Awesome video! I had planned to book a roomette for this trip, but now I may opt for coach and use the savings for other Amtrak trips. I might hope for a delay too so I can experience those Mojave views!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video of your train journey. It was very inspiring. Now I'm planning for this spring a train trip from NYC to SAN Diego- CA! 😉😄👏🏻
@@Ricammfly Remeber if you are in coach you have no access to showers on the train and possibly dinning unless they changed it and then its pricey like $25 for breakfast, $35 for lunch and $45 dinner for coach passengers, although you can bring your own food and non-alchoiic drinks on board and consume them at the coach seat or observation car if it has one. Also you could by food on the Amtrak Cafe most warm entree are $7 to 9 bucks each, and the other stuff is around $3 to $5 dollars each from the cafe. Also if you prefer to ride coach you know in Illinois if you have time you can purchase a metropolitan Day pass I think $35 and that will grant you access to the metropolitan lounge and you can take a shower there in Chicago.
I rode the SWC in 2022, in a roommate ( I had Amtrak points!) from CHI to LOS I had an awesome trip. The food was great and I had no idea we went so fast , 90 mph !! The scenery was awesome too, your videos are great !!
Wow-what an incredible train journey from Chicago to LA and all for $50. Thank you for sharing your experiences onboard the Southwest Chief. When I did the trip I had booked to fly from Ottawa (Canada) to Chicago but my flight was delayed by snow & ice. I did manage to catch the train but it was close, as my first long-distance Amtrak train journey, I never factored in any major delays on the train. So I now realize how naive I was as I was booked to fly out of LA home to Sydney Australia on day 3 of the end of my train trip (not factoring in any possible Amtrak train delays). It was for me a trip of a lifetime. I note you had a 7-hour delay, luckily I had no delays so I was able to make my flight home. I recall waking up on day 3 at 5 am to see all these cars on the highway heading for LA. At breakfast, I was told they were making their daily commute to LA trying to avoid any major traffic delays. Because of your 7 hour delay, you got to see what I slept through - but thanks to your video I got to see it. Looking forward to your future videos and yes' trains are awesome'! Keep up the great work you do, always much appreciated.
I always love reading your comments! It sounds like you’ve had some amazing travel experience under your belt as well! Looking forward to continuing to hear all the tales, and of course sharing mine.
Thanks for posting the entire trip. On 12/2/2024 I will be taking the reverse of this trip lax to Chicago then on to Philadelphia. In coach. This has been a bucket list trip for me and at 79 I am finally doing it.
Thom, What an amazing video! The views are amazing! I would love to see a video that goes through or near the Valley of Fire in Nevada. Thanks for putting this together!
Excellent trip report! Glad you had such an awesome time in coach! Even though the delay meant you got to enjoy some extra time and sights on the train you might want to write to either your senator/congressperson or the representatives of the states along the route. Amtrak is supposed to have priority and the fact that an on time train within its scheduled slot was delayed for so many hours by freight should be an unacceptable violation of the law and Congress needs to strengthen the penalties or enforcement and hold the railroads accountable. Those delays and all the shuffling of connections and motor coaches make it that much harder for Amtrak to cover costs and encourage ridership, passing more cost onto the taxpayers and essentially subsidizing the freight traffic
kingman native here!! in the cars movie, radiator springs was actually based on a tiny town in arizona called seligman about an hour and a half from kingman!
I really enjoyed your trip on the Chief. I also follow the Chief regularly with the. railfan group out of Flagstaff. I once lived in Arizona and attended college in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University, Class of ‘69!!! Recently I drove 2400 miles from Texas to Phoenix and Camp Verde and back, as I’m planning to move to Camp Verde. Your trip showed me some places I’ve been, but from the tracks!! You do a great job.
Super marvelous trip & commentary! I watched all 3 of your trip videos. In my mind the train is the only relaxing way to travel. I'm old enough to remember the days of "pullman" sleepers, which were great. Now I book my sleeper (despite the expensive cost); I LOVE my own private sleeping quarters AND the "included" meals in the dining car!
