bank account is going to take a hit next year because I’m going to have to do this trip now!!!

Thank you for you time and effort putting this together Paul. I miss my cross county Amtrak adventures. May have to do it again someday. I would only travel in a roomette and I quite enjoyed to food on board. But then again, my last trip was over 10 years ago.

Right. That trip is now on my list.

Got to remember that most of us only ever get the privilege of flying first class on long haul flights maybe once or twice in our entire lives, so we're not often feted with five star food at meal times. I took the California Zephyr in September and thoroughly enjoyed every meal in the dining car. If the Amtrak meals are just "okay" then dinner on Emirates first class has to be the food of the gods!

My late grandmother was one of those who saw Amtrak as more than a luxury; she often used both the Zephyr and Empire Builder to visit family.

19:45 -20:20 This footage is such a prime example of why you are able to make these reviews an art while providing some hybrid like: info-tainment, I’d call it. Who thinks to capture the terminus (just learned that here!) or that it would be possible while limited to a camera? But here, the camera goes from limitation to asset.

What a wonderful way to spend my break today! I grew up in Colorado and took that train many times from Denver to Glenwood Springs. I also took the "Winter Park Ski Train" often. Thank you so much for this gift!

It is my dream to ride the California zephyr with my husband now that I am retired and enjoy the sights.

Merry Christmas! Thanks for such a fun video - especially the last part - "must be a humongous car", indeed rofl :D This is a trip that's on my bucket list, so thank again for the updated vid :) All the best for 2022 :D

Happy holiday to you and your family, Paul. This was a fantastic video, I really appreciate how in depth you get with your review. While it probably won’t happen until I retire and my kids are grown up, I do plan on making this journey. Until then, your videos will help me get my fix.

That shot at 34:42, of the moon shining on the water... just so mesmerizing.

What a treat to watch - I really enjoyed this! I took this trip about 40 years ago and now am looking forward to taking it again. Thanks Paul!

Paul! I was also on the CZ for this trip, and was so excited to share the train with you. I said hey in the observation car and told you I’ve been waiting to see this video since I discovered your channel!

The Zephyr was part of my first and longest American rail holiday. You see so much of the United States topography .. from Chicago to farmland to the Sierras and on to the coast. A trip I've been considering revisiting after all of these years and this video may have convinced me. Roomettes are actually very economical if traveling with a friend. I remember sitting in awe, gazing out of the window. It's been snowing for the last 2 hours here in Seattle and I can't think of a better time than to see the US by rail once more. Thanks for the video! Cheers! 🚆🥂🌎

One thing I definitely like about Amtrak rooms are that you can sit in your seat and look out the window. Not have a sink or something in the way.

Thanks a million for posting this wonderful video! It brought back such sweet memories!!! I did this trip in a roomette from Emeryville to Denver in January 2019. I had such an amazing time. As you said the scenery was stunningly beautiful. The food was plentiful and generally good. Above all else, the leisurely pace, and the lack of wifi, enabled me to meet up with all sorts of awesome people whom I would otherwise never meet. One of whom even stayed in touch and became one of my best mates in America! All thanks to California Zephyr!