| TRAINS & TRAVEL P.O. BOX 10625 RENO, NEVADA 89510-0625 Chris@traintrips.biz Jane@traintrips.biz Deborah@traintrips.biz | 1-800 359-4870 USA 1-800 752-1836 CANADA 1-800 266-8751 FAX (775) 453-1004 | |
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We invite you to join us for a journey roundtrip onboard the former C&O/B&O dome car Moonlight between Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colorado across Utah and Colorado. This is perhaps the most spectacular passenger train routes in the United States.
The Moonlight Dome was built in 1948 for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad but was soon transfered to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to go into service on the Capitol Limited between Washington DC and Chicago. After several companies took ownership of this dome car including Amtrak it now calls Salt Lake City home base and is owned by the Promontory Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and was put into excursion service in 2009. Our leisure three day tour will give you a free day in Denver, Colorado to explore the mile high city or rent a car and head up into the Rockies for the day. There are so many points of interest to visit within a days drive of Denver that the options are almost endless from Pikes Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Blackhawk, Georgetown, Royal Gorge, Golden and more. There are several rental car companies located downtown and only a few blocks from Denver Union Station.
Day 1 Friday June 25: (B-L-D) The Moonlight dome car will be attached to the rear of Amtrak's eastbound California Zephyr which is due out of Salt Lake City, Utah at 4:30AM for the journey across Utah and Colorado to Denver. With June being the longest days of sunlight by time we depart Provo at 5:35AM the sun's rays will be hitting the tops of the Wasatch Range. Once we depart Provo the train starts it spectacular climb into the Spanish Creek Canyon and up over the Wasatch, cresting at Soldier Summit as breakfast is served . Once we reach the summit of the Wasatch Range the train starts down into the Price River Canyon passing the unique rock formation called Castle Gate and then on into Helper. After the short stop at Helper the California Zephyr races across the desert toward Green River, where we reach the lowest altitude we'll see today as we cross the town's namesake river, the major tributary of the Colorado River. As we travel eastbound enjoy the spectacular views of the Book Cliffs from the dome. Soon we see our first view of the Colorado River as the train enters Ruby Canyon and soon crosses into Colorado. We will follow the Colorado River for the next 238 miles travelling through five major canyons. The Zephyr is due into Grand Junction at at 11:10AM for a 10 minute station stop which provides us with an opportunity to step off the train and to enjoy some fresh Colorado air. Our next stop is Glenwood Springs, at the west end of Glenwood Canyon. Departing this city we enter breathtaking Glenwood Canyon . This Canyon is a mecca for kayakers and rafters. We next pass through Red Canyon and Little Gore Canyon before enter Gore Canyon which is one of the deepest and most rugged of all western gorges. Jagged rock walls tower 1,500 feet above the river in this winding chasm. Next the train runs thru Byers Canyon and passes Granby, gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. Passing through Winter Park we enter the 6.2 mile Moffat Tunnel and crest the Continental Divide at 9,239 feet while inside this tunnel. After leaving the Moffat Tunnel we begin our crooked descent of the Front Range of the Rockies into Denver. When we pass Plainview we begin to see the lights of the city of Denver far below. We'll enjoy dinner aboard the train before we arrive at Denver Union Station which is scheduled for 7:38PM. ACROSS UTAH AND COLORADO WHEN THE RIO GRANDE WAS OPERATING THE PASSENGER TRAIN.
 OPERATIONS UNDER AMTRAK.
Day 2 Saturday June 26: At your own leisurely in the Denver area. Day 3 Sunday June 27: (B-L-D) We all meet back at Denver Union Station and board the Moonlight dome car for the return journey across Colorado and Utah to Salt Lake City. Amtrak's westbound California Zephyr is due to depart at 8:05AM. The morning climb up the front range of the Rockies is spectacular as we dive in and out of many tunnels , eventually crossing the Continental Divide once again inside the Moffat Tunnel. Upon departure from Denver breakfast, will be served. As we retrace our route westbound lunch and dinner will also be served before arrival back in Salt Lake City. The train is due back in Salt Lake City at 11:00PM. For those folks booked on our Grand Teton & Yellowstone option we will transfer you to the Hampton Inn Downtown for check-in.