As usual, a great video! By watching this particular video, this is the first time that I have ever seen a train descend down from the mountain Cajon Pass in the daylight. Back many years ago, there was an Amtrak train that used to go to Las Vegas in the daytime daily and you could see Cajon Pass all the way up. I myself never had the opportunity to ride it, but my late father and mother as well as my older sister all have ridden it when it ran in the daytime. That was back in 1980 and '81. Now the Southwest Chief only goes up Cajon Pass at nighttime unless it is majorly delayed like your train was by 7 hours! Under normal circumstances, the Southwest Chief would arrive in San Bernardino around 5:40AM or so. I myself am planning to ride Amtrak from my hometown of San Bernardino into Los Angeles on one morning. Even though I rode the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from L.A. to San Diego back in 2000, I have never ridden Amtrak into L.A. Union Station from our area. Once I get to L.A., I will catch a Metrolink one-way back home. Like I said, just for the Amtrak ride into L.A. It looks like you really enjoyed that trip from Michigan to Los Angeles despite all of the delays. I also saw that you rode coach instead of getting a sleeper car. Well, I just might do the same thing when I take my Amtrak round trip from San Bernardino to Chicago as I told you about. Just a thought. Obviously I will save one heck of a lot of money by doing that! That $50.00 ticket you paid for this trip; was that a one way or round trip ticket? I can't remember. Great video once again!
Great video. As a Southern California native, I can safely say that when it comes to the Cajon Pass and the major artery it is between LA and Vegas, peoplle probably realize pay attention that they're going thru the Cajon Summit. It's all the same to us, lol.
Thanks for a great video. I always plan for Amtrak delays by allowing for them. Treat the train travel as part of the vacation, so a delay is a bonus. More to see, more time to talk, more time to relax.
Um not in my case. I get cabin fever and start to lose my mind. I also feel bad for whoever made arrangements for hotel check ins or events or connecting trains.
Thank You so much for taking me on your trip. I had an amazing time watching all 3. Your so funny and very informative. Your soaks were funny too. This is my dream to do a cross country train ride. The only train I ever taken is the Silverton Train from Durango, CO to Siliverton. Im going to watch all of your videos and thank you again. be safe and take care. If your ever in Norther Arizona by the 4 Corners area., let me know. bye.
Well this video made me want to take a trip on this route. I've done the other Chicago to west coast routes - empire builder, California zephyr, Texas eagle. I hope you get a chance to try a sleeper. Note that sleeper accommodation cost is per room, not per person so with multiple people the cost isn't nearly as bad - you each pay for seats the regular coach price and then you add the room to the reservation which covers everyone on the reservation. Meals and unlimited soft drinks are included.
@@Thom-TRA thats awesome, I’ve never rode a train before so I’m pumped and I’m also gonna make my first ever TH-cam video lol be a 4 part series. But part three wil be me at a music festival lol
I just finished watching all three segments of your trip. It was a GREAT video event. I hope to get a ticket on that route soon. Again, congratulations on the trip documentation. Well done.
Aww, you shoulda waved at our Virtual Railfan camera at Barstow! Looks like you had plenty of time there.... Thanks for the great review! I was able to capitalize on that "50 Years of Amtrak" sale myself. $50 per segment, or half-off the fare. It was great.
Los Angeles Union Station is the last one built in the tradition of those grand train stations. Next to it are water gardens with lily ponds and chairs to sit and relax. Venture out onto Alameda to Olivera Street. It’s the oldest street in Los Angeles. Historic and tourist trap too. Or go into Downtown and visit Grand Central Market. Take a ride on Angels Flight. And be careful! Not the safest area I think that big tower behind you on the tracks in L.A. is the Central Jail for the County. An infamous building. Let me know if I’m wrong anybody
the lady conductor sounds like Marty Ann ... the famous Amtrak conductor with that amazing Allll aboard voice. planty of video of her on the YT at Fullerton.
Barstow California is also the site of the main station for the Deep Space Network. The DSN manages and controls the Earth's spacecraft in deep space all over the Solar System. It's an American network but we assist international operators of spacecraft in deep space.
Thank you! Your comments mean a lot! I am considering a trip to New York by train, but I have to coordinate with family. We do have some cool US content that’s not Amtrak already filmed and ready to go!
@@Thom-TRA Nice. My Grandfather and his painting partner had a very well established sign painting business from the 70's until around 2005 . Company name was LeeMans . They Did all the artwork paintings on the buildings at the Eastern Market. I would love to share some pics with you. Your Eastern Market shirt put a huge smile on my face. Thank you. Love your channel. I'm planning many train trips this spring based off your videos.
@@choony1970 I’m so glad it made you happy! I love the eastern market, my wife’s family lives in Detroit. They might actually know the company, I’ll run it by them next time I see them! The art there is beautiful. What exciting trips do you have coming up?
@@Thom-TRA That would very cool and interesting if they remember LeeMan sign painting. Please let me know. I started with plans of Grand Rapids to Portland via the Empire builder with a roomette but after watching your great videos going coach is a way cheaper option with great benefits . So I'm going to go coach to Portland spend a few days and explore . Then head to Los Angeles for a few days of more exploring and finally make my way home via the California Zephyr . I'm super excited to explore in a relaxing no rush way. If all goes well I will plan on booking more routes to get in the Southwest Chief and the Texas Eagle . Any other tips of advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
You mentioned in your videos meeting people but never included 😕 in the recordings?? In the previous video a kid in the observation car approached to you and you edited off.
