28-Hours on Amtrak Cardinal: Chicago to NYC Epic Journey!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 233

  • @LonestarTrips
    @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Use my code LONESTARTRIP to get $5 off your delicious, high protein Magic Spoon cereal by clicking this link: sponsr.is/magicspoon_lonestartrip

    • @kathleenhudson8429
      @kathleenhudson8429 หลายเดือนก่อน

      They have put back traditional dining for all the trains except those going to the east coast. I don’t know why they haven’t for them as well.

  • @MilesJajich
    @MilesJajich 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +44

    The Cardinal is definitely on my list of long-distance trips to take in the future. The views going through the Virginias are absolutely stunning! Awesome video, and thanks for the shoutout!

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

      Thank you for the spot! The footage looks amazing.

    • @OfficialETandM
      @OfficialETandM 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      Ayooo @MilesJajich! Nice shot of the Cardinal and SWC!

  • @davidburrow5895
    @davidburrow5895 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    I've taken the Cardinal three times, both in coach and in sleeper (an older Viewliner 1). This is one of my favorite trains. It doesn't get as much love as the western trains, but I think the scenery through the Appalachians is truly gorgeous.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Having seen it in winter, I can only imagine what it would look like in Spring, Summer or Fall. The Appalachian's must look beautiful in the green of spring or gold of fall, and I absolutely plan on taking the Cardinal again in the coming years just to see that.

    • @chrisdobrowolski2783
      @chrisdobrowolski2783 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Did you have the viewliner 1 roommate, if yes what did you think about the toilet next to the bed

  • @adventuresofamtrakcascades301
    @adventuresofamtrakcascades301 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    I would absolutely love to take the Cardinal if I ever go to NYC from Chicago

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      It’s 110% worth it.

  • @MilesinTransit
    @MilesinTransit 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Worth noting that Thurmond is now only the THIRD least used Amtrak station in the state of West Virginia - Alderson and Montgomery get fewer people! Also there's nothing better than being on an on-time long distance Amtrak trip where you get a ton of random fresh air breaks you wouldn't have gotten otherwise!

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Hey Miles! Thanks for stopping by and dropping off an excellent correction! I really should have double checked the numbers before adding it. And yeah, getting bonus smoke stops is always awesome. It's a shame more trains don't run on time (or early for that matter), but that's what you get when freight is king.

    • @MilesinTransit
      @MilesinTransit 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@LonestarTrips In fairness, Thurmond is still the most noteworthy one to mention because of how legendary it is! My guess is that its ridership has increased since New River Gorge only recently became a national park and Thurmond is right in the center of it, but even so, its ridership is still very low!

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@MilesinTransitThat's my guess as well. A legendary station in a beautiful national park is bound to get some traffic!

  • @stephenkeever6029
    @stephenkeever6029 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    1 cup of coffee is great, but 2 is always better! I couldn't agree more! Great shots of Penn Station at the end of the trip!

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      As an engineer, caffeine is what keeps me going! And those shots of Penn Station are only half of what's to come in my video on the Silver Star.

  • @RichardinNC1
    @RichardinNC1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    The Cardinal is on my bucket list. I’ve visited the New River Gorge a good many times including rafting the Lower New. The Cardinal would be a different way to see it.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It’s absolutely worth it. Though I recommend not taking it in winter so the weather is better and there’s some leaves to add color along the route.

    • @RichardinNC1
      @RichardinNC1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@LonestarTrips I imagine fall colors would be best!

  • @hermanchan2794
    @hermanchan2794 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    The difference between the Lake Shore limited and the Cardinal is that Lake Shore limited goes between New York City / Boston to Chicago via the Empire Corridor and Massachusetts making stops such as Worcester, Springfield MA, (Boston bound) Croton Harmon, Poughkeepsie, (New York City bound) Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Erie, then merging with the Capitol limited at Cleveland. Cardinal on the other hand goes between New York City and Chicago via Washington DC and the Northeast Corridor making stops at Newark NJ, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and Washington DC (within the Northeast Corridor) then down south towards Alexandria, Huntington, Charleston, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis right before coming to the Midwest hub.

