I Took an Amtrak Practice From Colorado to Utah; How I Spent Every Hour

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  • I spent 15 hours on an in a single day Amtrak prepare touring from Denver to Salt Lake Metropolis.
  • I’ve taken many in a single day prepare journeys, and this one offered the most effective experiences I’ve had.
  • I used to be shocked to spend 15 hours in the identical place in many various methods.

Sleeper trains might be many issues — snug, cramped, bumpy, awe-inspiring, isolating, social, luxurious, and insufferable.

Over the previous 4 years, I’ve spent 140 hours touring 3,950 miles on in a single day trains within the US and Europe, and I’ve fallen in love with it.

In a single day trains are my favourite approach to journey as a result of, not like most issues in my life, they drive me to be nonetheless and benefit from the view. And even probably the most unbearable nights on the rails have helped me develop, get extra snug on sleeper trains, and admire the nice rides.

My most up-to-date experience was the most effective.

On a frosty day in January, I boarded an in a single day prepare in Denver for a 15-hour experience to Salt Lake Metropolis. The prepare was cozy and social, and the views have been hanging and numerous.

Trip together with me.

A double-decker sleeper prepare


A close-up of two gray train cars with red and blue stripes

Amtrak’s Superliner fleet has two ranges.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



The California Zephyr runs from Chicago to San Francisco on Amtrak’s Superliner fleet, which includes two-story coach and first-class sleeper automobiles, in addition to a eating automobile and an remark automobile.

I booked the lowest-tier lodging within the sleeper automobile, a roomette, for $400.

From Denver to Salt Lake Metropolis in a personal sleeper cabin


Inside the author's train cabin with two swats with pillows on them facing each other and a fold-out table in the middle

A peek contained in the reporter’s roomette.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



The 23-square-foot house, enclosed by a sliding door, had two seats that folded out right into a mattress and one other bunk up high. There was additionally a foldout desk between the seats, a shelf, a mirror, and a skinny closet.

I additionally had entry to 4 shared loos and a bathe within the sleeper automobile, and my ticket included meals.

Hour 1: Boarding and breakfast


The exterior of Denver's Union Station is seen on a snowy day.

Denver’s Union Station on a snowy day.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



On a snowy January morning, I arrived at Denver’s Union Station at 8:30 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. departure. I headed straight to the prepare, which was already ready for me.


A parked double-decker Amtrak train on a platform with signs indicating each car number

The Amtrak prepare parked on the platform in Denver.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



There have been two boarding strains on the platform — coach and first-class, which refers to sleeper lodging.

The coach line had about 10 folks, however I whizzed by means of the empty first-class line and located my automobile simply, because of the massive signage.


A composite image of two train seats with pillows on them inside an Amtrak roomette accommodation

Two sides of the reporter’s roomette.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



I stepped on board and located my cabin on the primary flooring. There wasn’t a lot house to face, however I simply stretched out by reclining each comfortable seats and utilizing one in all them as a leg relaxation. The lately upgraded vinyl seats have been comfortable and extra snug than any prepare seats I’ve booked within the US.

My first-class attendant got here by to introduce herself and let me know I might name her at any time with a button from my seat. She additionally took my lunch reservation (midday) and informed me that breakfast within the eating automobile on the second flooring ended at 9 a.m., so I wanted to rush.


A plate of french toast with sausage, syrup, whipped cream, and strawberries.

The reporter had French toast for breakfast.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



The prepare took off at 8:45, simply as I sat down for breakfast. A pair and I have been the one remaining passengers to feed. As is typical on an Amtrak prepare, we have been seated collectively.

I ordered French toast with sausage, topped with syrup, powdered sugar, strawberries, and whipped cream. It was fairly first rate for a prepare meal, and I observed the strawberries tasted contemporary.

Whereas ready for my meal, I chatted with the couple headed to California after visiting their youngsters in Denver — a 36-hour experience on their first in a single day prepare.

Hour 2: No WiFi, no worries


A snowy forest surrounding railroad tracks seen from a train window

Railroad views in Colorado.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



By 10 a.m., I spotted that this prepare route did not have WiFi, and I had no sign. However none of that mattered to me as soon as I regarded out the window.

The views heading west from Denver jogged my memory of the Swiss Alps. We went by means of a number of small tunnels that opened as much as mountainous forests blanketed in snow.

Round this time, the attendant requested if I wished to make a reservation for the remark automobile, a communal house on the second flooring with two rows of home windows bleeding into the ceiling for optimum views.

The remark automobile does not usually require reservations, nevertheless it will get crowded when the prepare passes by means of Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park within the early afternoons. Later, within the remark automobile, an attendant stated managing the crowds with 30-minute time slots was simpler. I took the 11:30 a.m. slot.

Hour 3: Contemporary air


A composite image of People standing outside a parked train on a sunny day with snow on the ground and mountains in the background and people exiting a train car

The prepare stops in Fraser, Colorado.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



We stopped for the primary time since I boarded at round 10:50 a.m. in Fraser, Colorado. The prepare did not cease lengthy sufficient to step outdoors fairly often, so I took the chance to get some contemporary air.

It was straightforward to identify who was persevering with on the journey and who wasn’t primarily based on their baggage and apparel. Some passengers got here out within the snow in sweatshirts and shorts, whereas others have been bundled up with suitcases in hand.

It was sunny and crisp on the snow-covered platform. I stretched my legs and noticed others posing for photos and checking their telephones.

After about 5 minutes, a whistle blew, signaling everybody to board.

Hour 4: Epic views earlier than lunch


Inside a full train car with two rows of windows on either side

Contained in the remark automobile on an Amtrak Superliner.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



At 11:30 a.m., I headed upstairs to the remark automobile. It was a lot brighter than the opposite automobiles, particularly because it was sunny. It was additionally packed to the brim. I used to be seated subsequent to a quiet couple, with whom I noticed highland cows in a valley surrounded by forests.


