I was your Engineer from Dodge City to La Junta that morning, it was my last trip before being furloughed. Glad you enjoyed it and was able to sleep! 156 was a good motor, heater was a bit on the weak side but that was it.
You took him on the La Junta Sub to Las Animas CO then the Boise City from Las Animas CO to La Junta CO. When you were out there, did BNSF convert it from jointed rail to continuous? Just curious, a couple of years ago, that sub as well as the Boise City and the Raton were slated for a TIGER Grant to upgrade those subdivisions.
That sucks man, from a fellow railroader I hate to see that happen. Keep paying your dues and hopefully you'll be back soon. I'm praying my seniority keeps me on the road.
I understand your pain. I've worked for UP for coming right up on two decades now (kind of scary to think about) and while I love this job, the forever changing self sabotaging bureaucracy of this industry has undoubtedly taken years off my life trying to adapt to it and make sense of it all. Add to it the incredibly tight connection the freight side of this industry has with a forever unstable economy and it's no surprise that even when the industry seemed "stable" it was hard to get guys to last longer then 6-12 months before they just couldn't take it anymore and would drop. I feel lucky to still be working but I know I'm in one of the shrinking pools of guys who still are. As for people on the passenger side of things all I can say is hang in there. The passenger side of things in general has historically been more predictable, excluding major events like the pandemic, and likely will bounce back once the pandemic craziness settles down. Hopefully it'll boost the freight side of things too when it happens. I'll say this though; you have no idea how many of us on the freight side of things envy most of you passenger carriers simply for the reasonably consistent work hours alone lol
Amtrak Protip: Always bring a short power strip for 2 reason. 1: Only 1 plug 2: Many amtrak plugs are worn out and won't hold a wall-wort style AC adaptor but will support a standard plug.
And bring Clorox wipes and a fan (if you sleep hot). I brought Clorox wipes and wiped all surfaces (including shower floor) and it was FILTHY!! Amtak claims to have special COVID cleaning protocols, but they don't clean. Other than that, I recommend everyone try a long distance trip in a sleeper car. Totally awesome and worth it
Hopefully Amtrak will become profitable so that all the tradition meal dining, everyday long distant services, etc will make a comeback. Amtrak has been low on money for a long time which is why everything isn’t up to date. I hope to see a change in the future. Awesome trip report and I look forward to seeing more!
Yeah, the collapse of tourism isn't helping, though. With airlines cutting service to smaller cities, Amtrak service is needed more than ever in much of the country. They should do a special COVID recovery bill for Amtrak.
Joe Biden loves Amtrak , he has used it to commute from Delaware where he lives to Washington DC every day for several decades. Maybe if he wins the presidency he'll help them out? (I am not for or against him simply stating a possibility)
I’m old enough to remember/have the privilege of riding the original Super Chief in a drawing room from Chicago to Los Angeles. Now THAT was an experience and the excellence of train travel!
As did I once. I was on a national television program and since I don't fly, they paid train fare. First class. That ride was one of the happiest times in my life.
For a limey planning his first trips in your country this was a mine of information, no rubbish "musik" and just the right balance of commentary and silence, brilliant thanks
Thanks for this video, Amtrak southwest chief is always special for me, I watch often the railcam in La plata MO. I do this from the Netherlands one train is really in the night for me. So this is why I know the Chief!!! Great video and review of the train. Thank you very much!
Love the video! One quick note, traditional dining is currently “suspended” due to COVID. Supposedly it will come back as Amtrak gets more passengers. We’ll have to see.
@RoadhogTime13 Unfortunately the last previous Amtrak CEO was a former airline CEO, who has introduced Amtrak to airline preprepared meals killing the American railroad diner. We wonder whether Amtrak Joe will reinstitute the great American railroad diner after this pandemic. Truth be told, Amtrak can't afford $30 an hour diner UNION help. Well, not Amtrak riders who balk at paying so much for Waffle House food. Amtrak diner was not Gordon Ramsay's fine dining. The sleepers prices are also so much more due to the high costs of diner food, but here is the rub, we didn't see the sleepers prices fall when they shut down the diner... Simply put, this preprepared airline food is a cost saving matter, better to pay a dozen cooks in a warehouse kitchen and distribute box meals than it is to pay hundreds of diner employees on the trains...
If Amtrak brought back the old time train cross country on just one route I bet people would flock to it. Those waitersin the dining cars were consummate professionals! The food was excellent and also the service.Also, working on The train brought jobs to so many African American men, who could provide a steady income for their families and a retirement pension in old age.
@@minniemouska4320 I would love to see a significant increase in service too. But one has to remember that Amtrak was formed due to the vast majority of independent railroad passenger service with amazing service levels, losing copious amounts of money. There were many reasons for this but lack of service wasn’t one of them. I think the better option would be for an independent operator such as The Rocky Mountaineer to start a high dollar, long distance service. The other issue with Amtrak trying this is being it’s the quasi-government service that it is. Although the idea has merit if the idea can be related to Via as they haves something similar going with their Prestige class. I don’t know how or if that would work with Amtrak, but it might be worth a try.
I've really enjoyed watching your videos, Simply Railway. I especially like how you have planned ahead to include footage of and from other 'railfans'! I also appreciate your reminders to tip and the overall positive vibe yet still acknowledge the downfalls and failures. It's heartwarming to this old woman (who enjoyed numerous rail excursions in the past) to see the younger generation embrace rail travel and sharing your adventures. It's almost like being there again- without being subjected to eating that pre-prepped food. It looked pretty bad, and for the price it is inexcusable.
Thanks for the video! My father (lineman, switchman and yardmaster) and grandfather (lineman, switchman) had careers at Santa Fe so trains are special to me. When I was a kid we'd get to go in the engine cars and cabooses. A few years ago I rode Amtrak from San Antonio to El Paso with a couple of friends. We took our bicycles on the train and rode them back to San Antonio. Really cool trip. Now I need to watch more of your videos.
To my knowledge, AMTRAK (R) had to change the meal and dining offerings due to the pandemic. They are currently not allowed to offer traditional dishes, such as plates, glasses, cutlery and so on. Those items come in direct contact with the customers mouth and possibly nose, or in other words, where the virus might sit. Thus they need to use disposable plastic dishes and paper cups and they get burned (not recycled). It's a sad measure, but better than no food/drink at all. As per flexible dining - the much beloved - traditional dinner sittings are not "en vogue" as the current situation. They would only be allowed to sit people travelling in the same room at a table and then would need to keep minimum distance on top of that. So they would need many more sittings. Not to mention, they actually encourage people to eat in the roomette or room rather than come to the dining car to mingle with people. I totally agree with you: The meals in the dining car are an absolute highlight of any AMTRAK (R) overnight journey. And the are are for most of the (loyal) customers. I made many friends at this occasions. I am very sure they will bring it back, once it is possible. Until then, I think they do a great job in subsidising to get as close to the high standard as possible.
It's not health related, it's about revenue and crew. That's why the Auto Train still has Traditional Dining and Daily Service. It's the same thing as ordering food at a restaurant and having food delivered, they could just do that onboard.
I took Southwest Chief in the other direction from Los Angeles to Chicago.Wonderful two days. Great dining service by friendly wait-staff, meeting new people at each meal and amazing scenery all the way. All Americans should try to do it at least once in their lifetime. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I prefer the bedroom option over the roomette when traveling alone (despite the excessive price difference) so I don't have to leave the room unattended and unlocked to go to the bathroom or take a shower . I can also eat in my room, and enjoy whatever view there is , with the door closed and curtain open.
Same here. We're Boomers who grew up often riding luxurious Pullman trains, so the constant vagaries of Amtrak require a lot of adjustments on our part.
Thank you for your video. I have seen many other Amtrak videos of the various routes and the equipment used. My wife and I have traveled the Empire builder from Portland, Oregon to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and back on two occasions. We love the adventure! Thus far we have had a roomette, but we have an upcoming trip on the same route and will try a bedroom. We love having our meals in the dining car. The food has been near excellent each time. We particularly enjoy meeting others and getting acquainted over the meal. The price of a trip is what it is. I am sure that Amtrak must do its best to cover all costs, including equipment, purchase, maintenance, fuel and the engineers, plus all attending staff. When we book a trip, we know what we will be required to pay. If we choose to go, we pay the price and enjoy the trip. Again, your review was quite good. Please know that it is much appreciated!
Great Video! Yes, the station is beautiful, and reminiscent of the days when the passengers (customers) were treated as the reason for the station being, and made travel feel like an event! And yes, I'm a KC native.
Also, that outlet is GFCI to protect you. If it tripped, then it means there was some water or something that tripped it. That’s not on the train. That’s a result of unintended water getting into the outlet. Once it’s dry, it should reset.
@@wkaemena Yep, these Superliners are showing their age reaching the end of their life. Many are over 40 years in age. Many have had their smoked fillet carpeted walls removed and replace with a smooth plastic walls, some of which have been contact papered, and their fabrics reupholstered. Frankly, considering their age, Amtrak has done a great job keeping them operational over the decades...
20 years ago the dining car was the starlight of my trip going from florida to los angeles the food was absolutely spectacular it sad they modified alot of those options anyways good video sir
My husband and I took the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles in mid September this year. We had a bedroom and loved the trip. The only disappointing thing was the food
I did this trip! I took a different train to Chicago and got on the SW Chief there. I only took it to Albuquerque New Mexico but it was the most wonderful trip of my life. The dining car was up and running then. I cannot think of a more relaxing way to travel. I had a private bedroom and oh that observation car! I would smell the fresh coffee being brew at dawn and this was a few years ago and they would give us the morning paper from each city we passed through. Thanks for sharing this....the BEST memories for me.
I watched your trip through the Appalachian mountains last night. In fact I forgot about the time change so it was early this morning. 🙃. It was beautiful. I really want to take another train trip before I can't.
Nice to see an Amtrak video made during the pandemic, so we can see what's changed. Good job on that. I have been in roomettes on the Coast Starlight and California Zephyr many times, but not this year so far. Tip: If your room table isn't level (most aren't due to their age and design), you can wedge something into the slot underneath it to bring it up to level. One tiny correction: The sleeper cars are always at one end of the train or the other, but they can be either at the front or at the back. It just depends on how the train was put together.