  • @92xsaabaru-
    @92xsaabaru- 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    I took the Cardinal just under a year ago and it was pretty good. My only complaint is that they need to get an observation lounge/cafe car on the train (there are some pictures of model Viewliner observation cars similar to the Superliner) since Amfleet windows are a joke and having the opportunity to leave your seat/room is nice.
    Also, on my eastbound trip, we passed under the New River Gorge Bridge on the south side of the river (left hand side of the train.) It's interesting that they seem to route on either side of the river.
    Also, also, glad to see Thurmond station got a new platform and coat of paint. It looks pretty nice now.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      A single level sightseeing lounge would be amazing. I see the models you're talking about, and they look really nice. I also noticed the north/south change under the New River Gorge bridge. The route on Amtrak's map has the Cardinal stay on the south side until well past the bridge, but as I mentioned in the video, we crossed to the north just after the Hawk's Nest dam. Not sure why that is, maybe westbound freight traffic, but it's definitely interesting.

  • @edeinhorn6016
    @edeinhorn6016 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    I'm glad you published this video before my trip coming up in mid-April. My wife and I will be in the Accessible Bedroom so it will be interesting to see that bedroom and to compare it to the Accessible Bedroom we will be in for our journey from LAX to CHI the prior week on the Southwest Chief (our 2nd time on the Chief). Assuming Amtrak still has no traditional dining in April, and the flex menu matches the one you had, I would try the same 3 meals you ate. The beef dish and the enchiladas looked pretty good. Since April should have a later sunset than your December journey, I expect to see a little more of the landscape in the daylight and, like you, I'll have my action-cam suctioned to the window to capture our beautiful country! Thank you for your time filming, editing, and uploading this wonderful video!

  • @RobertKrebill
    @RobertKrebill 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    36:22 I had ALC-42 335 lead my Cardinal 51 on May 31, 2024.

  • @JurgenADV
    @JurgenADV 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Fantastic Chicago shot Miles! Thanks

  • @blitzcon007
    @blitzcon007 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    In January ‘24, the crew did let us eat dinner in the cafe car shortly after leaving Chicago. But most ate (or didn’t) in their rooms. The staff were nice!

  • @de-fault_de-fault
    @de-fault_de-fault 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I rode the Cardinal the opposite way in 1992 when it was still run with Heritage Fleet equipment. Some kind of disruption (I think it might have been a CSX strike) made us have to take the Broadway Limited back. The Cardinal had better views but I’m glad I got to check off another legendary route before it disappeared.

  • @johnsons74thsquadron74
    @johnsons74thsquadron74 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    An overnight trip in a roomette on the Cardinal is on the future list of train trips for me! Love the reports.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Thanks a lot! The roomette is such an amazing accommodation, especially for cheap.

  • @ScottPalmer-mp1we
    @ScottPalmer-mp1we 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    I wanted to ride on the Cardinal for a long time and finally got to do so a few months ago. It was a nice trip but I wasn't feeling too well so couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have otherwise.

    • @billyfromphilly511
      @billyfromphilly511 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      sorry about your luck

    • @ScottPalmer-mp1we
      @ScottPalmer-mp1we 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@billyfromphilly511 It was still a lot better than a bus!

  • @SuperDave30
    @SuperDave30 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    I definitely love this train ride blog it’s absolutely amazing!

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      So glad you enjoy it! I do my best to bring everyone along for the ride, and it's always great to have another traveler by my side!

    • @SuperDave30
      @SuperDave30 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@LonestarTrips I love train travel especially riding Amtrak, I hope the food was ok, let me know how was your food, in the past I brought snacks and I rode coach.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@SuperDave30 The food was fine tbh. The meals I had on my surrounding journeys on the SWC and Silver Star were MUCH better, but the flex meals were serviceable.

    • @SuperDave30
      @SuperDave30 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@LonestarTrips that’s cool.

  • @FlightAndTrack
    @FlightAndTrack 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    This brings me back memories. Great video

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Glad you enjoyed. It was such a fantastic ride (aside from the hour delay into NYC).

  • @ACanadianDoge
    @ACanadianDoge 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I one day hope to ride this route. Looks like the views would be epic outside of winter

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It's definitely worth it. The Cardinal is such a beautiful route, though winter is certainly not the months to take it in. I plan on revisiting the Cardinal in another time of year to show everyone what it could look like.

  • @agagne122
    @agagne122 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Rail Pass is definitely on my bucket list. So many routes i want to travel!

