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
   
OFFICE HOURS 9AM TO 5PM MONDAY-FRIDAY
PACIFIC WEST COAST TIME


EMERYVILLE-RENO-DENVER-CHICAGO-MINNEAPOLIS ONEWAY
TOURIST/RAILFAN TOUR
OCTOBER 9-12, 2009
This Excursion Is Limited To 30 Persons Only.
SOLD OUT - COMPLETED
ENJOY ALL 4 PRIVATE RAIL CARS WITH A SMALL GROUP
SUPER LOW FARES STARTING AT $298 TO RENO
DENVER
CHICAGO
MINNEAPOLIS




We invite you to join us onboard four luxury private rail cars that will be attached to the rear of Amtrak's California Zephyr from Emeryville to Minneapolis on this positioning move at very low fares that will include all of the first class award winning service by California Zephyr Railcar Charters and their award winning staff. . All four railroad cars need to be in Minneapolis by October 12 for the departure of the westbound SP 4449 Daylight steam excursion returning to Portland, Oregon from the Train Festival 2009 event in Michigan. Tickets are being offered to ride with us from Emeryville (Oakland) to Reno, Denver, Chicago or Minneapolis one way on this positioning move. These private cars provide an exceptional amount of lounge and sightseeing space and a high staff-to-guest ratio to better enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. Service aboard the train features meals prepared and cooked on board the train and served on monogram china on damask table linens, full bar service, and deluxe Pullman accommodations featuring crisp starched and pressed bed linens, triple-sheeted, terry bath robes, and the usual amenities found in fine hotels.

OUR VINTAGE PRIVATE RAILCARS

Silver Rapids, a 1948 Budd roomette-bedroom sleeper, also built for the Pennsylvania Railroad as its contribution to the California Zephyr equipment pool for transcontinental service. Silver Rapids features eight roomettes accommodating one person each, and six double bedrooms, each accommodating 2 persons. Bedrooms each have an annex containing a toilet and sink; roomettes have a sink in the room. If two couples or a family are traveling together two rooms may be opened ensuite. A shower room has been added. Limited hot and cold beverage service is available.

Silver Solarium, a 1948 Budd Vista-Dome sleeper-lounge-observation car built for the California Zephyr. The observation lounge in the boat-tail of the car is a pleasant place to enjoy the passing scenery as we hurry on our way through the west. Silver Solarium accommodates 24 guests in its Vista-Dome. Sleeping accommodations include 3 double bedrooms, each accommodating 2 guests, and 1 drawing room, accommodating up to 3 guests. The drawing room and bedrooms each have an annex that includes toilet, sink and shower. Under the dome is a bar, which is an excellent spot to gather for a late-night libation.


DAY 1 FRIDAY OCTOBER 9: (B-L-D) Amtrak's California Zephyr originates across the bay from San Francisco in Emeryville, where we gather to await its appearance with our private cars on the rear. Amid the hustle and bustle of passengers seeking their assigned cars our professional staff greets our group and assists with luggage. A light breakfast will be served shortly after the 9:10AM departure from Emeryville. Members of our group get acquainted with each other in the domes and lounges as the train meanders along the shore of San Francisco Bay, on its way to Martinez and Sacramento. Passengers are also welcome to board at Martinez, Davis, Sacramento and Roseville. Luncheon will be served as we begin the ascent of the Sierra, along the route of the Central Pacific, founded in 1863 as one of the two companies tasked to build the first Transcontinental Railroad. Our route over the Sierras takes about 4 hours to complete, and includes breathtaking scenery as the railroad follows a continuous ridge high above the American and Yuba Rivers. After Donner Summit is reached, at approximately 6,900 ft altitude, we emerge high above Donner Lake, and we begin the descent to the high desert of Nevada along the course of the Truckee and Humboldt Rivers. For passenger going to Reno the train arrival time is at 4:00PM. Hors d' Oeuvres and Dinner are served after departing Reno as we head east across Nevada. Night owls may enjoy a libation in our two lounges, while those wishing to retire early will find that their rooms have been made down for the night by our attentive staff. Be sure to set your watches ahead one hour when you retire for the night.









DAY 2 SATURDAY OCTOBER 10: (B-L-D) In the wee hours of the morning our train was serviced in Salt Lake City, and we continue our journey east through Provo, then on a spectacular climb over the Wasatch, cresting at Soldier Summit. Breakfast buffet will be served between 7 and 9 AM, so you may get up at your leisure. Our train follows the Price River Canyon through Castle Gate and the stop at Helper. Continuing eastward the train 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. We pick up the Colorado River shortly before leaving Utah, and will follow it upstream for more than 200 miles and 5 major canyons. Our stop at Grand Junction, CO 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, inspiration for the Vista-Dome concept in 1945. The best place yet to view this stunning canyon is from your seat in the vista-domes, where every seat is a window seat. Don't forget to look down at the river, too. Glenwood Canyon is a mecca for kayakers and rafters. We crest the Continental Divide while inside the Moffat Tunnel, which at 6.2 miles is the 4th longest railroad tunnel in North America. At a summit elevation of over 9,200 ft it is the highest railroad tunnel in active service in North America. 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 at 7:38PM. After the train is serviced departure is scheduled for 8:10PM for the night run across eastern Colorado and Nebraska.

STEPPING BACK IN TIME WE VIEW THE SCENERY ACROSS UTAH AND COLORADO ON THE FORMER RIO GRANDE ROUTE.










MOVING FORWARD IN TIME TO PRESENT PASSENGER TRAIN OPERATIONS ACROSS UTAH AND COLORADO












DAY 3 SUNDAY OCTOBER 11: (B-L-D) As you wake up to a new day we will be crossing western Iowa. Our staff will be busy preparing breakfast and you can enjoy the passing scenery of Iowa and Illinois. Lunch will be served before the scheduled arrival of 3:50PM. For those passengers that will continue on with us to Minneapolis tomorrow we invite you to use our private rail cars as your hotel. You are welcome to hit the town for the evening or stay with us and enjoy dinner onboard. The rail cars will be parked at Chicago Union Station for the night.







For the Railfan there are plenty of trains to ride in and around Chicago




DAY 4 MONDAY OCTCOBER 12: (B-D) We will served you breakfast before you can go out and explore downtown Chicago if you choose. Our private rail cars will be attached to Amtrak's westbound Empire Builder which departs Chicago at 2:15PM. Once we depart you can enjoy the passing scenery of Northern Illinois and Wisconsin from our Vista Domes as the staff prepares dinner. Arrival in Minneapolis is scheduled for 10:31PM. We invite our passengers to stay onboard for the night if you choose. The cars will be parked at the station for easy access.



PRICES             PRICES ARE PER PERSON

EMERYVILLE TO RENO................$ 299 (Two meals and full access to all 4 cars)
EMERYVILLE TO DENVER..............$ 799 (One night in sleeper-full bar-6 meals)
EMERYVILLE TO CHICAGO.............$ 999 (Two nights in sleeper-full bar-8 meals)
EMERYVILLE TO MINNEAPOLIS.........$1699 (Four nights in sleeper-full bar-11 meals)
PORTLAND TO OAKLAND OCT 21-22.....$ 749 (One night in sleeper-full bar-2 meals)
FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING

TOUR BOOKING CONDITIONS

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.

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.



01475  visits since May 11, 2009.

Last modified: Wednesday, 14-Oct-2009 15:46:04 PDT