This is an amazing video! I have family on my Dad's side who reside out in Arizona and I have been contemplating on visiting them for Thanksgiving. Your Amtrak video has given me the most accurate information on what to expect riding from Chicago to Arizona.
Many years ago I traveled from Montreal to NY, but the overnigth train leaving around 18hs and arriving nex day around 8am. I remember waking up in New Heaven.The people in the train was absolutelly amazing too! Great experience.
My wife and I took the SW Chief from Santa Fe to Chicago a couple years ago, followed by the Capitol Limited to Pittsburgh. We did a roomette for the first half and a room for the second. (We were getting in on a Monday morning and wanted the space and personal shower so that we could get ready and roll right into work. Amtrak, being Amtrak, we were two hours late anyways.) Overall, I preferred the roomette. It was nice to have your own bathroom and a little space to move around in the room (There is no floor space in a roomette with 2 people), but I just could not get comfortable either on that couch or the little chair. Meanwhile, I found the roomette seats very comfortable. Plus, there's the price difference. If we did a similar trip today with our daughter, we'd have to get a room, but if you only have two people (who are OK playing footsie for the whole trip), get a roomette.
Sean. Have to agree. We did SW Chief from Kansas City to Chicago in 2017 and the roomette was more than adequate. For a longer trip, (under non-Covid conditions!), I would consider a bedroom but cost/quality does become a factor. Enjoyed the video but you get on an Amtrak long distance service at your peril re timekeeping. The freight companies have always had control of scheduling as they own the infrastructure. The best bit of our trip, though the boss doesn't agree with me, was watching all the freight traffic from the observation car. The hilarious dining room steward was another highlight.
My family took a big trip in 1965, which included a ride on the Super Chief from Chicago to L.A. We had two rooms, one for my parents and one for me and my sister and brother. I wish I could remember more of the trip. We spent a great amount of time searching for tumble weeds, which seemed exotic to us New Englanders! I hope to experience train travel in Europe someday soon. Thanks for the great video. New subscriber.
A tip regarding luggage: You can find posts online of the dimensions of areas in the bedrooms or roomettes where you can store luggage. I usually travel in a roomette. The smaller roll-a-long luggage nicely fits standing vertically on the wide step used to climb up to the upper berth. There is a lot of space under the seats, but the space is not very tall so I take sports type duffel bag. I take some things out and hang them up. Put some items loose under one seat (like shoes), and squash the duffel bag to fit under the other seat. I'm usually the only one with a pristine looking and comfortable compartment while others look like they are living in a garbage dump. It pays to plan. And I took a large amount of items. Two people packing a little more lightly could do the same. One caveat is that when the lower bunk is made up it is pretty difficult, or impossible, to get to things under the seats. But if you first pull some things out to the floor area between the seats, you will be able to reach them.
We found the roomette didn’t have room for TWO roller carry on suitcases (sketch stack of two bags in their sides on the armrest/step) or room to set the out and fold over the top of the roller bag to retrieve items. We each packed most everything for our one second overnight In smaller bag and kept the roller bag in the luggage compartment.
Thank you. We're very proud of Union Station in Kansas City. It's still one of the largest working train stations in the US. It was built by the same architect who designed Union Station in Chicago.
This is the most comprehensive video on this train I've seen. Awesome! The one thing kinda made me sad is to see everything almost empty. The experience would be different in normal times I think. I really want people to come out go places like before.
Great video and I agree with your 3 thoughts on Amtrak, particularly national treasure. Your videos show me it’s time for a long trip by Amtrak. Thank you Jeb!
These vids are a great idea to boost train travel, which we need desperately. If the number of passengers goes up, presumably the profit will help to fund greater amenities such as improved, modernized cars and traditional dining service!! That is one of the coolest things about traveling by train. We have met some very interesting people that way. Please keep up the great work here. I love your honesty and the final recap of likes and dislikes!
What an extraordinary adventure! Last year my wife and I took our first Amtrak surfliner from San Diego to Santa Barbara for an overnight and then back to San Diego,. We really enjoyed the experience though I have to agree with you on the ambience of modern train travel versus what once was. Salutations for venturing in another country, I am scared to travel to Europe but would love to see many countries there. Thanks for your in depth review of tour travel. Hope you and your companion had a great time touring America.
Very well done on this video I like your positive feedback and you're very truthful feedback thank you for the great compliments of my beautiful state of New Mexico happy future trips my friend 🤟🤟🤙🤙👍👍👊👏
Thank you for your wonderful trip across America. I am Japanese. For the first time this year, I got on the sleeper express Sunrise IZUMO. Sunrise Izumo is the only sleeper express in Japan today that you can ride for a small fee. In addition, there is only a cruise train that pays hundreds of thousands of yen. The Shinkansen killed all the many sleeper express trains that operated until the end of the 20th century. I hope Sunrise Izumo is driving forever. I was surprised to find out that you have the N gauge of KAKO. I live near the KATO's factory. I've been on the Metroliner 20 years ago. The locomotive was HHP-8, but unfortunately it has not been commercialized from KATO. I want to travel on Amtrack's Super Liner someday.
What an incredible insight to Amtrack and your trips! Extremely great info! Can't wait to see all your trips after just stumbling onto your channel! I've always wondered about a REAL assessment from a real passenger. Thankyou. This really helps.
Well this helps. Seriously, when your expectation of train travel is set by Bing Crosby and company singing "Snow, snow, snow" or Cary Grant nailing Eva Marie Saint in the club car, it's good to have a hard-reset like this.
I rode Amtrack from Livingston, Montana to Seattle , Washington in about '78. I had a sleeper that had a bigger bed. It was fantastic. I had a little boy who was rather rambunctious so it was perfect. We spent a lot of time watching the beautiful scenery. Our bed was perpendicular to the window and my room was huge.
If you could afford this trip, you are very fortunate. Count your $$$ blessings. I used to take the train frequently. Cannot afford to anymore. I always found the staff to be remarkably warm and cordial. Thanks, Amtrak, I miss you.
This is a beautiful station. I was there twice in 2006. We brought our Steam Engine, SPX-745, with her 4 car consist, there on Mardi Gras day for the grand opening of the Railroad Museum. The two center cars had three compartments each filled with Mardi Gras exhibits as a rolling museum. Then 6 months later in August of 2006 we went back to KC MO to bring her back to New Orleans. We were there for a couple weeks as we had to do an annual inspection and some repairs before we left. They did an awesome job of restoring the station. Besides the Amtrak station and the RR Museum there are a lot of retail stores restaurants and offices. They took a rundown huge eye sore and turned it into a restored work of art, that any town would be proud of.
Great video! I rode Amtrak for the first time back in September, taking the Capitol Limited and Empire Builder from Pittsburgh to East Glacier and back (coach both ways). I enjoyed it so much that I ordered Kato's N scale Superliner starter set while I was out in Montana so it would be waiting for me when I got back. They're fantastic models! Wish I could be out riding the rails again, but I think I'll wait for COVID to ease up a bit before then.
Ahhhhhhh, Que Belleza, no se si algún día podré ir a los EEUU, el día que pueda ir me recorrere el país por AMTRAK, Un abrazo grande para todos ustedes en familia, Dios bendiga a AMTRAK, saludos cordiales desde la Bella Ciudad de Medellín, Colombia.
I'm an avid rail runner. Hate flying and don't care to drive much anymore. Here's some tips: if you have a couple hour layover, like San Antonio, Tx in the middle of the night, that's a really good time to take a shower. Train is stopped and on auxiliary power. If travelling by yourself and you booked a roomette, the top bunk is great if you are able to get into it. You can leave the seats as they are.I'm 6'-4" and have no trouble in the top bunk. Next is tipping. If you tip your porter at the absolute beginning of your trip, you'll be surprised what they can ' do for you.' Many, many people just don't tip, so it is greatly appreciated. Porters and wait staff in the dining car. Tipping wait staff at the first encounter will net you coffee before they are 'officially' open for breakfast and lots of extras, including seating you on the best side of the train for what's coming up. Once, on a trip from AZ to New Orleans (2 nights each way) we were able to 'upgrade' from a roomette to a regular bedroom by simply tipping the porter (it's the way things are, not ashamed in the least!). We estimated the trip by vehicle, inclusive of motels, toll roads, and food stops, and found that the cost of a roomette vs. the cost of Amtrak, was almost the same--and don't forget to figure in the oil change and tire wear and being worn out by driving when you get to your destination. In other words, train travel is a vacation inside of a vacation. Trains go where some roads don't, so the scenery is a bit different. I've NEVER had a bad meal or a disappointment in over a decade and a half of train travel. Just figure it all out and give it a go! Thank you for this video, it was a good one.
32:28 Washing the sleeper's windows. The last time I took the Southwest Chief, from San Bernardino to Chicago in 1979, they washed the exterior of the entire train at Albuquerque during the 40-minute (I think) stop. How times have changed!
During the 50's & 60's, (dinosaur age) for Super Chief & El Capitan trains- a machine would wash all windows during the Albuquerque stop which was a highlight. Jewelry' still being sold. I've seen a few changes too!
wow, how did I not know that Kansas City Union Station was so grand, what a beautiful building. That neon Amtrak sign was so cool, I would love to see Amtrak adopt a Neo-Deco stylization in the future for their aesthetic
I just wanted to point out that you are *NOT ALLOWED* to open the window without a crew-member's permission. Don't try this yourself or else the conductor will not be very happy with you. Please do not do this! Unless he got permission, he was lucky not to get caught! I don't want anyone else following his footsteps and getting caught. :)
Ticketed passengers on board trains may take photos or video record on a train when it does not interfere with passengers or crew and in accordance with any directions given by Amtrak onboard train personnel. Please remove those parts of your video in accordance with Amtrak's policy. www.amtrak.com/photography-video-recording-policy
When I was a youngster and rode the Super Chief, a nice conductor opened a vestibule window so I could take a couple pictures. After he closed it he said "never open a window, that's my job." I remember it 55 years later.
