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I will be travaling on the zephyer on the 18th of may and was wondering if room 3 will be giving me good views.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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You didn't say which direction you will be going, but that doesn't really matter because as I have pointed out under another thread, you won't know which side of the train you will be on until you board. The car can be oriented either way, so room number is irrelevant.
However, having traveled the route, I can say there are great views on both sides of the train. It depends on where you are. There will be times when your room faces a cliff while something beautiful is on the other side, and vice versa. You can always go to the Sightseer Lounge and see out both sides.
On the west side of the Sierra, the best views are on the south side of the train. On the east side, the best views are on the north. In Colorado, Gore and Ruby canyons are on the south side, while Glenwood Canyon and the mountains above Denver is on the north. (North and south being relative to the train's general east-west direction, not an absolute compass point.)
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
[This message has been edited by Mr. Toy (edited 03-18-2003).]
wiking2 Member # 2239
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I will be traveling west bound
wiking2 Member # 2239
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I will be traveling west bound
wiking2 Member # 2239
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I will be traveling west bound
reggierail Member # 26
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Generally speaking the sleeper car is oriented with the deluxe rooms facing forward. On the westbound Zephyr this would put room 3 facing north. The exception to this car orientation would be if a car is pulled from the consist for repairs and the added car is facing the other direction. In the sleeper, the deluxe rooms and the odd numbered standard rooms are on the same side(left).
Reggie
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mr williams Member # 1928
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I can vouch for what reggierail & Mr Toy say about the exceptions. I was in no. 2 in the second sleeper facing north on the westbound Zephyr last year with the deluxe at the "back", but the front sleeper was the other way around. But hey, the scenery is fantastic both sides!
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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In my experience, limited to about a couple of dozen trips and sightings, I'd say that cars are only oriented in a particular way 60-70% of the time, if at all. Thus the odds are not great on picking a particular "side" of the train.
A better idea would be to take what was offered and *ask* the attendant when boarding if a different room was available if you'd rather be on the opposite side of the train.
Better still, sit in the lounge car and socialize.
Geoff M.
tubaallen Member # 2057
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I have to agree with geoffm here. I worked over the summer (as most of you know) and my most common assignment was the Zephyr. I found that the way the train was arranged...from consist to A/B end didn't seem to ever follow any pattern. Just seemed to be the way it was. Therefore, I agree that the best way to handle it is just to wait and see what you get and if you can change it, if you don't like it.
stlboomer Member # 2028
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Thanks everyone, I've been wondering about this myself.
traveler Member # 1415
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Side really won't matter that much because you'll want to spend most of the time in the observation car anyway.
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