Amtrak Across America: Day 1 on the California Zephyr 

Aurora Amtrak station closed in 1983. The building was demolished in 2013.

That was the 2023 World Squash Championships! The winner and runner-up were both Egyptian, Ali Farag and Karim Abdel Gawad. A stunning backdrop for a sports tournament! Racquetball in the US is similar to squash, but there are differences between the two. The ceiling is out of bounds in squash but it's not in racquetball. Racquetball players must bounce the ball once against the floor before serving, while those who play squash don't. And unlike squash where you have to stand in a specific box to serve to the opposite corner, in racquetball you can serve anywhere in the marked service zone and hit the ball against any part of the front wall. You also get a redo in racquetball while you're only permitted to do one serve in squash. Racquetball was invented in 1949 in Greenwich, CT at the local YMCA by Joseph Sobek who added a stringed racquet to paddleball in order to increase velocity and control. He devised a set of rules based on squash, handball, and paddleball. Though he named it "paddle rackets" instead of racquetball.

I noticed people don’t get as mad when there is a train delay if they’re just riding the train for fun, they don’t have to worry about getting somewhere on time

Don’t forget about the virtual rail camera in Galesburg IL

Princeton, IL was first settled in the 1830s by New Englanders who came as part of a wave of farmers who headed west into the then wilds of the Northwest Territory during the early 1800s. Most of them arrived because of the Erie Canal. How they named it Princeton when it was incorporated in 1884 is a fun story, it was drawn from a hat! Three trustees, Roland Moseley, John Musgrove and John P. Blake had a favorite name to present but couldn't agree, so they settled by drawing it from a hat and having a blindfolded stranger choose. Musgrove, coming from NJ, and being loyal to his classic institution, wrote Princeton! Princeton in NJ in turn is said to be named in honor of William III or then Prince William of Orange and Nassau. Burlington, Iowa on the other hand is named after Burlington in Vermont! Settlement began in 1833 when Samuel White, Amzi Doolitle, and Morton M. McCarver staked claims there. In 1834, when a guy named John Gray purchased the first lot there with his wife Eliza Jane, he was allowed to rename the town for $50 (or over $1,700 in 2023 money) and chose Burlington in honor of his hometown in Vermont.

Protect Thom and Lindsey at all costs

I grew up in Chicago and our family would take the train on vacations to visit relatives in Missouri, so the stops up to that point bring back memories. I can practically hear the conductor calling them out to this day. The observation cars back then had a glass bubble-top with seating arranged like the rest of the train so they fit many more passengers than what it looks like now. SO many memories, glad you two are making new ones to remember forever.

"They'll have these things that are called fresh air stops, or smoke stops if you don't like breathing in fresh air" 💀. Exactly, it's not the longest river in the US as the Missouri River is slightly longer at 2,341 miles, but the Mississippi River is symbolically the division between the eastern states and the western states, so you know you're truly on a grand cross-country journey when you finally do cross the river! There's a reason the Anishinaabe peoples called it the Misi-ziibi or Great River! With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains all or parts of 32 US states and two Canadian provinces between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains! Coke Zero was first introduced in 2005, marketed as having a taste that is indistinguishable from standard Coca-Cola, as opposed to Diet Coke, which has a different flavor profile. This is because while labelled Diet Coke, Diet Coke is not based on the Coke formula but rather Tab! When diet colas first entered the market, Coca-Cola had a long-standing policy to use the Coca-Cola name only on its flagship cola, and so its diet cola was named Tab when it was released in 1963. When Pepsi introduced Diet Pepsi in 1964, it became clear they needed to use the Coke name to market it more easily! Thus, the Diet Coke brand was introduced in 1982 and overtook Tab in sales.

