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One question, how does the showers work? I know with Japanese trains, you have to pay for a ticket to get access to the showers. However, I am not sure about Amtrak.
Only if you have a sleeper you have access to a shower on Amtrak train. if coach your only options is to use a wet wipe in the bathroom or pay for a day pass in Chicago metropolitan lounge and they have access to showers only this metropolitan lounge has showers.
I'm going to be on this trip in 3 weeks. I'm super excited. Pro tip: get breakfast at 6:30. That's not because you beat the crowd, but sunrise on Amtrak is so peaceful. Take your post-lunch nap.
Your tribute to the snowy beauty of New Mexico made me think about all those men who sacrificed many things (including, sadly, their lives sometimes) to build the railroads. And also the many people who brought electricity to these remote places. We owe them so much. 🎉🎉
I prefer the longer videos. Yeah, I know what a roomette looks like at this point, and I know the food is good. It’s those views that make these videos so great.
Yeah, the views really make it. I understand where you’re coming from regarding the room and food, cause really, once you’ve seen it, you don’t have to see it again, but I like to include them for new viewers so they can see what it’s like.
Another great video. My wife and I took the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago in May, 2022 and we are doing it again in April, 2024. On our trip in 2022, our roomette looked out the right side of the train. You shot a lot of video looking out the left side. That showed me that we missed a lot a beautiful scenery on that side. I hope we have a window on the left side next month so we can experience the scenery we didn't see last time. BTW, you need to fix your description at the top just below your video. Your description says, "Hello and welcome to New York’s Penn Station! Today we’re riding on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional from here up to New Haven, Connecticut!". Obviously, it should have said, "Hello and welcome to Los Angeles Union Station!"
Just have to tell you of all the Amtrak videos I watch, yours has the most beautiful content. Thanks for going that extra mile to capture such amazing footage.
I’m glad you appreciate the footage! I do my best to capture each adventure as one would experience it on board, and I’m glad such beauty is coming across in the videos. 😊
Ft Madison is also Mormon Country. On the opposite side of the Mississippi is Nauvoo, Illinois. This was a HUGE community up until the Mormon departure West to Utah.
Pro tip: If you can, bring a small cooler and pack lunchmeats, cheeses, fresh fruit, and sodas. I love to snack on the train but don't feel like selling a major organ to buy all my snacks onboard. 😂
I am a regular train traveler and rail fan. Amtrak Surfliner, Metrolink, Coaster, Sprinter, Capitol and Caltrain - love them all. I was thrilled to ride in a legendary Comet car. However, I keep staring at the lit sign displaying one of the last trains leaving from Union Station. Oh my! It is the Southwest Chief to Chicago. Planning it out. Thanks for the presentation!
Great video! I would only comment that sleeper car riders should always tip their car attendant when they depart at their destination. They work hard to make your journey seamless and memorable.
Presenting the tip of appreciation is actually included on the arrival in Chicago Union Station segment. It’s quick, but you’ll catch it if you look for it.
Fun Fact: The Southwest Chief is my number one favorite Long Distance Amtrak Train Service. A few sections of track along the route of Amtrak's Southwest Chief still use 100 year old Santa Fe Era Semaphore Signals.
Beautifully done! The Glorieta Pass segment was absolutely stunning to watch in 4K with the perfect music! You never fail to provide an engaging trip report that feels like we are on the adventure with you.
Good video and great memories for me. I did five weekend to weekend trips 15 - 25 years ago originating from St. Louis to do all the AMTRAK routes in the West making connections at times in Kansas City and Chicago. It was a great way to see The West and very relaxing. On one of those trips I included riding The Canadian back and forth between Vancouver and Jasper as a part of a jounrney.
I enjoyed this video. I took the westbound Southwest Chief several years ago and the timing is better for passing the best scenery during daylight (especially Raton Pass). I have to admit, the most exciting part of the trip was waking up and finding the train stopped in Dodge City. I guess I watched too many westerns when I was a kid.
This is exactly why I book the accessible bedroom for my trips because those "coach" sized restrooms in sleeper cars I can't fit in! I'm big and tall 6ft 7in and 345lbs!
My wife and I rode this train from LAX to ABQ just 24 before you. This was my 200,000 mile mark trip on Amtrak. Stepping off in Barstow was cool to see the lights. Great trip report and videos; you answer a lot of questions that I have while traveling, ie history and dates. Great rail advocacy. Thank You, keep the videos coming.
The Southwest Chief is an amazing experience. I really think that this is one that i should do if I want to look out the window AND enjoy the views at the same time.
@@LonestarTrips This is why the Southwest Chief is my favorite route, at least for now. I haven't actually ridden the Southwest Chief yet, so who knows if that will remain once I have, but i drive through that area every year when I go to Taos New Mexico in the summer and over the year, I've gotten a huge attachment to that area.
One of my Bucket List items is to take the train to all (or as many as possible) of the really cool train stations, including LA Union Station. This one, I'd be doing westbound from Chicago, probably going up to Seattle on the Coast Starlight, then back to CHI on the Empire Builder. Thanks for posting a great, entertaining and informative video!
Thoroughly enjoyed that, thanks for the detailed overview. I've always wanted to take a train across the US (westward, NYC to LA via Chicago) and it's nice to see an illustration of that kind of experience. Being from the UK, my chances of being able to actually afford to do it are a bit slim, mind...!
What a spectacular journey! Back in 2020, I did a road trip to Colorado and New Mexico to see some of the old semaphore signals and the Delhi Wigwag in action. Watching the Southwest Chief trains run by them was quite a sight to see! Awesome video as always, Noah! Loved the information you gave about the towns you stopped in as well as the sights you passed along the way. Great choice of music for when you were going through Glorieta Pass!
So glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the awesome footage! I’d love to get back out to the southwest to see the Delhi Wigwag and semaphores in action. One of the few things I missed covering in this video.
No problem! Unfortunately, the wigwag was taken down in March of 2021, but you can now find it on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. As for the semaphore signals, several were replaced in late 2022, though some appear to still be up and running.
I have travelled on the Southwest Chief (round trips) twice . I love this rail journey so much that I am planning to ride the Southwest Chief when I retire.
Notice the halls full of blocked off seating in L A Union Station. Until recently it was wall to wall with homeless people of all kinds. And I mean all kinds.
I am about to do this trip from Miami Florida to Chicago. Once I get over to Chicago 42 hours later I will go into the metropolitan lounge. I am taking a sleeper car. That does include a shower and all meals. About 43 hours out of Chicago to Los Angeles.
I’ve been on, the coast starlight several times, the empire builder once, and the California Zephyr once. The southwest chief looks so STUNNING! Next on my list for sure. Another great video highlighting how amazing rail travel is.
Always look forward to when I see an upload from you! I anticipate this video will be great as always! I’ve taken the southwest Chief once, from Los Angeles all the way to Chicago I stopped in Kansas City for two nights. I visited a cousin and went to a concert. Before I re-boarded two days later to finish the trip out to Chicago.
Always glad to see you in the comments! And I’m glad you were able to experience the SWC first hand. It’s such a beautiful route through some of America’s most remote regions.
I live in Kansas City. Over the past 30 years I've taken about a dozen small weekend trips on the SW Chief from Kansas City to Chicago. (I hate to fly.) Amtrak is always fun and relaxing. Years ago when I took some of my first trips I think the prorated fare from KC to Chicago was $40 roundtrip. They would sometimes offer you an upgrade to sleeper for an extra $30 or $40. (Today roundtrip coach is about $150 and the sleeper is about $300) I still dream of Amtrak French toast, the flat iron steak for dinner, and the chocolate mouse cake. Amtrak has actually reached back. Those were on the menu 30 years ago.
I've been watching your videos for awhile now and I subscribed to your channel I like them so much. Your videos are well shot and well written and your narration is unique. The scenic shots are just long enough. All in all, very well done!
I've been in the LAX 1st class lounge (Feb of 2023), waiting for the Texas Eagle. The lounge was decent, but the roof leaks like a sieve, which we found out very quickly as it was raining cats and dogs the whole time we were in LA. That, and the underground tunnel that leads to the platforms floods easily. Anyway...as long as it's not raining, it's decent lol. Nice video as always!
On a separate, I would totally do coach for an overnight journey if it were as empty as your train was. Since they can go to the lounge anytime they want and that the beloved tradition of letting coach passengers pay to eat in the dining car is back. It wouldn’t be a bad choice given how cheap it is. That said, it isn’t a good option if you have claustrophobia. The Southwest Chief in particular has extremely high demand in coach during the summer. Amtrak traditionally adds a 3rd coach to the Chief during the summer. But even that additional car is not enough to handle the surge of travelers during that period. Most notably, many Boy Scouts take the Chief to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron NM. Nevertheless, I would say coach would still work, you might have some inconveniences, with having someone close to you for a long time, but it’s probably worth it for the long journey. For me coach is definitely worth it overnight if you’re traveling in a party of 2 since Amtrak will seat you and your travel mate together.
Great video! I did the Chicago - Albuquerque leg a little over a month ago. One way only and not in a roomette. But the coach experience was way better than I imagined it being. I would definitely do it again. Wonderful trip report.
I've been waiting for ever for you to post this video as the Southwest Chief is my favorite route by far. I see the sun had set before Raton Pass. I'd think it's better to travel westbound on the Southwest Chief was your less likely to miss Raton Pass.
Just a quick note: if you're starting or transferring at LA, bring A LOT of money if you intend on enjoying the amenities at the station. The convenience store's pricing is OK, but across from the Amtrak ticket counters is a Mexican joint. The food there, and the lady that took care of me, were FANTASTIC! The price... my burrito cost $20! The food at Subway was subpar (as normal) but they were having money problems thanks to the poor economy. I had an over 8 hour wait between my inbound flight from Tokyo Narita and my train to KC, so I walked about 15 minutes from the station to Little Tokyo. An absolutely heartbreaking journey but Little Tokyo kinda brought me home.... somewhat... Anyway, thanks for the share, @Lonestar. When I took coach from LA to KC in '22, it was an absolutely awesome journey! Can't wait for the chance to repeat it.
Great video I did this trip in reverse last year in coach but alas at that time I could not use the diner so I am glad this is now an option. I did find the deli at Albuquerque was fantastic though for food though and I was not the only one who walked a couple of blocks to buy loverly fresh food and cake. Though the food at Chicago and LA was excellent for travelling with.
Never got to play Jupiter. The only parts of "The Planets" I ever got to play in band were Venus and Mars (which as a low brass player was my favorite).
@@TexasWorldExplorer-y5y The recording I'm using is of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band. I use this version specifically, as it's a work of the federal government, and is therefore in public domain.
Hint: Across the street from Union Station is the Historic center of Los Angeles, Olvera Street and behind Union is Little Tokyo and straight down Broadway is Chinatown. Fun Fact, when Union Station was being built. artifacts were found that On US's site was L.A.'s orignial and larger Chinatown. An Anthropology Prof I had in colege told the class this and it always has stuck with me. Thr red rocks in Gallup were absolutely beautiful.