  • @bigjohnrailproductions8370
    @bigjohnrailproductions8370 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I would defiantly want to ride Amtrak through the Appalachian mountains.
    Yeah I don’t like the head thing on the lower bed for 6ft long. I would do 7ft bed for me. Nice video.

  • @timmie1943
    @timmie1943 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I love this video. I live ten minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge. Construction began in 1974 and was completed in October of 1977.

  • @nathanjiang100
    @nathanjiang100 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    Did this as the longest segment of my $299 rail pass from Chicago to Washington DC. Probably my favorite train ride thus far. Amazing views, friendly crew, and a really interesting group of passengers make this trip truly special. the second engine on your hospital train from Chicago to Indy #204 did the honors hauling us to DC where we picked up #624. I recommend doing coach overnight someday, you meet more interesting people than just a bunch of old retirees. my seatmate was returning home to Cincinnati after taking the southwest chief from Kansas and behind me was a mennonite family and a college student going home for break. the winter time is probably one of the best times to ride the Cardinal (eastbound) outside the fall because the lack of tree leaves provide a relatively unobstructed view of the river. don't bank on riding the Cardinal westbound though as any lengthy delays could mean passing through the new river gorge after dark.

    • @coastaku1954
      @coastaku1954 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Bud, not everyone wants to make friends when on a Train

    • @nathanjiang100
      @nathanjiang100 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@coastaku1954 I didn't make any friends, I just overheard interesting conversations

  • @DanielDavis1973
    @DanielDavis1973 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thurmond, WV has some amazing history to it. Other channels have covered it but a Hotel there had a record for the longest continuous poker game which lasted 14 years and if I remember right ended because the hotel burnt down.

  • @carolbrolaski6680
    @carolbrolaski6680 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Definitely will add the Cardinal to my Amtrak wish list.

  • @ggreg2258
    @ggreg2258 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    One of the few long distance trains I have NOT ridden. ITs on my bucket list! Nice vid and commentary---as usual!! I don't think that you mentioned that the New River Bridge is in the midst of one of the country's newest national parks: the New River Gorge National Park. I have visited a few times and the drive or hie through the park is amazing. And its close enough to Thurmond (now basically a ghost town) to drive over for a visit.

  • @thomasstambaugh5181
    @thomasstambaugh5181 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I enjoyed this video, thanks for the effort to put together such a professional presentation. I'll be riding the westbound Cardinal in early April, and I look forward to the trip. Although the palette is greys and browns, I like being able to see through the leafless trees.
    I'm one of those who really miss the ensuite toilet in the Viewliner II. I'm old enough (71) that I don't want to be stumbling around the hallway looking for a public bathroom in the wee hours of the morning. I therefore bring a disposable urinal with me and dump its contents into the sink that is still in the room. I buy a bedroom whenever I can, but with just 1 sleeper with 2 bedrooms 3 days a week means that the bedrooms are frequently sold out months ahead of time. In my view, the removal of the ensuite toilet from the roomette is a major downgrade.
    I also just want to mention that flexible dining meals can also be taken in the cafe car. I enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with other passengers during my meals. Amtrak has said that during 2024, diners and traditional dining will be restored to the Cardinal and the Lakeshore. I eagerly await that upgrade and hope it actually happens.
    Thanks again for a very nicely done presentation.

  • @Imme...1
    @Imme...1 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +35

    I got a rail pass Im ready

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

      Heck yeah! Enjoy the ride and safe travels!

  • @MtnMan62
    @MtnMan62 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Enjoyed the video. Very nicely done. My wife and I live in southern West Virginia. We occasionally will board the Cardinal at the Hinton WV station and go to DC for a weekend getaway. We're thinking about taking a trip westward on the Cardinal and SW Chief to Albuquerque or Flagstaff and tour some of the desert SW including the Grand Canyon Railway. We have ridden the Alaska Rail Road passenger service from Anchorage to Fairbanks. That route has spoiled us from all other rail excursions as far as scenery and service. Anyway, great video 👍

  • @jakestolar8457
    @jakestolar8457 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Where did you get that Amtrak jacket?
    Hopefully we get real dining on the eastern routes again someday, eating microwaved meals for the prices Amtrak charges for sleepers is not a great value proposition.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      I got the jacket from Amtrak's online store! It's the black softshell jacket. Absolutely love it. And I agree, we really need traditional dining back soon. It's a shame that not every route has it back, as the flex meals aren't nearly as good.

