Recent content by 7deuceman

For another reference to hotels in Chicago and throughout the US: if you've not yet done so, you might cut and paste this link to your browser: http://www.aarp.org/ On the TRAVEL tab click and check the HOTELS feature. There you'll fine a nice assortment of hotels with varying prices, plus...

Yesterday at what seemed to be early afternoon, I noted a BNSF diesel yanking an Amtrak unit and possibly the consist from the Illinois Zephyr 380 eastbound through Downers Grove. Said laughing in regard to the 383 issue: hey, at least it wasn't a heavy twin-jet shutting an engine down over...

I am sure that Amtrak has tried to address the messy toilet issues. But really, airliner toilets can be as messy as railcar toilets. Well-hydrated men, feeling no pain after a few beers and using the facilities in turbulence are often bad marksmen. On really long flights, some blue room...

Amtrak should build the Cardinal brand by making the train more recognizable and memorable. They could begin by refurbishing the trainsets used on that route with a deep (dark) red based color motif and décor. Each car could be fitted with a deep red seat fabric and carpet, paired with a light...

The Quiet Car concept has the potential to draw more customers to Amtrak's Northeast Regional services. Perhaps such services will be expanded to other NER trains in greater numbers of cars offered. Quiet Cars make sense to me, because part of the reason I use rail transportation both...

The participants on this thread have presented some very focused ideas and interesting information regarding what is needed to help Amtrak improve the entire operation - including maintenance, service and future needs and more. The wealth of railroad knowledge shown by all is impressive. We...

This an interesting topic and one that I've always pondered: it appears that there is a bit of extra legroom on the stairway side of the car. As I recall the seat pairs immediately forward and rear of the stairway bulkheads appear to have more legroom. I have also noted that IMO those two seat...

The fact that Amtrak essentially does not have WiFi on LD trains does not prevent me from enjoying the relaxation and cost-effective aspect of train travel or keeping in touch when needed. When I travel LD trains, I rarely have a problem with connectivity. I have had good luck with cell...

For annoying loudspeakers in the Roomette, nothing works as good as a 4x4 patch of inch-thick fiberglass insulation and duct tape. Actually, the lightweight HVAC Aluminum Tape (resembling the kind of tape that temporarily covers holes in aircraft skin) is sometimes more durable than the duct...

I appreciate the effort that the Amtrak culinary staff has made to serve guests well: Best dinner choice: Several years ago when riding the CZ from Denver to Chicago, I had a very nicely presented stuffed - double - pork chop with baked potato and veggies. It was so good I almost ordered...

Here are a few points that I've noticed about coach seating and comfort: The Amtrak coach seat found on many LD trains offers plenty of legroom and a reasonable reclining pitch. My preference is the Superliner where the upper deck is insulated from most rail noise. The other single-level cars...

Why is it that a heavily-traveled train on the Northeast Corridor does not have an ample supply of a popular beverage - Diet Pepsi in regular sized cans - displayed in the eyesight of passengers? Seems like the Commissary did not load enough product and the café attendant didn't have a...

Thank you, v v, for starting such an interesting thread. I was inspired by your adventure traveling through France and long for the opportunity to visit there. I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and from early childhood was able to view the trains of the Milwaukee Road, Chicago...

Thank you Caravanman for the bit of civility which is sometimes absent from this forum.

From what I understand, wearing the Conductor hat on duty during extremely hot weather is difficult for some crewmembers. It would appear to me that the hats could be especially uncomfortable on southern trains during the summer months. In my opinion, as long as other crewmembers recognize the...