I toured the crew-only section on one of the world's most luxurious trains. Here's a look inside this typically off-limits area.

Monica HumphriesJun 2, 2022, 22:35 IST

Side-by-side images of the author and train manager Zach Lucas on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

The Rocky Mountaineer is one of the world's most luxurious train rides.
Operating out of Canada and the US, each train has crew-only train cars for its staff.

The Rocky Mountaineer with its glass-dome windows is one of the world's most luxurious trains. I rode the Canadian company's first US route traveling from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. The train, which had seven passenger cars, could fit about 375 people and 20 crew members.

The author in front of the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

The Rocky Mountaineer with its glass-dome windows is one of the world's most luxurious trains. I rode the Canadian company's first US route traveling from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. The train, which had seven passenger cars, could fit about 375 people and 20 crew members.

For about an hour on a 15-hour, two-day train ride, I followed train manager Zach Lucas as he navigated crew-only quarters that are typically off-limits to passengers.

Train manager Zach Lucas.Monica Humphries/Insider

As a train manager, Lucas plays a part in every aspect of the ride. He makes sure the train is stocked with enough food, his crew is prepared, the train runs on schedule, and that the entire journey meets guests' high expectations. Simply put, Lucas says he "wears many hats."

Zach Lucas speaks to passengers on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

As a train manager, Lucas plays a part in every aspect of the ride. He makes sure the train is stocked with enough food, his crew is prepared, the train runs on schedule, and that the entire journey meets guests' high expectations. Simply put, Lucas says he "wears many hats."

So many responsibilities mean Lucas is often running around every part of the train, including private, crew-only areas. As the train barreled down Colorado's train tracks, I shadowed Lucas.

Zach Lucas walks through cabinets of food and drinks on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

So many responsibilities mean Lucas is often running around every part of the train, including private, crew-only areas. As the train barreled down Colorado's train tracks, I shadowed Lucas.

The day I rode the Rocky Mountaineer, there were 12 cars pulled by a locomotive. This included one generator car, two bar cars, seven passenger cars, and two crew-only cars: one at the front and one at the back.

Arrows point to different train cars on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

The day I rode the Rocky Mountaineer, there were 12 cars pulled by a locomotive. This included one generator car, two bar cars, seven passenger cars, and two crew-only cars: one at the front and one at the back.

To get to the first crew area at the front of the train, I walked through the Rocky Mountaineer's bar cars, which are reserved for SilverLeaf Plus passengers, which is the equivalent of first class.

The two private train cars for Rocky Mountaineer's first-class passengers.Monica Humphries/Insider

To get to the first crew area at the front of the train, I walked through the Rocky Mountaineer's bar cars, which are reserved for SilverLeaf Plus passengers, which is the equivalent of first class.

A giant hand prompted me to stop as I reached an area designated for crew only. Lucas ushered me past the door, and sunlight peeked through large metal shelves lining both walls of the car.

A sign indicates that the car is for train crew only.Monica Humphries/Insider

A giant hand prompted me to stop as I reached an area designated for crew only. Lucas ushered me past the door, and sunlight peeked through large metal shelves lining both walls of the car.

Lucas explained that this crew-only section had two main functions: storage and relaxing.

A desk faces a window for the train's crew members.Monica Humphries/Insider

The front crew-only car is divided in half. The right side has spare parts that can be used to fix the train while in motion. For instance, there are extra air hoses and equipment to repair a hot water heater.

Zach Lucas walks in the first car on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

The front crew-only car is divided in half. The right side has spare parts that can be used to fix the train while in motion. For instance, there are extra air hoses and equipment to repair a hot water heater.

The left side is for hospitality needs. There are spare kitchen items in case a plate breaks, a kettle malfunctions, or something goes wrong in a galley; there's also a first aid kit, ice machine, and laundry storage for the train's napkins.

Rows of crates sit on shelves in the crew-only section of the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

The left side is for hospitality needs. There are spare kitchen items in case a plate breaks, a kettle malfunctions, or something goes wrong in a galley; there's also a first aid kit, ice machine, and laundry storage for the train's napkins.

This storage car connects to the locomotive, which pulls the Rocky Mountaineer train cars. It's also where the train's conductor is stationed.

The locomotive of the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

Each train has a backup conductor on board for potential emergencies, Lucas said. When the backup conductor isn't needed, they often rest on a futon in this first crew car.

An arrow points to where the back-up conductor rests on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

Each train has a backup conductor on board for potential emergencies, Lucas said. When the backup conductor isn't needed, they often rest on a futon in this first crew car.

After touring the front crew car, Lucas and I walked through seven passenger cars to the back of the Rocky Mountaineer, where another crew-only car is stationed.

Zach Lucas walks through an empty train car on the Rock Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

In this second crew area, cabinets line each wall, creating a tight passageway. They store everything needed to serve passengers, from jugs of orange juice to Colorado-distilled bourbon bottles.

Zach Lucas walks through an empty train car on the Rock Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

In this second crew area, cabinets line each wall, creating a tight passageway. They store everything needed to serve passengers, from jugs of orange juice to Colorado-distilled bourbon bottles.

Past the cabinet-lined hallway is the crew's break room.

The break room for train crew members.Monica Humphries/Insider

The break room lacks the Rocky Mountaineer's iconic glass-dome windows. Instead, four leather booths line one side of the car.

A line of booths is where the Rocky Mountaineer crew breaks.Monica Humphries/Insider

Across from the booths is a pantry area with jars of Skippy peanut butter, stacks of plates and cups, and a basket of condiments. The Rocky Mountaineer provides the crew with meals onboard, similar to what the guests eat, Lucas said. He said they can also bring their own food if they want.