I am planning to ride on this train/ route w my mom . I love ,love train travels & love Arizona !! I've never been to Chicago . I believe they're gonna tear down the beautiful L.A. union station & remodel everything soon !? I think they should keep those gorgeous old architecture, though !! I hope they'll keep some ! But,it doesn't seem that way ! Shame ! 💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🚈🇺🇲💕💞
Love your videos and how you capture all of beautiful scenery from ground and river to mountain and sky! I love listening to your energetic narration, and how you create the sensation that we're riding the train.👍And I watch every single advertisement and sponsor's spot.😁 Thank you, LonestarTrips! Looking forward to the Adirondack this spring despite there being no sleeper car amid the consist.😌@@LonestarTrips
Yeah, because they just equipped the new ALC-42S last July and I was watching another TH-camr. He was at Northbrook Maryland, and he saw six engines four ALC-42 ONE RARE DASH-8 and a P42DC
@@LonestarTrips The train is about to merged with the Floridian and will be extended all the way to Miami which means you can travel from Chicago to Florida without a transfer. You should do a trip on that.
From what I've seen via their Facebook page so far, Amtrak themselves seem to not really want to let go of the P42DC's either. They recently repainted one within the Phase 6 livery and it seems like a lot of them (mainly the ones with ebells in place of the old GE mechanical one) have been rebuilt, likely in hopes to extend their service life. Sort of similar to a few of the Geeps and SW units we have here on the road I work on.
My guess is they’ll keep the ones that are in the best working order in operation, or they’ll continue to use them on intercity routes to supplement frequency with the existing services. Either or, they can’t be phased out entirely as there just aren’t enough ALC-42s on order atm.
They don't seem to be entering service on the southwest routes, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. They briefly ran on the California Zephyr, but as far as i can tell, they haven't been seen in revenue service ever since.
@@LonestarTrips I honestly don't care as I find the chargers to be extremely hideous while the P42DC's are my favorite locomotives, especially heritage unit number 145.
I’m going to the southwest chief in 5 days! I haven’t seen an Amtrak train in 9 months. Btw, I really recommend the sleeper. The coach in my opinion is too crowded for me and not enough room for me to sleep comfortably. Hope you had a good trip!
Quick question to our wonderful host: Why do you always print out your ticket? Do you actually need it (like, is there no QR-code which you can show on your phone?) or is it just a souvenir?
It is always good practice to have a hard-copy of your ticket as backup for your phone. You never know when your phone might unexpectedly die, be lost, or stolen. I always have a hard copy whether traveling by Amtrak or the airlines. You don't want to be the person trying to explain to the conductor that you really DO have a ticket, if only you could get your phone to turn on.
@@gabrielapaulinho1luv As the saying goes, "live and learn". You lived, learned from your experience, and now you will never suffer that embarrassment again!
Have you watched this Smithsonian documentary series, mighty trains. I think you videos about long distance train are getting so good that they're almost worthy of a documentary like mighty trains.
Perfect timing! I'm gonna be on train 3 from Chicago to LA this Saturday! It's my first western long-distance route so I'm super excited. I was also wondering, did you see any semaphore signals while you were on the train? if so, let me know where they are. I'm gonna be in coach so I should have easy access to that rear-view window. I plan on shooting an uncut ride from La Junta to Albuquerque from the rear window.
Awesome! Enjoy the ride, it’s really something special. As for the semaphores, I don’t know exactly where they are, but this thread should help: www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,5803157
@@LonestarTripsI counted 16 total semaphores, 11 on the Raton sub between Raton and Las Vegas and 5 on the Glorietta Sub between Lamy and where the New Mexico Rail Runner branches off towards Santa Fe. beautiful views all 3 days and was an amazing trip! has me stoked for whenever I get to ride the Zephyr.
I have a couple questions for you how was Los Santos did you meet Michael Franklin and trevor. Did you stop in Winslow Arizona did you see the roadrunner and the coyote chased the train. And when you were in New Mexico did you see Walter White's and after Albuquerque did you make that left turn awesome video
That Holiday Tree in Union Station is bedecked with ornaments commemmorating dozens of railroads from the past, some big, some not so big, but all heralding passenger travel in rail's heyday.
@@rondagoldsmith1171 They had pine trees in Bethlehem?? I don't think so. The Holiday Tree originated with the Germanic Gods of the forests. There have been Solstice celebrations for hundreds of years before the invention of Christianity.
I've taken the SW Chief to Topeka, Wichita... it get's there in the middle of the night, with little regard for passengers. You could have covered what to do when arriving in Kansas stations. Amtrak people say the service is so elementary because few people travel to Kansas... gee, I wonder why.
I wonder if the stop in Fullerton is an unintended concequence of metrolink not letting amtrak use their san gabriel sub to go directly to san bernardino from LA Union
I wish I could travel Amtrak again. However, I have two legs that don't always work. I don't need a wheelchair but I do use a rollator and those narrow corridors on the trains? Ha! No. Stairs? Ha ha! Not anymore in this lifetime. 😢
Looks amazing and I really want to try this service, I just can’t fathom being stuck on a train for 3 days straight. Also I love how they drove you out to the train in LA on golf carts
Well I’ve taken the Cali Zephyr now too, but haven’t made a video on it yet (soon to come though 😉). I think if I had to rank those four it’d be CZ (ofc), CS, EB, SWC. They’re all fantastic experiences, and each one has its own thing going for it. The CZ is easily the best. It’s an unreal experience going through the Rockies by train. The coast starlight is a solid second. I love the mix of ocean views and mountains you get over the two days. EB is fantastic going through Glacier, but that second and third day are just farmland. Similar feeling for the SWC, loved seeing the deserts of Arizona and NM, plus going up Glorieta pass with all the snow was amazing.
