"San Francisco Zephyr" (Train): Route, Consist, Timetable
Published: December 4, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The San Francisco Zephyr was Amtrak's early California Zephyr, operating between Chicago and Oakland via Union Pacific between Denver and Ogden.
A requirement for all railroads wishing to turn over their remaining passenger trains to Amtrak in 1971 involved paying a fee equal to revenues lost on passenger operations in an average year.
They were also subject to annual incremental fees of operating the trains. The Rio Grande believed it was cheaper to continue operating its own train between Denver and Salt Lake City/Ogden and launched the Rio Grande Zephyr.
As a result, Amtrak was forced to host the fabled California Zephyr via an alternate route and renamed the train, choosing the San Francisco Zephyr moniker. It entered service in June, 1972 and ran for eleven years until June, 1983 when the Rio Grande discontinued the Rio Grande Zephyr.
A pair of Amtrak SDP40F's, led by #629, pass the D&D Bean Company in Greeley, Colorado with train #6, the "San Francisco Zephyr," circa 1975. American-Rails.com collection.Inauguration
While the original California Zephyr was discontinued in March, 1970, Burlington Northern and Rio Grande continued hosting the tri-weekly California Zephyr Service, or simply "California Service" until Amtrak's launch.
As previously mentioned, the D&RGW sidestepped the national carrier by launching the Rio Grande Zephyr in May, 1971 over its own rails.
Between that spring and the summer of 1972, Amtrak's Chicago-Oakland service was provided via two routes: the daily Denver Zephyr, running between Chicago and Denver, and the the tri-weekly City of San Francisco, between Denver and Oakland. After a few missteps, Amtrak merged these into the San Francisco Zephyr.
The train operated over three railroads: Burlington Northern from Chicago to Denver, Union Pacific from Denver to Ogden, and Southern Pacific from Ogden to Oakland.
The San Francisco Zephyr snaked its way through some of the United States' most breathtaking terrains. Its descent began from Chicago’s hustle, often thought of as the heartland's gateway. From there, the tracks meandered through the industrious Midwestern plains, paused amidst the grandeur of Denver's mountain range hues, and carved its way through breath-stealing Rocky Mountain corridors.
Since the Rio Grande was still operating the Rio Grande Zephyr, Amtrka was forced to utilize Union Pacific's Overland Route from Denver to Ogden. This setup enabled a connection between the San Francisco Zephyr and the Rio Grande Zephyr in Ogden, though not in Denver.
Onboard Experience
Stepping aboard the San Francisco Zephyr was akin to traveling through time. Restored and tended with a care that belied the modern sensibilities nudging it forward, the cars themselves whispered stories of an opulent past. It was more than just a journey; it was an escape into nostalgia and innovation.
The coaches offered comfortable and spacious seating, promising a relaxing ride. For those looking for a hint of luxury, the sleeping cars with private compartments were a nod to the lavishness of yesteryears.
However, it was perhaps the dome lounge cars—the crown jewels—that truly captured the imagination. Here, glass ceilings arched overhead, offering visibility rivaled only by its predecessor. The unbroken views of cascading landscapes were nothing short of cinematic, as if nature itself had choreographed a grand show to entertain and enchant.
Passengers were delighted with a dining experience reminiscent of rail travel's golden age. These cars served meals that paid homage to the glories of a bygone era. The staff, consistent in their warm hospitality, ensured travelers’ journeys were memorable.
It was in July, 1980 that the train was upgraded with Amtrak's shiny new two-level 'Superliner' cars, being one of the last western trains to snag this upgrade. It then also shifted to sharing cars at Ogden with the Seattle–Chicago Pioneer and the Los Angeles–Chicago Desert Wind, running as a unified train from Ogden to Chicago.
The California Zephyr Returns
By 1983, the D&RGW decided to join Amtrak, acknowledging the financial drain from its passenger services. Amtrak swiftly took the chance to switch the San Francisco Zephyr back to its preferred track, via the D&RGW line between Denver and Salt Lake City.
Though planned for April 25th, a mudslide at Thistle, Utah, temporarily closed the main line, pushing the change to July 16th. This shift led Amtrak to rename the train to California Zephyr.
The train continues today. Much like its predecessors, it embraces its reputation as one of the most beautiful train routes in the world, rejuvenating a legacy deeply entrenched in wonder and discovery.
Timetable (June, 1973)
| Train #5 (Westbound)/Read Down | Milepost | Location | Train #6 (Easttbound)/Read Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:30 PM (CT) | 0 | Dp Chicago, IL (Union Station) Ar | 10:45 AM (CT) |
| 5:07 PM | 38 | Aurora, IL | 9:50 AM |
| 7:10 PM | 163 | Galesburg, IL (BN Station) | 7:55 PM |
| 7:29 PM | 179 | Monmouth, IL | 7:28 AM |
| 8:00 PM | 206 | Burlington, IA | 7:00 AM |
| 8:25 PM | 233 | Mt. Pleasant | 6:22 AM |
| 9:05 PM | 280 | Ottumwa | 5:40 AM |
| 11:00 PM | 360 | Osceola | 4:26 PM |
| 10:50 PM | 393 | Creston, IA | 3:57 AM |
| 1:10 AM | 496 | Omaha, NE | 2:00 AM |
| 2:10 AM | 551 | Ar Lincoln, NE Dp | 12:55 AM |
| 2:40 AM | 551 | Dp Lincoln, NE Ar | 12:35 AM |
| 4:30 AM | 648 | Hastings | 11:15 PM |
| 5:14 AM | 702 | Holdrege | 10:16 PM |
| 6:30 AM CT | 779 | Ar McCook, NE Dp | 9:13 PM CT |
| 5:40 AM MT | 779 | Dp McCook, NE Ar | 8:03 PM MT |
| 7:36 AM | 922 | Akron, CO | 6:09 PM |
| 8:05 AM | 956 | Fort Morgan, CO | 5:37 PM |
| 9:30 AM | 1034 | Ar Denver, CO Dp | 4:30 PM |
| 10:00 AM | 1034 | Dp Denver, CO Ar | 4:00 PM |
| 11:05 AM | 1086 | Greeley, CO | 2:45 PM |
| 12:10 PM | 1140 | Ar Cheyenne, WY Dp | 1:40 PM |
| 12:35 PM | 1140 | Dp Cheyenne, WY Ar | 1:15 PM |
| 1:55 PM | 1197 | Laramie, WY | 11:15 AM |
| 3:55 PM | 1314 | Rawlins, WY | 9:55 AM |
| 5:50 PM | 1433 | Rock Springs, WY | 8:00 AM |
| 6:30 PM | 1448 | Green River, WY | 7:35 AM |
| 8:25 PM | 1548 | Evanston, WY | 5:40 AM |
| 10:20 AM (MT) | 1624 | Ar Ogden, UT Dp | 3:45 AM (MT) |
| 10:45 AM (MT) | 1624 | Dp Ogden, UT Ar | 3:20 PM (MT) |
| 1:30 AM (PT) | 1867 | Elko, NV | 9:42 PM (PT) |
| 2:10 AM | 1889 | Carlin, NV | 9:20 PM |
| 7:15 AM | 2177 | Sparks, NV | 4:4O PM |
| 7:30 AM | 2180 | Reno, NV | 3:55 PM |
| 12:35 PM | 2333 | Sacramento, CA | 11:20 AM |
| 2:55 PM | 2420 | Ar Oakland, CA Dp | 9:30 AM |
| 3:25 PM (PT) | 2426 | Ar San Francisco, CA (Via Bus) Dp | 9:00 AM (PT) |