A plate with a dressed caesar salad on it

The reporter’s lunch on the prepare.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



The eating automobile was proper subsequent to the remark automobile. I strolled in at midday and was seated with a high-school pupil visiting her sister in school and a California-bound, older couple who had taken in a single day trains earlier than.

We mentioned our travels as I dined on a Caesar salad with grilled rooster. It was on par with good, budget-friendly eating places I would been to earlier than, and it ended up being my favourite dish of the journey.

Hour 5: Kicking again within the cabin


The author sits reading in a train cabin with a window on the left

The reporter reads on her approach to Salt Lake Metropolis.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



After a satisfying lunch and dialog, I returned to my cabin for some downtime. The dramatic views continued as I learn a guide in my cozy chair.

Hour 6: Time to stretch


A composite image of the author standing in front of a train and a the same train parked outside

The Amtrak prepare stops in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



Simply earlier than 2:30 p.m., the prepare stopped for one more break in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, for about quarter-hour.

I had time to stroll the size of the prepare. It was a bit hotter outdoors, so I stepped onto the platform with out my jacket.

Hour 7: A change of surroundings


A river runs west of a home with mountains in the background

Views from the prepare cabin.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



By 3 p.m., the views began to remodel. The snow melted as we handed rivers and streams, and the bushes have been smaller and extra sparse in southwestern Colorado.

My attendant got here by throughout this time to ask after I wished to have dinner. Since I used to be already getting hungry, I opted for the earliest slot: 5 p.m.

Hour 8: Grateful for curtains and skincare


Inside a train cabin with curtains on the right and a chair on the left

The reporter makes use of the roomette’s curtains.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



Round 4 p.m., the solar began hitting my window in numerous areas alongside the size of the room. That is after I observed how a lot the curtains got here in helpful.

Blocking the solar wasn’t restricted like in a automobile with a visor. I might slide the 2 curtains forwards and backwards, scrunch them up, and unfold them out for optimum glare blockage.


A composite image of the author in a train cabin sitting and squeezing face lotion out of a tub and a cropped image of her standing and applying the lotion

The reporter freshens up in her cabin.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



Earlier than dinner, I went to the toilet to scrub my face and observed it had been cleaned since my final go to. Then, I returned to my cabin to moisturize utilizing the mirror. The crisp, Southwestern air made my pores and skin drier than common.

Hour 9: Dinner with a view


Inside a train dining car at sunset with red canyons out the window and booths with roses on them

Contained in the eating automobile simply earlier than dinner.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



I strolled into the eating automobile at 4:59 p.m. It was empty besides for workers who appeared confused about my arrival.

“I am right here for my dinner reservation,” I stated.

“You are supposed to attend for the announcement,” one in all them referred to as out. Oops.

Seconds later, one worker welcomed friends to the eating automobile over the intercom, and one other informed me to sit down on the first desk.


A white plate with meat, mashed potatoes, and vegetables on it.

The reporter’s dinner.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



After a talkative breakfast and lunch, I wasn’t feeling too social. Fortunately, the trio of younger girls I shared the sales space with appeared to have the identical concept. We stated good day to one another after which dined quietly. All of us took photos of our meals after they arrived.

The dinner was three programs. I had a Brie salad adopted by a flat iron steak with mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, and a wine sauce. I used to be shocked by how flavorful the steak was; it was cooked completely for me.

The dessert was a good white chocolate blueberry cobbler cheesecake. It was no New York cheesecake, nevertheless it was tasty, and I ate almost all of it.

Hour 10: Offering my very own turndown service


A composite image of two train seats converted into a bed with a blue blanket

The reporter transformed the seats right into a mattress.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



As quickly as I completed dinner, I reclined the seats in my cabin to type the decrease bunk. An hour later, the attendant introduced they may present turndown service. However I am no stranger to changing prepare bunks. And since I would be getting off the prepare simply earlier than midnight, I wished to get just a few hours of relaxation beforehand.

The bunk was extra spacious than most I’ve skilled on trains. And the cushions have been surprisingly straightforward on my again.

The blanket offered was extraordinarily comfortable — one aspect felt like velvet. The pillows have been extra dense and fluffy than most in a single day prepare cabins I’ve skilled. I solely wanted to relaxation one underneath my head, as I do at dwelling.

Hour 11: TV in a comfortable mattress — similar to dwelling


POV shot laying in a train bed holding a phone with a TV show playing

The reporter watches TV from her prepare bunk.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



Watching TV earlier than mattress brings me consolation.

Earlier within the journey, after I had service, I downloaded just a few episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” for this very cause.

I stretched out on the cot, put my headphones in, and soaked up the comedy as we rode by means of the night time.

Hours 12-14: Evening naps


The author lays down in a train bunk with a closed window on the left

The reporter relaxes in her bunk.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



The final intercom announcement at 9:45 p.m. knowledgeable passengers that 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. are quiet prepare hours.

After just a few TV episodes, I put the display screen down and drifted out and in of sleep for the ultimate hours of my journey.

Hour 15: A midnight arrival


A gray train with red and blue stripes parked at a platform at night

The prepare parked on the platform in Salt Lake Metropolis.

Joey Hadden/Enterprise Insider



We arrived in Salt Lake Metropolis simply earlier than midnight. An attendant knocked on my door about 10 minutes earlier than to let me know we have been shut. I used to be already up and began to collect my issues.

I exited the prepare behind a protracted platform, which was brightly lit regardless of the late hour. I watched different departing passengers greet their family members on the station as I referred to as an Uber to take me to my subsequent journey.


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