Recent content by steve_relei

You can still ask the agent when he/she answers for train arrival/departure times. For me, it is frustrating to have all these mudslides and train-offs. I was supposed to go on a train trip this week but postponed it until next week because of the constant slides and disruptions of travel (at...

The seats in first class are about the same size as in coach class. However, they are arranged differently. On one side of the train (usually the left side--facing north on a northbound train), the seats are paired, while the seats on the right are single (they also do this for first class...

Around Christmas time during the winter should be a nice time to travel on the Empire Builder. If you are going, say, during the week of Christmas and/or New Year's days, you should expect the train to be full--or nearly so. As others have said, it is extremely rare for Amtrak to get snowed in...

The Coast Starlight finally seems to be running regularly--no more 10-12 hour delays. At least, let's hope so. Usually, the Starlight is pretty punctual southbound--though it can be an hour or so late. That should not affect connections from the Builder. But, suppose there is a derailment or...

I would hope that restoring Amtrak service to the New Orleans area would be considered part of the "healing" process. As you all know, three major Amtrak trains serve the city, fanning out in four eventual directions. Incidentally, the media has mentioned that the Greyhound Station is being...

The Amtrak station in New Orleans is next door to the Superdome. A satellite photo showed the station tracks are just fine, but the track(s) leading to and from the station is (are) under water.

Check out Steven J. Brown's Photos of the Empire Builder. Look through his photo gallery and you will see some of the high trestles (and other scenic vistas) the train passes over/through. Steven J. Browns Photos of Empire Builder

Just an interesting thought: the AOE uses Amtrak locomotives and operating crews. Many people claim that Amtrak does not serve the wealthy--I'm concerned that if Amtrak goes out of business, some routes will be saved by contracting with private operators, who will then jack the prices WAY UP so...

I read that article too. I live in Portland and ride the Cascades frequently. Take note of the Republican Rep. Andy Olson of Albany: "...said he wasn't aware of the effect on rail when he voted for the bill. But now that he is, Olson said, he is trying to persuade fellow legislators to restore...

The Empire Builder does indeed cross over several TALL trestles/bridges on its route from Chicago to Seattle. One is the crossing over the Mississippi River between La Crosse (WI) and Winona (MN). Another is at Minot (ND) over Gasman Coulee. There is one near Cut Bank (MT) and at least four...

The track work is proceding, and there seems to be few problems. It should be noted that while the train is at Union Station for the 2 hours or so, people can get off and walk around, go in the station, etc, while waiting for the time for the train to leave. The train leaves PDX, it's about 3...

What do engineers do when they have to go to the bathroom when they are at the throttle of a train in motion? I know locomotives have toilets. Do they have the assistant take over? What about cabs where there is only one engineer on duty (such as on the Cascades--where there is only one engineer...

Beginning May 31 and going until August 1, Amtrak service will be disrupted through the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Basically there will be a one-week work window, take a week off, then go (work) for another week, and so on. During the work week windows: There will be no...

Steve's Coast Starlight I consider the Starlight one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Althought the north and southbound trains travel the same route, it is different in each direction--due to time of day, direction of travel, and other factors. On my Web site, I have (more or less)...

Years ago on the Pioneer in Rawlins, WY, a passenger had had too much to drink (and brought his own boose--which is against Amtrak policy) and mouthed off at the conductor when confronted. The conductor called the local police, and the passenger was taken off the train at Rawlins (which has a...