Do you get off at longer stops (a poll)?

[George K]

When there's a longer stop, do you get off for a bit?

 

[Bob Dylan]

When its in the wee hours I usually don't get off but stay asleep.

 

[George K]

When its in the wee hours I usually don't get off but stay asleep.

Option #1 changed to reflect state of slumber!

 

[KauaiJohn]

I don't leave the station but I get off and nose around close to my car

 

[oregon pioneer]

I stay near, but walk the train back and forth at a brisk pace till they call the "All Aboard." Then I jump on the nearest car. I try to avoid the smokers, since it's *fresh* air that I'm after!

 

[George K]

I've detrained twice in the last year:

1) On #7 in Havre. After 48 hours, I needed a spell.

2) On #11 in Sacramento. It was dark, but I was awake, so....

Never left the platform, however.

 

[capltd29]

I would say I always do under the conditions that...

1. I am awake

2. The attendant opens the door

3. I am not in the dining car eating.

If I am just in the sleeping car (usually), I'll always take the opportunity to step off the train for even just a few minutes.

 

[JayPea]

I usually do, unless it is in the middle of the night or unless it is pouring rain.

 

[Seaboard92]

I always get off. I run up to the locomotive and grab a picture. Then come back. Given time I get a picture of the diner if it is a heritage one. My attendant always knows where to look for me

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I would say I always do under the conditions that...

1. I am awake

2. The attendant opens the door

3. I am not in the dining car eating.

4. The weather is agreeable to my clothing

5. There is something to see outside of the train

If it's cold/windy/raining and we're parked at a commuter style bus stop then I'm probably staying inside.

 

[TylerP42]

We were extremely early into Salt Lake City so I went into the Station.

 

[StriderGDM]

I generally get off at WAS when taking the Crescent to/from Atlanta.

I once even ignored advice and ran up into the station for some reason. (I do believe we were fairly early and I knew how long the engine change would take and since we were SB, it would not leave early.)

 

[TylerP42]

I generally get off at WAS when taking the Crescent to/from Atlanta.

I once even ignored advice and ran up into the station for some reason. (I do believe we were fairly early and I knew how long the engine change would take and since we were SB, it would not leave early.)

They can never leave early

 

[CCC1007]

Check the NEC schedule before making that statement. They can leave early if the stop is discharge only, or if there is an L in the schedule.

 

[cirdan]

If I'm going anywhere other than trainside I make doubly sure there is enough time and also inform my SCA.

 

[Steve4031]

Informing the sca will not make a difference. When the conductor says high ball, it's leaving. A lady got left in del rio while using the bathroom in the station.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Informing the sca will not make a difference. When the conductor says high ball, it's leaving. A lady got left in del rio while using the bathroom in the station.

Making for an expensive cab ride to Alpine or San Antonio!

 

[George K]

Informing the sca will not make a difference. When the conductor says high ball, it's leaving. A lady got left in del rio while using the bathroom in the station.

Making for an expensive cab ride to Alpine or San Antonio!

I've never paid attention (since I usually don't get off), but is there a warning that says "Hey, we're leaving in 3 minutes" or something like that? I know the two short blasts of the horn mean that we're about to start moving, but how about "get your buns back on board NOW."?

 

[StriderGDM]

I generally get off at WAS when taking the Crescent to/from Atlanta.

I once even ignored advice and ran up into the station for some reason. (I do believe we were fairly early and I knew how long the engine change would take and since we were SB, it would not leave early.)

They can never leave early

Northbound they can and do. Washington and points north are discharge only, so once they've detrained all passengers, if there's a slot available, they'll take it and leave early.

 

[jis]

Informing the sca will not make a difference. When the conductor says high ball, it's leaving. A lady got left in del rio while using the bathroom in the station.

Making for an expensive cab ride to Alpine or San Antonio!

I've never paid attention (since I usually don't get off), but is there a warning that says "Hey, we're leaving in 3 minutes" or something like that? I know the two short blasts of the horn mean that we're about to start moving, but how about "get your buns back on board NOW."?

The "last call" announcement in the station is a very good indication. The "All Aboard" means if you are not aboard in a minute or two you'd be out of luck.

 

[George K]

The "last call" announcement in the station is a very good indication. The "All Aboard" means if you are not aboard in a minute or two you'd be out of luck.

Duh. Of course! I never really paid attention to the "Last Call!" because I've always boarded as early as I could, and I was settling in my room(ette) at the time of the call. And that explains why I've never noticed the "All aboard!" either.

Thanks for clarifying that.

Maybe I'll stretch my legs in Memphis week after next!

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Yes, for excercise, but I always stay on the platform and don't take a chance going into the station.

 

[zephyr17]

Informing the sca will not make a difference. When the conductor says high ball, it's leaving. A lady got left in del rio while using the bathroom in the station.

Making for an expensive cab ride to Alpine or San Antonio!

I've never paid attention (since I usually don't get off), but is there a warning that says "Hey, we're leaving in 3 minutes" or something like that? I know the two short blasts of the horn mean that we're about to start moving, but how about "get your buns back on board NOW."?

The "last call" announcement in the station is a very good indication. The "All Aboard" means if you are not aboard in a minute or two you'd be out of luck.

I think the time left after "All Aboard" is less than that usually. I would put it at a minute at the outside, most of the time. When they call "All Aboard" the train is going to GO. If you aren't at trainside on the platform when "All Aboard" is called you are likely to get left. If you aren't outside your car, board the car you are nearest to.

The exceptions I've seen is when the conductor sees someone trying to hustle for the train and holds it, or something comes up at the last second.

 

[TylerP42]

Shanghai and I were at WAS going on a points run when our Silver Star was held up because someone went into starbucks and his girlfriend made a big fuss. He took longer than it took to change the locos...

 

[jis]

Shanghai and I were at WAS going on a points run when our Silver Star was held up because someone went into starbucks and his girlfriend made a big fuss. He took longer than it took to change the locos...

Yes, people unfortunately can be quite selfish either deliberately or cluelessly. Delaying an entire train seems to be of little concern to some. On train 6 once a mother left her children on the train and went of shopping. Her absence was discovered after the train had departed the station. Amtrak had to arrange to taxi the mother over to some obscure railroad crossing to reunite her with her children. Fortunately the resulting delay was minimal.