Riding the rails - Amtrak trip reports

[RobertB]

I'm finally going to get to report on riding Amtrak! I just made my reservations for Austin for the Democratic State Convention, June 5-7. To my great surprise, it'll cost about as much to ride the rails as to drive -- just $31 each way. If gas is $4 by summer (which looks entirely possible), the gas alone comes to over $25, even at 30mpg. I'd pay $6 to avoid that drive any time, plus I've always wanted to take the train.

There are downsides, of course. The three-hour drive will be a seven-hour train journey -- but that's just the sort of relaxed pace I'd like to try (plus it always takes longer in traffic). Food on the train is a lot higher than stopping at a Taco Bell in Waco -- so I'll likely brown-bag it. I won't have a car in Austin -- but the place I'm staying (an old high school friend, now an Austin artist) is a block from a bus stop. The biggest obstacle is that taking anyone with me would double the cost, making the train a poor choice -- but it's just me this time.

I'll post a detailed report after the trip, or I may even report from Austin if I get a chance. Meanwhile, I know some of the other forum members have taken Amtrak, but I couldn't find a good thread for actual experiences travelling between cities by rail. I'd like to hear other stories, as well as tips and tricks. Where do I want to hang out if I want to spend 7 hours gawking at the scenery? Anything in particular I should watch for between Dallas and Austin? Do I need to wear flip-flops, or is that only when going to the airport? My goodness, I haven't travelled more than 30 miles without being behind the wheel in at least 10 years... I can hardly wait.

[AeroD]

Many moons ago, I took Amtrak to Longview to visit relatives. What would have been a 1.5 hour drive became a 3 hour trip.

The folks in coach are "interesting". I am being as polite as possible.

Unless you live along the Acela route, passenger rail service in the U.S. is a joke.

Amtrak should be abolished, and states should decide to implement their own rail service.

[TheMapman]

I was stuck taking Amtrak from central Illinois to New Orleans fall 2006. That's a long ride with no sleeper car (16 hours each way). Only two places in the whole train to plug in a laptop, we were going down there to work with some neighborhood organizations to rebuild the Lower and Upper 9th and had tight deadlines, meaning we had to work on the train - but with only one outlet per 3 people we had to work in shifts and it was slow, to be polite.

I've taken Amtrak on a Champaign to Chicago run as well, and it was over 3 hours, after being 2 hours late....what would be a 3 hour car journey with traffic ended up being 5 hours of boredom.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I've taken Amtrak on several occasions and have loved it every time. The only negative experience I have had came when a freight train lost its load at the bottom of a hill and couldn't get enough momentum to get its load up. The Heartland Flyer to OKC takes only 30 minutes more to by train than by car, and as RobertB said, it is a lot more relaxing. Also, it is a lot more scenic.


Many moons ago, I took Amtrak to Longview to visit relatives. What would have been a 1.5 hour drive became a 3 hour trip.

The folks in coach are "interesting". I am being as polite as possible.

Unless you live along the Acela route, passenger rail service in the U.S. is a joke.

Amtrak should be abolished, and states should decide to implement their own rail service.

From 1890 to about 60 years ago, the US had the most advanced rail system in the world, virtually all by the private sector. Then the government started building roads, thereby subsidizing auto travel. The last private passenger rail came around 1969-1970. Since then, an industry that at the time was a multi-billion dollar industry, started getting less than a billion to run, and basically became a footnote for actual transportation.

Dallas at one time had 8 different passenger rail companies with more than ten lines serve the city. Now we have one of each.

While I do agree that states need to play a bigger part, the feds needs to play a part to. The only difference between the interstate system and passenger rail is how we get there.

Just a regional example, we are having a tough time having DART, the T and the DCTA integrate their system. I can't imagine how that would play out with 48 different states.

[texcolo2]

I took it from DC to Philly back in the 80's. It was a fun trip.

[AeroD]

From 1890 to about 60 years ago, the US had the most advanced rail system in the world, virtually all by the private sector. Then the government started building roads, thereby subsidizing auto travel. The last private passenger rail came around 1969-1970. Since then, an industry that at the time was a multi-billion dollar industry, started getting less than a billion to run, and basically became a footnote for actual transportation....

