53 Hours from Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr Train

Comments · 445

• PE

  @perpetualconcepts96 · 1 year ago

  Dear Amtrak; hire this gentleman as your company spokesperson. Stellar presentation, particularly giving taller folks a size perspective. Enjoyed; you do great work, man. Cheers

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• SI

  @simons5193 · 1 year ago

  One thing I enjoy about watching your videos is that you are very positive and never complain about anything. You make the best out of any situation, and you enjoy yourself. This is very refreshing. Unlike some other travelling youtubers that keep complaining about anything and everything on their trips.

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• SC

  @scottsdale67 · 1 year ago

  Amtrak should add more than one observation car on this route to accommodate more passengers.

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• NA

  @nathanjiang100 · 1 year ago

  I was the guy at the back window that you met around Glenwood Canyon! I forget if I told you this on the train but I was using my rail pass and did the whole 75 hours from New York to the Bay Area in coach. You&apos;re right about the coaches being packed, I wanted to switch out of my broken seat but there were none available! I had a seatmate from Chicago to Denver, then the train emptied out throughout the day and the second night was quite empty before the train filled up again in Reno. The views are spectacular and it&apos;s a trip that I&apos;ll never forget. I skipped through a lot of this video since I saw the views myself on the same exact train but I must say this turned out really well and I remember seeing you film some of these shots, especially that coach seat one! I stand by what I said to you on the train, the sightseer lounge is overrated. I still spent time in there but it&apos;s too crowded and the windows are too reflective. The 40-min early arrival into Richmond (I had to take BART further down the east bay so I got off a stop early) was also a really nice and I can now say that I&apos;m 2/2 on early arrivals for my 2-nighter Amtrak trips since I was also 15 mins early into LA on the Chief last year.<br><br>Also wanted to give a huge thanks to Jess, the cafe car attendant. My phone charger broke halfway through the trip so she let me use hers throughout the 2 days. She totally could have not offered and without her kindness I don&apos;t know what I would have done. I hope that such gestures by the crew don&apos;t go unnoticed and I made sure to give her a decent tip at the end.

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• KA

  @karynreed8936 · 1 year ago

  I’m 3 yrs post divorce and I have never traveled like this alone. I think I’m gonna make this trip my maiden voyage after your review. I love road trips and this looks right up my alley. <br><br>Yes, more train trips please. Heard one from Chicago to Maine (I think) just started. &nbsp;TY

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• TH

  @TheMudflapTMJ · 9 months ago

  You brought back some really fond memories for me! My wife passed away in November 2008 and 2 months later I decided to go visit my brother in Santa Cruz to try to clear my mind. I decided to take Amtrak from Philadelphia to Emeryville.<br><br>I had a roomette from Pittsburgh to Chicago and then the Zephyr. The ride from Ohio to Denver got to be pretty boring as it&apos;s very flat land. Once you leave Denver it is absolutely AMAZING! There was a lot of snow on the ground and the scenery was just spectacular. I thought the food was great, the conductors and attendants were great, and the entire trip was just what the doctor ordered!<br><br>Thanks for taking the time to make such a great video. Like I said, it brought back some bittersweet memories

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• AN

  @andrewswain443 · 7 months ago

  I have a ticket to do this in May 2026. I can’t wait.

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• JW

  @jwblue575 · 1 year ago

  I live in Berkeley, CA. Made this trip in the Fall of 2021 (left from Emeryville - I actually went all the way to New Haven, CT). I knew the Rockies were be beautiful but, the scenery was stunning at that time of the year. If you live in the Bay Area you don&apos;t even have to go all the way to Chicago. Take a 3-4 day weekend to Denver, stay the night or 2 and come back. You will not be disappointed. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Go in the Fall.

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• RE

  @recipeboxdesigns4029 · 1 year ago

  Someone else said this but I agree, you are always positive in your travels making the best of bad situation is also your style. You are a class act Josh. I do love seeing your family and dad in your videos.

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• SN

  @Snatcher42 · 1 year ago

  So glad this trip worked out better for you than the Coast Starlight! That&apos;s the thing with Amtrak: sometimes it&apos;s great, sometimes it&apos;s a nightmare. I&apos;ve experienced both, but keep returning because it&apos;s a unique way to travel and see the country.

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• DA

  @daveblair9939 · 1 year ago

  yes, more trains!

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• ME

  @mecjamoss5535 · 1 year ago

  You arrived early too?! Amtrack is on its redemption arc and I love to see it.

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