Amtrekkin' - North America by Rail
For twelve days this November I had the delightful experience of leading a group of 12 (9 high school students and 3 adults, including myself) on an adventure around North America by Amtrak (USA) and VIA Rail (Canada). More photos are in this gallery. Photos and commentary from the students are also available on www.amtrekkin.com.
We departed Toledo, OH, at 6 AM on a Sunday morning, reaching Chicago, and adventuring out from Chicago aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr:
Our seats were in the very back of the train, allowing us to get great views of where we've just been.
In Denver the next morning, the train was backed into the depot under the direction of the conductor:
The Zephyr travels west from Denver up into the mountains via several curves and switchbacks to navigate the grade...this photo looks back at the tracks and into downtown Denver:
From many of the curves, you can see where you are going:
It was difficult to avoid the glare, the dirty windows, and the shake from the moving train, but the 18-200 VR lens really helped me keep things steady. This view is between Granby, CO, and Glenwood Springs, CO:
After the glory of the Rockies, you might catch the rays of the setting sun just right:
Amtrak's Superliner observation car (the colors and vinyl don't scream "70's" too loudly, eh?):
But they do make for good sleeping (this is one of my students):
We traveled up the west coast on Amtrak's Coast Starlight, then returned across the snowy Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail's The Canadian:
These cars were from the 50's, and the metal work was quite interesting, especially after the 70's Amtrak Superliners.
We got off The Canadian in Winnipeg and caught Amtrak's Empire Builder in Fargo, ND, returning to Toledo, OH, after 12 full days of travel.
This was an incredible journey. If North American train travel interests you, I highly encourage the California Zephyr between Denver and Sacramento and the Coast Starlight between Dunsmuir (Mt. Shasta) and Portland! The scenery is unmatched. Be careful of the food, however. And don't expect to sleep much in those "comfortable" coach seats.
We departed Toledo, OH, at 6 AM on a Sunday morning, reaching Chicago, and adventuring out from Chicago aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr:
Our seats were in the very back of the train, allowing us to get great views of where we've just been.
In Denver the next morning, the train was backed into the depot under the direction of the conductor:
The Zephyr travels west from Denver up into the mountains via several curves and switchbacks to navigate the grade...this photo looks back at the tracks and into downtown Denver:
From many of the curves, you can see where you are going:
It was difficult to avoid the glare, the dirty windows, and the shake from the moving train, but the 18-200 VR lens really helped me keep things steady. This view is between Granby, CO, and Glenwood Springs, CO:
After the glory of the Rockies, you might catch the rays of the setting sun just right:
Amtrak's Superliner observation car (the colors and vinyl don't scream "70's" too loudly, eh?):
But they do make for good sleeping (this is one of my students):
We traveled up the west coast on Amtrak's Coast Starlight, then returned across the snowy Canadian Rockies on VIA Rail's The Canadian:
These cars were from the 50's, and the metal work was quite interesting, especially after the 70's Amtrak Superliners.
We got off The Canadian in Winnipeg and caught Amtrak's Empire Builder in Fargo, ND, returning to Toledo, OH, after 12 full days of travel.
This was an incredible journey. If North American train travel interests you, I highly encourage the California Zephyr between Denver and Sacramento and the Coast Starlight between Dunsmuir (Mt. Shasta) and Portland! The scenery is unmatched. Be careful of the food, however. And don't expect to sleep much in those "comfortable" coach seats.
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Comments
I've BEEN there!
www.morffed.com
Our students were not too familiar with the art of the journey, they are all about "getting there." It was neat to see them adjust to the enjoying the journey, to slowing down and talking to people along the way, and to just enjoying a world without instant access (no e-mail, sometimes no cell phone, etc.).
toprowphotography.com