I take the Zephyr to Hastings, NE all the time to visit family, and one thing I’ve noticed is that on the EB route the smell of the toilets often manages to get sucked into the cars, presumably due to their longer time having been used without being serviced. Seems like a failure of engineering for the car, so I hope newer cars have avoided that problem. In general, though, I have a pretty good time and definitely spend a lot of time in the “observation” car. I’m pretty fortunate because the Hastings stop is around 2 AM but I can walk to my sister’s house easily from there (and there is no Uber service in Hastings that time of night…). The EB return trip is almost always quite late (Hastings is where EB and WB Zephyrs meet if they’re both on time, so both are around 2 AM). I have to wake up and check the train status multiple times, pretty much every time. But I still enjoy it!

Very excited to finally have this series premiere. I know that I am late to give this idea and it is at a weird video but because of the DC move I would love to see a series of Thom in the Northeast. That would be very interesting to see about my region from someone else's POV. I myself am a Bostonian (before you hate on me for having no filter pls hear me out) and am a big fan of MBTA, SEPTA and WMATA. I feel like all three systems could learn from each other. I think that you have shown a really good job of how cities run transit. I would love to hear some of your insights on the theory and what a transcontinental rail network could look like right now. Could places like Columbus, Ohio be hubs for passenger rail? As always, great content!

Great video, no-nonsense. Don't change the format.

Later this month we’re taking the CZ from Galesburg to Sacramento, renting a car for a week. Then San Joaquin to Bakersfield then a bus to Los Angeles, then finally the SW Chief back to Galesburg. So excited!

Excellent vlog of your first day! The USA Railpass is a great idea! Hopefully they have the sale again for 2024 and 2025. Would love to go and travel a bit more and that is the way to do it as long as you can handle being in coach. Wish they would do a RailPass Roomette deal! WOW! Take care and will watch some more soon. Hopefully our Amtrak Station Tours that we do weekly can benefit you and some of your viewers!

When I took the Zephyr two years ago I saw a house in Colorado get struck by lighting and catch fire. Crazy what you can see on the train. Great video Thom, can't wait to see the rest of the journey!

Wow wow!!! This is my dreams for ❤along time, when I were younger. I love ❤️ to travel by train. I have worked too hard , and dreams when I’m retired, I will take the train for enjoying, before I go away from this earth 🌍. But now , I am only traveling by train through my eyes 👀( This is 1/2 of my dreams come through.) Thanks for sharing these Videos in your channel . Next life , I will take your jobs. 😂😂😂. Thanks again, I really appreciated, and enjoy your videos..❤❤❤❤

When I lived in central Illinois, Mendota was the nearest Amtrak stop in the area. However the California Zephyr doesn’t stop there even though it passes through at a slower speed. If someone wanted to ride that particular train they have to go 20 miles west to Princeton. All the other Amtrak trains stop in Mendota but not the Zephyr. Now that I live in Wisconsin, Mendota is convenient to go westbound on the train since it is right off Interstate 39. Getting on the California Zephyr still requires one to drive right past the Mendota station on US 34 another 20 or so miles to get on in Princeton. And it wasn’t until the 1980s that they added Princeton as a stop on the California Zephyr. We had to go either to Galesburg or Naperville as there were no stops in between.

This is already starting out as a great video and I’m only a few minutes in! Great job!

I always like your videos even before I watch them because I know the content is good you're my favorite RU-vidr your channel is very under appreciated with only 26000 subscribers and you are an awesome inspiration for me

those lounge cars look fire

I truly enjoy and appreciate your historical and technical details about this route. Most RU-vidrs don't touch on these details.

11:42 Burlington Coat Factory? I think that’s after Burlington New Jersey tho and now it’s simply just Burlington

The Burlington rail bridge reminds me of the Fourth rail bridge over here in the Uk

3:42 she seems excited for the trip

IIRC, the original Califonia Zephyr was joint effort of the CB&Q, the D&RG, and the Western Pacific to compete with the City of San Francisco on rhe UP.

This is probably the best AMTRAK video I have seen. Looking forward to more from you!