While I do agree that states need to play a bigger part, the feds needs to play a part to. The only difference between the interstate system and passenger rail is how we get there.

Just a regional example, we are having a tough time having DART, the T and the DCTA integrate their system. I can't imagine how that would play out with 48 different states.

Feds are starting to get out of the road-building business themselves, which is why statehouses across the country are scrambling looking for ways to address road maintenance and construction. With that said, I don't expect the Feds to be getting involved in the railroad business either.

Let us not get too carried away about thinking that the railroads of yesterday where examples of Adam Smith's market economy. The government granted railroads large concessions, e.g. land.

While you may have loved traveling on Amtrak, you are probably the exception and not the rule.

http://www.reason.com/news/show/117944.html

[RobertB]

While you may have loved traveling on Amtrak, you are probably the exception and not the rule.
Well, in terms of posters on this thread, I think the balance will shift to 50% after my ride. 'Cause I'm certain to have a blast -- I'm not exactly the most valid statictical model, sorry.

But then, neither is reason.com, whose tagline is "Free Minds and Free Markets". They're as anti-Amtrak as I am pro-Amtrak, so I guess we balance each other out. They'll see the train stopped for 15 minutes by a scrap metal yard; I'll remember the times I've been stuck in Austin traffic for an hour smelling the exhaust of my fellow motorists.

[Geaux Tigers]

It wasn't Amtrak, but my wife and I took Via Rail from Montreal to Quebec City roundtrip a few years ago and loved it.

[ihavebeenseen]

This past SxSW (Spring Break) I took Amtrak up to Austin from Ft. Worth and rode back w/ a buddy. I would have taken the TRE from Dallas, but the schedule is too tight. Yea i could have embarked Amtrak in Dallas, but it takes 2 hrs to go from Dallas until you leave Ft Worth.

30 bucks was not a bad deal, plus no driving and saved a bit on CO2 production. Only problem i had w/ the whole thing is the d@mn UP freight holding up the lines. That 4hr 20min trip from Ft. Worth became 6hrs 20mins. If I had know that i would taken a one way flight down and paid for a carbon offset. However I did meet some interesting (very very) people on the train, but my next intercity train trip will have to wait until we get some dedicated passenger rail.

Make sure you ride in the lounge car and keep an eye out for the most gnarly little airport every when you get outside of Ft. Worth.

[AeroD]

Well, in terms of posters on this thread, I think the balance will shift to 50% after my ride. 'Cause I'm certain to have a blast -- I'm not exactly the most valid statictical model, sorry.

But then, neither is reason.com, whose tagline is "Free Minds and Free Markets". They're as anti-Amtrak as I am pro-Amtrak, so I guess we balance each other out. They'll see the train stopped for 15 minutes by a scrap metal yard; I'll remember the times I've been stuck in Austin traffic for an hour smelling the exhaust of my fellow motorists.

You can be pro-passenger rail, and anti-federal government-spending-money-on-projects-that-do-not-work.

[Haretip]

The coolest Amtrak trip I ever had was when my plane from St. Louis to DFW was cancelled due to high winds last year. There was no way I wanted to sleep at the airport or waste time sitting in a hotel. so I took the light rail from the airport to the train station and hopped aboard the Texas Eagle. I paid a little more for a sleeping birth (but still less than my plane ticket) which included meals. After I stowed my stuff the porter told me to go directly to the diner since they were now serving dinner and she folded my bed out while I was eating a pretty good hot meal. I had trouble getting to sleep when I got back to my room because the view out the window as we traced along the Mississippi River was incredible. I watched barges appear and disappear for about an hour before I dozed off. I had breakfast in Texarkanna with a complimentary Sunday paper and lunch somewhere near Lake Tawakoni. It was great, like having a hotel room with a butler.

I am all for accountablility and free market, but the problem is that the playing field is not level between the modes. If you don't want to subsidize rail travel, then stop subsidizing air travel and highway travel.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I am all for accountablility and free market, but the problem is that the playing field is not level between the modes. If you don't want to subsidize rail travel, then stop subsidizing air travel and highway travel.

