Recent content by Shinkansen1966

It's a daily programme. So if you download the link now, you can listen to today's 15 mins progamme on the construction history of the NYC Subway. It's presented by Joe Queenan and it's very interesting. I've just returned from the US and spent a few days on the NYC Subway. As a London boy...

Here in the UK, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation - for those who don't know) are transmitting a series of 15 minute programmes on BBC Radio 4 (one of our main national radio stations) celebrating 100 years of the NYC Subway. If you want to listen go to...

Glad you like a travelling around Britain by train. When you compare the UK and the US rail systems, it really is a numbers game. Here, on average each person takes the train about 20 time a year. In the US, I think about one person in ten takes the train each year. There are now 22,000 train...

Oh don't worry: as sleeping car passengers, we took a full advantage of the Washington DC Acela lounge, if only to catch up on our emails. We left Union Station at about 7:30pm, and so we could see the various monuments in all their glory. Crossing the Patomac was enjoyable, especially since...

The Crescent ground to a half about 2 hrs out of Washington DC. I went to bed about 11:30pm and it still hadn't moved. I was too tired to ask why but recall a couple of Amtrak staff with furrowed eyebrows and walkie-talkies! Still it was a great experience crossing Lake Pontchachrain under a...

We’ve just returned from a two week holiday in the US, using the USA Rail Pass. This pass is available to us, as non-US citizens, allowing 15 days’ unlimited travel on Amtrak for $295. We flew from London to New York City, and then took a circular rail trip via Washington DC, New Orleans, Los...

Thanks for the advice and thanks for moving my posting to the right discussion forum. Oops and sorry!

I live in London, UK and we will be touring the States by Amtrak using the USA Rail Pass from April 16 to May 2. With one exception, we have made all sleeper reservations. We've decided we want to experience coach class travel on the Lake Shore Limited and still need to book seats for this leg...

I'm a Brit living here in the UK and read with great interest the White House budget plans and Amtrak coming to an end. Until 1995, we had 'British Rail', nationalized publicly owned railway. Then the governent started raill privitization. Do you want hear what happened? It make depressing reading.

Well, a longer (delayed) journey gives us more time to enjoy Texas, Arizona and California. You don't see many mountains, Mexican borders or deserts here in the UK! Thanks for the information on this line - much appreciated and will help me enjoy the trip more and appreciate the delay.

Blimey! It sounds like a big headache for UP. The other contributor on this board said they were double tracking in some places. Are they also recruiting more crews to this line so they can overcome these problems. I hope Amtrak stock enough for food on the Sunset Ltd to allow for 6-8 hr delays!

Thanks again! That's my attitude, too. I'm looking forward to a long relaxing journey and not really troubled about the delays. We've upgrade to the deluxe/bedroom so will be a great journey. And lots of visits to the dining car. I've done Amtrak twice before: 1997 South West Chief, Coast...

Thanks! On the Amtrak web site, it says there may be schedule change for the Sunset Ltd. Does anyone have anymore info on this?

Why is the wesbound Sunset Limited invariably so heavily delayed? I understand that Amtrak mostly operate on freight owned tracks, but why delays of 6,8 and even 12 hours? What plans are there to deal with this? I'm interesting because in April I'm coming over from the UK to do travel Amtrak...

As a UK citizen, living in London and a regular user of the Eurostar, just thought I'd respond with a couple of points. 1. Although the UK (or call us Great Britain, if you like!!) is an European Union member state, we don't take part in the Schengen agreement Most EU countries are in...