@@LonestarTrips What holds me back from ranking the EB higher than the SWC is that the EB has a half day less of scenery than the SWC. Perhaps the Chief should be third place, your call of course.
@@LonestarTripsHere's how I would ranked my top 5 for now. My favorite is the Southwest Chief because I love New Mexico and the views. That route is very underrated and I wish more people would talk about it. My second favorite is the California zephyr coming very close to the Chief. Three is the Coast Starlight coming very close to the Chief and the Zephyr. My 4th favorite is the Sunset Limited. The I took it from LA to San Antonio, the desert views are just beautiful. Number 5 is the Empire Builder. Now you may hate me to ranking the Empire Builder low, but the reason I don't find it as scenic as the other western routes is that you only get an evening and morning of scenery, but outside that, it's just dull which would leave me a little disappointed. I personally don't understand why a lot people still like it even though you have to sit through a lot of dull farmland, as appose to the SWC, CZ, CS and SL where you only have to wait half a day and a night for great scenery and then get a full day or maybe even 2 of stunning views.
@LonestarTrips I'm an Amtrak fan and the food rocks! That was a great video as iv'e never been past Albuquerque on the chief. I'm out of Anaheim and my favorite ride so far is a toss up between California Zephyr and Coast Starlighter. Been on both of them. Why? For the heck of it of course! 😁
For clarification is there only one shower for the roommete you had or can someone in your roommette use any of the other showers on board? That is, let’s say the shower is being used can you simply try a different one?
When comparing the Southwest Chief to the California Zephyr, many people say the Zephyr wins easily, but in my opinion, nothing can beet New Mexico so I think the Southwest Chief has better scenery.
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 The Chief wins against the Zephyr for me, but only just. The river is still spectacular, and with the Zephyr being so scenic, I put it as my second favorite Amtrak route coming in only just behind the Chief.
Haha it’s such a fun way to get out to the platforms. I actually got to ride one like it in Greensboro, but that never made it into a video (at least not yet 😉).
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One question, how does the showers work? I know with Japanese trains, you have to pay for a ticket to get access to the showers. However, I am not sure about Amtrak.
Only if you have a sleeper you have access to a shower on Amtrak train. if coach your only options is to use a wet wipe in the bathroom or pay for a day pass in Chicago metropolitan lounge and they have access to showers only this metropolitan lounge has showers.
I'm going to be on this trip in 3 weeks. I'm super excited. Pro tip: get breakfast at 6:30. That's not because you beat the crowd, but sunrise on Amtrak is so peaceful. Take your post-lunch nap.
I had Steven on my Southwest Chief trip last summer, he was amazing!
Right?! Such a fantastic attendant and a great guy to chat with.
I think I had Steven on the Texas Eagle (Sunset Limited leg)) and you're right.
who is STEVEN?
@@KYONGEAGANhe is an attedentant
I been on the southwest chief
Love the enthusiasm of the narrator.
Your tribute to the snowy beauty of New Mexico made me think about all those men who sacrificed many things (including, sadly, their lives sometimes) to build the railroads. And also the many people who brought electricity to these remote places. We owe them so much. 🎉🎉
I prefer the longer videos. Yeah, I know what a roomette looks like at this point, and I know the food is good. It’s those views that make these videos so great.
Yeah, the views really make it. I understand where you’re coming from regarding the room and food, cause really, once you’ve seen it, you don’t have to see it again, but I like to include them for new viewers so they can see what it’s like.
And of course, there's the off chance that the food is bad 😂
Another great video. My wife and I took the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago in May, 2022 and we are doing it again in April, 2024. On our trip in 2022, our roomette looked out the right side of the train. You shot a lot of video looking out the left side. That showed me that we missed a lot a beautiful scenery on that side. I hope we have a window on the left side next month so we can experience the scenery we didn't see last time. BTW, you need to fix your description at the top just below your video. Your description says, "Hello and welcome to New York’s Penn Station! Today we’re riding on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional from here up to New Haven, Connecticut!". Obviously, it should have said, "Hello and welcome to Los Angeles Union Station!"
Just have to tell you of all the Amtrak videos I watch, yours has the most beautiful content. Thanks for going that extra mile to capture such amazing footage.
I’m glad you appreciate the footage! I do my best to capture each adventure as one would experience it on board, and I’m glad such beauty is coming across in the videos. 😊
Steven, Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation footage, music selections, and tips & descriptions along the way. Very well done!! Bill
Ft Madison is also Mormon Country. On the opposite side of the Mississippi is Nauvoo, Illinois. This was a HUGE community up until the Mormon departure West to Utah.
Pro tip: If you can, bring a small cooler and pack lunchmeats, cheeses, fresh fruit, and sodas. I love to snack on the train but don't feel like selling a major organ to buy all my snacks onboard. 😂
I am a regular train traveler and rail fan. Amtrak Surfliner, Metrolink, Coaster, Sprinter, Capitol and Caltrain - love them all. I was thrilled to ride in a legendary Comet car. However, I keep staring at the lit sign displaying one of the last trains leaving from Union Station. Oh my! It is the Southwest Chief to Chicago. Planning it out. Thanks for the presentation!
Glad you enjoyed it! I hope you get to ride it someday!
Great video! I would only comment that sleeper car riders should always tip their car attendant when they depart at their destination. They work hard to make your journey seamless and memorable.
Yes! I always tip my sleeper attendants, and I’ll be sure to include a note about it on the next sleeper video.
