Passenger Trains > LA to Trinidad - Coach -- Which Side?

Coach on the way there -- Bedroom on the way back.

Any recommendations as to which side of the train eastbound on SW Chief would have better views?

I don't have much of a preference. In Coach I generally choose the north (shady) side, in case of
weak air conditioning, and other passengers who may pull the curtains shut. You can always
go to the Lounge for viewing if you find yourself on the wrong side in an area you
particularly want to see.

Over Cajon Pass I prefer the south side but when are you going? It could be dark.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/14 09:01 by GenePoon.

The signs on Raton Pass for the tunnel and Wooton Ranch are on the north (#4's conductor) side, as are the depots at Las Vegas and Raton.

Erik

GenePoon Wrote:
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> I don't have much of a preference. In Coach I
> generally choose the north (shady) side, in case
> of
> weak air conditioning, and other passengers who
> may pull the curtains shut. You can always
> go to the Lounge for viewing if you find yourself
> on the wrong side in an area you
> particularly want to see.
>
> Over Cajon Pass I prefer the south side but when
> are you going? It could be dark.

Tomorrow on #4(1)

It's more than just the views. I would take the left side, simply because its in the shade most of the time, and it faces north, so the sun is behind you and you get nice illumination on the mountains that you're looking at. that part about being in the shade is important during summer months, and also helps if you want to take a nap en route.

But as it happens, I also think the better scenery along this route is on the north side of the tracks. Some highlights, all on the north (left, eastbound):

1) San Francisco Peaks (near Flagstaff, semi-dormant volcanic peaks, active recently enough that there are probably slow moving humans under the lava)

2) Red sandstone cliffs near Gallup

3) Mount Taylor, another not-so-old volcano in the same area around Gallup, dominates the northern skyline for quite a while.

Glorietta and Raton are basically a wash, IMHO.

Visibility is pretty good out both sides in coach. Needless to say, get on the upper level if sightseeing is a priority. If you're on an unfavorable side in sleeper, remember the Superliner lounge, which is an extraordinary sightseeing vantage point.

Enjoy the trip, it's great!

Which side??...Inside!!...

Wherever you can find a seat! Check in early at LAUS if you want a choice.

Barry Draper

barrydraper Wrote:
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> Wherever you can find a seat! Check in early at
> LAUS if you want a choice.
>
> Barry Draper


This is quite a good point, I have never ridden Coach on an LD before, thousands of miles in sleeper... where does one check in now at LAUPT for coach pax?

Over Glorieta Pass Eastbound the views down the ridge there are mostly on the North side. In Shoemaker Canyon though, you are staring at rocks on the North side. The bright sun is on the left side as you head North from Las Vegas. Just a few observations. I don't think I've ever been on the right side of the train EB around Wootton curve. Ha!

The view of apache Canyon, just east of Lamy, is on the right side. One of my favorite spots.

Depots on left. Best views out of Lamy left. I am on there Monday. Yourself??

cutboy2 Wrote:
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> Depots on left. Best views out of Lamy left. I am
> on there Monday. Yourself??


Left side it is!

Ill be there checking out some family cabin east of Trinidad that I have yet to see.

Should be interesting.

Arriving tomorrow into Trinidad, making my way back to LA on #3 on the 5th.

Should try to document with Pictures and Posts on the way.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/14 09:16 by Technology-Jeske.

East of Trinidad for a family cabin? Interesting.. If it is along the mesa's east of Trinidad, that would be nice!!
Let us know what you see and how your trip goes..

Clarence

It's actually northwest of Trinidad. Never been here before so I was a bit confused.

Pictures/video coming tomorrow.

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