USA Rail Pass is the BEST. I did a cross-country trip on it last year; first time I ever went west of the Mississippi.

You guys make me want to return to the 🛤️d❤❤

Yesss! This is the content I came for. A vicarious long-distance passenger train ride with superior videography and editing, Thom’s always clear and detailed narrative exposition and Lindsey’s Greek chorus with her charm and deadpan humor. I am impatiently waiting for the second episode of Thom and Lindsey Amtrak Across America!

Such an awesome video on this, Thom and Lindsey! It did make me feel like I was riding along with ya'll! This is probably going to be one of the videos (among the many already) I watch on repeat on your channel! I've also not been on Amtrak train yet that has an SSL. This was such a great insight into this unique passenger car and makes me excited for your trip even more. Keep up the great videos!

In 1973 I was in a small group of Australian railfans who travelled this route in the opposite direction. Spectacular scenery through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rocky Mountains on the type of trains that I had never experienced previously. The trip was in sections with overnight stops in Reno (such bright lights and massive buffets), Salt Lake City (so different to Reno) and and a longer stopover in Denver for a steam train excursion to Laramie. Then on to Chicago to ride trains and photograph multiple commuter trains from the Roosevelt Road Bridge. At that time we had to leave the Amtrak train in Ogden and take the connecting bus to Salt Lake City. SLC to Denver was still operated by the D&RGW and it was a most spectacular one day trip.

I like how he said smoke stops if you don’t like breathing in fresh air

That racket ball thing was going on when I was in CUS a few years ago.

I gotten on this train in Ottumwa IA a few times.

Burlington, Iowa is also where George Westinghouse developed air brakes. BTW, you should have stopped in Omaha. The Zoo there is incredible!

Yes the trip out of Denver CO west is great plus going through the Muffet tunnel is cool as well.

Great start to this video series. I'm glad you are able to create a video for us to watch. This trip is definitely special for those who haven't gone onto any long distance amtrak trains.

oh wow i had a friend from princeton illinois, never saw it but now i guess i got a glimpse of it 😀 [oh wow i knew someone from galesburg too and i remember he said it was a big railroad place. he also had a huge metal belt buckle. maybe to stop bullets]

I saw the tower thats in Aurora IL in the thumbnail and immediately clicked

Thank you for the video Thom and Lindsey! Really enjoyed part 1 of the adventure across the US! I'm looking forward to the next part of the series! 🙂

I rode coach class on amtraks city of New Orleans from Chicago to Jackson Mississippi with my dad

Awesome video of your adventure - can't wait for your next day's video!

Another awesome video 😊

My grandfather is still a member of a Cricket Club, and my parents were until I was a teen, the term Squash was used-you can walk to the Paoli/Thorndale line to the club. My grandfather played Tennis there until about a year ago and almost no one actually plays Cricket-but I’ve seen it

Always love to see UIC representation 😂

Absolutely loved day 1 and looking forward to many more!!! I spy a UIC shirt!!! Enjoyed all of the history and research you put into your videos!!! Awesome!!!

At 10:11 and at 10:29 Virtual Railfan's live-feed cameras are visible on the building. You shoulda waved at us, Thom! :) Typically, several hundred railfans watch when the Zephyr and the Chief make their stops. The camera operator will normally focus on anyone waving and the clips go into VRF's Grab Bag videos.

I like those new seats in a coach class car. I hope there comfy for sleeping. However on any Amtrak long distance train I prefer the sleeper car.

I'm really enjoying how you and Lindsey are making this a fun and relaxing ride along trip!

That's weird. When we rode the Southwest Chief a few years ago, seating was assigned, not first-come first-served. We were quizzed at the door by the conductor and assigned seats based on our destination, and handed small cards with the station identifier ("LAP" in our case, for La Plata MO).

You definitely have to do the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver.