Awesome video! I had planned to book a roomette for this trip, but now I may opt for coach and use the savings for other Amtrak trips. I might hope for a delay too so I can experience those Mojave views!
Yeah I personally thought this was the most scenic part of the trip! When are you planning on going?
Thank you so much for this wonderful video of your train journey. It was very inspiring. Now I'm planning for this spring a train trip from NYC to SAN Diego- CA! 😉😄👏🏻
@@Ricammfly Remeber if you are in coach you have no access to showers on the train and possibly dinning unless they changed it and then its pricey like $25 for breakfast, $35 for lunch and $45 dinner for coach passengers, although you can bring your own food and non-alchoiic drinks on board and consume them at the coach seat or observation car if it has one. Also you could by food on the Amtrak Cafe most warm entree are $7 to 9 bucks each, and the other stuff is around $3 to $5 dollars each from the cafe. Also if you prefer to ride coach you know in Illinois if you have time you can purchase a metropolitan Day pass I think $35 and that will grant you access to the metropolitan lounge and you can take a shower there in Chicago.
@@chrisdobrowolski2783 Thank you so much!
@@Ricammfly Your Welcome, did you decide to take the train or not.
I rode the SWC in 2022, in a roommate ( I had Amtrak points!) from CHI to LOS I had an awesome trip. The food was great and I had no idea we went so fast , 90 mph !! The scenery was awesome too, your videos are great !!
Wow-what an incredible train journey from Chicago to LA and all for $50. Thank you for sharing your experiences onboard the Southwest Chief. When I did the trip I had booked to fly from Ottawa (Canada) to Chicago but my flight was delayed by snow & ice. I did manage to catch the train but it was close, as my first long-distance Amtrak train journey, I never factored in any major delays on the train. So I now realize how naive I was as I was booked to fly out of LA home to Sydney Australia on day 3 of the end of my train trip (not factoring in any possible Amtrak train delays). It was for me a trip of a lifetime. I note you had a 7-hour delay, luckily I had no delays so I was able to make my flight home. I recall waking up on day 3 at 5 am to see all these cars on the highway heading for LA. At breakfast, I was told they were making their daily commute to LA trying to avoid any major traffic delays. Because of your 7 hour delay, you got to see what I slept through - but thanks to your video I got to see it. Looking forward to your future videos and yes' trains are awesome'! Keep up the great work you do, always much appreciated.
I always love reading your comments! It sounds like you’ve had some amazing travel experience under your belt as well! Looking forward to continuing to hear all the tales, and of course sharing mine.
Thanks for posting the entire trip. On 12/2/2024 I will be taking the reverse of this trip lax to Chicago then on to Philadelphia. In coach. This has been a bucket list trip for me and at 79 I am finally doing it.
That’s awesome! I hope it’s everything you hope for
@thegeeman1945 my birthday is 12/01/2024 and I turn 43 years on that day. Have fun on your trip.
Thom, What an amazing video! The views are amazing! I would love to see a video that goes through or near the Valley of Fire in Nevada. Thanks for putting this together!
Excellent trip report! Glad you had such an awesome time in coach! Even though the delay meant you got to enjoy some extra time and sights on the train you might want to write to either your senator/congressperson or the representatives of the states along the route. Amtrak is supposed to have priority and the fact that an on time train within its scheduled slot was delayed for so many hours by freight should be an unacceptable violation of the law and Congress needs to strengthen the penalties or enforcement and hold the railroads accountable. Those delays and all the shuffling of connections and motor coaches make it that much harder for Amtrak to cover costs and encourage ridership, passing more cost onto the taxpayers and essentially subsidizing the freight traffic
kingman native here!! in the cars movie, radiator springs was actually based on a tiny town in arizona called seligman about an hour and a half from kingman!
That’s so cool! It looked very similar! I’d really love to go back and explore more of your beautiful state. Thanks for the comment!
Gosh Arizona is SO beautiful from the seat of a train; it's lovely watching the red landscape roll by in an air-conditioned Superliner
I really enjoyed your trip on the Chief. I also follow the Chief regularly with the. railfan group out of Flagstaff. I once lived in Arizona and attended college in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University, Class of ‘69!!! Recently I drove 2400 miles from Texas to Phoenix and Camp Verde and back, as I’m planning to move to Camp Verde. Your trip showed me some places I’ve been, but from the tracks!! You do a great job.