@@LonestarTripsBetter to trip them when you get on the train. Then you may get a better trip.
Presenting the tip of appreciation is actually included on the arrival in Chicago Union Station segment. It’s quick, but you’ll catch it if you look for it.
Fun Fact: The Southwest Chief is my number one favorite Long Distance Amtrak Train Service. A few sections of track along the route of Amtrak's Southwest Chief still use 100 year old Santa Fe Era Semaphore Signals.
My favorite to.
Have you ridden the Zephyr, the Builder or the Starlight?
28:47 I was already in love with this video, crossing through all these climate zones and then my favourite classical piece started playing :D
It’s mine too! That’s why I use it 😊
whats the name of the piece?
@@chrismatthews2430 Jupiter
Yeah what's the name?
@@damcoentertainment3956 Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
Beautifully done! The Glorieta Pass segment was absolutely stunning to watch in 4K with the perfect music! You never fail to provide an engaging trip report that feels like we are on the adventure with you.
Good video and great memories for me. I did five weekend to weekend trips 15 - 25 years ago originating from St. Louis to do all the AMTRAK routes in the West making connections at times in Kansas City and Chicago. It was a great way to see The West and very relaxing. On one of those trips I included riding The Canadian back and forth between Vancouver and Jasper as a part of a jounrney.
I enjoyed this video. I took the westbound Southwest Chief several years ago and the timing is better for passing the best scenery during daylight (especially Raton Pass). I have to admit, the most exciting part of the trip was waking up and finding the train stopped in Dodge City. I guess I watched too many westerns when I was a kid.
I’m taking this trip in October (From Chicago to Los Angeles) and this video just made me more excited😀
This is exactly why I book the accessible bedroom for my trips because those "coach" sized restrooms in sleeper cars I can't fit in! I'm big and tall 6ft 7in and 345lbs!
Amazing video documenting the Southwest Chief! It would be really cool if you could do a video covering the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
My wife and I rode this train from LAX to ABQ just 24 before you. This was my 200,000 mile mark trip on Amtrak. Stepping off in Barstow was cool to see the lights.
Great trip report and videos; you answer a lot of questions that I have while traveling, ie history and dates. Great rail advocacy.
Thank You, keep the videos coming.
The Southwest Chief is an amazing experience. I really think that this is one that i should do if I want to look out the window AND enjoy the views at the same time.
110% There’s never a dull moment on the SWC. Whether it be stunning mountains or beautiful fields, there’s always something to enjoy.
@@LonestarTrips This is why the Southwest Chief is my favorite route, at least for now. I haven't actually ridden the Southwest Chief yet, so who knows if that will remain once I have, but i drive through that area every year when I go to Taos New Mexico in the summer and over the year, I've gotten a huge attachment to that area.
One of my Bucket List items is to take the train to all (or as many as possible) of the really cool train stations, including LA Union Station. This one, I'd be doing westbound from Chicago, probably going up to Seattle on the Coast Starlight, then back to CHI on the Empire Builder. Thanks for posting a great, entertaining and informative video!
Love the slow detail to outline every important aspect of this trip. Thanks for the insight! As always, the trip report hit the spot!!
Thoroughly enjoyed that, thanks for the detailed overview. I've always wanted to take a train across the US (westward, NYC to LA via Chicago) and it's nice to see an illustration of that kind of experience. Being from the UK, my chances of being able to actually afford to do it are a bit slim, mind...!
I just love your Amtrak journeys!
Thank you!
What a spectacular journey! Back in 2020, I did a road trip to Colorado and New Mexico to see some of the old semaphore signals and the Delhi Wigwag in action. Watching the Southwest Chief trains run by them was quite a sight to see!
Awesome video as always, Noah! Loved the information you gave about the towns you stopped in as well as the sights you passed along the way. Great choice of music for when you were going through Glorieta Pass!
So glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the awesome footage! I’d love to get back out to the southwest to see the Delhi Wigwag and semaphores in action. One of the few things I missed covering in this video.
No problem! Unfortunately, the wigwag was taken down in March of 2021, but you can now find it on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. As for the semaphore signals, several were replaced in late 2022, though some appear to still be up and running.
I have travelled on the Southwest Chief (round trips) twice . I love this rail journey so much that I am planning to ride the Southwest Chief when I retire.
Great adventure trip - thank you for all your filming!
Of course! Always happy to share the journey.
Best Train vids nice work
A very detailed ,very good review video !! I am so happy to see my favourite sweets ( the thin waffles ) there in the lounge !! 👏👏👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🚈🇺🇲💕💞
wow took this train in 92 in coach very nice train ride ty for sharing
Notice the halls full of blocked off seating in L A Union Station. Until recently it was wall to wall with homeless people of all kinds. And I mean all kinds.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and your coverage. I look forward to this trip.
Thank you so much 😊 The SWC is really one of the best trains out there.
Raton Pass and the Petrified Forest are stunning vistas on the trip.
I am about to do this trip from Miami Florida to Chicago. Once I get over to Chicago 42 hours later I will go into the metropolitan lounge. I am taking a sleeper car. That does include a shower and all meals. About 43 hours out of Chicago to Los Angeles.
The price of your sleeper includes all meals on board, a shower, and access to the lounge in Chicago. Hope this helps, and safe travels!
Surprised more wasn't mentioned about Union Station in Kansas City. One of the most magnificent train stations in the world.
Thanks for the ride along, excellent journey. Loved the Glorieta Pass.
I’ve been on, the coast starlight several times, the empire builder once, and the California Zephyr once. The southwest chief looks so STUNNING! Next on my list for sure. Another great video highlighting how amazing rail travel is.