  • @edwardhogan1877
    @edwardhogan1877 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Enjoyable piece and shots of the,m aincourses made me salivate.The food has always been Amtrak's strength but a pity about the cramped beds-rough on anyone over 6 foot!

  • @HabaneroTi
    @HabaneroTi 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I took the Cardinal from Chicago to NYC many years ago, in winter and also in a roomette. Back then I'm pretty sure that they served real hot meals in the dining car so it's a pity that they're still serving these reheated flex meals. But you take this route for the sights and journey, not the meals. Very scenic route and I hope to take it again someday, in summer, hopefully with a dining car.

  • @ADPeguero
    @ADPeguero 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    @12:38, I have that locomotive in N Scale 🙂

  • @arava.kapoor2964
    @arava.kapoor2964 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Amazing content! So informative!

  • @debbest8546
    @debbest8546 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    That Christmas tree is very nice!

  • @simonsv9449
    @simonsv9449 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I can’t see why they haven’t added an additional service between Chicago and Cincinnati (Like the Lincoln Service which complements the Texas Eagle between Chicago and St. Louis, the Illini & Saluki which complement the City of New Orleans between Chicago and Carbondale, the Hiawatha Service which complements the Empire Builder between Chicago and Milwaukee and the Borealis which complements the Empire Builder between Chicago and St. Paul, with a light rail connection to Minneapolis).
    Both Indianapolis and Cincinnati are major cities and the Lafayette Metropolitan Area also has over 200 000 citizens. All of those see train service only 3 times a week. The segment limiting service to 3 times a week is between Clifton Forge and Orange, in Virginia, so it should be possible if they have the crew and rolling stock for it. This would also allow for the Cardinal to skip the smaller stations of Dyer, Rensselaer, Crawfordsville and Connersville, making for a faster trip between Chicago and NYC.

  • @lachmaclean2383
    @lachmaclean2383 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I like your comment about the street lights being the only indication of the speed. I did that trip in October 2023 and the NE corridor was the worst part of the trip by far. We were tossed around by the uneven track and I was wondering if there was a derailment in our future.
    Apparently, we were a week too early for all the fall foliage, but it was still spectacular.
    I had #5 as the lead unit on the Coast Starlight a few years ago. Looking a bit worse for wear now.

  • @anthonywarrener1881
    @anthonywarrener1881 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you for this great video ! I thoroughly enjoyed your description, and I will now have to ride The Cardinal !

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Much appreciated! While I took it in winter, I wholly recommend taking in in spring, summer or fall. The leaves on the trees add so much to the landscape that it's really not worth taking it in winter.

  • @YarnDragonTracy
    @YarnDragonTracy 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Looking at the possibility of going westbound on this route in June. Can't wait and appreciate the small preview.

  • @jiggidyjam
    @jiggidyjam 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Your narration is fantastic on this video

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it.

  • @kirkgoshert7876
    @kirkgoshert7876 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    27:00 you should have mentioned that when the view is mostly brown and gray it is also the only time you get a lot to see. as soon as the trees start getting leaves 90% of your trip is seeing the trees that are 15 feet away and nothing else.

  • @stevesteffen7001
    @stevesteffen7001 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Enjoyed this report, I really like your meal reviews.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you so much!

  • @landon176
    @landon176 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’m going on the Cardinal this Saturday with my dad from Chicago to Washington DC

  • @papageoffsamerica
    @papageoffsamerica 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great Video - Thanks
    I'm SUBSCRIBED. The Cardinal is definitely on my list. I have travelled much on both the Superliner I and II equipment, but not on any Viewliners yet. I'm looking forward to it. Been riding on Amtrak since it's inception. I still miss the independent railroads though 😢 Thanks again for the video 👍
    Papa Geoff - UP Spring Subdivision / Houston Texas - Here we go on a clear 🚦🚦

  • @coryphillips8526
    @coryphillips8526 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video. As a casual Cardinal rider, I was shocked to see a baggage/sleeper connected. In October of 2023, the train had both a Genesis & Seimans Locomotive. (I think I made a spelling error) between Chicago & Indianapolis. That's when the Genesis came off & the Seimans took the train to Washington, D.C.

  • @13squier
    @13squier 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great vid! Just want to add that the Thurmond depot is inside New River Gorge National Park and is owned by the NPS. It is a park visitor center and gift shop. Hopefully the depot will see an increase of tourist passenger traffic as the park becomes more well known.

