Recent content by ATSFNewton

My #4 SWC trip on 3/29 is canceled, I’m guessing because today’s #3 is canceled So can’t be turned in LA. I bailed and got a flight reservation. Here’s hoping ATC computers don’t fail!

I am far from a conspiracy theorist, but I AM a 40-year corporate marketing veteran. I have begun to think there is some sort of orchestrated effort to criticize long-distance Amtrak service--WSJ, Forbes, various bloggers, all getting shares on social media. I've run such PR efforts before, and...

Daily bus service between Newton and OKC to connect between the SWC and Heartland Flyer.

What's up with the SWC 4? One day on time, next day huge delays. Today over 8 hrs late. Looks like the problems are in CA but not clear. Any knowledge on this?

One passenger in surgery. A couple injured are critical according to news reports. 3 is sitting in Newton and will be diverted south through Belen.

I received an alarming message today from a news producer in Wichita. An excerpt is below? Any further info on this? Amtrak Vice President of Operations DJ Stadler testified Wednesday before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which held a hearing on...

I notice that BNSF is replacing ties for many miles west of Dodge City. Is this possible much-needed improvement of that section of rail for passenger trains? Or just improvement to basic freight standards? What exactly needs to be done to the rail in this region to make it work for higher...

Perfect. Thanks for the info, sorcha and spike.

I'm headed to Raton in a few weeks on SWC and have booked a Hertz rental car. My understanding is that the Hertz dealer is near Raton station but have never used the service there. Anyone with any experience renting from Hertz in Raton? Is it in easy walking distance? Any other advice?

Thanks, MikeM. I half suspected this. I, too, have heard the stories over the years of Amtrak taking the southern route. Sometimes I get the impression from Amtrak staff that this is coming soon, only to see nothing happen. It will be interesting to see a revised schedule.

Does anyone know why the SWC eastbound is running consistently late, especially starting around Raton Pass? It strikes me that they're having a hard time maintaining their schedule, even when arriving early into ABQ. Track work somewhere?

I had the misfortune of being on the train at the time. My understanding is that the road that runs along the track in that section was muddy from melting snow, so authorities speculate the young lady chose to run between the rails, at least part of the way. On my return yesterday I looked over...

A number of months ago I had reported on a conversation I'd had with an Amtrak conductor while traveling on the SWC. At the time, he said there was a plan to divert the SWC south from Newton to Amarillo and on to Belen. There were two issues he mentioned. One was that NM, as the new owner of the...

It was clearly a new one for me; I've traveled this route and others countless times. I do know that at KC the train really filled up with passengers, plus the second coach car had some sort of tour group for which the crew seemed to be protecting seats. I'm guessing the challenge was to get...

The other positive about a sleeper is that you're ASSURED a decent seat. I had a weird experience traveling eastbound on the SWC this past Saturday. Boarded at 3 a.m. and was given a seat in coach. Went to the diner for breakfast at 6:30 a.m. During breakfast, we traveled through KC and boarded...