Always look forward to when I see an upload from you!
I anticipate this video will be great as always! I’ve taken the southwest Chief once, from Los Angeles all the way to Chicago
I stopped in Kansas City for two nights. I visited a cousin and went to a concert. Before I re-boarded two days later to finish the trip out to Chicago.
Always glad to see you in the comments! And I’m glad you were able to experience the SWC first hand. It’s such a beautiful route through some of America’s most remote regions.
I live in Kansas City. Over the past 30 years I've taken about a dozen small weekend trips on the SW Chief from Kansas City to Chicago. (I hate to fly.) Amtrak is always fun and relaxing. Years ago when I took some of my first trips I think the prorated fare from KC to Chicago was $40 roundtrip. They would sometimes offer you an upgrade to sleeper for an extra $30 or $40. (Today roundtrip coach is about $150 and the sleeper is about $300) I still dream of Amtrak French toast, the flat iron steak for dinner, and the chocolate mouse cake. Amtrak has actually reached back. Those were on the menu 30 years ago.
Yummm, I still haven't tasted the Amtrak French toast. I know, go West, young woman. Go West.
I hate to fly, too.@@russbear31
@@russbear31 Just FYI, that's not the scenic part of the Chief. If you want the scenic part, then go west.
I've been watching your videos for awhile now and I subscribed to your channel I like them so much. Your videos are well shot and well written and your narration is unique. The scenic shots are just long enough. All in all, very well done!
I've been in the LAX 1st class lounge (Feb of 2023), waiting for the Texas Eagle. The lounge was decent, but the roof leaks like a sieve, which we found out very quickly as it was raining cats and dogs the whole time we were in LA. That, and the underground tunnel that leads to the platforms floods easily.
Anyway...as long as it's not raining, it's decent lol. Nice video as always!
I’m taking this train in a roomette in June this year. You’ve really whetted my appetite. Can’t wait!
On a separate, I would totally do coach for an overnight journey if it were as empty as your train was. Since they can go to the lounge anytime they want and that the beloved tradition of letting coach passengers pay to eat in the dining car is back. It wouldn’t be a bad choice given how cheap it is. That said, it isn’t a good option if you have claustrophobia. The Southwest Chief in particular has extremely high demand in coach during the summer. Amtrak traditionally adds a 3rd coach to the Chief during the summer. But even that additional car is not enough to handle the surge of travelers during that period. Most notably, many Boy Scouts take the Chief to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron NM. Nevertheless, I would say coach would still work, you might have some inconveniences, with having someone close to you for a long time, but it’s probably worth it for the long journey. For me coach is definitely worth it overnight if you’re traveling in a party of 2 since Amtrak will seat you and your travel mate together.
Great video and I really enjoyed your narration. Don
Much appreciated, Don. Thanks for stopping by, and I’m glad you enjoyed the ride!
Thank you for sharing ❤❤❤
The irony of the shot from 42:45, a fully loaded coal train in the foreground among a set of solar powered buildings in a small town
Great video! I did the Chicago - Albuquerque leg a little over a month ago. One way only and not in a roomette. But the coach experience was way better than I imagined it being. I would definitely do it again. Wonderful trip report.
Kansas City has a beautiful Union Station - Next time during crew change, hop in. Stand under the Clock.
Will do! I want to do the river runner from KCS to STL, which gives me a reason to go back.
super great video sir ❤❤😍😍
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed 😊
Another great video 👍 enjoyed it😊 love the sceneries 👍
Epic. Loved it!!
Thank you!
I've been waiting for ever for you to post this video as the Southwest Chief is my favorite route by far. I see the sun had set before Raton Pass. I'd think it's better to travel westbound on the Southwest Chief was your less likely to miss Raton Pass.
Nice video thank you for sharing ❤
Just a quick note: if you're starting or transferring at LA, bring A LOT of money if you intend on enjoying the amenities at the station. The convenience store's pricing is OK, but across from the Amtrak ticket counters is a Mexican joint. The food there, and the lady that took care of me, were FANTASTIC! The price... my burrito cost $20! The food at Subway was subpar (as normal) but they were having money problems thanks to the poor economy. I had an over 8 hour wait between my inbound flight from Tokyo Narita and my train to KC, so I walked about 15 minutes from the station to Little Tokyo. An absolutely heartbreaking journey but Little Tokyo kinda brought me home.... somewhat... Anyway, thanks for the share, @Lonestar. When I took coach from LA to KC in '22, it was an absolutely awesome journey! Can't wait for the chance to repeat it.
Great video I did this trip in reverse last year in coach but alas at that time I could not use the diner so I am glad this is now an option. I did find the deli at Albuquerque was fantastic though for food though and I was not the only one who walked a couple of blocks to buy loverly fresh food and cake. Though the food at Chicago and LA was excellent for travelling with.
Brilliant video and incredible scenery
Thank you for the upload. I'm traveling for the first time.
The “Jupiter” was an interesting and enjoyable choice of music to accompany the trip through the pass. More classical excerpts are always welcome!
Glad you enjoyed the selection! I’m always open to recommendations for pieces you’d like to hear 😊
Never got to play Jupiter. The only parts of "The Planets" I ever got to play in band were Venus and Mars (which as a low brass player was my favorite).
@@LonestarTripsMars would be good for a stark desert landscape
@@LonestarTrips Where did you find that particular version?
@@TexasWorldExplorer-y5y The recording I'm using is of the US Air Force Heritage of America Band. I use this version specifically, as it's a work of the federal government, and is therefore in public domain.