  • @joemeyers3127
    @joemeyers3127 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great trip. Thanks for sharing.

  • @solarspaghetti
    @solarspaghetti 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Ooh! I couldn’t wait for this video. My next reccomandation: Silver Star!

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      😂 Can you read my mind or something???? That’s literally the train I took the next day down to Miami!

    • @solarspaghetti
      @solarspaghetti 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@LonestarTrips LOL!!!!! I mind read you when I asked for the Cardinal. No, I don’t have ESP.

  • @Edwards-Videos
    @Edwards-Videos 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    21:47 I like the public restrooms in the Viewliner II sleepers. However, I really like the private toilet in the room as I normally travel on my own in a roomette (actually, I think that roomettes are honestly too tight for people.

  • @davidgriffin9412
    @davidgriffin9412 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video and coverage of the Cardinal. One reason that there are not more people riding the Cardinal is the equipment itself. back in the early 1980s, the train was configured much as it is today. It had a baggage car, sleeper, amdinette, and 2-3 amcoaches. When Amtrak reequipped the train with heritage rebuilt heritage cars the train swelled to 9-10 most days. It had a baggage care, 2 sleepers, Diner, lounge, and 4-5 coaches. Then as they started pulling the heritage cars the train was again reequipped with Superliners ( it only went to DC then). The trains had a baggage, 2 Sleepers, Diner, Sightseer lounge and eventually grew back up to 4-5 coaches. After an Auto-Train wreck in the late 90s, Amtrak need the Superliners else where so again reequipped the train to baggage, 2 heritage sleeper, diner, and coaches, but the ridership dropped afterwards and hasn't recovered. If the train was full service like it used to be the people will ride it.

  • @hirampriggott1689
    @hirampriggott1689 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I did the Cardinal in 2005 from Indianapolis to DC. It was summer but my Viewliner I roomette was too cold because the thermostat for the AC was broken, and I didn't even think to bring a sweater. Stupid me. Other than that, It was a fun ride! The views are spectacular, especially between Kentucky, WVA, and Virginia. People wave to you when the train goes by. I shared a table in the dining car with people I never met, and it helped make the experience much more fun and special.

  • @michaelj3282
    @michaelj3282 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    All these Christmas jumpers!

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I’m VERY tempted to buy the Amtrak one listed on their website…

  • @hoof2001
    @hoof2001 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +40

    Other than during the peak pandemic there is absolutely no excuse for the microwaved store bought meals for fare paying passengers. You were generous in your praise

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

      Yep, generous I was. I always enjoy Amtrak travel, regardless of the dining experience, though traditional dining would have certainly helped.

    • @hoof2001
      @hoof2001 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      @@LonestarTrips it was famed for its freshly cooked great quality. I totally get why you love the experience having said all that 👍

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      @@hoof2001 Fortunately the silver services have their traditional dining back, so I’m hopeful that the LSL and Cardinal will follow shortly.

    • @hoof2001
      @hoof2001 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Great food is a must on any very long trip. Thanks for both the adventure and responses 😃

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Of course. Glad you enjoyed the video.

  • @Cheezeyburger
    @Cheezeyburger 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Looking forward to your next banger video

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Much appreciated 👊

  • @kevinsmith5288
    @kevinsmith5288 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Nice video, I like that Amtrak jacket, how do get that?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It’s for sale on Amtrak’s online store

    • @kevinsmith5288
      @kevinsmith5288 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@LonestarTripsThanks!

    • @stephenkeever6029
      @stephenkeever6029 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I was going to ask about the jacket also!@@LonestarTrips

  • @boweandrew3
    @boweandrew3 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great ride and history

  • @gb9727
    @gb9727 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Amtrak should replace the superliners and viewliners with double decker siemens trains when they get old

  • @DOSBoxMom
    @DOSBoxMom 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I've heard other flexible dining reviews where the passengers had very high praise for the Butter Cake, which sounds a bit like the "St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake" I can occasionally get from the local supermarket's bakery. Those other reviews seemed to agree with you about the quality of the rest of the Flexible Dining meals, though.
    (The next Amtrak trip I'm likely to take will probably be the Texas Eagle, which also features Flexible Dining before it links with the Sunset Limited, so I won't trash-talk Flexible Dining any further until I've actually tried it myself.)