I will make the argument that sleeping car prices are NOT overpriced. Amtrak routinely sells out. In the world of supply and demand, that is what sets the price. You can save money by booking far ahead and looking for deals (one of the ways Amtrak makes sure they are fully booked.) A bedroom is a pretty deluxe way to travel. You can save with a roomette. Fine for one. A bit tight for two but not so bad if you PLAN how much luggage you bring and how you will stow it. (You don't want to pay the ticket price for your luggage to occupy YOUR living space on the seats.) The roomette seats are very wide. It's not that bad to use one of the many general bathrooms. And they have a nice shower room on the lower level with a nice sink (much nicer and larger than the onea in a bedroom) and provide towels and washcloths.
Love your videos. Your passion for trains really shows. I hope when the world returns to normal Amtrak brings back the dining car experience. As mentioned, its part of the experience that makes traveling on a train a step above flying on a plane.
What a great 37 minutes I spent watching this journey - your videos are next best to being onboard - Merci! As for replacing the Superliners, this Englishman feels it's essential for them to be created in the US - in order to keep the unique design tradition and aura of American long distance machines. Perhaps retro/modern should be the way to go? It would be a shame to look too European - as good as they are, as has happened with Greyhound coaches. The beautiful 'Superscenicruisers' of the 1960's just looked so much better than their modern day equivalents. Amtrak should play on their heritage. Happy and safe travelling!
Great videos and this one is no exception. This is an awesome in depth video on the southwest chief. I have always wanted to ride this train. I just wanted to point out and please know I’m not trying to be rude but please do not open the vestibule window on the train. The only reason I say this is I’ve seen it personally in my travels. Some conductors would either give a personal warning or a general announcement over the PA System not to do that but there are a fraction of conductors that have the captain of the ship attitude and might put you off the train with no warning. I just don’t want to see that happen to you.
Yes, I was wondering why there isn’t an alarm or something to warn conductors of a door opening. How dangerous that can be if done by a passenger (as in, a child), I should think. If somebody decided to “do the deed”, no one would ever know where to begin looking. Yikes.
Hi Thibault, enjoyed the Amtrak Southwest with you...Wonderful views...I generally prefer coaches where one can open the windows: of course depending on the weather conditions...Cheers from Bangalore mate...🚂🚂🚂
When we were there in 2006 with our steam engine they were installing the overhead walk way. It lead to a shopping area and a really great BBQ and Steak restaurant. Our whole group celebrated with me and my wife for our 48th wedding anniversary.
I rode it 2 years ago on a 25 day trip in roommet. Was just before end of dining cars, food was good, over priced if not in sleeper. AAA and AMTRAK made the arrangements, tours, hotels and most transfers included. A GREAT TRIP 👍 🙀🚂🚉
The real fun of being on a train is to stand at the doorway for a while. Brings back memories of when I used to do that (ie when I used to travel by train a lot)
Oh boy, a prison breakfast. It's really bad when the food in the cafe car is better than the food you paid for with your sleeper. I've traveled on the Chief, City of New Orleans, Texas Eagle, and the Empire Builder. All had great food and food choices. I'll be back when they get real food again.
I have had power outlet issues everywhere with Amtrak, especially Chicago station (that was in 2008-2012 when I had to make some long journeys). Formed the habit of carrying a three -outlet extension cord in my laptop bag. At stations, people would walk up and ask if they could use the spare outlet on my cord. Made lots of friends!
I took the Chicago to East glacier MT is was a bedroom. Then to Seattle after t two nights At the lodge. FANTASTIC travel adventure. plenty of room when the beds are made. Will now travel from NY to CA and back via a different route once this virus deal is over.
Beautiful trip. I love the scenery. I wonder when this was filmed. Surprised so many people. During the covid. I never thought or New Mexico would be so gorgeous, ok I am dumb. LOL. I am happy you seem to like the United States. I love france so much too,
Also, a pro tip from someone who has rode in those bedrooms before: pack a smaller carry-on suitcase and check your bigger bags. Makes getting around the room easier at night and going up the stairs. Also, bring a small surge protector to compensate for the one plug.
Can you (or someone in the comments) tell me how you were able to stick your phone/camera outside the train at 24:47? I'm going on another ride soon and would love to get a good shot (or is this a no-no and just got lucky a door was unlocked)? Thanks!
Wonderful review as always and the Southwest Chief is a special train for me. My earliest memory was when I was 4 years old and I saw the combined Super Chief/El Capitan at a grade crossing in my hometown of Pasadena, California. Until I moved out of California I would go down to the Pasadena station and see the train stop at the station on its way to Chicago. The Coach Baggage cars were not converted they were built that way because Amtrak planned to eliminate the baggage cars when the Superliners came online. An interesting note is that they originally had 78 seats on the upper level of the Coach-Baggage cars instead of 62 but after many complaints from people stuck in them for multiple days they converted them so they had the same seats are the regular coaches. Your observations about Amtrak employees are spot on. I have either had fantastic employees or poor employees that would be terminated if Amtrak was a normal company. Also, Amtrak's maintenance generally sucks. They do not take care of the equipment unless a state is paying to maintain the equipment.
When I was an elementary school kid in Arcadia, CA in the 1950s most classrooms had a view of the elevated right of way of the Santa Fe main line east. What a joy to see the Chief, Super Chief, and El Capitan steam back or forth during the day. In those days they did use steam engines. It didn't matter what teacher was doing, passenger trains were more exciting. I wanted to ride on one so bad and still do.
I've ridden the Chief many times. Never in a sleeper, since my stop was at Hutchinson, Kansas and we arrived around 4am. Still a good ride though. You're definitely right about the crew. Some love their job and are super nice and others are clearly in the wrong line of work.
I am always so amazed by your European videos; I've used Amtrak several times and it's terrible by comparison. The schedule delays, the staff inconsistencies, the aging rolling stock, the over-priced tickets... the US just hasn't embraced rail travel like the rest of the world, which is such a shame given our long railroad history
Sigh, passenger rail was never the chosen method, it never was profitable outside select areas. Since the inception of the railways, freight has driven them. Passenger rail was just a by-product back in the day. The reality is passenger rail can never compete with driving and flying outside a few select routes. Either the distance is short enough where the convenience of having an automobile is worth more, or it is too far which flying just is faster and cheaper. As for Europe, if you read the statistics they don't like passenger rail that much themselves. Rail is the third most popular mode of transport behind flying and driving. Passenger rail in western Europe is only at the level it is because of massive government subsidies, and at the cost of rail freight which has resulted in Europe moving freight by the road, polluting massively.
@@TheOwenMajor And yet no one can explain "why." Why is owning an automobile more convenient? The long-term cost of a personal vehicle stacks up massively when it comes to insurance, maintenance, fuel, the necessary education to safely operate one, not to mention the aspects of space for parking, the vehicle itself you purchase, etc. Why is a flight faster and cheaper? Even with high-powered turbines planes are incredibly inefficient, both with fuel consumption and passenger capacity, amenities are thinned, and even with higher speeds much of that can be squandered by delays from weather, taxiing, security, and the location of airports themselves. How come the railroads, which can offer automotive levels of flexibility with little to no interfering traffic, lack of need for large termini at every stop, ease of access to population centers, coupled with airline levels of passenger comfort, speed, and responsive service, along with even more amenities than those airliners, complete with full meals, luggage, sleeping compartments, still fall behind? I think capitalism is to blame. The need for all transport to exist within these frameworks of profit and capital accumulation to sustain themselves has had disastrous consequences, and the results can be found in even the most tangential conditions. The ways railroads have been needing to cut back services, inability to invest to refine and produce better rolling stock, the general lack of consistency in scheduling due to low-priority given from other private railroads, all have formed in the dire need for Amtrak to turn a profit for its shareholders. And that of course is not mentioning the human cost, whether it be lack of wage growth for personnel, having little say in how or where the direction of the rail company goes, and even the incidents that have occurred due to reduced maintenance for the locomotives, rolling stock, and general rail infrastructure like ballast, signals, properly working switches, all have basis in the way that they have been produced. What they were made by, made for, and made with: all of it is done to make as much capital for those who produce it.
@@trashrabbit69 "And yet no one can explain "why." Why is owning an automobile more convenient? The long-term cost of a personal vehicle stacks up massively" Let's first address cost, car ownership is high even in European metro cities. This holds true in Japan, again showing people simply like owning cars for a variety of reasons. Thus people own cars, the cost is a nonstarter. Secondly, why can they be more convenient? Well you don't have to transfer modes of transport, you go from door to door, and these days it's valued you don't have to be in public. "Why is a flight faster and cheaper? Even with high-powered turbines planes...... " Air travel's infrastructure is fixed, your infrastructure costs will be about the same whether it's a 100 miles or 5000. Also airports can serve multiple routes, a train line only serves point a-b. Talking about efficiency, depending on the distance and number of passengers air travel can be the most efficient mode of transport. Servicing a small town via a turboprop aircraft will certainly be more efficient then building a rail line too it. "How come the railroads, which can offer automotive levels of flexibility with little to no interfering traffic, lack of need for large termini at every stop, ease of access to population centers, coupled with airline levels of passenger comfort, speed, and responsive service, along with even more amenities than those airliners, complete with full meals, luggage, sleeping compartments, still fall behind? " Flexibility? How? You have fixed routes with fixed schedules. It's no more flexible then air travel. Large Terminal? Ever been to a small airport? Those things are great, in and out, small. Ease of access? Sure, if your destination is downtown. Citites are increasingly moving both population and workspaces to the suburbs. Speed? No, for the vast majorty of the US even high speed rail isn't even as close as fast as air travel. "I think capitalism is to blame." Ok comrade. Move to Cuba and see how great transport is. You will get on a high-speed pickup truck with some benches welded to the back.