I've been barking up that tree for a long time. The problem is people like Aero see highways and air travel an investment and see transit as a subsidy. They'll say stuff like governments granted railroads this that or the other, but they haven't gotten anything meaningful in 80 years and all the while they were still taxed, while highways and air had many costs covered by the government, causing a lower cost of use for those services.

Amtrak has to use freight rail companies tracks, and therefore have to cede the way when they need to. No other form of transport used by the public has that problem. And still, on top of it all, it still moved 26 million people last year, and the past few years have seen increased ridership. And all the while, it has a farebox recovery rate of 70%.

[AeroD]

I've been barking up that tree for a long time. The problem is people like Aero see highways and air travel an investment and see transit as a subsidy. They'll say stuff like governments granted railroads this that or the other, but they haven't gotten anything meaningful in 80 years and all the while they were still taxed, while highways and air had many costs covered by the government, causing a lower cost of use for those services.

Amtrak has to use freight rail companies tracks, and therefore have to cede the way when they need to. No other form of transport used by the public has that problem. And still, on top of it all, it still moved 26 million people last year, and the past few years have seen increased ridership. And all the while, it has a farebox recovery rate of 70%.

There you go again making assumptions about my positions on air and highway travel.

I don't think we should subsidize air travel with federal funds. Some airlines need to fall. As far as highways are concerned, I am user-fee kind of guy, so toll all the way.

If you and "many" others love Amtrak, then its users should pay for it and not everyone else. I would apply the same rule to air travel and highways.

[AeroD]

Amtrak has to use freight rail companies tracks, and therefore have to cede the way when they need to. No other form of transport used by the public has that problem. And still, on top of it all, it still moved 26 million people last year, and the past few years have seen increased ridership. And all the while, it has a farebox recovery rate of 70%.

And where on God's (or Science's) Green earth are you getting 26 million people? In FY07, Amtrak carried only 3.8 million passengers.

If you don't want to believe me UTDSport, at least you can believe Amtrak, right?

Amtrak Report (http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/LongDistanceTrains.pdf)

[FoUTASportscaster]

^Uh...you do realize that the above numbers are just for long distance trains, and not for the entire Amtrak system, don't you? Of course not, or else you wouldn't have posted that. If you don't believe me ZeroD, you do believe Amtrak, right?

http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/AmtrakAnnualReport_2006.pdf

From FY 06, and that number has risen in 07, and they are on pace to break this year.


There you go again making assumptions about my positions on air and highway travel.

I don't think we should subsidize air travel with federal funds. Some airlines need to fall. As far as highways are concerned, I am user-fee kind of guy, so toll all the way.

If you and "many" others love Amtrak, then its users should pay for it and not everyone else. I would apply the same rule to air travel and highways.

Agreed, however, the government has skewed the cost of travel so heavily in favor of auto and air, it is impossible to break all ties and have everything on equal footing. Ex, the DNT is heavily used, thanks in large part to 35, 75 and 635, all free throughfares.

[AeroD]

^Uh...you do realize that the above numbers are just for long distance trains, and not for the entire Amtrak system, don't you? Of course not, or else you wouldn't have posted that. If you don't believe me ZeroD, you do believe Amtrak, right?

http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/AmtrakAnnualReport_2006.pdf

Oh I do know. That low number of passengers on long distance trains strengthens that argument that we do not need a once-size-fits-all federal passenger rail system. I should not have to pay for part of your trip via Amtrak to Disney World.

Passenger rail service should be either subsidized regionally by the states or privately. If the good people of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C., and New Jersey want passenger rail, they should pay for it and not say the good people of DFW or Montana. But maybe that is just me. Kind of like DART, only those who participate in the system pay for it, and not Fort Worth or Waco or Austin.

If you want rail in Texas, then the Great State of Texas or the customers of private rail service should pay for it and not the people of Arkansas.

Although, at first glance 26 million may seem impressive, it is not so impressive when you compare it with 22 million passengers that Greyhound carries annually.

