Passenger Trains > Amtrak's California Zephyr Transitional Sleeper?

Does Amtrak's California Zephyr currently carry a transitional sleeper and if so where is it located in the consist? Thanks in advance!

Yes, and the transition sleeper is right behind the baggage car. Then three sleepers, diner, Sightseer Lounge, followed by three coaches (two of which were coach-bags.) That was the consist on #6 of June 25, which I rode from Emeryville to Denver.

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Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/25 16:22 by Dcmcrider.

The transitional sleeper is always directly behind the baggage car.  That's its whole point--to allow in-train movement from the superliners to the bag car.  If for some reason it's not there it's not doing its job.

BobB Wrote:
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> The transitional sleeper is always directly behind
> the baggage car.  That's its whole point--to
> allow in-train movement from the superliners to
> the bag car.  If for some reason it's not there
> it's not doing its job.

The Auto Train has a transitional sleeper but no baggage car. And seems to be doing its job fine providing the crew with accomidations.

DutchDragon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BobB Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The transitional sleeper is always directly
> behind
> > the baggage car.  That's its whole point--to
> > allow in-train movement from the superliners to
> > the bag car.  If for some reason it's not
> there
> > it's not doing its job.
>
> The Auto Train has a transitional sleeper but no
> baggage car. And seems to be doing its job fine
> providing the crew with accomidations.

The Auto Train product line is just that - a "unique product line" that Amtrak operates. Hence the Superliner Trans/Dorm Sleeper operates there for crew only, and doesn't have a baggage car, as we all know. During COVID and a few years after, it didn't have the Superliner Trans-Dorm Sleeper but instead operated with a full sleeper for the crew.

On a related note - the Auto Train is even unique to the point that I could see it spun off to a private operator, much like VIA Rail Canada spun off its Canadian Rockies by Daylight to the Rocky Mountaineer. Difference audience, but there are similiarities, as well as a host of pros and cons that the original private Auto Train carrier could explain. 

don't let Trump know there are transitional sleepers out there

DutchDragon Wrote:
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> The Auto Train has a transitional sleeper but no
> baggage car. And seems to be doing its job fine
> providing the crew with accomidations.

The Auto Train no longer has a transition sleeper car, only full sleepers and Deluxe Sleepers. 

G600DRVR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> DutchDragon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > The Auto Train has a transitional sleeper but
> no
> > baggage car. And seems to be doing its job fine
> > providing the crew with accomidations.
>
> The Auto Train no longer has a transition sleeper
> car, only full sleepers and Deluxe Sleepers. 

Doesn't need it if there is no baggage car.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> G600DRVR Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > DutchDragon Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > > The Auto Train has a transitional sleeper but
> > no
> > > baggage car. And seems to be doing its job
> fine
> > > providing the crew with accomidations.
> >
> > The Auto Train no longer has a transition
> sleeper
> > car, only full sleepers and Deluxe Sleepers. 
>
> Doesn't need it if there is no baggage car.

It needs it from the standpoint that the Superliner Trans/Dorm Sleeper has the potential of 17 individual roomettes, the highest capacity roomette sleeper car that Amtrak has. A regular sleeper has five regular bedrooms, a family room, and operating handicap room that can accomodate diverse passengers and also capture the premium revenue with the bedrooms versus the roomettes. Only one crew member assigned to a room. Regular Superliner Sleeper - 14 roomettes.