Amtrak Guest Rewards - Zephyr schedule change?

I searched previous postings but didn't see anything on this topic. Just received the following e-mail:
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Our records indicate that you were originally scheduled to depart on Amtrak traveling from Emeryville-CALIFORNIA to Denver-COLORADO.

That schedule has changed.

You will depart on Amtrak Train number 0006 from Emeryville-CALIFORNIA on Saturday May 5 at 9:10AM and arrive in Denver-COLORADO on Sunday May 6 at 9:35PM.
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Looks like they added about 3 hours to the Arrival time, confirmed this on the website however the PDF schedule is still showing the original time. Playing around with the Schedule function on the website, it looks like it arrives at Grand Junction (GJT) at 10:11 AM but doesn't leave until 1:23PM.

I have a bedroom booked for a scenic weekend trip with my girlfriend, and while it's too bad that it will be dark for the journey down into Denver, my primary concern was that they could be re-routing North, but it doesn't seem like that's the case. Is this schedule change just to reflect reality due to delays?

It looks like 5/1-5/4 the westbound Zephyr has a similar 3-hour wait in DEN, and the eastbound has a 3 hour wait in GJT on 5/5-5/7. I would guess there's track work being done somewhere between them.

Intermediate points are still bookable, so it's not being re-routed. The only detour I've been on in that area is between SLC and DEN, which shaves 3 hours off the route.

I called but they didn't have any additional information on the delay. This is a trip purely for pleasure and I haven't booked the outbound air travel yet so I'd really like to know whether it stops at a station for that time (giving us a chance to go out for a run perhaps?), and whether dinner will be included if our arrival in Denver moves from ~6PM to ~9PM.

Edit - perhaps it's related to this? http://www.progressiverailroading.com/mow/news/UP-to-improve-line-along-Colorado-River--30151#

I had a similar event on the Coast Starlight last year with a hold at Klamath Falls for rail work ahead of us. It was early morning so was nice to get a shower in without the train rocking back and forth. The smokers loved an extended break to go out for a smoke. And I do believe some did venture out past the station, although they were warned if they got cleared to proceed earlier they wouldn't wait.

... they were warned if they got cleared to proceed earlier they wouldn't wait.

RE: your last point, how does that work if the online schedules for those dates are showing arrival at further stations with a time three hours later than normal? If I were to book a trip from Glenwood to Denver for example, they couldn't very well show up two hours earlier and expect people to be there waiting?

I understand if it's a "delay" like the airlines (where they say don't go far from the gate, in case things change), but in this case the schedule itself is shown as being adjusted and the adjusted dates shown at the time of booking new tix.

I guess what I'm saying is, after looking at the dining car menus it would sure be nice to get in a solid run at some point during the trip!

I called but they didn't have any additional information on the delay. This is a trip purely for pleasure and I haven't booked the outbound air travel yet so I'd really like to know whether it stops at a station for that time (giving us a chance to go out for a run perhaps?), and whether dinner will be included if our arrival in Denver moves from ~6PM to ~9PM.The train will stop at the station and sit there for 3 hours, just as the schedule indicates. You'll be free to get off and kill the time however you'd like.

In your case, dinner service will still be started at the normal 5pm hour, and since you'll be on the train then, you'll be able to eat. (I was once on a delayed/detoured California Zephyr that arrived into Emeryville around 9pm (5 hours late). The dining car had an extra dinner service for sleeping car pax, only. I assume the train was running low on food since it was nearing the end of its run.)

RE: your last point, how does that work if the online schedules for those dates are showing arrival at further stations with a time three hours later than normal? If I were to book a trip from Glenwood to Denver for example, they couldn't very well show up two hours earlier and expect people to be there waiting?

I understand if it's a "delay" like the airlines (where they say don't go far from the gate, in case things change), but in this case the schedule itself is shown as being adjusted and the adjusted dates shown at the time of booking new tix.

I guess what I'm saying is, after looking at the dining car menus it would sure be nice to get in a solid run at some point during the trip!

In our case the trip was listed with a Service Alert stating there would be a delay during the trip. I don't recall what they did for scheduling down stream stops. My guess is they kept the same times but showed up late. How late was dependent upon the lenght of the stop and what time they were able to make up along the way.

Yes, a quick run would be nice. Best to check with a conductor before hand. They may have a good idea of how things might go. You might have to limit your trek to 20 laps around the station. :)

In our case the trip was listed with a Service Alert stating there would be a delay during the trip. )

On some days this spring, there will be a reroute through Wyoming.

Bob H

On some days this spring, there will be a reroute through Wyoming.

Bob H

That's what has me paranoid, I would definately choose a different weekend if that were the case. However, between the 3-hour delay (isn't WY 3 hours _faster_?) and the fact that the intermediate stops in the CO mountains are showing as bookable on the website, I feel pretty confident that's not the case here.