As far me believing Amtrak, I view what Amtrak will have to say with skepticism. As it is a bureaucracy that is dependent on federal funds, it will have every incentive to "cook the books" if you will when making its case to Congress. You on the other hand, love Amtrak, so you would believe anything they say.


Agreed, however, the government has skewed the cost of travel so heavily in favor of auto and air, it is impossible to break all ties and have everything on equal footing. Ex, the DNT is heavily used, thanks in large part to 35, 75 and 635, all free throughfares.

It will be impossible to break all ties, if you decide to take on auto and air first. But that is why you have to start small. You start with rail. Then you go to the next bigger fish...air. Lastly, our beloved highway system.

[Haretip]

And once again, the great debaters have hijacked the thread.

[RobertB]

I don't see a more general thread, so I'll post this here:


National Train Day 2008
http://www.nationaltrainday.com/

On May 10, 1869, in Promontory Summit, Utah, the “golden spike” was driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways, ceremonially creating the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. And America was transformed.

Suddenly, the country was united in a way it never had been, and train travel sparked imaginations in small towns and big cities, among folk who desired adventure and businessmen who saw fortunes to be made. The sound of a train whistle was the soundtrack of happy reunions and tearful farewells. It heralded the arrival of mail, supplies and change.

The train became more than the go-to mode of transport for people and goods. It was a proud achievement of engineering vision, technical ingenuity and sweat. It was a cultural force that sparked the creative imaginations of storytellers in songs, movies and novels. Railways provided jobs for thousands of Americans. The train station became a focal point of every community, from New York City’s Pennsylvania Station to the tiny stations that dotted rural America.

Now, 139 years after the golden spike connected east and west, there’s never been a better time to take the train. Huge crowds and the frustrations that go with them burden our highways and airports. And at a time when we all share the same pressing concerns about ecology and energy conservation, trains are a more energy-efficient mode of travel than either autos or airplanes. Riding the rails is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Not to mention meet interesting people and see breathtaking scenery.

So mark May 10th on your calendar for a coast-to-coast celebration of the way trains connect people and places. In New York’s Penn Station and Union stations in Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles, there will be simultaneous National Train Day festivities that are a treat for all ages.
Fortunately, the big cities aren't the only ones hosting events of some sort:

TEXAS

12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Dallas Union Station
401 S. Houston Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Activities planned include displays, exhibits, musical entertainment and train equipment on display on the platform.
For more information: http://www.texasrailadvocates.org

12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center
1001 Jones Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Activities planned include entertainment, displays and exhibits.
For more information: http://www.texasrailadvocates.org
Of course, you may be wondering how you missed the last National Train Day. It's because this is the "first annual" observance of the event. Time will tell whether there's a "second annual".

[saxman66]

I'm planning on attending the National Train Day events. Not sure which station yet. If anyone wants to meet up, let me know.

And if you want to talk about Amtrak, talk to me. I've racked up over 52,000 miles on them. Robert, here's some highlights to look for along the way. Just after Cleburne, you'll get out into more of "West" Texas. You'll be travelling through canyons and cuts when you come on the Lake Whitney bridge. At that time of season, you'll be able to wave at plenty of boaters. You'll also pass through Clifton, Meridian, and even Crawford. Coming into Temple, you'll cross back to the east side of I-35. Here they will usually let people off for a smoke stop. After Temple, the TE switches back over to UP tracks. At Taylor, you make a sharp turn to the right and make your way into Austin, along MOPac. Hope you like the trip.


Oh I do know. That low number of passengers on long distance trains strengthens that argument that we do not need a once-size-fits-all federal passenger rail system. I should not have to pay for part of your trip via Amtrak to Disney World.

That low number doesn't mean much. Maybe it's because they only run once a day or even 3 times a week in some cases. They do however make more money per passenger mile though. And they are routinely sold out many time, especially in the summer.

[xdavidwattsx]

Amtrak is certainly more of a popular option in the Northeast because of the proximity of cities so I quite enjoyed using it when I was in the region. It was less expensive than flying and much simpler than driving.

