Recent content by DesertDude

Assuming the eastbound train is running close to on time, would you feel comfortable booking this connection to PHA (Amtrak's station code for the airport), or is it a gamble that would make you pray there's an Uber driver who can fill in the gap? FWIW, the flight wouldn't leave Phoenix until...

Glad to see there's already discussion on this thread about the new cards they mailed out. I finally got around to looking at it today, and had the same thoughts. Why doesn't the new card look different (although TBF I noticed the "world" on the new card that someone up thread pointed out)? Why...

As of April 2023, can coach passengers on the Zephyr eat in the dining car now? Or is it still limited to sleeper car passengers only? I was having difficulty finding this info on this forum or on Amtrak's website. Thank you!

Yes, I very much agree with this. I'll quote what I said on this forum a long time ago: "...the Sunset Limited from LAX to NOL would be a very successful train in any sane world (and I'm not even talking about restoring the train NOL-FL). If you count Phoenix, the SL serves 4 of the 7 largest...

As I've spent more time in the realm of rail advocacy, I've found myself more interested in "low hanging fruit" improvements that would help Amtrak bolster ridership as opposed to grandiose plans of bringing back certain routes or building high speed rail. I think one area of improvement for...

I need help understanding the following scenario: Let's say I don't have any current trips planned or booked, and no expectation of booking anything for a while (maybe for several months, or a couple years, who knows). I decide to cancel my Amtrak credit card, which means I'm no longer going to...

Definitely not something one would have time for if they were traveling through Granby. But, from Denver, Granby works well for a day trip on the CZ - take the train up to Granby in the morning, then ride it back to Denver in the late afternoon. Assuming the westbound train is on time, leaves a...

Just for fun - does anyone know if the San Bernardino Metrolink line (the one that goes through Covina and Rancho Cucamonga) can accomodate Superliner equipment? If it can, maybe a rerouted Sunset Limited could stop in Claremont and San Bernardino instead. Those two stops have some great station...

This is probably the better way. Fullerton is convenient enough for people in both Orange County and Pomona/Covina/etc., and Riverside is better located for the Inland Empire. In Colton, the train can veer right back onto the same ROW it currently takes out to Palm Springs.

The Sunset Limited stops in Ontario, just 7 miles east of where it stops in Pomona. After Ontario, the train doesn't stop anywhere until it reaches Palm Springs. For the route, this seems like a weird placement for a station given that people who live in Redlands (for example) have to drive 30...

It goes without saying we live in uncertain times, with constant discussion and debate over reopening and a "new normal" as we work through the COVID-19 crisis. That said, what does this mean for the rail advocacy work we've done, and how might that work change in the future? Here are some...

I agree with Bob Dylan and Neroden that the Sunset Limited wins the "no love" contest, hands down. However, I was thinking just a week ago about how senseless the current state of the Sunset Limited is. To paraphrase what I said on this forum a while back, the Sunset Limited from LAX to NOL...

I know it's not within Amtrak's control given PRIIA rules and a messy history, but I think expanding Hoosier State service to 3 times a day (at least) is definitely "low-hanging" fruit. If the Downeaster can be a success as a 5x a day train, so can the Hoosier state. Indy-Chicago is in that...

I think Neroden's list is more along the lines of what I had in mind for low-hanging fruit (and I agree with his suggestions).

In this forum we talk about some ambitious ideas, like restoring service from Chicago - Florida. But on the other end of the spectrum, what are some examples of less daunting service expansions that you feel are within Amtrak's reach and would provide the most bang for Amtrak's buck (so to...