NATIONAL PARK OPTION
DAY 4 JUNE 28: (B) We depart this morning at 10:00AM and head north towards Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park. Departing Salt Lake City we travel north to Ogden, Utah. Here we will visit the historic
"Ogden Union Station Railroad Museum" which is packed full of displays including several diesel locomotives that pulled the trains through Utah.
One engine on display is the Union Pacific Centennial 6900 class which is the largest and most powerful diesel ever built in the world.
Departing Ogden we head in a northeast direction into the Wasatch Range Passing several of the popular Utah ski resorts. On the east slope of this mountain range we enter Wyoming and head north towards Grand Teton. Our route will skirt the west slopes of the Salt River Range in Wyoming. Just north of Alpine we enter the "Grand Canyon of the Snake River" as we make our way towards Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. Upon arrival in Teton Village and check-in to the Jackson Lake Lodge. The rest of the evening on your own to relax and explore the area.
DAY 5 JUNE 29: (B) We enjoy a leisure morning as we explore Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Lake before entering Yellowstone National Park. Today we will explore the Southern region of Yellowstone National Park which will include Yellowstone Lake , Old Faithful , Upper Geyser Basin, Midway Geyser Basin, and Lower Geyser Basin. Late afternoon hotel check-in at the Grant Village Hotel located at in Grant Village on Lake Yellowstone.
DAY 6 JUNE 30: (B) Today we will explore the Northeast region of Yellowstone National Park in detail. This will include the shores of Lake Yellowstone, Mud Volcano, Yellowstone Falls, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Norris Geyer Basin. We return to the Grant Village Hotel for a 2nd nights lodging.
DAY 7 JULY 1: (B) This morning we will again stop to view Old Faithful, this time in the morning sunlight. We then explore the Western region of Yellowstone and exit the national park at West Yellowstone, Montana. We now start to make our way back south towards Salt Lake City. We only have a short 15 mile stretch in Montana before we enter Idaho. Our first stop in Idaho is at Henrys Lake near the Continental Divide and another 15 miles south we come to Island Park Reservoir. After departing this area we will be travelling on the back side of Grand Teton National Park. This will give you a good view of the Grand Tetons from the West slopes. Late afternoon arrival in Idaho Falls and check-in at the Best Western Driftwood Inn which is located on the Snake River and next to Idaho Falls. Great location.
DAY 8 JULY 2: (B) Today we travel from Idaho Falls directly to the Salt Lake City International airport. Arrival at the airport will be at 11: 00AM. Departing flights can be scheduled anytime after 1:00PM.
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TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are subject to change without notice at any time.
CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, change train routing, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control occur. As almost everyone knows, in the railroad industry last minute changes do occur.
RESERVATION CHANGES: A $50 per person charge will apply for any changes made to a reservation. This will also apply for any changes in credit cards usded.
DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: The required deposit is due in our office within 14 days of making a booking. For most tours the final payment is due in our office 90 days before the start of the tour. Due dates are posted for each tour and will also be on your invoice and in some cases we will vary the due Date depending upon the tour in question.
MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note before you book! Trains and Travel does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all people that enjoy the railroad hobby. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that you would want to book a tour with us is to collect the rare mileage, may we suggest that you be prepared for possible route changes.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: We assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engaging in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour including Trains and Travel. We have no control on the timings of our charter trains and indeed passenger trains and charters can and do run late most of the time. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disaster, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. The right is reserved to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. We are not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour.
CANCELLATIONS: Trains and Travel does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, e mail or fax before any refunds will be processed. Be sure and allow enough time if sending your written notice by the very slow US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to process some refunds in but most cases refunds will be issued in half that time. Cancellation refund rules: 100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $200 per person administration fee. 99 to 75 days before the departure of any tour there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Any cancellations received 74 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive any refund. These cancellations rules apply to everyone and will be enforced.
RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE: Trains and Travel reserves the right to refuse service to anyone we deem necessary, to insure that all of our clients will have the best possible tour.
PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on our tours. Bulletins include weather, packing tips, food, health, updates and much more. Tickets and a detailed itinerary booklet will be sent out about three weeks before the tour begins.
PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card. We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 may apply.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate. if one is available. If not, you may be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.
TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TU needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a full refund. Please take note that refunds can take up to 60 days to process.
PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and we will try and work up a custom option for you.
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