"San Francisco Zephyr" (Train): Route, Consist, Timetable

Published: December 4, 2024

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)

Consists

San Francisco Zephyr - Equipment
Feature	Description
Dome Lounge Car	Stairway to the Stars—every seat under glass in lounge and upper terrace
Dining Car	Provides meals during the journey
Sleeping Cars	Roomettes and Bedrooms
Coaches	Reserved and unreserved seats
Checked Baggage	Handled (except at Aurora, Galesburg, and Monmouth, IL; Creston, Mount Pleasant, Osceola, and Ottumwa, IA; Holdrege, NE; Akron and Fort Morgan, CO; and Sparks, NV). Large trunks and oversized baggage to and from San Francisco are subject to delay.

Amtrak's westbound "San Francisco Zephyr" exits Hermosa Tunnel over Sherman Hill, circa 1982. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Legacy

The tale of the San Francisco Zephyr is a microcosm of the larger saga of American railroads: born out of necessity, flourished through opportunity, and woven into the cultural tableau by those who loved it. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of adventure, the relentless pursuit of exploration, and the gentle reminder of a time when journeys were as cherished as the destinations themselves.

Through its enduring memory, the San Francisco Zephyr becomes more than just a train; it is the embodiment of America’s expansive spirit and a time capsule preserving the essence of a storied era.