Thank you! I’d love to go explore Arizona more. Best wishes in Cabo Verde!
Thank you. Best video of Southwest Chief I have seen.
Thank you! That means a lot
Super marvelous trip & commentary! I watched all 3 of your trip videos. In my mind the train is the only relaxing way to travel. I'm old enough to remember the days of "pullman" sleepers, which were great. Now I book my sleeper (despite the expensive cost); I LOVE my own private sleeping quarters AND the "included" meals in the dining car!
Train travel really is the best way to go! Glad you enjoyed the videos! Empire Builder videos will be coming in a few weeks!
That San Joaquin train goes to Merced. Then take a bus from there into Yosemite Park. It’s awesome as is the train station there
Had to watch this again, shows your growth as a U-Tuber, still enjoy it.
Thanks!
It's rare to see the Mojave desert in the daytime. The Southwest Chief usually runs during the nighttime.
Yeah, we got really lucky!
Saw your entire 3 part, report. Enjoyed it a lot , especially the facts that you give. Keep up the excellent work. Greetings from Riverside, CA
Thank you! Have some more big trip videos lined up. Would love to come back to Cali and explore your beautiful state!
Thanks for bringing along.
I do this trip every couple of years. Always a great time.
As usual, a great video! By watching this particular video, this is the first time that I have ever seen a train descend down from the mountain Cajon Pass in the daylight. Back many years ago, there was an Amtrak train that used to go to Las Vegas in the daytime daily and you could see Cajon Pass all the way up. I myself never had the opportunity to ride it, but my late father and mother as well as my older sister all have ridden it when it ran in the daytime. That was back in 1980 and '81. Now the Southwest Chief only goes up Cajon Pass at nighttime unless it is majorly delayed like your train was by 7 hours! Under normal circumstances, the Southwest Chief would arrive in San Bernardino around 5:40AM or so. I myself am planning to ride Amtrak from my hometown of San Bernardino into Los Angeles on one morning. Even though I rode the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from L.A. to San Diego back in 2000, I have never ridden Amtrak into L.A. Union Station from our area. Once I get to L.A., I will catch a Metrolink one-way back home. Like I said, just for the Amtrak ride into L.A. It looks like you really enjoyed that trip from Michigan to Los Angeles despite all of the delays. I also saw that you rode coach instead of getting a sleeper car. Well, I just might do the same thing when I take my Amtrak round trip from San Bernardino to Chicago as I told you about. Just a thought. Obviously I will save one heck of a lot of money by doing that! That $50.00 ticket you paid for this trip; was that a one way or round trip ticket? I can't remember. Great video once again!
The 50 was a one-way promotional sale!
Oh, that's right! Now I remember! Thanks!@@Thom-TRA
Great video. As a Southern California native, I can safely say that when it comes to the Cajon Pass and the major artery it is between LA and Vegas, peoplle probably realize pay attention that they're going thru the Cajon Summit. It's all the same to us, lol.
Thanks for a great video. I always plan for Amtrak delays by allowing for them. Treat the train travel as part of the vacation, so a delay is a bonus. More to see, more time to talk, more time to relax.
Exactly! This way, I got to see breathtaking scenes of a desert I probably otherwise would never have seen!
Um not in my case. I get cabin fever and start to lose my mind. I also feel bad for whoever made arrangements for hotel check ins or events or connecting trains.
Looooove your Southwest Chief video, keep making more 😊
This is an old one!
Thank You so much for taking me on your trip. I had an amazing time watching all 3. Your so funny and very informative. Your soaks were funny too. This is my dream to do a cross country train ride. The only train I ever taken is the Silverton Train from Durango, CO to Siliverton. Im going to watch all of your videos and thank you again. be safe and take care. If your ever in Norther Arizona by the 4 Corners area., let me know. bye.
Thanks for your comment! Excited to have you follow along on my adventures. And yes, I do love my socks…
wow cool i did this trip in summer of 92 incoach was interestiing. thanks for the memories
ありがとう、ゆっくり見せて頂きました。
グレートなアメリカ横断の旅を堪能出来ました。❗
50ドルでチケットを購入出来たのは本当に良かったでしたね。‼️
動画を見てくれてありがとうございました！鉄道でアメリカを見ることはすごくおすすめです！またいつかこれからも日本に戻って列車を乗りたいんですね…
Well this video made me want to take a trip on this route. I've done the other Chicago to west coast routes - empire builder, California zephyr, Texas eagle. I hope you get a chance to try a sleeper. Note that sleeper accommodation cost is per room, not per person so with multiple people the cost isn't nearly as bad - you each pay for seats the regular coach price and then you add the room to the reservation which covers everyone on the reservation. Meals and unlimited soft drinks are included.