Back in college i use to take the train from mt pleasant to chicago once a month to visit my homestate and see my parents. Then i got a car from my parents so drove from chicago back to my college in mt pleasant. Now i live in omaha and when i go to chicago i dont drive or fly i still gake the train lol. Just rent a car when im there and use it unless i get stuff to bring home then i drive.

Thank you for this great video ! The California Zephyr is certainly my favourite train to the West. Can’t wait to hear your views on the stretch between Denver and Salt Lake City, and trust you were able to spend more time in the Sightseer Lounge !

Speaking of sleeping in luggage racks.Years ago a friend told me he'd done the Winnipeg, might have been Edmondton?,to Churchill train in Canada and he was amazed by a man sleeping in the luggage rack!

Thanks for showing this. Your videos are very interesting and good quality. We think the scenery riding the Zephyr through the mountains between Denver and Emeryville is stunningly beautiful. They undersell how nice this is. Stayed in a Roomette , meals included in the dining car. The staff treated us like they appreciated us being there. Also have ridden the Empire Builder to Seattle and the SW Chief back from LA. Both are very nice, but the Zephyr is in a class of its own.

Nice video Thom! I love that storm footage at around 17:40 or so. But that is normal for that part of the country. Keep them coming Thom. I always enjoy them!

Ahhh this trip was back in May. I was at CUS during that racquetball tourney.

Great first day Thom looking forward to the second video.👍

Another awesome video. Glad you two had such a great time. The Sightseeer Loung looks amazing. I still regret never riding the Great Dome when they had in on the Adirondack as it looked amazing, too bad that short-sited decision was made under the Anderson Administration.

Great video! Thank you!

Thanks for your nice video. Great job! Since 1996, I have taken the CaliZ at least 100 times - and I never get tired of it (well, once in a while I have been known to complain, but I immediately start planning my next trip LOL). I am looking forward to going Chi to Den next month.

Great video! I love train travel and really enjoy traveling in general. Next year I’m planning a big trip to Europe to travel on some trains around there. I’ve done a lot of the uk considering I live here but yeh it’s awesome to see other parts of the world through other people’s eyes!

Your retirement gig could be leading rail tours... TOURS R AWESOME

I rode this train last summer and it was wonderful. Loved it. Super excited for the rest of the series!

Burlington was once a shop town for the c B & Q

Looks like a great trip. I agree with you on that asian noodle salad. My favorite food I've had on Amtrak were tamales on the texas eagle. Thanks!

Good morning I enjoyed the video👍👍

I had to use fancy Phptoshop skills to reveal the wording on your t-shirt at end of video: It says Don't feed the Wildlife !!!!

Good informative video as always. Since yall were in Utah,are you familiar with the story of the town of Helper.

Love the video and all of the information. Looking forward to Part Two.

I prefer lining up in the Great Hall. It's far less chaotic.

The ride from Denver to San Francisco is breathtaking. However, the train is dirty, the staff rude, and the bathrooms are filthy.

Thom, Not sure if I like you or not. Young guy traveling around the country riding trains. I am so jealous! Keep up the great videos

You’ve given me some great trip ideas! Maybe start planning for next year. How long do the fresh air stops last?

5:50 was my favourite part because I was born I n 2013.

Prior to Amtrak, railways that competed each had their own equipment for specific routres. The 20th Century Limited had its own rolling stock. The Zephyrs were their own trains. So boarding a named train wasn't just the route, but also the rolling stock and service on-board so a truly unique experience. With creation of single national carrier, it may be logical to standardize on single rolling stock for long distance travel, but it does remove some of the uniqueess of the experience of taking a named train. BTW, since you travel as a couple, wouldn't taking a roomette be considered affordable for 2 persons?

I've done the empire builder before

That was an awesome high-hood catch in Burlington! Any idea what railroad that was?

Great video. Appreciate the details and history you include. Love the scenery on the Zephyr, particularly in the Rockies … so looking forward to that section. 😍

Hi Thom, I know you talked about the price in the beginning of the video, but I'm surprised you guys didn't book a roomette for such a long journey. It's cozy and would be perfect for the two of you.