Crew members have access to catered meals as well as snacks.Monica Humphries/Insider

Across from the booths is a pantry area with jars of Skippy peanut butter, stacks of plates and cups, and a basket of condiments. The Rocky Mountaineer provides the crew with meals onboard, similar to what the guests eat, Lucas said. He said they can also bring their own food if they want.

There's a kitchen area with microwaves, a coffee machine, kettle, toaster, panini press, fridge, and sink.

The kitchen area in the crew's break room.Monica Humphries/Insider

Part of Lucas' role is to make sure the crew has "all the creature comforts of home." A whiteboard in the break room outlines a list of snacks the crew wants, which includes everything from granny smith apples to beef jerky, and Milky Way chocolate bars.

A whiteboard outlines all the snacks Zach Lucas buys for his crew.Monica Humphries/Insider

Part of Lucas' role is to make sure the crew has "all the creature comforts of home." A whiteboard in the break room outlines a list of snacks the crew wants, which includes everything from granny smith apples to beef jerky, and Milky Way chocolate bars.

The break room is also home to Lucas' office, which he described as "the brain" of the train. Here, he drafts the crew's schedule, keeps a list of guests, and communicates with both Rocky Mountaineer's Canadian headquarters and train dispatchers in Omaha, Nebraska.

The entrance to Zach Lucas' office.Monica Humphries/Insider

The break room is also home to Lucas' office, which he described as "the brain" of the train. Here, he drafts the crew's schedule, keeps a list of guests, and communicates with both Rocky Mountaineer's Canadian headquarters and train dispatchers in Omaha, Nebraska.

Behind the break room is the generator car, which powers all the coach cars and their galleys.

An arrow points to the generator room, which I couldn't tour.Monica Humphries/Insider

Lucas wrapped up the tour and dashed off to go check on the AC in a train car and touch base with his crew. I journeyed back to my seat feeling lucky to see a side of train travel most don't see.

Zach Lucas in a galley on the Rocky Mountaineer.Monica Humphries/Insider

Lucas wrapped up the tour and dashed off to go check on the AC in a train car and touch base with his crew. I journeyed back to my seat feeling lucky to see a side of train travel most don't see.

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I toured the crew-only section on one of the world's most luxurious trains. Here's a look inside this typically off-limits area.

The Rocky Mountaineer with its glass-dome windows is one of the world's most luxurious trains. I rode the Canadian company's first US route traveling from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. The train, which had seven passenger cars, could fit about 375 people and 20 crew members.

For about an hour on a 15-hour, two-day train ride, I followed train manager Zach Lucas as he navigated crew-only quarters that are typically off-limits to passengers.

As a train manager, Lucas plays a part in every aspect of the ride. He makes sure the train is stocked with enough food, his crew is prepared, the train runs on schedule, and that the entire journey meets guests' high expectations. Simply put, Lucas says he "wears many hats."

So many responsibilities mean Lucas is often running around every part of the train, including private, crew-only areas. As the train barreled down Colorado's train tracks, I shadowed Lucas.

The day I rode the Rocky Mountaineer, there were 12 cars pulled by a locomotive. This included one generator car, two bar cars, seven passenger cars, and two crew-only cars: one at the front and one at the back.

To get to the first crew area at the front of the train, I walked through the Rocky Mountaineer's bar cars, which are reserved for SilverLeaf Plus passengers, which is the equivalent of first class.

A giant hand prompted me to stop as I reached an area designated for crew only. Lucas ushered me past the door, and sunlight peeked through large metal shelves lining both walls of the car.

Lucas explained that this crew-only section had two main functions: storage and relaxing.

The front crew-only car is divided in half. The right side has spare parts that can be used to fix the train while in motion. For instance, there are extra air hoses and equipment to repair a hot water heater.

The left side is for hospitality needs. There are spare kitchen items in case a plate breaks, a kettle malfunctions, or something goes wrong in a galley; there's also a first aid kit, ice machine, and laundry storage for the train's napkins.

This storage car connects to the locomotive, which pulls the Rocky Mountaineer train cars. It's also where the train's conductor is stationed.

Each train has a backup conductor on board for potential emergencies, Lucas said. When the backup conductor isn't needed, they often rest on a futon in this first crew car.

After touring the front crew car, Lucas and I walked through seven passenger cars to the back of the Rocky Mountaineer, where another crew-only car is stationed.

In this second crew area, cabinets line each wall, creating a tight passageway. They store everything needed to serve passengers, from jugs of orange juice to Colorado-distilled bourbon bottles.

Past the cabinet-lined hallway is the crew's break room.

The break room lacks the Rocky Mountaineer's iconic glass-dome windows. Instead, four leather booths line one side of the car.

Across from the booths is a pantry area with jars of Skippy peanut butter, stacks of plates and cups, and a basket of condiments. The Rocky Mountaineer provides the crew with meals onboard, similar to what the guests eat, Lucas said. He said they can also bring their own food if they want.

There's a kitchen area with microwaves, a coffee machine, kettle, toaster, panini press, fridge, and sink.

Part of Lucas' role is to make sure the crew has "all the creature comforts of home." A whiteboard in the break room outlines a list of snacks the crew wants, which includes everything from granny smith apples to beef jerky, and Milky Way chocolate bars.

The break room is also home to Lucas' office, which he described as "the brain" of the train. Here, he drafts the crew's schedule, keeps a list of guests, and communicates with both Rocky Mountaineer's Canadian headquarters and train dispatchers in Omaha, Nebraska.

Behind the break room is the generator car, which powers all the coach cars and their galleys.

Lucas wrapped up the tour and dashed off to go check on the AC in a train car and touch base with his crew. I journeyed back to my seat feeling lucky to see a side of train travel most don't see.