@@TheOwenMajor "car ownership is high even in European metro cities. This holds true in Japan, again showing people simply like owning cars for a variety of reasons. Thus people own cars, the cost is a nonstarter." That doesn't address my point. Why does the population rely so heavily on cars? Saying "people like owning them" doesn't offer a sound reason as to why they have dominated infrastructure. There is an important utility value that has to be addressed, much of automobile's utility dies in the city, they can't go fast, they can't get good mileage, and its incredibly difficult to provide the logistics necessary for them to engage in an urban setting, what with parking garages, gas stations, etc. The most vehicles have use for in cities are last-mile deliveries and projects like construction, repair, utilities, all of which pale in comparison to private ownership by individuals to get to work. "Secondly, why can they be more convenient? Well you don't have to transfer modes of transport, you go from door to door, and these days it's valued you don't have to be in public." You don't have to do that with trains either. Those in NYC use the subway almost exclusively, many of the main areas of importance have a small station within a block away. The difference is that the infrastructure is more effective and efficient, being able to move thousands of passengers per hour in a small space in a short time. Many in Philly use the streetcars, which aren't as effective as subterranean transport but can be just as useful as a bus, albeit with minor shortcomings. Germany has also solved a lot of the modal issues with the S-Bahn, with smaller trains going deep into the urban centers whilst larger interurbans and long-distance trains being sent through outer-area termini. Again, the only seeming benefit of an automobile in an urban area is its ability to carry... stuffs. Most door to door things like mail have utilized bicycles and mopeds to accomplish their daily needs, with cars being sent out if needed for large/bulk items. "Air travel's infrastructure is fixed, your infrastructure costs will be about the same whether it's a 100 miles or 5000." ...I'm confused by this point. Do you mean things like controllers, runways, etc.? I would bet that the specific costs of infrastructure for all transport is the same regardless of distance. My point was that some cost _more_ for their respective need, which is where trains are superior. Rails can last 50-60 years depending on construction, which is far longer than roads used for cars. Planes can live around the same time, but necessitate far more intensive maintenance, both for electrical and mechanical systems onboard the aircraft. Airports are fairly 1-to-1 to a train yard/station, they can be as complex as a major city hub or as simple as a gravel/dirt path, the important bit is connection. "Also airports can serve multiple routes, a train line only serves point a-b." Uhh, not really? Most stations serve numerous rail lines all going in different routes. This seems a bit of a spurious point, you can have several train lines running on the same track without much difficulty. Metra does so with the South Shore, with their own electric lines and the longer distance diesel routes, including Amtrak so I dunno what this has to do with that. "Talking about efficiency, depending on the distance and number of passengers air travel can be the most efficient mode of transport. Servicing a small town via a turboprop aircraft will certainly be more efficient then building a rail line too it." Sure, I mean all transportation can be the most useful depending on basic circumstances. I'm not arguing we should replace cargo ships with trains, for example. The issue I'm bringing up is how we've basically thrown all of that utilitarian calculus for what makes the most money. You could easily do that with trains as well, my examples were just related to the conditions at hand in modern society. "Flexibility? How? You have fixed routes with fixed schedules. It's no more flexible then air travel" Yes, however the difference is if say, one of the airports runways are out; from something like approach lights being dead, to something as serious as a crash, that runway is toast for a while. Either you have to circle the airport until you have another runway clear, or just connect to an auxiliary airport some distance away. Trains can suffer similar issues, but have more capability to change routes when necessary. You can switch to another track on a multi-tracked line, or use a bypass in case of something like a derailment, in a much faster time than aircraft. All that's needed is a switch thrown and a track warrant. Now, will the route take longer? Maybe, but that's always a possibility with a detour; the train prevails for its capacity to do so compared to aircraft. Cars are perhaps the most flexible, but that comes at the cost of whatever infrastructure is available. Not all roads will be paved, and not all of them will have enough lanes or signalized intersections to keep things moving smoothly. "Large Terminal? Ever been to a small airport? Those things are great, in and out, small." Trains too, man. Just more efficiently. No shade on small airports though. "Ease of access? Sure, if your destination is downtown. Citites are increasingly moving both population and workspaces to the suburbs. " Trains aren't a linear concept, lol. Commuter rail systems go to multiple stops, they're designed to reach those suburbs in a timely manner before getting to the cities. As for the general trends, both cities and suburbs are growing at incredibly fast paces. I don't know why that means more cars or planes, both seem incredibly bad at solving this particular issue. "Speed? No, for the vast majorty of the US even high speed rail isn't even as close as fast as air travel." Yeah, because capitalist parasites have left US rail infrastructure to fuckin' rot for the past century. We're still using catenaries from the 1930s for most of the NEC, and Amfleets from the 70s, because Money McGee gets more profit from shoving proles into brand-new trucks with 96 month lease periods and bringing them to airports that are glorified malls. Trains aren't limited by God to 110 MPH on straight sections, they're limited by what we've built for them to do. And the ruling class says "no rails 4 u." Trains aren't the end all be all, but they're damn important. Our languishing and resentment for rational well-brought ideas is just a symptom of the systemic failing of our institutions that's been happening for a very long time.
The burgers on the SWC... Are absolutely AMAZING, I swear I talk about that burger every freaking day lol. It was 2014 when I had it. I hope they get dinning service back up soon💜
I took train number 3 and 4 the southwest chief. It was a great experience. When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted...... I’ll be catching train number 3 back home to Southern California.
Christmas trees already ? It's a lovely station. The that room you had was extremely small though. And the shower/ toilet was miniscule. Scenery is absolutely stunning !
When I saw the Christmas trees - though beautiful and so festive - I was momentarily taken aback. I was like Oh! This trip was Christmastime 2019. But then I double-checked the dates. Guess I wasn’t yet prepared for holiday decorations 2020 lol
I doubt whether you will find a larger ensuite bathroom on any other passenger train worldwide... The Superliners do have a larger family bedroom downstairs you should book instead... Me, I prefer the Roomette...
@@ronclark9724 Thanks. I live in Australia anyway. I tend to look at bathroom/ toilet areas in terms of easy access for people with disabilities. No doubt many trains would have suitable facilities for those in wheelchairs , or have other mobility issues.
I was once an interpretive guide for the US Park Service "Rails and Trails" program on the Capitol Limited. The Amtrak crew told us if Amtrak is less than one hour behind schedule it has priority over all other trains on the frieght railroads. If the delay exceeds one hour the frieght railroad dispatchers are under no obligation to give Amtrak any priority over their own frieght trains, meaning you could sit in a siding for hours.
$900 is cheap. You are paying for the room, your personal room attendant, the food, the gas for the train, maintenance, people's paychecks and your travel destination. What did you expect to pay? Coach fare?
Very cool. Looks like a great trip. 👍 So is dining car service cut forever? I thought it was partly a COVID-19 safety measure so might come back eventually. 🤞🏽 I’ve travelled on the Coast Starlight and the California Zephyr and in both cases, the dining car experience was great. It was also a good way to meet new people as you never know who you’ll be seated with. 👨🍳
Simplified dining was on its way to the western trains eventually. It was just a matter of time. COVID-19 just sped it up a bit. Sadly Katrina temporarily halted the sunset limited east of New Orleans as Covid-19 has temporarily reduced dining options on Amtrak. I can only hope that a full dining car service comes back to at least the Western Trains.
The dining is as such due to covid. It will be back but the don't have dining staff during these times. Your attendant serves. And regular coach passengers don't dine at all... its all lounge car for them.
No. It looks like this dining situation is a cause of modernization. Amtrak is ditching “traditional” for “logical.” Amtrak is starting to become more like an airline. I personally don’t like it. But these trains don’t make any money or have the budget to be losing the company money like this, so I can’t argue with it. It’s truly sad.
I have done this journey twice Syracuse to Flagstaff and Buffalo to Flagstaff and then flagstaff to Syracuse. It was awesome every time, in coach class.
Like given and subscribed.I love railway travel IMHO it is the finest way to travel if you do it right so not having to listen to screaming children etc.Fantastic views of scenery at a nice relaxed pace with a modicum of luxury.
i used to take this train a few times a year when i briefl worked in Flagstaff. Almost always arrived in Albuquerque on time. On the way back, never arrived in Flagstaff on time. Always 1-2 hours late, if not longer.
I was your Engineer from Dodge City to La Junta that morning, it was my last trip before being furloughed. Glad you enjoyed it and was able to sleep! 156 was a good motor, heater was a bit on the weak side but that was it.
Awesome. :) I love that type of comment
You took him on the La Junta Sub to Las Animas CO then the Boise City from Las Animas CO to La Junta CO. When you were out there, did BNSF convert it from jointed rail to continuous? Just curious, a couple of years ago, that sub as well as the Boise City and the Raton were slated for a TIGER Grant to upgrade those subdivisions.
@@SimplyRailway have more long distance trains been cancelled??
That sucks man, from a fellow railroader I hate to see that happen. Keep paying your dues and hopefully you'll be back soon. I'm praying my seniority keeps me on the road.
I understand your pain. I've worked for UP for coming right up on two decades now (kind of scary to think about) and while I love this job, the forever changing self sabotaging bureaucracy of this industry has undoubtedly taken years off my life trying to adapt to it and make sense of it all. Add to it the incredibly tight connection the freight side of this industry has with a forever unstable economy and it's no surprise that even when the industry seemed "stable" it was hard to get guys to last longer then 6-12 months before they just couldn't take it anymore and would drop. I feel lucky to still be working but I know I'm in one of the shrinking pools of guys who still are. As for people on the passenger side of things all I can say is hang in there. The passenger side of things in general has historically been more predictable, excluding major events like the pandemic, and likely will bounce back once the pandemic craziness settles down. Hopefully it'll boost the freight side of things too when it happens. I'll say this though; you have no idea how many of us on the freight side of things envy most of you passenger carriers simply for the reasonably consistent work hours alone lol
Getting the video from your buddy standing in the desert while you went by on the train was a cool touch great video
Thank you for the 'table cloth' moment, it brought back special memories of a French friend who is no longer with us😉
Sorry to hear that.
Amtrak Protip: Always bring a short power strip for 2 reason.
1: Only 1 plug
2: Many amtrak plugs are worn out and won't hold a wall-wort style AC adaptor but will support a standard plug.