Hint: Across the street from Union Station is the Historic center of Los Angeles, Olvera Street and behind Union is Little Tokyo and straight down Broadway is Chinatown. Fun Fact, when Union Station was being built. artifacts were found that On US's site was L.A.'s orignial and larger Chinatown. An Anthropology Prof I had in colege told the class this and it always has stuck with me. Thr red rocks in Gallup were absolutely beautiful.
I am planning to ride on this train/ route w my mom . I love ,love train travels & love Arizona !! I've never been to Chicago . I believe they're gonna tear down the beautiful L.A. union station & remodel everything soon !? I think they should keep those gorgeous old architecture, though !! I hope they'll keep some ! But,it doesn't seem that way ! Shame ! 💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🚈🇺🇲💕💞
For me the worst part about having a sleeping car is getting out of bed in the morning. Best sleep I get all year.
Did you sleep on top or button bed. Did you bring your own pillow or used theirs.
New Subscriber I really enjoyed this video looking forward to more . I appreciate this ❤
imagine you booked for Vegas and landing in Vegas, New Mexico. this happened to some guy...he ended up in a different country
You’d be surprised how often stuff like that happens 😆
Great music through the pass.
Love the video! Also, congrats on selling out! (The joys of the TH-cam economy 😝)
Thanks and thanks! I know the ads are cringey, but they help me pay for awesome adventures like this one so I can share them with y’all!
Love your videos and how you capture all of beautiful scenery from ground and river to mountain and sky! I love listening to your energetic narration, and how you create the sensation that we're riding the train.👍And I watch every single advertisement and sponsor's spot.😁 Thank you, LonestarTrips! Looking forward to the Adirondack this spring despite there being no sleeper car amid the consist.😌@@LonestarTrips
Hey @Lonestar trip reports I was wondering if you could go back to the capital limited to dc and/or the cardinal. To Indianapolis.
I definitely want to revisit the Capitol limited in the future. I’m not 100% sure when I’d be able to, but it’s on the to-do list.
Yeah, because they just equipped the new ALC-42S last July and I was watching another TH-camr. He was at Northbrook Maryland, and he saw six engines four ALC-42 ONE RARE DASH-8 and a P42DC
@@LonestarTrips The train is about to merged with the Floridian and will be extended all the way to Miami which means you can travel from Chicago to Florida without a transfer. You should do a trip on that.
I've done the California zephyr and the empire builder, certainly want to do this one next
From what I've seen via their Facebook page so far, Amtrak themselves seem to not really want to let go of the P42DC's either. They recently repainted one within the Phase 6 livery and it seems like a lot of them (mainly the ones with ebells in place of the old GE mechanical one) have been rebuilt, likely in hopes to extend their service life. Sort of similar to a few of the Geeps and SW units we have here on the road I work on.
My guess is they’ll keep the ones that are in the best working order in operation, or they’ll continue to use them on intercity routes to supplement frequency with the existing services. Either or, they can’t be phased out entirely as there just aren’t enough ALC-42s on order atm.
They don't seem to be entering service on the southwest routes, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. They briefly ran on the California Zephyr, but as far as i can tell, they haven't been seen in revenue service ever since.
@@LonestarTrips I honestly don't care as I find the chargers to be extremely hideous while the P42DC's are my favorite locomotives, especially heritage unit number 145.
I’m going to the southwest chief in 5 days! I haven’t seen an Amtrak train in 9 months. Btw, I really recommend the sleeper. The coach in my opinion is too crowded for me and not enough room for me to sleep comfortably. Hope you had a good trip!
I'm planning on taking this trip.
Quick question to our wonderful host: Why do you always print out your ticket? Do you actually need it (like, is there no QR-code which you can show on your phone?) or is it just a souvenir?
You don’t have to, I just like to keep them as a souvenir from my travels 😊
It is always good practice to have a hard-copy of your ticket as backup for your phone. You never know when your phone might unexpectedly die, be lost, or stolen. I always have a hard copy whether traveling by Amtrak or the airlines. You don't want to be the person trying to explain to the conductor that you really DO have a ticket, if only you could get your phone to turn on.
@@edeinhorn6016I second that. Once, I was interrogated by a conductor. So embarrassing, but, I learned a valuable lesson.😆
@@gabrielapaulinho1luv As the saying goes, "live and learn". You lived, learned from your experience, and now you will never suffer that embarrassment again!
Have you watched this Smithsonian documentary series, mighty trains. I think you videos about long distance train are getting so good that they're almost worthy of a documentary like mighty trains.
Perfect timing! I'm gonna be on train 3 from Chicago to LA this Saturday! It's my first western long-distance route so I'm super excited. I was also wondering, did you see any semaphore signals while you were on the train? if so, let me know where they are. I'm gonna be in coach so I should have easy access to that rear-view window. I plan on shooting an uncut ride from La Junta to Albuquerque from the rear window.
Awesome! Enjoy the ride, it’s really something special. As for the semaphores, I don’t know exactly where they are, but this thread should help: www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,5803157
@@LonestarTripsI counted 16 total semaphores, 11 on the Raton sub between Raton and Las Vegas and 5 on the Glorietta Sub between Lamy and where the New Mexico Rail Runner branches off towards Santa Fe. beautiful views all 3 days and was an amazing trip! has me stoked for whenever I get to ride the Zephyr.
Thank you for a wonderful video.
I have a couple questions for you how was Los Santos did you meet Michael Franklin and trevor. Did you stop in Winslow Arizona did you see the roadrunner and the coyote chased the train. And when you were in New Mexico did you see Walter White's and after Albuquerque did you make that left turn awesome video
Barstow is also home to Fort Irwin, it's truly a pity you cannot see that wonderful place, but you do have to join the Army for that experience.
