Very Cool — Following The Route Of The Transcontinental Railroad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abBdp1lx8To

Emeryville, California

February 26, 2026

Yes, the Amtrak California Zephyr runs along major portions of the historic Transcontinental Railroad route. Specifically, between Sacramento, California, and Winnemucca, Nevada, the modern train follows the original 19th-century route through the Donner Pass.

Key details about the route include:

Historical Path: The journey from the Bay Area to Nevada follows the historic Central Pacific Railroad line.

Modern Route: The train travels between Emeryville, CA (San Francisco area) and Chicago, IL.

Scenic Highlights: The route passes through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Reno, NV, and the Rocky Mountains.

While it does not follow the entire 1869 transcontinental route for its full journey, it utilizes the most famous and difficult mountainous sections of the original line.