    • @warphammer
      @warphammer 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Amusingly that's not just a flex thing - lunchtime on the California Zephyr last month it was one of the lunch options.

  • @barroningram7286
    @barroningram7286 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    tell us about the equipment latch up at 5:00

  • @MAXX_Studios_Roblox
    @MAXX_Studios_Roblox 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    hey, that food is still better than school lunch...

  • @joscraftjourney6654
    @joscraftjourney6654 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    We were at the Chicago Great Hall around Christmas.
    We were in Coach so no Metropolitan Lounge.

  • @johnchambers8528
    @johnchambers8528 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have ridden this route several times and love the views. I do wish it had a full service dining car like in the early Amtrak days and a better arrival time to Cincinnati since this is the station I used several times to rent a car and go to Louisville to get to the Kentucky derby. If you are not in a hurry tomorrow from Chicago the views beat both the Capital Ltd. or the Lake Shore Ltd. Except for t.he views on the Lake Shore Ltd along the Hutson river.

  • @andrearoberts1953
    @andrearoberts1953 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If you haven't done it yet, try taking the Capital Limited to Washington DC. When my sons were young, I would take them to DC, on the train, twice a year. We were in a sleeper and we loved it.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I've done the CL in the past, but only from Pittsburgh to Chicago, so I'll definitely revisit it in the near future.

  • @donmclaughlin7857
    @donmclaughlin7857 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you! Very interesting!

  • @freightdawg6762
    @freightdawg6762 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Excellent

  • @landon176
    @landon176 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Where are you traveling on the day that the Michigan Wolverines won the Big Ten champions?

  • @davidfrischknecht8261
    @davidfrischknecht8261 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm very familiar with NY Penn Station. I live in New Brunswick, NJ, so the train is a convenient way to go to NYC. Rather than taking the train from New Brunswick, though, I drive to Edison and park at the station there.

  • @JoeyLovesTrains
    @JoeyLovesTrains 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    When was this filmed??? I was in Chicago in early December for a convention, not sure if that’s when you were there

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I filmed this on the 16th and 17th of December

  • @depthgod7672
    @depthgod7672 17 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thats was a kool trip

  • @michaelclark1070
    @michaelclark1070 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video, thanks. I have taken the Cardinal in the past and loved it. I am really dissappointed that it does not seem to have a dining car. I actually am part of a minortiy who prefers flexible dining in one of the Amfleet dining cars. I have done this on the Silver Service Florida trains before they went back to traditional dining. With traditional dining you have no access to the dining cars except for meals. With flexible dining, the car is like a dedicated lounge for sleeping car passengers. Almost all of the posts on other sites praise the return of traditional dining so I recognize that I am in the minority. I prefer having the freedom to view the scenery in a relatively open space. I am really not looking forward to having meals in my room. The roomettes are great but you need a little more space at times.

  • @jessicaburdell7779
    @jessicaburdell7779 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    One of the interesting things about this route: On the portion headed through and into Virginia, the host freight road is that of Buckingham Branch Railroad, a Class 3 shortline instead of a Class 1

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Oh that's very cool. I figured that the Buckingham Branch is the host given that their names are on the side of the VA scenic railway. Even still that's a welcome piece of info!

  • @soxlearning
    @soxlearning 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Is Union Terminal used in Cincinnati or still the small station near the Ohio River?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Union terminal is used in Cincinnati.

    • @soxlearning
      @soxlearning 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @LonestarTrips i might need tobtake the Cardinal for Nostalgia. I recall taking the train from NYC to Cincinnati in the late 60's and Union Terminal is a fantastic structure.

  • @samtrak1204
    @samtrak1204 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What is the best speed app to measure train speed?

  • @SeattlePioneer
    @SeattlePioneer 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm sure a thousand things would explain why a train is LATE.
    But what explanation is there for a train to be significantly ahead of schedule?

  • @bwcbiz
    @bwcbiz 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    So what is the non-Amtrak station that pushes Chicago Union down from 4th on the Amtrak network to 5th nationwide? NY Grand Central?

    • @RonGerstein
      @RonGerstein 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      There are no AMTRAK runs operating out of Grand Central Terminal in NYC.
      Currently, the Metro-North Commuter Railroad (MetroNorth) and the relatively new (one year) Long Island Railroad (LIRR) eastside connection (called LIRR-Madison) operate out of NYC's Grand Central Terminal, two commuter railroads.
      Both commuter railroads are owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), a New York State authority.