[incrediculous]

I'm taking Amtrak in June, from Chicago to St Louis, to see Tom Waits play at Fox Theater.

It's only 5.5 hours, about 30 minutes longer than the drive.

[RobertB]

I'm taking Amtrak in June, from Chicago to St Louis, to see Tom Waits play at Fox Theater.

It's only 5.5 hours, about 30 minutes longer than the drive.
Wow -- that really says something about the infrastructure.

Chicago to St. Louis is 300 miles, according to Google, and you'll be covering it in five and a half hours.

Dallas to Austin is 200 miles, and it'll take me over seven hours! A third less distance in a third more time.

Forget hi-tech "bullet train" plans for inter-city rail in Texas. If we would just upgrade the rails to 1950s standards, Amtrak would be twice as appealing to Texans. I heard someone say on the radio (TSN news) just this morning that Texas' infrastructure is crumbling, and that our rail system would be an "embarassment to Bolivia". It looks like that was an understatement.

But I picked up my tickets yesterday... I can't wait! Big thanks to saxman66 for the scenery tips. I used to take a road atlas whenever I'd fly somewhere and follow our path, so I think this is going to be great.

[tamtagon]

... to see Tom Waits play at Fox Theater.

Rock on

[incrediculous]

Wow -- that really says something about the infrastructure.

Chicago to St. Louis is 300 miles, according to Google, and you'll be covering it in five and a half hours.

Dallas to Austin is 200 miles, and it'll take me over seven hours! A third less distance in a third more time.

Did I mention it's $23 each way?

There's only one small inconvenience.. The train often sells out. Gotta book advance.

[grantboston]

Amtrak is certainly more of a popular option in the Northeast because of the proximity of cities so I quite enjoyed using it when I was in the region. It was less expensive than flying and much simpler than driving.

To this point, the Acela corridor is one of the few places in the world where high speed (I use that term loosely with Acela) trains and shuttle-style air travel coexist peacefully. I wonder how much longer that will last with the airline industry in such dire straights. I seem to recall reading in the Boston Globe that Acela ridership is through the roof in the past year or so. At the rate things are going, I wouldn't be surprised to see the BOS-NYC-PHL-DC corridor become something more like London-Paris in terms of travel...mostly train, very little flying.

On another note, how about using part of Texas' giant budget surplus to start a high speed rail system? I know it has been discussed elsewhere on here, but the state has the money and more and more people seem open to train options now that flying has become an even more expensive hassle.

[Random Traffic Guy]

I'm taking Amtrak in June, from Chicago to St Louis, to see Tom Waits play at Fox Theater.

It's only 5.5 hours, about 30 minutes longer than the drive.

Scheduled != actual when it comes to Amtrak, let us know how it actually works.

There is a site set up to track Amtrak performance: http://www.amtrakdelays.com/
You have to know the train number, check the Amtrak site. Texas Eagle into Dallas is train 21 or 22 (I guess the two directions?)

Last 30 days of data for Texas Eagle in Dallas.
Train 21, average delay 107 minutes, highest delay was 329 minutes (scheduled noon, arrival 5:29 PM, OUCH), best arrival was 12 minutes early.
Train 22, average delay 117 minutes, highest delay 284 minutes, best arrival 24 minutes late.

[AeroD]

To this point, the Acela corridor is one of the few places in the world where high speed (I use that term loosely with Acela) trains and shuttle-style air travel coexist peacefully. I wonder how much longer that will last with the airline industry in such dire straights. I seem to recall reading in the Boston Globe that Acela ridership is through the roof in the past year or so. At the rate things are going, I wouldn't be surprised to see the BOS-NYC-PHL-DC corridor become something more like London-Paris in terms of travel...mostly train, very little flying.

On another note, how about using part of Texas' giant budget surplus to start a high speed rail system? I know it has been discussed elsewhere on here, but the state has the money and more and more people seem open to train options now that flying has become an even more expensive hassle.

Most of that surplus is already committed to "property tax relief" and the Rainy Day Fund.