And bring Clorox wipes and a fan (if you sleep hot). I brought Clorox wipes and wiped all surfaces (including shower floor) and it was FILTHY!! Amtak claims to have special COVID cleaning protocols, but they don't clean. Other than that, I recommend everyone try a long distance trip in a sleeper car. Totally awesome and worth it
Hopefully Amtrak will become profitable so that all the tradition meal dining, everyday long distant services, etc will make a comeback. Amtrak has been low on money for a long time which is why everything isn’t up to date. I hope to see a change in the future. Awesome trip report and I look forward to seeing more!
Yeah, the collapse of tourism isn't helping, though. With airlines cutting service to smaller cities, Amtrak service is needed more than ever in much of the country. They should do a special COVID recovery bill for Amtrak.
Couldn’t agree more. Even if amtrak ever decides to step up to Europe’s level of train travel, still wouldn’t happen for a super long time
Joe Biden loves Amtrak , he has used it to commute from Delaware where he lives to Washington DC every day for several decades. Maybe if he wins the presidency he'll help them out? (I am not for or against him simply stating a possibility)
Amtrak long distance trains will never be profitable.
@@theq4602 He's won and Trump's airline appointee to Amtrack could/hopefully be given the boot ?
A little fun fact, the benches in the Amtrak waiting room at KC Union Station are the original 1914 benches that were in the grand hall
I’m old enough to remember/have the privilege of riding the original Super Chief in a drawing room from Chicago to Los Angeles. Now THAT was an experience and the excellence of train travel!
As did I once. I was on a national television program and since I don't fly, they paid train fare. First class. That ride was one of the happiest times in my life.
For a limey planning his first trips in your country this was a mine of information, no rubbish "musik" and just the right balance of commentary and silence, brilliant thanks
Thank you sir. :)
I’ve never traveled by rail. Your wonderful presentation is giving me ideas! Thanks much!
I love watching your vids during covid so it’s like I’m on Amtrak myself good job :)
You have the BEST train trips on youtube.
Been riding trains since a toddler. LOVE trains!!!
Thanks for this video, Amtrak southwest chief is always special for me, I watch often the railcam in La plata MO. I do this from the Netherlands one train is really in the night for me. So this is why I know the Chief!!! Great video and review of the train. Thank you very much!
I took the Southwest Chief two weeks ago, bedroom from LaJunta to Chicago .. I loved it. No more flying.
You missed the scenic parts of the route. The great scenery is between La Junta and LA.
Love the video! One quick note, traditional dining is currently “suspended” due to COVID. Supposedly it will come back as Amtrak gets more passengers. We’ll have to see.
They were already in the process of phasing out traditional dining east of Chicago before COVID. So don't hold your breath.
@RoadhogTime13 Unfortunately the last previous Amtrak CEO was a former airline CEO, who has introduced Amtrak to airline preprepared meals killing the American railroad diner. We wonder whether Amtrak Joe will reinstitute the great American railroad diner after this pandemic. Truth be told, Amtrak can't afford $30 an hour diner UNION help. Well, not Amtrak riders who balk at paying so much for Waffle House food. Amtrak diner was not Gordon Ramsay's fine dining. The sleepers prices are also so much more due to the high costs of diner food, but here is the rub, we didn't see the sleepers prices fall when they shut down the diner... Simply put, this preprepared airline food is a cost saving matter, better to pay a dozen cooks in a warehouse kitchen and distribute box meals than it is to pay hundreds of diner employees on the trains...
If Amtrak brought back the old time train cross country on just one route I bet people would flock to it. Those waitersin the dining cars were consummate professionals! The food was excellent and also the service.Also, working on The train brought jobs to so many African American men, who could provide a steady income for their families and a retirement pension in old age.
@@minniemouska4320 I would love to see a significant increase in service too. But one has to remember that Amtrak was formed due to the vast majority of independent railroad passenger service with amazing service levels, losing copious amounts of money. There were many reasons for this but lack of service wasn’t one of them.
I think the better option would be for an independent operator such as The Rocky Mountaineer to start a high dollar, long distance service. The other issue with Amtrak trying this is being it’s the quasi-government service that it is. Although the idea has merit if the idea can be related to Via as they haves something similar going with their Prestige class. I don’t know how or if that would work with Amtrak, but it might be worth a try.
@RoadhogTime13 Agree - eating in a proper dining car on a train is a real highlight!
I've really enjoyed watching your videos, Simply Railway. I especially like how you have planned ahead to include footage of and from other 'railfans'! I also appreciate your reminders to tip and the overall positive vibe yet still acknowledge the downfalls and failures. It's heartwarming to this old woman (who enjoyed numerous rail excursions in the past) to see the younger generation embrace rail travel and sharing your adventures. It's almost like being there again- without being subjected to eating that pre-prepped food. It looked pretty bad, and for the price it is inexcusable.
Thanks for the video! My father (lineman, switchman and yardmaster) and grandfather (lineman, switchman) had careers at Santa Fe so trains are special to me. When I was a kid we'd get to go in the engine cars and cabooses. A few years ago I rode Amtrak from San Antonio to El Paso with a couple of friends. We took our bicycles on the train and rode them back to San Antonio. Really cool trip. Now I need to watch more of your videos.
You and your friends are really ambitious. I hope it was interesting. Especially in the Big Bend area.🙂
To my knowledge, AMTRAK (R) had to change the meal and dining offerings due to the pandemic. They are currently not allowed to offer traditional dishes, such as plates, glasses, cutlery and so on. Those items come in direct contact with the customers mouth and possibly nose, or in other words,
where the virus might sit. Thus they need to use disposable plastic dishes and paper cups and they get burned (not recycled). It's a sad measure, but better than no food/drink at all.
As per flexible dining - the much beloved - traditional dinner sittings are not "en vogue" as the current situation. They would only be allowed to sit people travelling in the same room at a table and then would need to keep minimum distance on top of that. So they would need many more sittings. Not to mention, they actually encourage people to eat in the roomette or room rather than come to the dining car to mingle with people.
I totally agree with you: The meals in the dining car are an absolute highlight of any AMTRAK (R) overnight journey. And the are are for most of the (loyal) customers. I made many friends at this occasions. I am very sure they will bring it back, once it is possible.
Until then, I think they do a great job in subsidising to get as close to the high standard as possible.
It's not health related, it's about revenue and crew. That's why the Auto Train still has Traditional Dining and Daily Service. It's the same thing as ordering food at a restaurant and having food delivered, they could just do that onboard.
I took Southwest Chief in the other direction from Los Angeles to Chicago.Wonderful two days. Great dining service by friendly wait-staff, meeting new people at each meal and amazing scenery all the way. All Americans should try to do it at least once in their lifetime. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Same here , treat like a cruise on tracks .
Many thanks for amazing video 🙏 I enjoy watching all your trips by Amtrak through US 😉👍💯
Good journey! 🚅
I prefer the bedroom option over the roomette when traveling alone (despite the excessive price difference) so I don't have to leave the room unattended and unlocked to go to the bathroom or take a shower . I can also eat in my room, and enjoy whatever view there is , with the door closed and curtain open.
Same here. We're Boomers who grew up often riding luxurious Pullman trains, so the constant vagaries of Amtrak require a lot of adjustments on our part.
Thank you for your video. I have seen many other Amtrak videos of the various routes and the equipment used. My wife and I have traveled the Empire builder from Portland, Oregon to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and back on two occasions. We love the adventure! Thus far we have had a roomette, but we have an upcoming trip on the same route and will try a bedroom. We love having our meals in the dining car. The food has been near excellent each time. We particularly enjoy meeting others and getting acquainted over the meal. The price of a trip is what it is. I am sure that Amtrak must do its best to cover all costs, including equipment, purchase, maintenance, fuel and the engineers, plus all attending staff. When we book a trip, we know what we will be required to pay. If we choose to go, we pay the price and enjoy the trip. Again, your review was quite good. Please know that it is much appreciated!
Great Video! Yes, the station is beautiful, and reminiscent of the days when the passengers (customers) were treated as the reason for the station being, and made travel feel like an event! And yes, I'm a KC native.
Regarding the power outlet at the sink. These trains were built end of 70s and the only electric appliance was a shaver !!!;-)
Are you really expected to use a shaver supplied by the train company? How sterilised can that be?
@@corrigenda70 WTF I was talking of your personal electric shaver which had no batteries like today and needed 110V power
Also, that outlet is GFCI to protect you. If it tripped, then it means there was some water or something that tripped it. That’s not on the train. That’s a result of unintended water getting into the outlet.
Once it’s dry, it should reset.
@@wkaemena Yep, these Superliners are showing their age reaching the end of their life. Many are over 40 years in age. Many have had their smoked fillet carpeted walls removed and replace with a smooth plastic walls, some of which have been contact papered, and their fabrics reupholstered. Frankly, considering their age, Amtrak has done a great job keeping them operational over the decades...
We brought an extension cord to prove power and multiple outlets where we wanted.
20 years ago the dining car was the starlight of my trip going from florida to los angeles the food was absolutely spectacular it sad they modified alot of those options anyways good video sir
Well, I recall the days when the airlines offered good food too. The days of the Burlington T-bone steak is over...
My husband and I took the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles in mid September this year. We had a bedroom and loved the trip. The only disappointing thing was the food
I did this trip! I took a different train to Chicago and got on the SW Chief there. I only took it to Albuquerque New Mexico but it was the most wonderful trip of my life. The dining car was up and running then. I cannot think of a more relaxing way to travel. I had a private bedroom and oh that observation car! I would smell the fresh coffee being brew at dawn and this was a few years ago and they would give us the morning paper from each city we passed through. Thanks for sharing this....the BEST memories for me.
I watched your trip through the Appalachian mountains last night. In fact I forgot about the time change so it was early this morning. 🙃. It was beautiful. I really want to take another train trip before I can't.
The dining cars were awesome! Hopefully Amtrak will bring them back after Covid.
I usually bring a power strip in the sleeper car.
Great video!
Nice to see an Amtrak video made during the pandemic, so we can see what's changed. Good job on that. I have been in roomettes on the Coast Starlight and California Zephyr many times, but not this year so far.
Tip: If your room table isn't level (most aren't due to their age and design), you can wedge something into the slot underneath it to bring it up to level.
One tiny correction: The sleeper cars are always at one end of the train or the other, but they can be either at the front or at the back. It just depends on how the train was put together.
