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Hello, I'm new here, so maybe this is a dumb question. However, I can't seem to find an answer to it, so I'm going to ask it anyway. My husband and I are taking our first trip by train in three weeks (We're really excited!). We are traveling from Denver to Emeryville on the California Zephyr and then taking a bus, booked through Amtrak, from Emeryville to San Francisco. We have a roomette reserved on the train, so I would like to just check our luggage and carry on only a change of clothes and some toiletries. However, we are scheduled to arrive in Emeryville at 6:10 and the bus to San Francisco leaves at 6:25. Will this be enough time to collect our checked luggage? Also, what happens if the train is late? Does the bus wait or are we on our own? Thanks for your help!
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Ms. Tinuviel, not to worry. The bus will wait for the Zephyr to arrive, even if it is hours and hours late. The bus is contracted with Amtrak for the sole purpose of carrying S.F.-bound passengers from Emeryville.
There should be sufficient time to collect your luggage and carry it to the bus.
However, unless you have a 90-pound steamer trunk or otherwise find carrying luggage difficult, you might just take the bags with you and store them in the luggage rack on the lower level of the Superliner car. They will be quite safe, and if you need something from your bag, it'll be there.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Congratulations on deciding to make this trip. You are in for what most people, myself included, regard as the best Amtrak trip (scenery-wise) in the United States.
You won't know for sure until you're on the train BUT if your roomette happens to be on the RIGHT side of the train you can enjoy the ascent up the front range looking back on the Denver skyline from your room. Later, you'll want to spend some time watching from the lounge car where you can enjoy spectacular vistas on either side.
If your roomette is on the left, try to wedge into the lounge car immediately. Almost everyone else on the train well have the same idea.
Have a great trip and please come back and tell us how it went once you're back home.
mgt Member # 5479
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Do not worry! My wife and I were first timers three years ago on the CZ. It is an amazing trip. Unless you are very unlucky yoy will be very well looked after by the on-board crew and will sleep and eat well. It is even better if the train is a bit late as you spend more time on-board. If you want complete peace of mind I would suggest you check your baggage. In Emeryville do not wait for the cases to appear at the checked luggage outlet; the bags are frequently taken straight out to the station forecourt where the bus to SF is waiting.
Luthien Tinuviel Member # 9575
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Thanks for all the information! I was a little worried about making that bus connection. I'm so excited about this trip. I've never been on a train for more than an hour or so, I've never been to California, and this trip is my graduation present, so it's going to be really nice to do something without school hanging over my head! Is there anything else we should know ahead of time or things we should do?
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Are you taking a camera? If so, whether you are in your roomette or in the lounge car, fix the camera so the flash is OFF when you are taking photos of the scenery, and put the lens right up against (but not quite touching) the window glass. That will prevent unwanted reflections from the interior of the car.
train lady Member # 3920
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Several things I might suggest born out of long experience.!. Carry some large safety pins in your purse. they are great for pinning the curtains together at night.2 We always try to get the early dinner serving because they are less likely to run out of the favorite dishes.3 For night I wear a t-shirt and knit slacks to sleep in so if I have to go down to the rest room I won't need a robe. Just relax and enjoy and don't expect perfection.
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