[RobertB]

On another note, how about using part of Texas' giant budget surplus to start a high speed rail system? I know it has been discussed elsewhere on here, but the state has the money and more and more people seem open to train options now that flying has become an even more expensive hassle.
Again, I say, forget "high speed" rail. I'd be happy with "normal speed", as appears to be the norm in Illinois. Let's upgrade the rails from Dallas to Austin and San Antonio to modern standards. Then the rails from El Paso to San Antonio to Houston. Then add new (normal speed) service: DFW to El Paso via Abilene/Midland/Odessa/Big Spring, DFW to Houston/Galveston (easy transfer to New Orleans), DFW to Wichita Falls/Amarillo and on to Denver.

The NYC-BOS corridor is one thing, but hearing that *the same physical train* makes the CHI-STL run in five and a half hours tells me that considering "Texas high speed rail" is putting the cart before the horse. It would take a fraction of that cost to fix the infrastructure already in place.

The cynical side of me can't help but wonder if some supposed backers of high-speed rail -- like Gov. Perry and the rail component of his TTC boondoggle -- are backing it because they'd rather have a failed high-speed rail system than a successful standard inter-city rail system.

[jsoto3]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the time problem with the Texas Eagle not so much the quality of the track itself, but instead the fact that it runs on a single-track freight line, constantly having to stop to either pass or be passed by the freight trains at limited "passing lanes"?

[garlander4]

The section between Chicago and St. Louis is some of the nicest rail on the Amtrak outside of the Northeast. I rode it over this past summer and the train was ON TIME. That was a first for me on the rails.

[jsoto3]

http://www.wfaa.com/video/wfaageneral-index.html?nvid=246894&shu=1

[saxman66]

Yeah, as much as I'd like to see 200 mph service, which would be extremely expensive, it wouldn't be very expensive to have higher speed service. Those P42 locomotives Amtrak uses are capable of 110 mph and that seems to be the shorter term plan. I believe a stretch of Amtrak owned track in Michigan is capable of 110 mph. If we can get to that, and get several departures a day on the I-35 corridor, it will be very popular. I was in Fort Worth the other day, and the Heartland Flyer now uses 4 cars to make the run between OKC and FTW. I asked the conductor when it arrived how many passengers got off and he said a whopping 266 rode that day! I think those Superliners have about 84 seats each.

[mstephdallas]

I have taken Amtrak from Dallas to Shreveport several times and get delayed about 50% of the time on the return. The trip there seems to always be on time, but the return trip is always delayed. In some cases significantly delayed. So, unless you can loose a day (and not in a hurry) you can take it.

I personally like the ride for several reasons - (1) It is cheap $26 one way anytime ; (2) It is quiet and people are generally very friendly; (3) you can walk around; (4) meals are available (5) it saved on vehicle wear, tear and gas ; and (6) I can walk from my house to Dart and it is only 2 stops to Union station.

If it was timely on the return, I would ride it exclusively. I have not taken other routes, but I have been told that the routes further north are more reliable. And the primary reason for the delays (as references in the chain) seem to always be the freight lines that have priority over the rail lines.

I would love to see reliable train service (high speed or not) to major cities in Texas. With the frustration most people have with airlines and high costs of gas I would think that Texans would ride. All that is required it that it is reliable, clean, safe and reasonably priced. Dart has shown that with the right combination, Dallasites will forgo the vehicle, but only if it makes sense.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I have taken Amtrak from Dallas to Shreveport several times and get delayed about 50% of the time on the return. The trip there seems to always be on time, but the return trip is always delayed. In some cases significantly delayed. So, unless you can loose a day (and not in a hurry) you can take it.

I personally like the ride for several reasons - (1) It is cheap $26 one way anytime ; (2) It is quiet and people are generally very friendly; (3) you can walk around; (4) meals are available (5) it saved on vehicle wear, tear and gas ; and (6) I can walk from my house to Dart and it is only 2 stops to Union station.

If it was timely on the return, I would ride it exclusively. I have not taken other routes, but I have been told that the routes further north are more reliable. And the primary reason for the delays (as references in the chain) seem to always be the freight lines that have priority over the rail lines.

