WINTER PARK, Colo. — A track closure for Moffat Tunnel repairs this week is causing cancellation on part of the route for California Zephyrs departing Wednesday, July 27, from Chicago and Emeryville, Calif.
Amtrak travelers with reservations on those trains that include the Denver-Salt Lake City segment were notified Sunday that the train was cancelled and advised to speak with an Amtrak agent about travel options. “Unfortunately, we don’t have other transportation available,” said an email to one passenger.
“Union Pacific is doing maintenance work in the Moffat Tunnel that will take 18 hours,” UP spokeswoman Robynn Tysver tells Trains News Wire.
Most previous track closures involving the former Denver & Rio Grande Western main line have been planned far enough in advance for Amtrak to arrange a detour between Denver and Salt Lake City on UP’s Overland Route through Laramie, Wyo., and Ogden, Utah. In those cases, host railroad pilots qualified on that route must accompany Amtrak engineers and conductors operating the trains.
Running times were typically several hours less on the detour, once used by the San Francisco Zephyr until 1983, when the Chicago-California train returned to D&RGW rails, and again from the mid-1980s until May 10, 1997 when the Chicago-Seattle Pioneer was cut.
In a statement to News Wire, Amtrak says the detour isn’t happening this time, because “the duration of the track closure and staffing needs for a detour led to the decision to terminate and turn that round-trip frequency.”
The Emeryville departure to Salt Lake City is designated train no. 1006 on July 27, and the eastbound train from Salt Lake to Emeryville on Thursday becomes no. 1005.
Operating with only two coaches and less sleeping car space than in previous summer seasons, the Zephyr has been consistently sold out. However, this week’s mid-route cancellation has suddenly opened up inventory and lowered prices for travelers riding the portions still operating
For instance, the adult roomette fare to Denver on Wednesday’s Chicago departure is $365 and a bedroom is $631 as of July 25. On the following seven days when available, Chicago-Denver roomettes are either $586 or $661, and bedrooms are $1,339. In coach, the fare is $193 with an 80% sellout on July 27, but the next seat available to Denver is $241 on Aug. 1.
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