Ep.15 – US Railway Travelogue

Episode 15 is the fifth part of the Chicago to The Bay Area leg of Tim Davies’ journey.  Tim is travelling across the USA on the iconic Amtraktrains, and this latest leg of the US Railway Travelogue continues on the California Zephyr train.

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

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

In this episode, we leave behind the meadowland around Reno, Nevada, and head up into the hills of the Sierras, and cross the state line into California.

These images represent some of the views from the train along this section of the journey, as well as some of the ‘stops’ along this part of the route.

Climbing the Sierras. Credit: Tim Davies.

Climbing the Sierras. Credit: Tim Davies.

Climbing the Sierras. Credit: Tim Davies.

Well worn flume. Credit: Tim Davies.

Repaired and working flume. Credit: Tim Davies.

Opposite track below, and flume across river. Credit: Tim Davies.

Climbing the Sierras. Credit: Tim Davies.

Rounding a tight curve. Credit: Tim Davies.

Climbing the Sierras. Credit: Tim Davies.

Climbing the Sierras. Credit: Tim Davies.

Truckee Station. Credit: Tim Davies.

Truckee Station. Credit: Tim Davies.

Truckee. Credit: Tim Davies.

Truckee. Credit: Tim Davies.

Truckee. Credit: Tim Davies.

Persuaded to sample the on-board Great Mixologist’s Bloody Mary – and here it is! Credit: Tim Davies.

Donner Lake. Credit: Tim Davies.

A very tight curve! Some amazing engineering. Credit: Tim Davies.

Donner Lake. Credit: Tim Davies.

Donner Lake. Credit: Tim Davies.

Donner Lake. Credit: Tim Davies.

Donner Summit. Credit: Loco Steve, CC BY 2.0.

Exiting a snowshed on the Donner Pass. Credit: Loco Steve, CC BY 2.0.

Snow shed in use. Credit: Loco Steve, CC BY 2.0.

Donner Pass. Credit: Tim Davies.

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Credit: Loco Steve, CC BY 2.0.

Another tight curve on the route. Credit: Tim Davies.

Magnificence of the High Sierra. Credit: Tim Davies.

It’s a long way down! Credit: Tim Davies.

It’s a very long way down! Credit: Tim Davies.

Join us for the next episode, which will be the final instalment of Tim’s US Railway Travelogue.

Music credits:

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