I would love to see reliable train service (high speed or not) to major cities in Texas. With the frustration most people have with airlines and high costs of gas I would think that Texans would ride. All that is required it that it is reliable, clean, safe and reasonably prices. Dart has should that with the right combination, Dallasites will forgo the vehicle, but only if it makes sense.

Agreed with everything. To add, I always bring this up to people who bitch about transit in this region. The vast majority of the environment was not built to accommodate transit, walking, biking, etc. In places that were, like downtown where I live and the Cedars where you live, it is very convenient, because it was built that way. You and I are more likely to take transit because it is convenient.

[FoUTASportscaster]

http://www.wfaa.com/video/wfaageneral-index.html?nvid=246894&shu=1
Amtrak expansion route from OKC to KC.

http://www.passengerrailok.org/

http://www.passengerrailks.org/

[garlander4]

The reason why the southbound amtrak texas eagle is late is because Dallas is close to the end of the line and there are a lot delays between Dallas and Chicago. But the northbound train has come from San Antonio and has fewer chances to be delayed.
Plus freight railroads are more crowed from late summer to Christmas because of agriculture, automotive industry and the holiday season and less crowed in the Spring.

[CityLove]

FWIW...FoUTA and I took Amtrak on Memorial Day weekend to Norman, OK. It was easy, enjoyable, and relatively on-time. We got in about 30 min late to Norman, but arrived in Fort Worth pretty close to on-time. I love being able to sleep, read a book, watch a movie on my laptop, buy food, etc...all on the trip that I usually use my car for. Much more relaxing. And I even made a friend on the way back...a young couple with a baby traveling to see some relatives. I talked to the wife for an hour or more...something I definitely couldn't have done in a car!

We are both big fans of Amtrak, and are even incorporating it into our honeymoon. We're flying to NYC, spending a week there, then taking Amtrak all the way back. We got a sleeper car for the first night, but we'll rough it the second night, on the Texas Eagle (Chicago-Dallas). I'm sure one of us will post a review, but that won't be for another 6 1/2 months!

[palchik]

Crazy...I was on the same train...small world!

[CityLove]

Crazy...I was on the same train...small world!

How funny! Small world, indeed. :thumbsup:

[FoUTASportscaster]

What would be even more funny is if ya'll were chatting each other up.

[RobertB]

Not only was the trip to Austin great, but I ended up in a Dallas Morning News article because of it!

Plane, train, car or bus: What's the best way to go on your summer trip? (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/061408dntex1aroadtrip.4018880.html)

The Morning News sent four reporters to Austin, one by each mode of travel. Each has its advantages and drawbacks, though I can't figure out why the "total cost" for the train trip includes the hotel bills while the other options don't!

Here's my quote from the train-option segment:

Ruth Harris and Lisa Hearn kick back and play cards like old friends – even though they met just a few hours ago.

"You get a chance to meet and converse with people," says Ms. Harris, a retired teacher from suburban San Antonio.

On the other end of the lounge car, Robert Brooks of Mesquite shares Rubik's cube secrets with a pair of teenagers. Mr. Brooks, a first-time train rider on his way to the state Democratic convention, says he loves having the freedom to move around and socialize.

"I already sent my daughter a text message and told her that I'm planning for our next vacation to be on the train," he says.

We pass by a dazzling field of sunflowers and blow through Crawford at 5:10 p.m.

The train-based reporter also carried an HD camera, and the video includes me, my Rubik's Cube, and my shaggy beard. It's available on the DMN Video (http://www.dallasnews.com/video/?z=y&nvid=254127) section.

One thing that the short video and article don't mention is how lucky we are in Dallas and Fort Worth to have first-class rail stations; Dallas' Union Station and Fort Worth's Intermodal Station. Temple has a large station and museum with lots of old trains, nestled in a large park and playground. But Austin? It was the smallest, most rickety station on the line, with a faded Amtrak sign in front, and no platform -- just asphalt and rails. McGregor (http://www.mcgregor-texas.com/) (pop 4,727) has a better station. That was pretty pitiful.

