Ep.13 – US Railway Travelogue

Episode 13 is the third part of the Chicago to The Bay Area leg of Tim Davies’ journey.  Tim is travelling across the USA on the iconic Amtraktrains.  This latest leg of the US Railway Travelogue is on the California Zephyr train, and this episode finds hims continuing on, as the train escapes the city of Denver, emerging through the countryside of nurseries, maize fields and assorted agriculture as far as the eye can see.

Map showing Amtrak’s western routes, the California Zephyr through the middle. Credit: Amtrak.

California Zephyr poster. Credit: Loco Steve, CC BY 2.0.

The route hits Brighton, Greeley, Cheyanne and Laramie, before reaching the stop of Rawlins in this particular episode, in which it also crosses the Colorado/Wyoming state line. It continues on to Salt Lake City, Utah in future episodes.

Map showing diversion route of the California Zephyr, through Wyoming. Credit, Loco Steve, CC BY 2.0.

The images below capture some of the sights seen from the carriages of the train, and aspects covered during this particular episode.

Nursery garden beside the tracks as the train leaves Denver well behind. Credit: Tim Davies.

A little infuriating as cars drive past, while the train is stopped for more than a short moment. Credit: Tim Davies.

Bringing in the harvest. Credit: Tim Davies.

The brand that is everywhere you go…. Credit: Tim Davies.

Brighton…. although I’m not sure if this is the beach? Credit: Tim Davies.

Having to wait for the slow train to pass! Credit: Tim Davies.

Transporting the parts for wind turbines. Credit: Tim Davies.

On safari, the cheaper version. Prairie dogs. Credit: Tim Davies.

Arable as far as you can see. Credit: Tim Davies.

That arable land just keeps going on as far as the eye can see. Credit: Tim Davies.

Yet more arable as far as the eye can see. Credit: Tim Davies.

More arable as far as the eye can see. Credit: Tim Davies.

You guessed it – more arable as far as the eye can see. Credit: Tim Davies.

The train has stopped again, which gives other modes of transport a chance to make up time. Credit: Tim Davies.

Old Fort Vasquez, between Denver and Cheyanne. Credit, Loco Steve, CC-BY-2.0.

Greeley. Credit: Tim Davies

Greeley Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Credit: Hustvedt, CC-BY-SA-3.0.

Down Town Greeley. Credit: Tim Davies.

Greeley, Colorado. Credit: Loco Steve, CC BY 2.0.

Between Cheyenne and Laramie. Credit: Tim Davies.

Between Cheyenne and Laramie. Credit: Tim Davies.

Wyoming Turbines. Credit: Tim Davies.

Tim saw some buffalo from the train. Credit: Tim Davies.

Big country cattle. Credit: Tim Davies.

Big country cattle. Credit: Tim Davies.

The first snow of this leg of the trip comes into view. Credit: Tim Davies.

The first snow. Credit: Tim Davies.

Big skies, as well as that snow. Credit: Tim Davies.

More of that first snow. Credit: Tim Davies.

I wonder just what they did here? Credit: Tim Davies.

Pity about the phone lines. Credit: Tim Davies.

Snow fences. Credit: Tim Davies.

Rocks and snow. Credit: Tim Davies.

Awesome. Credit: Tim Davies.

Wyoming Big Country. Credit: Tim Davies.

Amazing rocks. Credit: Tim Davies.

Some things are universal – changeable weather! Credit: Tim Davies.

A trek to your neighbour. Credit: Tim Davies.

Cattle. Credit: Tim Davies.

Major civilisation? Credit: Tim Davies.

It gets windy. Credit: Tim Davies.

Very windy. Credit: Tim Davies.

Home is on the Prairie. Credit: Tim Davies.

Too desolate, even for arable! Credit: Tim Davies.

Supplying the oil to keep the trains moving. Credit: Tim Davies.

And some oil leaves by train! Credit: Tim Davies.

Rawlins, Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Credit: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0.

Down Town Rawlins. Credit: Tim Davies.

We continue heading on to Salt Lake City in the next episode of the US Railway Travelogue podcast.

Music credits:

Theme: “Steam Railway”, AK012, Composer: Kimber-McTiffen; Track Number 1, Royalty Free from “The Special Interest Video Selection“; (AKM Music);