Map Introduction Cardinal 51 (New York, NY to Indianapolis, IN) Cardinal 51 (Indianapolis, IN to Chicago, IL) California Zephyr 5 (Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE) California Zephyr 5 (Lincoln, NE to Denver, CO) California Zephyr 5 (Denver, CO to Salt Lake City, UT) Southwest Chief 4 (Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque, NM) Southwest Chief 4 (Albuquerque, NM to Kansas City, MO) Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner 318 (Kansas City, MO to Jefferson City, MO) Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner 318 (Jefferson City, MO to Bloomington-Normal, IL) Lincoln Service 300 (Bloomington-Normal, IL to Chicago, IL) Capitol Limited 30 (Chicago, IL to Pittsburgh, PA) Pennsylvanian 42 (Pittsburgh, PA to New York, NY)

2022 Cross America Tour


Travel Dates: June 29, 2022 ~ September 5, 2022

Document Last Modified: July 16, 2024

Map

Introduction

After a successful train trip around America in the summer of 2021, I couldn't wait to plan another adventure. A perfect opportunity came when I had to attend a meeting in Park City, Utah. Instead of taking an airplane like everyone else, I decided to take the train. My journey started and concluded in New York City, spanning 68 days.


Cardinal 51 (New York, NY to Indianapolis, IN)

$304Scheduled Duration: 22h 30mDepart: 6:50AM (5m late)Arrive: 5:23AM (8m late)

Most trains from the East Coast to the West Coast require a connection in Chicago, IL, so my first step was to get there. Though the Lake Shore Limited 49 would have been faster, I opted for the longer Cardinal 51, which took nearly 9 hours longer. I was not in a hurry and I would love to make a brief visit in Indianapolis, IN before reaching Chicago.

The Cardinal train was scheduled to leave very early in the morning at 6:45AM. I had to get to the station very early. The sleepy class ticket that I booked came with access to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge and had some free breakfast before boarding the train.

Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge
The Cardinal train

I originally booked a Roomette about 5 months before my trip. Surprisingly my room was upgraded to a bedroom about 3 weeks before my trip. Traveling in a bedroom was a luxury I hadn't anticipated, as tickets can exceed $1,000. The bedroom was more spacious than the Roomettes, featuring an en suite shower and toilet.

The Bedroom
The Bedroom
En Suite Shower and Toilet
En Suite Shower and Toilet

Train travel offers a unique experience compared to car or plane travel. I could focus on enjoying the beautiful views without having to drive.

On the Cardinal train, a significant portion of the journey through West Virginia was in the forest, with little to no mobile signal.

Wilmington, Delaware
Crossing the Susquehanna River
Alexandria, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Near Hawks Nest by the New River
Montgomery, West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia

The sleeping accommodation also included complimentary meals. You could choose to either eat in your room or dine in the dining car. I opted to have my dinner delivered to my room. Here is my meal of Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs, which also came with non-alcoholic drinks and dessert.

Dinner

It got dark when we reached Charleston, West Virginia. At night, the car attendant helped convert the chairs into a bed, with another bed available in the upper level if needed. The sleeper cars were equipped with pillows and blankets, and despite it being summer, the train could get quite cold at night.

Bed, Pillows, and Blanket

I was actually hoping the train would be late so I wouldn't have to arrive before dawn, but unfortunately, we arrived on time. I had my breakfast (Railroad French Toast and coffee) before getting off the train.

Breakfast

Our train arrived at around 5:25 in the morning, and it was still a bit dark outside. Since it was my first time in Indianapolis and the station entrance is under a building structure, I wasn't sure if it was safe to walk around that early. So, I stayed in the station until 7 AM before venturing out.

Indianapolis Amtrak Station
Outside of the Station

Cardinal 51 (Indianapolis, IN to Chicago, IL)

1,030 Amtrak PointsScheduled Duration: 5hDepart: 6:51AM (51m late)Arrive: 10:32AM (32m late)

After staying in Indianapolis for five nights, it was time to head to my next destination, Chicago. I hoped the train would be late so I wouldn't have to go to the station while it was still dark. However, the train app showed it was on schedule. Since there was only one train to Chicago from Indianapolis, I had no choice but to catch the 6 AM train. Walking to the station so early was a bit scary as there weren't many people around. The train however departed about 50 minutes late after boarding.

Indianapolis Amtrak Station

The train took about five hours to arrive in Chicago. Ironically, a bus ride from Indianapolis to Chicago often takes only about four hours and offers more frequent departure times. Next time, I would probably opt for the bus for this segment.