Took This same train in the 1990s I loved it the scenex cant be beat
My wife and I just subscribed to your channel. We are dedicated Amtrak travelers too. Your videos are tops.
Thank you!!
Taking thee pure builder from Portland to Chicago in august I’m currently addicted to watching any and all train videos
Empire builder
Uploading a video about the empire builder next week actually! I took it back in March
@@Thom-TRA thats awesome, I’ve never rode a train before so I’m pumped and I’m also gonna make my first ever TH-cam video lol be a 4 part series. But part three wil be me at a music festival lol
I just finished watching all three segments of your trip. It was a GREAT video event. I hope to get a ticket on that route soon. Again, congratulations on the trip documentation. Well done.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the videos so much. I have a similar series on the Empire Builder scheduled to upload this summer!
I enjoy the video👍👍
Aww, you shoulda waved at our Virtual Railfan camera at Barstow! Looks like you had plenty of time there....
Thanks for the great review! I was able to capitalize on that "50 Years of Amtrak" sale myself. $50 per segment, or half-off the fare. It was great.
Los Angeles Union Station is the last one built in the tradition of those grand train stations. Next to it are water gardens with lily ponds and chairs to sit and relax. Venture out onto Alameda to Olivera Street. It’s the oldest street in Los Angeles. Historic and tourist trap too. Or go into Downtown and visit Grand Central Market. Take a ride on Angels Flight. And be careful! Not the safest area
I think that big tower behind you on the tracks in L.A. is the Central Jail for the County. An infamous building. Let me know if I’m wrong anybody
the lady conductor sounds like Marty Ann ... the famous Amtrak conductor with that amazing Allll aboard voice. planty of video of her on the YT at Fullerton.
Love your videos
Thank you so much!
Barstow California is also the site of the main station for the Deep Space Network. The DSN manages and controls the Earth's spacecraft in deep space all over the Solar System. It's an American network but we assist international operators of spacecraft in deep space.
That was awesome.
Thank you
I enjoyed this series so much Thom, probably your best so far! What's next for Amtrak sleepers? 👍🏻😎
Thank you! Your comments mean a lot!
I am considering a trip to New York by train, but I have to coordinate with family. We do have some cool US content that’s not Amtrak already filmed and ready to go!
I like your video. If you ever come to New York City, I would like to show you around because the subway have a Lotta history in it.
Thanks! I love NYC and have been many times
Great video! Which side is better to sit on for Cajon Pass?
Honestly both sides are great, that’s why I recommend the observation car.
I think at @11:33 you ran into another Amtrak youtuber!! The miss from Grounded Life Travel!
Maybe it’s her! That would be quite a coincidence
I think see was there and her name is Alie with husband Rob you was sitting backwards in the dinning car.
I would like to do the rail pass and ride cross country
What was your favorite food item on the train, if you ate anything on the train?
I enjoyed the angus cheeseburger from the cafe!
How was your train 7 hours late
Eastern Market in Detroit ?
Yep!
@@Thom-TRA Nice. My Grandfather and his painting partner had a very well established sign painting business from the 70's until around 2005 . Company name was LeeMans . They Did all the artwork paintings on the buildings at the Eastern Market. I would love to share some pics with you. Your Eastern Market shirt put a huge smile on my face. Thank you. Love your channel. I'm planning many train trips this spring based off your videos.
@@choony1970 I’m so glad it made you happy! I love the eastern market, my wife’s family lives in Detroit. They might actually know the company, I’ll run it by them next time I see them! The art there is beautiful.
What exciting trips do you have coming up?
@@Thom-TRA That would very cool and interesting if they remember LeeMan sign painting. Please let me know.
I started with plans of Grand Rapids to Portland via the Empire builder with a roomette but after watching your great videos going coach is a way cheaper option with great benefits . So I'm going to go coach to Portland spend a few days and explore . Then head to Los Angeles for a few days of more exploring and finally make my way home via the California Zephyr . I'm super excited to explore in a relaxing no rush way. If all goes well I will plan on booking more routes to get in the Southwest Chief and the Texas Eagle . Any other tips of advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
@@choony1970 I just got done riding the empire builder last month so I highly recommend it!
You mentioned in your videos meeting people but never included 😕 in the recordings?? In the previous video a kid in the observation car approached to you and you edited off.
Yeah, unfortunately I can’t film people and their conversations without their permission, especially not a minor.
Since you show your socks all the time, get a contract with a sock company and make some more money.
i wont ride again till they get rid of the face diapers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I get it. It must be hard having to wear a diaper on your face and in your pants. Life is hard as a baby.