This is an amazing video! I have family on my Dad's side who reside out in Arizona and I have been contemplating on visiting them for Thanksgiving. Your Amtrak video has given me the most accurate information on what to expect riding from Chicago to Arizona.
Many years ago I traveled from Montreal to NY, but the overnigth train leaving around 18hs and arriving nex day around 8am. I remember waking up in New Heaven.The people in the train was absolutelly amazing too! Great experience.
My wife and I took the SW Chief from Santa Fe to Chicago a couple years ago, followed by the Capitol Limited to Pittsburgh. We did a roomette for the first half and a room for the second. (We were getting in on a Monday morning and wanted the space and personal shower so that we could get ready and roll right into work. Amtrak, being Amtrak, we were two hours late anyways.)
Overall, I preferred the roomette. It was nice to have your own bathroom and a little space to move around in the room (There is no floor space in a roomette with 2 people), but I just could not get comfortable either on that couch or the little chair. Meanwhile, I found the roomette seats very comfortable. Plus, there's the price difference.
If we did a similar trip today with our daughter, we'd have to get a room, but if you only have two people (who are OK playing footsie for the whole trip), get a roomette.
Sean. Have to agree. We did SW Chief from Kansas City to Chicago in 2017 and the roomette was more than adequate. For a longer trip, (under non-Covid conditions!), I would consider a bedroom but cost/quality does become a factor. Enjoyed the video but you get on an Amtrak long distance service at your peril re timekeeping. The freight companies have always had control of scheduling as they own the infrastructure. The best bit of our trip, though the boss doesn't agree with me, was watching all the freight traffic from the observation car. The hilarious dining room steward was another highlight.
I have touching it from Lawrence to Chicago
You're lucky you were only 2 hours late.
My family took a big trip in 1965, which included a ride on the Super Chief from Chicago to L.A. We had two rooms, one for my parents and one for me and my sister and brother. I wish I could remember more of the trip. We spent a great amount of time searching for tumble weeds, which seemed exotic to us New Englanders! I hope to experience train travel in Europe someday soon. Thanks for the great video. New subscriber.
A tip regarding luggage: You can find posts online of the dimensions of areas in the bedrooms or roomettes where you can store luggage. I usually travel in a roomette. The smaller roll-a-long luggage nicely fits standing vertically on the wide step used to climb up to the upper berth. There is a lot of space under the seats, but the space is not very tall so I take sports type duffel bag. I take some things out and hang them up. Put some items loose under one seat (like shoes), and squash the duffel bag to fit under the other seat. I'm usually the only one with a pristine looking and comfortable compartment while others look like they are living in a garbage dump. It pays to plan. And I took a large amount of items. Two people packing a little more lightly could do the same. One caveat is that when the lower bunk is made up it is pretty difficult, or impossible, to get to things under the seats. But if you first pull some things out to the floor area between the seats, you will be able to reach them.
We found the roomette didn’t have room for TWO roller carry on suitcases (sketch stack of two bags in their sides on the armrest/step) or room to set the out and fold over the top of the roller bag to retrieve items.
We each packed most everything for our one second overnight In smaller bag and kept the roller bag in the luggage compartment.
Quel beau voyage et la gare de Kansas City est un vrai bijou. Merci pour la video
Thank you. We're very proud of Union Station in Kansas City. It's still one of the largest working train stations in the US. It was built by the same architect who designed Union Station in Chicago.
This is the most comprehensive video on this train I've seen. Awesome! The one thing kinda made me sad is to see everything almost empty. The experience would be different in normal times I think. I really want people to come out go places like before.
Great video and I agree with your 3 thoughts on Amtrak, particularly national treasure. Your videos show me it’s time for a long trip by Amtrak. Thank you Jeb!
I prefer your subtitles to commentary Thibault. When you wander into franglais though, it can sometimes be amusing and charming 😀😀😀
I love the ‘franglais’!!!
Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.
These vids are a great idea to boost train travel, which we need desperately. If the number of passengers goes up, presumably the profit will help to fund greater amenities such as improved, modernized cars and traditional dining service!! That is one of the coolest things about traveling by train. We have met some very interesting people that way. Please keep up the great work here. I love your honesty and the final recap of likes and dislikes!
I love the bit when you lean out of the window. Reminds me of doing that on the HST.
What an extraordinary adventure! Last year my wife and I took our first Amtrak surfliner from San Diego to Santa Barbara for an overnight and then back to San Diego,. We really enjoyed the experience though I have to agree with you on the ambience of modern train travel versus what once was. Salutations for venturing in another country, I am scared to travel to Europe but would love to see many countries there. Thanks for your in depth review of tour travel. Hope you and your companion had a great time touring America.
Very well done on this video I like your positive feedback and you're very truthful feedback thank you for the great compliments of my beautiful state of New Mexico happy future trips my friend 🤟🤟🤙🤙👍👍👊👏
Thank you for your wonderful trip across America. I am Japanese. For the first time this year, I got on the sleeper express Sunrise IZUMO. Sunrise Izumo is the only sleeper express in Japan today that you can ride for a small fee.
In addition, there is only a cruise train that pays hundreds of thousands of yen. The Shinkansen killed all the many sleeper express trains that operated until the end of the 20th century. I hope Sunrise Izumo is driving forever.
I was surprised to find out that you have the N gauge of KAKO. I live near the KATO's factory. I've been on the Metroliner 20 years ago. The locomotive was HHP-8, but unfortunately it has not been commercialized from KATO. I want to travel on Amtrack's Super Liner someday.
I hope you get a chance.
What an incredible insight to Amtrack and your trips! Extremely great info! Can't wait to see all your trips after just stumbling onto your channel! I've always wondered about a REAL assessment from a real passenger. Thankyou. This really helps.
Well this helps. Seriously, when your expectation of train travel is set by Bing Crosby and company singing "Snow, snow, snow" or Cary Grant nailing Eva Marie Saint in the club car, it's good to have a hard-reset like this.
I rode Amtrack from Livingston, Montana to Seattle , Washington in about '78. I had a sleeper that had a bigger bed. It was fantastic. I had a little boy who was rather rambunctious so it was perfect. We spent a lot of time watching the beautiful scenery. Our bed was perpendicular to the window and my room was huge.
If you could afford this trip, you are very fortunate. Count your $$$ blessings. I used to take the train frequently. Cannot afford to anymore. I always found the staff to be remarkably warm and cordial. Thanks, Amtrak, I miss you.
Awesome stuff! I'm hoping to take the California zephyr once covid has calmed down. But who knows when that will be lol.
Do it. I took it from Emeryville to Denver in 2019 and it was amazing. Going through the Sierras, Utah dessert, and the Rockies is beautiful.
This is a beautiful station. I was there twice in 2006. We brought our Steam Engine, SPX-745, with her 4 car consist, there on Mardi Gras day for the grand opening of the Railroad Museum. The two center cars had three compartments each filled with Mardi Gras exhibits as a rolling museum. Then 6 months later in August of 2006 we went back to KC MO to bring her back to New Orleans. We were there for a couple weeks as we had to do an annual inspection and some repairs before we left.
They did an awesome job of restoring the station. Besides the Amtrak station and the RR Museum there are a lot of retail stores restaurants and offices. They took a rundown huge eye sore and turned it into a restored work of art, that any town would be proud of.
Great video! I rode Amtrak for the first time back in September, taking the Capitol Limited and Empire Builder from Pittsburgh to East Glacier and back (coach both ways). I enjoyed it so much that I ordered Kato's N scale Superliner starter set while I was out in Montana so it would be waiting for me when I got back. They're fantastic models! Wish I could be out riding the rails again, but I think I'll wait for COVID to ease up a bit before then.
Ahhhhhhh, Que Belleza, no se si algún día podré ir a los EEUU, el día que pueda ir me recorrere el país por AMTRAK, Un abrazo grande para todos ustedes en familia, Dios bendiga a AMTRAK, saludos cordiales desde la Bella Ciudad de Medellín, Colombia.
getting a feeling that i am also on train thanks for entertaining us
some of these US train stations are truly amazing to look at
I'm an avid rail runner. Hate flying and don't care to drive much anymore. Here's some tips: if you have a couple hour layover, like San Antonio, Tx in the middle of the night, that's a really good time to take a shower. Train is stopped and on auxiliary power. If travelling by yourself and you booked a roomette, the top bunk is great if you are able to get into it. You can leave the seats as they are.I'm 6'-4" and have no trouble in the top bunk. Next is tipping. If you tip your porter at the absolute beginning of your trip, you'll be surprised what they can ' do for you.' Many, many people just don't tip, so it is greatly appreciated. Porters and wait staff in the dining car. Tipping wait staff at the first encounter will net you coffee before they are 'officially' open for breakfast and lots of extras, including seating you on the best side of the train for what's coming up. Once, on a trip from AZ to New Orleans (2 nights each way) we were able to 'upgrade' from a roomette to a regular bedroom by simply tipping the porter (it's the way things are, not ashamed in the least!). We estimated the trip by vehicle, inclusive of motels, toll roads, and food stops, and found that the cost of a roomette vs. the cost of Amtrak, was almost the same--and don't forget to figure in the oil change and tire wear and being worn out by driving when you get to your destination. In other words, train travel is a vacation inside of a vacation. Trains go where some roads don't, so the scenery is a bit different. I've NEVER had a bad meal or a disappointment in over a decade and a half of train travel. Just figure it all out and give it a go! Thank you for this video, it was a good one.
32:28 Washing the sleeper's windows. The last time I took the Southwest Chief, from San Bernardino to Chicago in 1979, they washed the exterior of the entire train at Albuquerque during the 40-minute (I think) stop. How times have changed!
During the 50's & 60's, (dinosaur age) for Super Chief & El Capitan trains- a machine would wash all windows during the Albuquerque stop which was a highlight. Jewelry' still being sold. I've seen a few changes too!
wow, how did I not know that Kansas City Union Station was so grand, what a beautiful building. That neon Amtrak sign was so cool, I would love to see Amtrak adopt a Neo-Deco stylization in the future for their aesthetic
I just wanted to point out that you are *NOT ALLOWED* to open the window without a crew-member's permission. Don't try this yourself or else the conductor will not be very happy with you. Please do not do this! Unless he got permission, he was lucky not to get caught! I don't want anyone else following his footsteps and getting caught. :)
I second this, you can get in real trouble for doing this as it is a safety violation
What window is that? Looks like he's standing at the end door.