Chicago Union Station

California Zephyr 5 (Chicago, IL to Lincoln, NE)

$110Scheduled Duration: 10h 8mDepart: 2:00PM (on time)Arrive: 1:19AM (1h 11m late)

The California Zephyr is often hailed as the most beautiful train ride in the US, passing through stunning landscapes, including the Rockies. It is the second longest train route (the longest route with daily operation) in the US after the Texas Eagle. The Zephyr departs from Chicago daily, with its final stop in Emeryville (near San Francisco), California.

California Zephyr Train

After about two and a half hours, we arrived at Galesburg, IL, where the train took a half-hour break, allowing passengers to stretch or take a smoke break.

Galesburg, Illinois

Just be sure not to wander too far and pay attention to reboarding time.

Crossing the Mississippi River on the Burlington Rail Bridge
Burlington, Iowa
Near Lockridge, Iowa
Omaha Amtrak Station

The first stop of my journey on the California Zephyr route was Lincoln, Nebraska. I chose this location because the station is right in the downtown area. I arrived at 1:12 AM. Despite the late hour, the area near the train station was well-lit, and my hotel, Hyatt Place Lincoln/Downtown-Haymarket, was just steps away from the station.

Lincoln Amtrak Station
Outside of Lincoln Amtrak Station

California Zephyr 5 (Lincoln, NE to Denver, CO)

$62Scheduled Duration: 8h 1mDepart: 1:12AM (58m late)Arrive: 9:04AM (1h 49m late)

Lincoln is a beautiful college town. My next stop was Denver, Colorado. The train left in the middle of the night, and I was grateful that my hotel was steps away from the station and the area was well-lit.

Outside of Lincoln Amtrak Station
Lincoln Amtrak Station

There were already quite a people inside the station when I arrived and the station was staffed.

Inside of Lincoln Amtrak Station
California Zephyr Train

The train departed about one hour late. As I thought I could finally get some sleep, the ride started to getting very bumpy. The car wobbled and tilted noticeably, and I occasionally heard loud noises from the wheels. Other regular Amtrak riders mentioned that this segment was often rough.

Near Sanborn, Nebraska
Otis, Colorado
Cows
More Cows
Denver Union Station
Denver Union Station

California Zephyr 5 (Denver, CO to Salt Lake City, UT)

$109Scheduled Duration: 15hDepart: 2:40PM (6h 35m late)Arrive: 7:18AM (8h 29m late)

The segment of the California Zephyr from Denver, CO to Salt Lake City, UT is undoubtedly the most beautiful train ride on any Amtrak route. This portion of the journey travels through the Rocky Mountains and some stunning landscapes.

Our train was originally scheduled to depart at 8:05 AM. The day before the trip, I received a notification from Amtrak that the train would be delayed due to "late operations." Initially, we were told the delay would be about an hour or two. When I arrived at the station, there were already some people waiting. I struck up a conversation with the couple standing behind me; they were heading to Glenwood Springs for vacation, and it was their first time taking Amtrak. Despite the long wait, we eventually began boarding.

Boarding the California Zephyr

After sitting on the train for quite a while, we received the disappointing news: the train would not depart until at least 2 PM. Amtrak offered a full refund to passengers who no longer wished to travel, and many opted to take it. I wished they had informed us earlier so I could have stayed in my hotel instead of wandering the streets with my luggage.

After a delay of more than 6 hours, the California Zephyr finally departed at 2:40 PM. Many passengers opted for refunds, making the train unusually empty. At this point, I just hoped that the sun would not set too early so that I could still enjoy the stunning mountains and canyons along the route.

Finally Departing
Big Ten Curve

The view just outside of Denver was breathtaking. The train slowly wound its way through the mountains, steadily gaining elevation. The segment from Denver to Moffat Tunnel involved an elevation gain of about 4000 feet.

California Zephyr
California Zephyr
California Zephyr
California Zephyr

After a few hours, we reached the Moffat Tunnel, a 6.2 mile long tunnel, cutting through the Continental Divide. Inside, the train reaches a the highest point of the route, an altitude of 9,270 feet above sea level.

Outside Moffat Tunnel East Portal
Inside Moffat Tunnel - View from Rear Window
Inside Moffat Tunnel
Moffat Tunnel West Portal

The train continued travel westward.

Fraser-Winter Park Station
California Zephyr
Traveling Along the Colorado River
Near Hot Sulphur State Wildlife Area
Granby, Colorado Station
California Zephyr
California Zephyr
California Zephyr
California Zephyr
Near Pumphouse Campground
California Zephyr
Near Radium River Access Campground

By the time we arrived at Glenwood Springs Station, it was already 10 PM. The journey took us more than 7 hours (likely due to the "late operations"). Unfortunately, it was difficult to appreciate the beautiful landscapes outside the windows as it was dark. In contrast, driving from Denver to Glenwood Springs would only take about two and a half hours. While the train offers spectacular views, if you're looking to reach Glenwood Springs quickly from Denver, driving is likely the better option.