Yeah, I don’t think I could sit in a chair for three straight days. We got a family room private bath.With beds

Would you like to see reserved seats on long distance Amtrak routes?

I fell back asleep so didn't get to watch the premiere TwT

Naperville and aurora are right next to each other. Aurora is turning that area into misuse housing To revitalize their downtown. Aurora 180k, Naperville 150k.

Although Davenport has no rail service neighboring Moline, IL will connect it to Chicago in 2024!

If you come through the Dallas-Fort Worth area, check out the different commuter trains operating from the Fort Worth transit center as well Dallas' DART trains. You can enjoy the Trinity River Express from Fort Worth to Dallas.

Great to see you both so excited by the start of an adventure. My first trip on Amtrak was in 2004 on the LSL and the CZ. By coincidence there was a big thunderstorm whilst I was on the LSL. I have done numerous trips since, including this year on the The Cardinal, SWC and CS back in Feb. My biggest annoyance is the downgrading of dining and the barring of coach passengers from using the diner in the West and the absence of any decent dining at all in the east. That said I loved the train journeys and can work around the food issues. Look forward to the next video.

there needs to be a roomette or bedroom rail pass

if the train is delayed and you get in Omaha during the daytime and you are in the sightseer car then you can see the big boy and DDA40X! My CZ 6 was delayed coming home by 7hrs so we were in Omaha during the day and I was able to catch it from a different angle than physically being there! Enjoy the trip! I also took it in May as well but we were rerouted in Lincoln thru the powder river basin due to washouts between Lincoln and Fort Morgan. 12hr delay but worth it!

I love this trip. When you reach day 3, after a stop at Sacramento Valley Station, a short walk from Californina's state capital building, you will in 14 minutes make a stop in the little college town of Davis. I lived there for nine years, and we were privleged to have multiple Amtrak long haul trains that stopped daily in our town.

Trivia Q: What famous TV character was from Ottumwa, IA?

Definitely hoping to do this trip one of these days. My wife & I have been kicking it around for a few years, but we haven't been able to make it happen yet. I've never been to Chicago, California, or any points between, so it's very much on my list. I'm not sure yet if we'd train or fly to Chicago, or fly to either Salt Lake City or Denver and then take the train on to California from there. We'll see.

11:11 Before 1996, the _Southwest Chief_ operated between Chicago and Galesburg via the ATSF Chilicothe Subdivision, stopping in Joliet, Streator, Chilicothe, and at the Santa Fe depot in Galesburg (located on Broad Street). This stopped in 1996 when the BNSF merger saw the construction of a connector track between the Chilicothe and the BN's Mendota Subdivision southwest of Galesburg; the _Southwest Chief_ now travels with the _California Zephyr_ and the _Illinois Zephyr / Carl Sandburg_ along the Mendota Subdivision, and service to Streator and Chilicothe was dropped.

THOM, They,probably don't want to stop every 1/2 or so.

Great video Columbus Ohio very populated city in Ohio but no Amtrak service for that you would have to go to alliance Ohio, Toledo, Cincinnati Cleveland for Amtrak service

This is another Amtrak route I want to ride someday. I would go to either Chicago or Naperville to take it out west as far as I can. I say Naperville is the other option because that was the closest Amtrak station from where I lived. One time I drove there a couple years ago to see the day 1 alc 42 heritage engine #301 for the very first time. It was on an over 12 hour delayed EB California Zephyr that it arrived at night and a BNSF locomotive was leading. A mechanical issue was probably one of the causes of the delay. I hate when that happens besides the bad weather doing the same and other causes.

Admittedly I've never heard of sleeping in luggage racks, yikes! Who does this???

If I am not mistaken, it was Aurora that caused the commuter station to be put at ground level, btw, there is much argument over what is the second largest city in Illinois