Recent content by rogerVarland

I have BC booked LAX - SNS on 6/8, but it can't be booked on the website. Assuming I'll be downgraded at some point.

Curious as to what food options are available for coach passengers on #8 leaving Seattle. I've ridden before when snacks were sold from a table in the diner until the SSL coupled in at Spokane. Anyone know what the current operation looks like?

Booked for #1 on Sunday through ELP. If I can beat the line, I'll file a report.

Agreed, the timetable states 5:35a, but it's not uncommon to arrive somewhat early, as it did this morning at 4:30. Perhaps more significantly, you're correct in that the timetable no longer contains the statement welcoming sleeping car passengers to occupy their rooms until 6:30. It was in...

Since the last post here was almost 4 years ago, I'm wondering if anyone has recent experience with staying in their room after an early arrival? I'm scheduled for two weeks from now and wondering what the odds are of convincing the SCA to abide by the footnote in the timetable? I'll...

Rode the Riley in the late 70s numerous times between Marion, IN and Chicago. Sorry I can't remember the details of our Chicago routing, but for some reason I have clear mental pictures of Wellsboro. (although I will certainly yield to the experts) I remember approaching the B&O from the...

I'm curious who has the authority to slow Amtrak to a crawl. Case in point, all six Wolverines crawl through Albion, MI at what I'm guessing is 25 mph on very smooth track. Two hours later we're blasting through towns west of Kalamazoo at 100+. Anyone have any insights?

What about with an AGR rez? I've actually been dreaming about the same question. I made a booking under the old rules for March, JXN-LAX in a roomette. Since we're now under the new kingdom, can I add someone for free (at least in the roomette portion) or do the new rules calculate roomette...

Due to family logistics, I need to hand off a car to my son. I'm in Toledo and he's in Boston. I'll drive to ALB and he'll take 449 there from BOS. He'll then drive back to BOS and I'll take the train home to TOL. Here's the big question: If I book an AGR roomette from BOS to TOL with both...

Ugh !!!!!!!! I'm booked on 14 next Friday, the 13th. Anyone able to predict which days will have a PPC?

Next Tuesday I'm off on a long AGR loop: JXN-SAS-LAX-SEA-JXN with one night off train in PDX. I've done some long rides before, but would appreciate any insights, wisdom, and suggestions from the experts and marathoners. Also, in the category of blatant self-promotion, please check out my...

Curious to see if anyone has ever tried washing their own windows during an extended stop. On previous western LD trips, at times the windows have become quite dirty. How might the crew respond to my whipping out an extension pole with brush and squeegee?

Longest is booked for July: JXN-SAS-LAX-PDX (4 nights), an overnight with the sister-in-law, and then PDX-SEA-JXN (2 nights), a measly 6700 miles, but I'm planning a photo project to match the adventure. I'll be on the train for approx. 150 hours and plan to take a picture sometime within...

Thanks rrdude. I was thinking about the coach connector and will certainly save a zone by sitting in the seat CHI-TOL. Hoping to make the rest of it work.

I'm dreaming about doing the grand loop: CHI-ATL-LAX-PDX-CHI Is it possible to string together four 1-zone rewards? (best scenario 2-zone + 2-zone) For example, ARROW will give me CHI-ATL and ATL-ELP(via NOL), but not together. Will a helpful AGR agent do this? Fortunately, ARROW will allow...