While Some Commuters Love Taking the Train from Reno to California, Others Scoff at Delays and Price

Reporting and photos by Jake Santiago

It was a snowy day in Reno last December when I had gotten a text notification on my phone: my Amtrak California Zephyr train was on time. Heading home for the holidays, the only thing I felt on the train was bountiful Christmas spirit. A nice and smooth trip made me rethink everything I had thought before about Amtrak. Instead of arriving late I had arrived thirty minutes early.

When it goes right, this train ride can be the most fun and enjoyable travel experience. For me it’s my only option as I don’t have a car in Reno and my family refuses to travel through Truckee in the snow. While I have experienced multi hour delays and canceled trips in the past I have typically had good experiences with Amtrak.

The worst of the delays was a train trip I took to Roseville from Reno with a five hour delay. The reason it was so stressful was because after I arrived in Roseville I had a six hour drive to LA right after getting off of the train. Because of all the train delays we made it to Los Angeles at 3 a.m. The train had left by the time that we were supposed to arrive which was not fun at all.

When it works out, though, for me, the cost of the train ticket is worth it as the coach seats are only $70 and you get a great view, time to relax, and great customer service, without any traffic stress or paying for gas.

The trip does take three hours more than a normal car trip, but once again the word safe comes into play. When taking Amtrak, in those three extra hours, you can listen to music, stay on your phone, talk with people and enjoy the nice view.

While trying to get interviews, most Amtrak staff and commuters wanted to remain anonymous, which gave them more freedom to express their views.

 “It could be a freight train that is in front of us on the rail or broke down,” one employee said of occasional delays. “Could be that somebody decided to close the tracks when we were coming and it could be that the switches are stuck, especially right now in the Midwest, because there is a lot of snow and it gets very cold. Of course when it gets that cold, the switches don't work, so they get stuck in one position. We cannot go physically until everything is fixed too.”

Another employee said sometimes there are boulders on tracks.

One example I had happened a couple of months ago with a massive delay coming through the Truckee and Colfax area. Our train had just made the stop in Truckee and about 45 seconds after we had taken off we started going backwards because of a freight train derailment by Colfax.

It was so bad buses had to come and pick us up and drop us off at our train stations. The train first went backwards back to the Truckee station. The weather was freezing and Amtrak knew this so they allowed the guests to stay in the car for a couple of hours before the buses arrived. While we waited for a few hours that day Amtrak let us know that we could trust them in situations like that. 

Still, repeated delays can be a detriment. I talked to a man in a business suit on a previous trip in late October and he said, “ the delays are something I did not prepare for.,” he said trying to get back to his family. Trains often depart late from Reno to the previous delays as well.

I’ve seen plenty of business people take the train over the years and when there’s delays they typically have the strongest of reactions since they may be late for a work meeting or late to getting back home in time.

Cost can also be a factor. For a coach trip for me it would be around 70 dollars since I only have three stops in total. I typically sit in a sleeping car as it may be somewhat more expensive, but it allows me to have much more room and allows me to lay down and enjoy my five hour or longer train ride.

“The sleeping car experience is much more accommodating and gives a nice experience,” an Amtrak staff member confirmed.

The staff and people on the train overall give off a good mood. Most people love the scenic views. As you ride through some important locations a guide will tell you facts about these places over the speakers with jokes and facts.

Another option, Greyhound buses are cheaper and faster obviously, but not as comfortable, and also prone to cancellations during the winter season.

Mother Nature has her say on Amtrak delays as well, with snow needing to be plowed from train tracks occasionally.

Overall though for me, when taking Amtrak there’s nothing like the beauty of crossing the Donner Pass and downtown Truckee. You could enjoy that nice and fun view or you could enjoy being stuck in traffic and snow trying to make it home for the holidays. You may not like the amount of time it takes, but as a college student Amtrak will always be my go to option to return home.

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