In the early 1970s, passenger trains across the US struggled to survive under the fledgling Amtrak system. The most notable exception was the Rio Grande Zephyr which operated independently from 1970 to 1983 providing its own unique brand of intercity travel on the scenic middle section of the former California Zephyr route. This film captures its journey in three parts: first, the Westbound ascent from Denver up the Rocky Mountains to the Moffat Tunnel; next, continuing West through impressive canyons along the Colorado River. Finally we see the run from Salt Lake City on the return trip eastbound over the Wasatch Range and through the Utah dessert. See the views from the Vista Domes on The Rio Grande Zephyr as it kept alive the style and elegant tradition of streamlined passenger service! 33 min.
Customer Reviews
- 5 of 5
Years before D&RGW F-Unit number 5771 was placed on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden after operating on the Rio Grande Zephyr in 1983 before the D&RGW was purchased by the Southern Pacific in 1988, & in 1996 from the Union Pacific, these films include some other road names like the Chicago Burlington & Quincy out of Chicago Union Station for instance, as well as Union Pacific while leaving the Capital City of the Rocky Mountain State itself, not to mention Southern Pacific at Salt Lake City Utah. Along the way, there are scenes from the coaches with a couple of meets as well as several from trackside through Colorado's Moffatt Tunnel Line to Glenwood Springs via the Big 10 Curves west of Denver which nowadays, the route is taken over by various Union Pacific Freight Trains, & the only regular passenger train to go through the Front Range aside from the winter only Ski Train, is Amtrak's California Zephyr. The Scenery in both the Colorado Rockies & Utah's Wasatch Mountains with Soldier Summit will look the same since these films recorded but the F-Units & the Rio Grande itself are long gone as they will be treasured for many years to come & go, but at least 5771 is still in Golden.
Additional comments:
Narration: Could have used more.
Image quality: Good.
Value: Seemed a little high.
Recommend? Yes.
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