Recent content by Auntie_C

Cina: Nice to almost meet you! There were moments of smell, I agree -- you must have had the misfortune to walk through the car after someone really needed to use the upstairs restroom. I think there was air freshener in there after the first day. :)

Well, now I'm blushing. Knowing me (as I tend to do), I would have written about the trip even if I were not sending it to others. To get such positive feedback here is appreciated. That said, I'll share an epilogue: Arriving Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at my home down a rutted dirt road in the...

Tyler, I like your trip report -- especially mentioning the engines, something I would not know how to do. It makes the report more relevant for rail fans, I think. After reading about your walk through the city, I am doubly glad I did not attempt the same. I would likely have been one of those...

I'm sorry I didn't wave to anyone as I passed by! I enjoyed getting a peek into the crew areas. I knew SCAs got their own rooms inside their cars, but never thought about what all the other crew must do. And I rant a bit more about the taps in my final report. :)

Orlando, Florida, is known for its nearby tourist attractions and theme parks (although, technically, some of those are in Kissimmee or Lake Buena Vista). The cast members, as employees are called at one large resort, are trained to provide excellent customer service even when dealing with...

AUNTIE C's ADVENTURE JUNE 2015 (these first bits will appear in each post -- scoll down to get to the new stuff) ORL to WAS = Orlando, Fla., to Washington, D.C., on Silver Meteor 98; sleeper car roomette -- "Auntie C begins her grand tour" WAS to CHI = Washington to Chicago, Ill., on Capitol...

Thanks, as previously, for the advice and information -- I would not have thought about unattached headphones. Especially with this post, I wrried it was too long -- but there just so much travel time across most of a continent. I appreciate you all sticking with me. My folks, readling along...

AUNTIE C's ADVENTURE JUNE 2015 (these first bits will appear in each post -- scoll down to get to the new stuff) ORL to WAS = Orlando, Fla., to Washington, D.C., on Silver Meteor 98; sleeper car roomette -- "Auntie C begins her grand tour" WAS to CHI = Washington to Chicago, Ill., on Capitol...

AUNTIE C's ADVENTURE JUNE 2015 (these first bits will appear in each post -- scoll down to get to the new stuff) ORL to WAS = Orlando, Fla., to Washington, D.C., on Silver Meteor 98; sleeper car roomette -- "Auntie C begins her grand tour" WAS to CHI = Washington to Chicago, Ill., on Capitol...

I am on the eastbound CZ now -- Satuday, June 13 -- running an estimated 5 hours late to Chicago due to snowballing delays: waiting for a rumored 20-hour-late No. 5 westbound CZ to pass us Friday before we could pulll into one station, adding a freight engine to pulll us into the mountains...

Jim H., I fear I've used up most of my vacation time for this trip. My work gets busier as the seasonal residents (aka snowbirds) return to Florida, so fall and winter months can be difficult times to take off. Mystic, you give me hope that I might one day break out of my shell of shyness and...

Such great tips, and I appreciate the additional information about the Superliners. Having skipped the shower option on my relatively short overnight trip on the Coast Starlight, I'm hoping to wash my now-greasy hair soon after boarding the California Zephyr today (June 11). Yes, I'm a hermit...

SarahZ, your explanation of those indentations int he ceiling makes so much more sense -- thank you! Tom, I appreciate the diversion into a history lesson -- I was hoping those with more knowledge would help me with any details I get wrong. Looks like I should plan to camp out in the...

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate all the comments, thoough I did not get a chance to read them until I hit the Sacramento sstation during my return trip. I missed the view from the sightseeing car -- wish I had read these sooner. :)

AUNTIE C's ADVENTURE JUNE 2015 (these first bits will appear in each post -- scoll down to get to the new stuff) ORL to WAS = Orlando, Fla., to Washington, D.C., on Silver Meteor 98; sleeper car roomette -- "Auntie C "begins her grand tour WAS to CHI = Washington to Chicago, Ill., on Capitol...