    • @bwcbiz
      @bwcbiz 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@RonGersteinThat is correct. According to the presentation, one of the top 5 passenger statements in the US is non-Amtrak or Chicago union would be 4th for both lists rather than 5th overall and 4th on Amtrak. But the video didn't specify which one (not relevant to the trip). I was just trying to guess a non-Amtrak passenger station that would be big enough to crack the top 5.

  • @alilin5669
    @alilin5669 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Much thanks for sharing the journey. I feel fortunate to have had freshly stir-fried dishes once on Chinese sleeper train Z1 which now has been already replaced with non-smoking cars, resulting in only reheated meals being supplied.

  • @samtrak1204
    @samtrak1204 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Business Class is an option on trains in and out of Chicago?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yup. Amtrak Midwest offers business class on all trains.

    • @blitzcon007
      @blitzcon007 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yep business class is available on the shorter trains to Illinois and Michigan. Lounge access used to be included but Oct ‘23 changed it to an extra charge or burning a day pass.

    • @samtrak1204
      @samtrak1204 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The food and beverage offerings in the Metropolitan Lounge are skimpy but the room is less chaotic and the chairs are more comfortable than seating in regular waiting areas.👊🏾👴🏾✌🏾@@blitzcon007

  • @warphammer
    @warphammer 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The flex dining hate is very understandable. For me it's a pickle - it's actually more gluten friendly than the dining car menu! But anything's better than the City of New Orleans last summer where you just got the cafe car as 'replacement'.

  • @kevinb8881
    @kevinb8881 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I was just reading about Amtrak Cardinal on Wikipedia, ridership on this line tanked big time during COVID pandemic, wow, Amtrak Cardinal doesn't run on Mondays!!

  • @robertg8875
    @robertg8875 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Stanton spend some money on the terminal!!!

  • @coastaku1954
    @coastaku1954 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Honestly, the Viewliner IIs not having Toilets in the roomettes kinda sucks because it looked so cool and efficient!

  • @johnburke1317
    @johnburke1317 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Nice video 👋

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thanks! Always happy to see you in the comments 😊

  • @DOSBoxMom
    @DOSBoxMom 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    On other Amtrak videos, I had only seen soap in the shower rooms, and no other toiletries.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It really depends on the route and car attendant. For example, there were full toiletries on the Coast Starlight, but minimal ones on the Empire Builder. When I took the Silver Star (a video coming soon) there weren't any toiletries in the shower itself, but our car attendant was more than happy to grab some from the supply room.

  • @chrisdobrowolski2783
    @chrisdobrowolski2783 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Do you ever plan to use the shower at Chicago metropolitan lounge.

  • @odiecalodie
    @odiecalodie 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Don’t forget to tip your Sleeping Car Attendant

  • @repulser93
    @repulser93 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What's with the Superliner dining car?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It's heading to Beech Grove for maintenance. Amtrak often uses the cardinal to transfer cars/locomotives to Beech Grove, hence the baggage car, diner, and two additional locomotives on our train.

  • @samtrak1204
    @samtrak1204 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The cars and windows are dirty leaving Chicago. Indianapolis platform area also looks seedy and dirty. It amazes me that the "Cardinal" is still running.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah, the winter rain didn’t do the windows any favors.

    • @samtrak1204
      @samtrak1204 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Trains shouldn't leave initial terminal covered in dirt if the car wash is working. Amtrak has stopped cleaning the exteriors for the most part and I hope passengers complain until something is done.@@LonestarTrips

  • @landon176
    @landon176 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    9:03 it sounded like the train made a fart

  • @divox9pqr
    @divox9pqr 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Curious why there was a third engine after the first sleeper. I’ve seen freight trains where there is a helper engine, but this the first passenger train I’ve ever seen with a third engine configured that way.Got it….Turns out the extra engine was due to be dropped off for service.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The third engine wasn’t a helper, it was there for after the train split in Indianapolis. This allows the front cars and locos to go to Amtrak’s Beech Grove shops, without delaying the departure of the cardinal for an unnecessary engine swap.

  • @samtrak1204
    @samtrak1204 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    How many cars were on the "Capitol Limited"?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      4-5 I think.