The train arrived at Grand Junction Station at midnight, significantly delayed from the scheduled 3:57 PM arrival time. However, with the train nearly empty, I had a whole row of seats to myself and was able to sleep comfortably.

Grand Junction Station

When I woke up the next morning around 5:50 AM, we was already at near Spanish Fork, Utah.

Near Spanish Fork, Utah
Lehi, Utah

Finally, I arrived at the Salt Lake Central Station at around 7:18 AM, about 8 and a half hours later than the originally scheduled arrival time.

Salt Lake Central Station

Clearly, the train being 8 hours late was not a good experience. However, from my experience, delays are not uncommon for Amtrak's long-distance trains. I try to maintain a positive outlook. Here's my summary of the pros and cons of the delay on the California Zephyr segment from Denver, CO to Salt Lake City, UT:

Pros:


Cons:


One of the main reasons I traveled to Salt Lake City was to attend a conference in Park City. Afterward, I visited Provo, UT, and Las Vegas, NV. I was surprised to find that there is no active Amtrak train station in Las Vegas, NV. So I took a bus from Provo, UT to Las Vegas, NV.

From Las Vegas, I needed to catch the Southwest Chief train to return home. Despite there being no active Amtrak train station in Las Vegas, Amtrak provides a bus connection from Las Vegas, NV to Kingman, AZ for boarding the Southwest Chief. Since the train arrived in Kingman, AZ at midnight, I had not planned to take it. Instead, I opted for a Greyhound bus from Las Vegas, NV to Flagstaff, AZ, where I visited the famous Lowell Observatory and the Grand Canyon National Park.


Southwest Chief 4 (Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque, NM)

$64Scheduled Duration: 6hDepart: 9:00AM (4h 40m late)Arrive: 3:42PM (4h 22m late)

The Amtrak Station in Flagstaff is located downtown. However, the departure time was less than ideal, scheduled for 4:20 AM. I considered staying at the station overnight but wasn't sure if it was allowed, so I decided against it. I didn't want to travel too early so I booked a hotel at downtown Flagstaff, even at a high cost. Unfortunately, the train arrived almost four and a half hours late, around 9 AM, making me wish I had chosen a more affordable hotel a bit farther away for about half the price.

Flagstaff Amtrak Station
Flagstaff Amtrak Station
Flagstaff Amtrak Station
Southwest Chief Train
Flagstaff, Arizona
Crossing the Canyon Diablo Railroad Bridge
Winslow Station
Cholla Power Plant
Petrified Forest National Park
Pyramid Rock
Southwest Chief
Southwest Chief
Southwest Chief

After a 6-hour train ride, I arrived at the Albuquerque Amtrak Station. Located within a transportation hub, it also serves local buses, Greyhound, and regional trains.

Albuquerque Amtrak Station

Southwest Chief 4 (Albuquerque, NM to Kansas City, MO)

$98Scheduled Duration: 18h 5mDepart: 1:01PM (1h 13m late)Arrive: 7:35AM (42m late)

The train ride from Albuquerque, NM to Kansas City, MO was the second longest segment of my journey this year.

Southwest Chief Train
Southwest Chief
Lamy, NM Station
Southwest Chief
Glorieta Post Office
Starvation Peak

The Southwest Chief makes a stop at Las Vegas, NM Station. This isn't the famous Sin City Las Vegas that most people know; that's in another state, Nevada. It's quite surprising that Amtrak stops here but not in Las Vegas, NV. If you're heading to the Las Vegas Strip, make sure you don't end up here by mistake.

Las Vegas, NM Station
Southwest Chief
Southwest Chief
La Junta, Colorado
Lamar, Colorado
Lamar Station
Hutchinson, Kansas
Union Station Kansas City

The Union Station Kansas City is truly one of the most stunning train stations I've visited. Just outside the station, you'll find the south end of the KC Streetcar. Additionally, the station connects to nearby hotels and the Crown Center via elevated pedestrian walkways known as 'The Link'. This allows you to travel to these destinations without stepping outside onto the streets.

Inside Union Station Kansas City
Union Station Kansas City
The Link
The Link
Kansas City, Missouri

Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner 318 (Kansas City, MO to Jefferson City, MO)

$29Scheduled Duration: 3h 9mDepart: 8:40AM (on time)Arrive: 12:28PM (39m late)

From Kansas City, I took a brief detour to visit Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, via the Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner train.

Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner Train
Independence, Missouri
Lee's Summit, Missouri
Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
Warrensburg, Missouri
Sedalia, Missouri
Jefferson City Amtrak Station

Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner 318 (Jefferson City, MO to Bloomington-Normal, IL)

$33Scheduled Duration: 5h 58mDepart: 12:09PM (20m late)Arrive: 7:06PM (1h 16m late)

After spending two days in Jefferson City, I continued my journey home. Originally planning to take the train all the way to Chicago, I decided to stop at Bloomington-Normal, IL instead, as the train arrived in Chicago at night. Additionally, the hotel in Bloomington-Normal, IL was more affordable compared to those in Chicago.

Jefferson City Amtrak Station
Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner Train
Washington, Missouri Station
Eureka, Missouri
Kirkwood, Missouri

After the train passed the St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Gateway Arch as the train crosses the Mississippi River. At this location, the Mississippi River also marks the state line between Missouri and Illinois.

The Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River
The Gateway Arch
Springfield, Illinois Station
Springfield, Illinois Station
Springfield, Illinois

After a 7-hour train ride, I arrived at the Bloomington-Normal Station. Despite its name, the station is located in the downtown area of Normal, Illinois. It is a very vibrant college town, home to the Illinois State University.

Bloomington-Normal Station
Bloomington-Normal Station
Normal, Illinois

Lincoln Service 300 (Bloomington-Normal, IL to Chicago, IL)

$16Scheduled Duration: 2h 26mDepart: 7:25AM (12m late)Arrive: 9:50AM (11m late)

The train from Normal, IL to Chicago, IL only took a little more than 2 hours. On that day, all the trains from Normal, IL to Chicago, IL were sold out online. Unsure if there were any tickets left in person, I was relieved to have purchased mine months in advance. This experience underscored the importance of booking tickets early once your travel plans are finalized. I woke up early to ensure I wouldn't miss that train.

Lincoln Service Train
Chicago Union Station

My next train to Pittsburgh, PA was scheduled to depart at 6:40 PM, giving me nearly 9 hours to spend in Chicago. I had some luggages with me so it was not convenient to walk around, so I took advantage of the Amtrak Station Lounges. These lounges are available at some of the largest Amtrak stations. You can find them here (https://www.amtrak.com/station-lounges). Depending on the location, they offer complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, WiFi, luggage storage, restrooms, and sometimes even showers. Typically, access is reserved for sleeper class passengers or those with higher Amtrak Guest Rewards status.

Since I wasn't traveling in sleeper class, I couldn't access the station lounge automatically. Fortunately at the time I travelled, all passengers could purchase a day pass to the lounge at Chicago Union Station for $35 (it is no longer available for all passengers). This allowed me to store my luggage, enjoy some snacks, and explore Chicago before my next train.

Snacks and Drinks from the Station Lounge

Here are the photos I took last year at the station lounge in Chicago Union Station.

Metropolitan Lounge
Metropolitan Lounge

Capitol Limited 30 (Chicago, IL to Pittsburgh, PA)

$74Scheduled Duration: 9h 25mDepart: 6:40PM (on time)Arrive: 6:58AM (1h 53m late)

I could have taken the shortest route, the Lake Shore Limited 48 train back to New York City. However, since I had already taken that train before and had never been to Pittsburgh, PA, I decided to take a detour and board the Capitol Limited 30 to visit Pittsburgh instead.

Capitol Limited Train

Since the entire journey was uneventful and mostly dark at night, I didn't take any photos.

Outside of Pittsburgh Union Station

Pennsylvanian 42 (Pittsburgh, PA to New York, NY)

$66Scheduled Duration: 9h 20mDepart: 7:30AM (on time)Arrive: 4:57PM (7m late)

I had an Amtrak credit card that came with a yearly one-class upgrade coupon. With it, I was able to upgrade my coach ticket to business class.

The entrance to the Amtrak station was somewhat hard to find. I initially thought I could enter from the Grand Hall at The Pennsylvanian entrance, but it turned out not to be the case.

Grand Hall at The Pennsylvanian
The Pennsylvanian Train

It was my first time traveling in business class on an Amtrak train. The price for business class was about double that of the coach fare. The business class car had significantly fewer people and offered complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. However, for me, the additional benefits did not justify the higher price. Without the one-class upgrade coupon, I probably would not have opted for business class.

The Pennsylvanian Train Business Class
The Pennsylvanian Train

The ride home was quite uneventful, and we arrived on time. That concludes my Amtrak trip in 2023.

Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Crossing Susquehanna River on Rockville Bridge
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Lancaster Pennsylvania
Gap, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Trenton Train Station
Newark Penn Station