@@kishascape 24:48
Ticketed passengers on board trains may take photos or video record on a train when it does not interfere with passengers or crew and in accordance with any directions given by Amtrak onboard train personnel.
Please remove those parts of your video in accordance with Amtrak's policy. www.amtrak.com/photography-video-recording-policy
When I was a youngster and rode the Super Chief, a nice conductor opened a vestibule window so I could take a couple pictures. After he closed it he said "never open a window, that's my job." I remember it 55 years later.
Great video. Best train one I've seen so far. Thank you.
I will make the argument that sleeping car prices are NOT overpriced. Amtrak routinely sells out. In the world of supply and demand, that is what sets the price. You can save money by booking far ahead and looking for deals (one of the ways Amtrak makes sure they are fully booked.) A bedroom is a pretty deluxe way to travel. You can save with a roomette. Fine for one. A bit tight for two but not so bad if you PLAN how much luggage you bring and how you will stow it. (You don't want to pay the ticket price for your luggage to occupy YOUR living space on the seats.) The roomette seats are very wide. It's not that bad to use one of the many general bathrooms. And they have a nice shower room on the lower level with a nice sink (much nicer and larger than the onea in a bedroom) and provide towels and washcloths.
Love your videos. Your passion for trains really shows.
I hope when the world returns to normal Amtrak brings back the dining car experience. As mentioned, its part of the experience that makes traveling on a train a step above flying on a plane.
I love your videos so much, you’ve inspired me to buy a ticket on the California Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento next month 🤩
great video bro
Way too many ads 😴
What a great 37 minutes I spent watching this journey - your videos are next best to being onboard - Merci! As for replacing the Superliners, this Englishman feels it's essential for them to be created in the US - in order to keep the unique design tradition and aura of American long distance machines. Perhaps retro/modern should be the way to go? It would be a shame to look too European - as good as they are, as has happened with Greyhound coaches. The beautiful 'Superscenicruisers' of the 1960's just looked so much better than their modern day equivalents. Amtrak should play on their heritage. Happy and safe travelling!
Awesome trip report bro you always do great with them!
Great videos and this one is no exception. This is an awesome in depth video on the southwest chief. I have always wanted to ride this train. I just wanted to point out and please know I’m not trying to be rude but please do not open the vestibule window on the train. The only reason I say this is I’ve seen it personally in my travels. Some conductors would either give a personal warning or a general announcement over the PA System not to do that but there are a fraction of conductors that have the captain of the ship attitude and might put you off the train with no warning. I just don’t want to see that happen to you.
Yes, I was wondering why there isn’t an alarm or something to warn conductors of a door opening. How dangerous that can be if done by a passenger (as in, a child), I should think. If somebody decided to “do the deed”, no one would ever know where to begin looking. Yikes.
Hi Thibault, enjoyed the Amtrak Southwest with you...Wonderful views...I generally prefer coaches where one can open the windows: of course depending on the weather conditions...Cheers from Bangalore mate...🚂🚂🚂
When we were there in 2006 with our steam engine they were installing the overhead walk way. It lead to a shopping area and a really great BBQ and Steak restaurant. Our whole group celebrated with me and my wife for our 48th wedding anniversary.
A wonderful Railway experience garnished by the very finest of stouthearted Amtrak personnel.
I rode it 2 years ago on a 25 day trip in roommet. Was just before end of dining cars, food was good, over priced if not in sleeper. AAA and AMTRAK made the arrangements, tours, hotels and most transfers included. A GREAT TRIP 👍 🙀🚂🚉
The real fun of being on a train is to stand at the doorway for a while. Brings back memories of when I used to do that (ie when I used to travel by train a lot)
Oh boy, a prison breakfast. It's really bad when the food in the cafe car is better than the food you paid for with your sleeper. I've traveled on the Chief, City of New Orleans, Texas Eagle, and the Empire Builder. All had great food and food choices. I'll be back when they get real food again.
Yep, the microwaved cheeseburger and ham sandwich is better than that frozen entree shit...
" I'll be back when they get real food again" So you are saying you won't travel Amtrak again? ;)
@Juan Sanchez WOOOOO YEAH BABBYYY THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FORR WOOOOO
Thank you for this wonderful tour my friend..stay safe
I have had power outlet issues everywhere with Amtrak, especially Chicago station (that was in 2008-2012 when I had to make some long journeys). Formed the habit of carrying a three -outlet extension cord in my laptop bag. At stations, people would walk up and ask if they could use the spare outlet on my cord. Made lots of friends!
I took the Chicago to East glacier MT is was a bedroom. Then to Seattle after t two nights At the lodge. FANTASTIC travel adventure. plenty of room when the beds are made. Will now travel from NY to CA and back via a different route once this virus deal is over.
I did this Amtrak trip twice from Chicago. And just slept on the regular seat overnight. I loved my trip.
Beautiful trip. I love the scenery. I wonder when this was filmed. Surprised so many people. During the covid. I never thought or New Mexico would be so gorgeous, ok I am dumb. LOL. I am happy you seem to like the United States. I love france so much too,
Very nice, I have an HO scale Kato 156, definitely a nice locomotive.
Also, a pro tip from someone who has rode in those bedrooms before: pack a smaller carry-on suitcase and check your bigger bags. Makes getting around the room easier at night and going up the stairs. Also, bring a small surge protector to compensate for the one plug.
Completely agree!!!
Small overnight bag and some additional electrical capability...our first two recommendations.
Can you (or someone in the comments) tell me how you were able to stick your phone/camera outside the train at 24:47? I'm going on another ride soon and would love to get a good shot (or is this a no-no and just got lucky a door was unlocked)? Thanks!
Wonderful review as always and the Southwest Chief is a special train for me.
My earliest memory was when I was 4 years old and I saw the combined Super Chief/El Capitan at a grade crossing in my hometown of Pasadena, California. Until I moved out of California I would go down to the Pasadena station and see the train stop at the station on its way to Chicago.
The Coach Baggage cars were not converted they were built that way because Amtrak planned to eliminate the baggage cars when the Superliners came online. An interesting note is that they originally had 78 seats on the upper level of the Coach-Baggage cars instead of 62 but after many complaints from people stuck in them for multiple days they converted them so they had the same seats are the regular coaches.
Your observations about Amtrak employees are spot on. I have either had fantastic employees or poor employees that would be terminated if Amtrak was a normal company.
Also, Amtrak's maintenance generally sucks. They do not take care of the equipment unless a state is paying to maintain the equipment.
When I was an elementary school kid in Arcadia, CA in the 1950s most classrooms had a view of the elevated right of way of the Santa Fe main line east. What a joy to see the Chief, Super Chief, and El Capitan steam back or forth during the day. In those days they did use steam engines. It didn't matter what teacher was doing, passenger trains were more exciting. I wanted to ride on one so bad and still do.
I've ridden the Chief many times. Never in a sleeper, since my stop was at Hutchinson, Kansas and we arrived around 4am. Still a good ride though. You're definitely right about the crew. Some love their job and are super nice and others are clearly in the wrong line of work.
I am always so amazed by your European videos; I've used Amtrak several times and it's terrible by comparison. The schedule delays, the staff inconsistencies, the aging rolling stock, the over-priced tickets... the US just hasn't embraced rail travel like the rest of the world, which is such a shame given our long railroad history
Sigh, passenger rail was never the chosen method, it never was profitable outside select areas. Since the inception of the railways, freight has driven them. Passenger rail was just a by-product back in the day.
The reality is passenger rail can never compete with driving and flying outside a few select routes. Either the distance is short enough where the convenience of having an automobile is worth more, or it is too far which flying just is faster and cheaper.
As for Europe, if you read the statistics they don't like passenger rail that much themselves. Rail is the third most popular mode of transport behind flying and driving. Passenger rail in western Europe is only at the level it is because of massive government subsidies, and at the cost of rail freight which has resulted in Europe moving freight by the road, polluting massively.
@@TheOwenMajor You are right.
@@TheOwenMajor And yet no one can explain "why." Why is owning an automobile more convenient? The long-term cost of a personal vehicle stacks up massively when it comes to insurance, maintenance, fuel, the necessary education to safely operate one, not to mention the aspects of space for parking, the vehicle itself you purchase, etc. Why is a flight faster and cheaper? Even with high-powered turbines planes are incredibly inefficient, both with fuel consumption and passenger capacity, amenities are thinned, and even with higher speeds much of that can be squandered by delays from weather, taxiing, security, and the location of airports themselves.
How come the railroads, which can offer automotive levels of flexibility with little to no interfering traffic, lack of need for large termini at every stop, ease of access to population centers, coupled with airline levels of passenger comfort, speed, and responsive service, along with even more amenities than those airliners, complete with full meals, luggage, sleeping compartments, still fall behind?
I think capitalism is to blame. The need for all transport to exist within these frameworks of profit and capital accumulation to sustain themselves has had disastrous consequences, and the results can be found in even the most tangential conditions. The ways railroads have been needing to cut back services, inability to invest to refine and produce better rolling stock, the general lack of consistency in scheduling due to low-priority given from other private railroads, all have formed in the dire need for Amtrak to turn a profit for its shareholders. And that of course is not mentioning the human cost, whether it be lack of wage growth for personnel, having little say in how or where the direction of the rail company goes, and even the incidents that have occurred due to reduced maintenance for the locomotives, rolling stock, and general rail infrastructure like ballast, signals, properly working switches, all have basis in the way that they have been produced. What they were made by, made for, and made with: all of it is done to make as much capital for those who produce it.
@@trashrabbit69 "And yet no one can explain "why." Why is owning an automobile more convenient? The long-term cost of a personal vehicle stacks up massively"
Let's first address cost, car ownership is high even in European metro cities. This holds true in Japan, again showing people simply like owning cars for a variety of reasons. Thus people own cars, the cost is a nonstarter.