    • @johnsons74thsquadron74
      @johnsons74thsquadron74 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      5 plus a baggage car. At this time last year, it was running with just 3 cars!! (1 sleeper, 1 diner-lounge, and 1 coach). A 2nd sleeper was added in March which helped offset some of the demand, but it was taken off for the summer travel and given to the Empire Builder (which carries a minimum of 8 Superliners). It was officially restored in September and a 2nd coach was added just before Thanksgiving. Those additional cars are still in the consist today. Amtrak’s decision to operate the Capitol with just 3 cars for the summer not only made travel on that train next to impossible with trains selling out at least a month in advance, but it also allowed the Capitol’s ridership to drop 25% from last fiscal year while the other trains had an increase.

  • @hongs8867
    @hongs8867 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It seems Amtrak is so expensive with a sleeper,,, what Am I doing wrong. ?

    • @crazoatmeal1854
      @crazoatmeal1854 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Book early, generally fares go up as the train sells out. But sleepers seem extra expensive if you're traveling alone because the upcharge is per room, not per passenger.

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It really depends on where you’re traveling to, what time of year, and by proxy, how busy the train is already. Amtrak will charge more for longer routes (obviously lol) but they’ll also increase the prices as availability decreases.

  • @TheFarix2723
    @TheFarix2723 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As much as the Cardinal is a "tourist's train", it is treated more as an afterthought. It used to run Superliners, but those were pulled when Amtrak started facing equipment shortages and the eastern terminus was changed from DC to NYC. It really does need to be fitted with a proper dining/lounge car.
    Oh, and congratulations for at least pronouncing Kanawah correctly.

  • @susanebrown-yp5ny
    @susanebrown-yp5ny 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What was the fare?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The roomette cost me $654.00 from Chicago to NYC. It may seem like a lot, but it includes travel, a private room, and meals, plus some truly fantastic scenery.

  • @chrisdobrowolski2783
    @chrisdobrowolski2783 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    How was the food?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It was fine. Not great, but not terrible. The traditional dining is significantly better, which we'll take a look at on our rides on the Silver Star and Southwest Chief.

  • @willgibson9718
    @willgibson9718 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Why the Cardinal train goes to nyc though Washington DC not Albany and Hudson

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Service coverage and historical routing from pre-Amtrak days

    • @willgibson9718
      @willgibson9718 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@LonestarTrips see you next week next time can you please make a video about Chicago to Boston by Amtrak?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I most likely will in the future. I’m thinking of going from Boston to Chicago, but I’m not sure when that’ll be.

  • @timbacchus
    @timbacchus 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Is this route shared with freight trains?

    • @LonestarTrips
      @LonestarTrips  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      From Chicago to DC, yes. From DC to NYC, no.

    • @crazoatmeal1854
      @crazoatmeal1854 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      All Amtrak routes are shared with freight trains afaik, even in the few places where Amtrak owns the line. (Most of the Cardinal's route is over freight-owned lines, except on the Northeast Corridor from Washington up to NYC)

    • @skyh
      @skyh 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@LonestarTrips Over the old Baltimore and Ohio.

  • @pius921
    @pius921 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This "comercial" for the Cardonal trip mskes it look shabby and drab. I guess they are being honest, and they deserve our gratitude for that.

  • @finlayfraser9952
    @finlayfraser9952 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    28 hours without a bar car?

  • @EL-nc1cs
    @EL-nc1cs 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I'd think that all the stunning views on the Cardinal would be diminished by trying to look out the Dirty windows!!
    Car washers broken in chicago and Sunnyside? That said, along with the lack of a traditional diner car on this train gets two big thumbs down. Recently, close friends took Silver service ( Silver Meteor) from West Palm Beach, Fl to NYC with the same outside dirty cars/ window conditions. We'll pass on traveling Amshack any time soon, shameful.

  • @Pilski
    @Pilski 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    One correction and a 'curiosity': The New River Gorge bridge was not completed until 1977. In fact, I was at the north end in the spring of 1978 and it still was not in use. Curiously, the New River is thought by many to be the second oldest river in the world. Surveyors, not fully aware of the river, simply indicated it, temporarily [a] "new" river. Later it was interpreted as the actually name of the river. Too bad this trip had to be at the ugliest time of the year as any other season, most especially the fall, would provide the West Virginia and Virginia landscapes in their true beauty.