That Holiday Tree in Union Station is bedecked with ornaments commemmorating dozens of railroads from the past, some big, some not so big, but all heralding passenger travel in rail's heyday.
It's a Christmas tree.
@@rondagoldsmith1171 They had pine trees in Bethlehem?? I don't think so. The Holiday Tree originated with the Germanic Gods of the forests. There have been Solstice celebrations for hundreds of years before the invention of Christianity.
Nice documentary of your trip. I'm in early stages of planning my own Amtrak long distance journey for later this year.
I've taken the SW Chief to Topeka, Wichita... it get's there in the middle of the night, with little regard for passengers. You could have covered what to do when arriving in Kansas stations. Amtrak people say the service is so elementary because few people travel to Kansas... gee, I wonder why.
I wonder if the stop in Fullerton is an unintended concequence of metrolink not letting amtrak use their san gabriel sub to go directly to san bernardino from LA Union
How do you get the footage of your from the railfans to edit into you video?
I wish I could travel Amtrak again. However, I have two legs that don't always work. I don't need a wheelchair but I do use a rollator and those narrow corridors on the trains? Ha! No. Stairs? Ha ha! Not anymore in this lifetime. 😢
13 tracks. 3-15 in LA (I work there)
Nice video, thanks for sharing. Too bad you didn't get out and wave at the train camera's along the way
Forgot to do that on many occasions. Will def have to do it on my next journey!
Oh no. You missed out La Plata and Galesburg.
Looks amazing and I really want to try this service, I just can’t fathom being stuck on a train for 3 days straight. Also I love how they drove you out to the train in LA on golf carts
Amtrak Southwest Chief and Capitol Limited were part of the National Chief (Los Angeles-Washington DC) via Chicago from 1997-98.
How would you ranked the three proper long distance trains, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief?
Well I’ve taken the Cali Zephyr now too, but haven’t made a video on it yet (soon to come though 😉). I think if I had to rank those four it’d be CZ (ofc), CS, EB, SWC. They’re all fantastic experiences, and each one has its own thing going for it. The CZ is easily the best. It’s an unreal experience going through the Rockies by train. The coast starlight is a solid second. I love the mix of ocean views and mountains you get over the two days. EB is fantastic going through Glacier, but that second and third day are just farmland. Similar feeling for the SWC, loved seeing the deserts of Arizona and NM, plus going up Glorieta pass with all the snow was amazing.
@@LonestarTrips What holds me back from ranking the EB higher than the SWC is that the EB has a half day less of scenery than the SWC. Perhaps the Chief should be third place, your call of course.
@@LonestarTripsHere's how I would ranked my top 5 for now. My favorite is the Southwest Chief because I love New Mexico and the views. That route is very underrated and I wish more people would talk about it. My second favorite is the California zephyr coming very close to the Chief. Three is the Coast Starlight coming very close to the Chief and the Zephyr. My 4th favorite is the Sunset Limited. The I took it from LA to San Antonio, the desert views are just beautiful. Number 5 is the Empire Builder. Now you may hate me to ranking the Empire Builder low, but the reason I don't find it as scenic as the other western routes is that you only get an evening and morning of scenery, but outside that, it's just dull which would leave me a little disappointed. I personally don't understand why a lot people still like it even though you have to sit through a lot of dull farmland, as appose to the SWC, CZ, CS and SL where you only have to wait half a day and a night for great scenery and then get a full day or maybe even 2 of stunning views.
Bwahahahaha...As far as the lemon cake goes...you picked it.. blueberry cheese cake is better!
I picked it for the review, but yeah, glad that’s what you got out of that.
@LonestarTrips I'm an Amtrak fan and the food rocks! That was a great video as iv'e never been past Albuquerque on the chief. I'm out of Anaheim and my favorite ride so far is a toss up between California Zephyr and Coast Starlighter. Been on both of them. Why? For the heck of it of course! 😁
What was the song played going over the Glorieta Pass? I swear I've played that song before.
That is Jupiter by Gustav Holst!
@@LonestarTrips Are you still on the California Zephyr in Utah right now, or did your trip get pushed back?
Love the music at Glorieta Pass . Definitely fit the scenery
@@LonestarTrips beautiful piece. Gave me goosebumps.
For your British viewers, it's also the music to a well known hymn. 'I vow to thee my country'. Very patriotic!
I wonder if you can see the grand canyon on the southwest chief.
No 64 miles from the Williams stop
@@skyh Interesting, the best views are some great desert mountain ranges in a warm environment.
For clarification is there only one shower for the roommete you had or can someone in your roommette use any of the other showers on board? That is, let’s say the shower is being used can you simply try a different one?
When comparing the Southwest Chief to the California Zephyr, many people say the Zephyr wins easily, but in my opinion, nothing can beet New Mexico so I think the Southwest Chief has better scenery.
What did you think about the Moon River on the Zephyr?
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 The Chief wins against the Zephyr for me, but only just. The river is still spectacular, and with the Zephyr being so scenic, I put it as my second favorite Amtrak route coming in only just behind the Chief.
Hope to ride 5:45 cart I Wish all station in USA had that.
Haha it’s such a fun way to get out to the platforms. I actually got to ride one like it in Greensboro, but that never made it into a video (at least not yet 😉).
Nice video
Thank you as always!
Ride the Pennsylvanian between Pittsburgh and NYC
He already did.
Did the Southwest chief 1990 from Chicago to Kingman AZ
2nd paragraph in description not edited from previous video FYI
Thanks for pointing that out. I’ll go ahead and fix it rn.