Also, it's clear that there has been no meaningful investment in Amtrak's rolling stock in years. Their maintenance crews have done an amazing job with what they've been given, but the narrow, winding stairwell from the lower level to the passenger area would be impossible to navigate for anyone over 250 lbs -- if you're disabled, you're not going to be riding in the observation lounge. The seats are very comfortable, with room to stretch the longest legs without kicking the person in front of you, but they still have armrest ashtrays, glued shut since the '80s. And the bathroom in the observation car has a slot where you can deposit your used razor blades. Now there's a blast from the past!

Also, we got lucky on the way to Austin -- right on time the whole way. Not so lucky coming back on Sunday. UPRR was doing maintenance work on the busy Dallas-FW rails, and only one of the two sets of tracks was in operation. We had to sit at Tower 55 for about three hours (!) as at least two westbound freight trains (and the southbound Amtrak Texas Eagle) came by.

If Amtrak can survive with 30-year-old passenger cars and multiple-hour delays beyond their control, imagine what they could do with newer rolling stock and dedicated ROW? No wonder the airlines keep fighting to keep the brakes applied to high-speed rail.

(BTW: Sorry if I'm missing several other interesting threads, but I went straight from Austin to a week-long training class, and haven't been on the forum at all.)

[psukhu]

Does Amtrak have outlets for laptops? Unlike flying or driving, you could be productive on a train with a laptop and a mobile broadband card.

In Europe, many of the long distance trains have regular European style outlets, especially in business or first class.

[TheMapman]

Does Amtrak have outlets for laptops? Unlike flying or driving, you could be productive on a train with a laptop and a mobile broadband card.

In Europe, many of the long distance trains have regular European style outlets, especially in business or first class.

The trains I have been on have had few-to-no outlets. We had to rotate laptops on one plug in a train I took once, there were six of us trying to get a major project done on the ride back.

[bshiker]

The old Amtrack trains do not. The new Accela trains have one at each seat. The Accela is every bit as nice inside as the buiness trains in Europe.

[RobertB]

Does Amtrak have outlets for laptops? Unlike flying or driving, you could be productive on a train with a laptop and a mobile broadband card.

In Europe, many of the long distance trains have regular European style outlets, especially in business or first class.
The only electrical outlet was in the observation car, and it was always in use recharging someone-or-other's cell phone.

Unless you count the outlet in the bathroom for your newfangled electric shaver, located directly above the more traditional razor blade disposal slot (I should have looked for a strap for cleaning your straight razor).

The crew on the southbound run had a sense of humor about the equipment. The conductor announced upon leaving Fort Worth that the bathrooms were on the lower level, and to please be careful -- if one of the toilets were to get clogged, it would stay that way until San Antonio. Or perhaps until Los Angeles. Or maybe until the train got all the way back to Chicago. Don't clog the toilet.

[palchik]

When I went to OK City, my seats had an outlets both coming and going.

[mistyp0523]

I have ridden Amtrak twice. Once on the Acela from Philly to Baltimore. It was a very early morning train (still dark outside) and I slept the entire way. I recall it being very clean. Second time was from Baltimore to NY City (due to Southwest flights from Baltimore to Islip being booked solid)...had to get a First Class ticket because that was all they had left. It was very nice. Also slept a good portion of that ride.

On the 5th of July, I will be taking the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver and I'm pretty pumped about it. The price for a roundtrip ride came to $76.50 and it will take slightly under 4 hours. I considered renting a car, but while the car itself would be slightly cheaper, gas, insurance, the time spent battling the border crossing, and the enormous parking fees once in Vancouver caused me to rule that one out. The other option was Greyhound, but at the price of $76 (a whopping $.50 savings over Amtrak), I prefer the train. I'll try to remember to update you guys on the experience when I get back.

[Random Traffic Guy]

"Good" magazine article on Amtrak (http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/train_in_vain)
Reporter goes from NY to San Fran on Amtrak, with alot of background info too. Only a bit over 10% late arriving.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I can't wait to go leave our honeymoon. I am looking forward to a trip on Amtrak from NY to Dal.

[Mballar]

Do *succesful* people ride Amtrak?