Secondly, why can they be more convenient? Well you don't have to transfer modes of transport, you go from door to door, and these days it's valued you don't have to be in public.
"Why is a flight faster and cheaper? Even with high-powered turbines planes...... "
Air travel's infrastructure is fixed, your infrastructure costs will be about the same whether it's a 100 miles or 5000. Also airports can serve multiple routes, a train line only serves point a-b.
Talking about efficiency, depending on the distance and number of passengers air travel can be the most efficient mode of transport. Servicing a small town via a turboprop aircraft will certainly be more efficient then building a rail line too it.
"How come the railroads, which can offer automotive levels of flexibility with little to no interfering traffic, lack of need for large termini at every stop, ease of access to population centers, coupled with airline levels of passenger comfort, speed, and responsive service, along with even more amenities than those airliners, complete with full meals, luggage, sleeping compartments, still fall behind? "
Flexibility? How? You have fixed routes with fixed schedules. It's no more flexible then air travel.
Large Terminal? Ever been to a small airport? Those things are great, in and out, small.
Ease of access? Sure, if your destination is downtown. Citites are increasingly moving both population and workspaces to the suburbs.
Speed? No, for the vast majorty of the US even high speed rail isn't even as close as fast as air travel.
"I think capitalism is to blame."
Ok comrade. Move to Cuba and see how great transport is. You will get on a high-speed pickup truck with some benches welded to the back.
@@TheOwenMajor
"car ownership is high even in European metro cities. This holds true in Japan, again showing people simply like owning cars for a variety of reasons. Thus people own cars, the cost is a nonstarter."
That doesn't address my point. Why does the population rely so heavily on cars? Saying "people like owning them" doesn't offer a sound reason as to why they have dominated infrastructure. There is an important utility value that has to be addressed, much of automobile's utility dies in the city, they can't go fast, they can't get good mileage, and its incredibly difficult to provide the logistics necessary for them to engage in an urban setting, what with parking garages, gas stations, etc. The most vehicles have use for in cities are last-mile deliveries and projects like construction, repair, utilities, all of which pale in comparison to private ownership by individuals to get to work.
"Secondly, why can they be more convenient? Well you don't have to transfer modes of transport, you go from door to door, and these days it's valued you don't have to be in public."
You don't have to do that with trains either. Those in NYC use the subway almost exclusively, many of the main areas of importance have a small station within a block away. The difference is that the infrastructure is more effective and efficient, being able to move thousands of passengers per hour in a small space in a short time. Many in Philly use the streetcars, which aren't as effective as subterranean transport but can be just as useful as a bus, albeit with minor shortcomings. Germany has also solved a lot of the modal issues with the S-Bahn, with smaller trains going deep into the urban centers whilst larger interurbans and long-distance trains being sent through outer-area termini. Again, the only seeming benefit of an automobile in an urban area is its ability to carry... stuffs. Most door to door things like mail have utilized bicycles and mopeds to accomplish their daily needs, with cars being sent out if needed for large/bulk items.
"Air travel's infrastructure is fixed, your infrastructure costs will be about the same whether it's a 100 miles or 5000."
...I'm confused by this point. Do you mean things like controllers, runways, etc.? I would bet that the specific costs of infrastructure for all transport is the same regardless of distance. My point was that some cost _more_ for their respective need, which is where trains are superior. Rails can last 50-60 years depending on construction, which is far longer than roads used for cars. Planes can live around the same time, but necessitate far more intensive maintenance, both for electrical and mechanical systems onboard the aircraft. Airports are fairly 1-to-1 to a train yard/station, they can be as complex as a major city hub or as simple as a gravel/dirt path, the important bit is connection.
"Also airports can serve multiple routes, a train line only serves point a-b."
Uhh, not really? Most stations serve numerous rail lines all going in different routes. This seems a bit of a spurious point, you can have several train lines running on the same track without much difficulty. Metra does so with the South Shore, with their own electric lines and the longer distance diesel routes, including Amtrak so I dunno what this has to do with that.
"Talking about efficiency, depending on the distance and number of passengers air travel can be the most efficient mode of transport. Servicing a small town via a turboprop aircraft will certainly be more efficient then building a rail line too it."
Sure, I mean all transportation can be the most useful depending on basic circumstances. I'm not arguing we should replace cargo ships with trains, for example. The issue I'm bringing up is how we've basically thrown all of that utilitarian calculus for what makes the most money. You could easily do that with trains as well, my examples were just related to the conditions at hand in modern society.
"Flexibility? How? You have fixed routes with fixed schedules. It's no more flexible then air travel"
Yes, however the difference is if say, one of the airports runways are out; from something like approach lights being dead, to something as serious as a crash, that runway is toast for a while. Either you have to circle the airport until you have another runway clear, or just connect to an auxiliary airport some distance away. Trains can suffer similar issues, but have more capability to change routes when necessary. You can switch to another track on a multi-tracked line, or use a bypass in case of something like a derailment, in a much faster time than aircraft. All that's needed is a switch thrown and a track warrant. Now, will the route take longer? Maybe, but that's always a possibility with a detour; the train prevails for its capacity to do so compared to aircraft. Cars are perhaps the most flexible, but that comes at the cost of whatever infrastructure is available. Not all roads will be paved, and not all of them will have enough lanes or signalized intersections to keep things moving smoothly.
"Large Terminal? Ever been to a small airport? Those things are great, in and out, small."
Trains too, man. Just more efficiently. No shade on small airports though.
"Ease of access? Sure, if your destination is downtown. Citites are increasingly moving both population and workspaces to the suburbs. "
Trains aren't a linear concept, lol. Commuter rail systems go to multiple stops, they're designed to reach those suburbs in a timely manner before getting to the cities. As for the general trends, both cities and suburbs are growing at incredibly fast paces. I don't know why that means more cars or planes, both seem incredibly bad at solving this particular issue.
"Speed? No, for the vast majorty of the US even high speed rail isn't even as close as fast as air travel."
Yeah, because capitalist parasites have left US rail infrastructure to fuckin' rot for the past century. We're still using catenaries from the 1930s for most of the NEC, and Amfleets from the 70s, because Money McGee gets more profit from shoving proles into brand-new trucks with 96 month lease periods and bringing them to airports that are glorified malls. Trains aren't limited by God to 110 MPH on straight sections, they're limited by what we've built for them to do. And the ruling class says "no rails 4 u."
Trains aren't the end all be all, but they're damn important. Our languishing and resentment for rational well-brought ideas is just a symptom of the systemic failing of our institutions that's been happening for a very long time.
Glad to see Amtrak getting back in business
The burgers on the SWC... Are absolutely AMAZING, I swear I talk about that burger every freaking day lol. It was 2014 when I had it. I hope they get dinning service back up soon💜
Sounds about right. Thank you for sharing.
I took train number 3 and 4 the southwest chief. It was a great experience. When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted...... I’ll be catching train number 3 back home to Southern California.
Christmas trees already ?
It's a lovely station. The that room you had was extremely small though. And the shower/ toilet was miniscule.
Scenery is absolutely stunning !
When I saw the Christmas trees - though beautiful and so festive - I was momentarily taken aback. I was like Oh! This trip was Christmastime 2019. But then I double-checked the dates. Guess I wasn’t yet prepared for holiday decorations 2020 lol
I doubt whether you will find a larger ensuite bathroom on any other passenger train worldwide... The Superliners do have a larger family bedroom downstairs you should book instead... Me, I prefer the Roomette...
@@ronclark9724
Thanks.
I live in Australia anyway. I tend to look at bathroom/ toilet areas in terms of easy access for people with disabilities.
No doubt many trains would have suitable facilities for those in wheelchairs , or have other mobility issues.
I was once an interpretive guide for the US Park Service "Rails and Trails" program on the Capitol Limited. The Amtrak crew told us if Amtrak is less than one hour behind schedule it has priority over all other trains on the frieght railroads. If the delay exceeds one hour the frieght railroad dispatchers are under no obligation to give Amtrak any priority over their own frieght trains, meaning you could sit in a siding for hours.
As always lovely video. I didn't really notice anything bad with the GoPro😄 stay safe 👍
$900 is cheap. You are paying for the room, your personal room attendant, the food, the gas for the train, maintenance, people's paychecks and your travel destination. What did you expect to pay? Coach fare?
Very cool. Looks like a great trip. 👍
So is dining car service cut forever? I thought it was partly a COVID-19 safety measure so might come back eventually. 🤞🏽
I’ve travelled on the Coast Starlight and the California Zephyr and in both cases, the dining car experience was great. It was also a good way to meet new people as you never know who you’ll be seated with. 👨🍳
Simplified dining was on its way to the western trains eventually. It was just a matter of time. COVID-19 just sped it up a bit. Sadly Katrina temporarily halted the sunset limited east of New Orleans as Covid-19 has temporarily reduced dining options on Amtrak. I can only hope that a full dining car service comes back to at least the Western Trains.
The dining is as such due to covid. It will be back but the don't have dining staff during these times. Your attendant serves. And regular coach passengers don't dine at all... its all lounge car for them.
No. It looks like this dining situation is a cause of modernization. Amtrak is ditching “traditional” for “logical.” Amtrak is starting to become more like an airline. I personally don’t like it. But these trains don’t make any money or have the budget to be losing the company money like this, so I can’t argue with it. It’s truly sad.
This makes me want to train travel. I've never done it. Great video.
Another great trip report.
I have done this journey twice Syracuse to Flagstaff and Buffalo to Flagstaff and then flagstaff to Syracuse. It was awesome every time, in coach class.
These long distance trains, must be like land bound cruise ships. Can't wait to try it some day.
Like given and subscribed.I love railway travel IMHO it is the finest way to travel if you do it right so not having to listen to screaming children etc.Fantastic views of scenery at a nice relaxed pace with a modicum of luxury.
Wow that window u opened was not alarmed like an emergency exit odd. Nice vid bro
i used to take this train a few times a year when i briefl worked in Flagstaff. Almost always arrived in Albuquerque on time. On the way back, never arrived in Flagstaff on time. Always 1-2 hours late, if not longer.