That's what has me paranoid, I would definately choose a different weekend if that were the case. However, between the 3-hour delay (isn't WY 3 hours _faster_?) and the fact that the intermediate stops in the CO mountains are showing as bookable on the website, I feel pretty confident that's not the case here.And if you were being detoured through Wyoming, you wouldn't even get to Grand Junction.

That's what has me paranoid, I would definately choose a different weekend if that were the case. However, between the 3-hour delay (isn't WY 3 hours _faster_?) and the fact that the intermediate stops in the CO mountains are showing as bookable on the website, I feel pretty confident that's not the case here.

They may bus.... the route through Wyoming is quite interesting though.

It's worth a call to Julie (1-800-USA-Rail)

Bob H

While I understand Union Pacific has to do track maintenance, here they go again with another attempt to destroy Amtrak ridership. :td:

While I understand Union Pacific has to do track maintenance, here they go again with another attempt to destroy Amtrak ridership. :td:

They have to do it when the weather's good. Same thing happens with xways in the north -- we're either fighting snow or orange barrels.

Bob H.

The Amtrak website now has a detailed service disruption notice:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&p=1237608345018&cid=1251621577201

The OP is correct to assume he will not be detoured. Later in May, as well as in early June, there will be detours through Wyoming.

And if you were being detoured through Wyoming, you wouldn't even get to Grand Junction.

Don't be too bummed if you don't get to Junction, you're not missing much at all.

Don't be too bummed if you don't get to Junction, you're not missing much at all.The scenery around it sure is nice though (Ruby Canyon, Book Cliffs).

They have to do it when the weather's good. Same thing happens with xways in the north -- we're either fighting snow or orange barrels.

Bob H.

Sure they have to do it when the weather's good. And the VIA-style long layovers at intermediate points are a somewhat acceptable way to deal with railroad maintenance. But, forcing the CZ to detour through Wyoming during the summer months will cause riders to cancel, or not make the trip, because almost all CZ passengers ride it to see the Colorado/Utah mountain scenery. Only hard core rare mileage riders would want to go through Wyoming.

This year it's Wyoming detours because of trackwork in the Grand Jct. area. Last year I think they got the ties replaced on the Green River Subdivision without detours, just a long look at Grand Jct. But the year before it was Wyoming because of putting in the superslab from Gore Canyon to Bond. The year before it was Wyoming because of Moffat Tunnel work. Rail maintenance has to be ongoing. If UP can't do that work without forcing Wyoming detours on the CZ, it will reduce ridership.

Just once, I'd like to see UP saying that they will be keeping the CZ on the Moffat Tunnel route and not detouring account there is congestion or trackwork on the Greeley Subdivision. :) Daze

Sure they have to do it when the weather's good. And the VIA-style long layovers at intermediate points are a somewhat acceptable way to deal with railroad maintenance. But, forcing the CZ to detour through Wyoming during the summer months will cause riders to cancel, or not make the trip, because almost all CZ passengers ride it to see the Colorado/Utah mountain scenery. Only hard core rare mileage riders would want to go through Wyoming.(Bolding mine.) I don't think it will force riders to cancel or not take the trip because it's likely that most of them won't know about the detour. Amtrak doesn't contact existing passengers, and the average rider isn't going to know to check for service disruptions before booking/departing.

On my second CZ trip I intentionally booked the WY detour for a change of scenery. About half the people I talked on the train had no idea that they were going to miss the Rockies and were definitely annoyed. The other half were kind of indifferent.

(Bolding mine.) I don't think it will force riders to cancel or not take the trip because it's likely that most of them won't know about the detour. Amtrak doesn't contact existing passengers, and the average rider isn't going to know to check for service disruptions before booking/departing.

On my second CZ trip I intentionally booked the WY detour for a change of scenery. About half the people I talked on the train had no idea that they were going to miss the Rockies and were definitely annoyed. The other half were kind of indifferent.

This surprises me. Amtrak has a good reputation for proactively reaching out in case of schedule or service changes. I've gotten calls from them for very minor changes that were effectively inconsequential (as well as major ones).

This surprises me. Amtrak has a good reputation for proactively reaching out in case of schedule or service changes. I've gotten calls from them for very minor changes that were effectively inconsequential (as well as major ones).But if you're on a WY detour, the schedule doesn't change, when it comes to your departure and arrival times. You end up with a 3h wait, in either SLC or DEN, but that's it.

I've taken the CZ twice: the first with a Feather River Canyon detour, the second with the WY detour. Amtrak did not notify me in either case.

But if you're on a WY detour, the schedule doesn't change, when it comes to your departure and arrival times. You end up with a 3h wait, in either SLC or DEN, but that's it.

I've taken the CZ twice: the first with a Feather River Canyon detour, the second with the WY detour. Amtrak did not notify me in either case.

Before I rode the WY detour, Amtrak called. The agent said, "You'll be missing the Rocky Mountain scenery. Are you okay with that?"

I replied, "The detour is my sole reason for this trip, but I appreciate the concern." :D

Obviously, YMMV.