The Texas Eagle is the last train I would recommend for someone’s introduction to Amtrak long distance travel. Unfortunately, if you are traveling through some of the Nation’s biggest cities, St Louis,Dallas Fort Worth and San Antonio from Chicago that’s your only logical choice.A shame these huge population centers are served with substandard train service.
Texas Eagle discussion
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If so, it's probably because someone finally realized it is more cost effective to add a unit rather than risk the cost result of a single unit having mechanical problems, which results in busing and/or cancelation, and is occurring more often.
uncleboots
Service Attendant
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Talked to a Amtrak Agent in St Louis and she said Traditional Dining and Sightseer Lounge Cars are slowing returning. She said a decision on the Texas Eagle hasn’t been made yet, but she’s optimistic it will return.
frequentflyer
Conductor
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Can we have them pull more than four cars south of St. Louis? The old F40s are laughing from the junkyards.
Let's hope it happens in our Lifetime!
( and the Cap and CONO need it also!)
uncleboots
Service Attendant
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Yes indeed.
I'm taking a solo trip on the Texas Eagle in two weeks from Fort Worth to LA that will have a roughly 5 hour layover in San Antonio.
Should I get off and explore the SA area or stay on the train? It is scheduled to arrive at 9:45pm Monday night. Thanks!
Should I get off and explore the SA area or stay on the train? It is scheduled to arrive at 9:45pm Monday night. Thanks!
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I would recommend checking out the Alamo and the Riverwalk which are relatively short and reasonable walks from the station. As I recall you do have to cross a major street and you pass by a Dennys which may also be a pleasant stop after the Texas Eagle non-dining. As far as I could tell the area seems fairly safe but others might know for sure. It might also be advisable to recruit several other passengers so you can go in a group. You could also Uber there.
When I stayed in the area a few years ago, I noticed that there were always people stopping by the Alamo - at all hours of the night. It is certainly a great attraction. The security guards there were helpful and pleasant and of course provided a sense of security at 1 or 2 a.m. I think I went to the Alamo for a brief time every night when I stayed at a hotel on the Riverwalk.
When I stayed in the area a few years ago, I noticed that there were always people stopping by the Alamo - at all hours of the night. It is certainly a great attraction. The security guards there were helpful and pleasant and of course provided a sense of security at 1 or 2 a.m. I think I went to the Alamo for a brief time every night when I stayed at a hotel on the Riverwalk.
uncleboots
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I walked over to Dennys and grabbed a bite to eat, and afterwords about 5 of us stood outside our car talking but the weather at that time was nice.
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Just to clarify, the Alamo interior is closed at night and you cannot tour the building then. But the spacious and well-lighted plaza in front of the Alamo is open and the front of the Alamo is well-lit. Many people seem to enjoy stopping by at night to look at the building, read the historical displays out front and chat with the security officers. It is close to the Riverwalk and the Dennys and is well worth a visit.
When I walked from my hotel on the Riverwalk to the station in the early morning to catch the Eagle to Chicago, I made it a point to take a brief detour on the way and stop by the Alamo for a last look.
When I walked from my hotel on the Riverwalk to the station in the early morning to catch the Eagle to Chicago, I made it a point to take a brief detour on the way and stop by the Alamo for a last look.
BTW there's a new Chick-Fil-A downtown near the Alamo (corner of Main & Houston) open until 9PM Mon-Thurs and 10PM Fri and Sat.
I am taking the Eaglette from Chicago to Austin later this month, and I have a roomette. How strict are they going to be about the size of my carry-on luggage? The two “bags” are somewhat smaller than the size allowed, but the “personal item” is somewhat larger.
trimetbusfan
OBS Chief
I’ve never had anyone check the size of my carry on bags on Amtrak before.
I suggest eating dinner before you get on the train. They have flex dining on the Eagle, and a full service diner with the regular menu after you leave San Antonio going west.
Amen to that. They will feed you, but it is blah food, and they will rush you, or insist that you eat in your room. Eat well before boarding, and look forward to Breakfast in west Texas.
What Steve and Widfara wrote. There is no point in taking a flex dinner when anything you have at home or eat near the AMTRAK station in Austin is far superior. Anything. Complementary bad food is still bad food. Repeating: good food starts after San Antonio.
You could take your complementary beverage, of course. It comes sealed in a bottle.
You could take your complementary beverage, of course. It comes sealed in a bottle.
I'm getting on the Eaglet on March 12th, and plan to take the time to buy breakfast for me and my friend who takes me to the station. I wish I could get a pizza delivered in Fort Worth or Dallas.
Ft Worth has a Subway located inside the Intermodel Station.
Lots of Passengers( Amtrak and Bus Passengers) grab food there, but if you decide to go into the Station, be sure and check with the OBS on how much time you have since the Northbound #22/#422 Stop isn't as long as the #21/#421 Stop.
The Dallas stop usually is quick, so I wouldn't try to order food there.
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If you have the time to pick up Subway, they'll sell you a personal pizza. (We get those occasionally from our local Subway.)
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Does anyone know if dinner will be available on the TE out of LA right now? It’s still on the earlier schedule this week, so leaves at 7pm instead of 10pm. And if so, is it dining car or flex? We are only onboard the one night, so only curious about the initial window leaving LA Union station. We were upgraded to a roomette, and not sure if I should bring the planned snacks/food, or if we can just dine in the dining car
If they serve dinner it will be with traditional dining. I have no idea if they will serve it though.
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I did a search, and someone on the TE out of LA last May had a similar departure time, and mentioned that dinner was offered, so fingers crossed.
Yes, you will get Dinner, but since the Departure isn't until 7pm, there's no way to know what time your rez will be until you board, but I'd check with the Person @ the Desk in the Metro Lounge when you check in, perhaps they'll make your Dinner Rez there like they do on the Auto Train.??
If not, ask your attendant when you board trainside, they'll know the procedure the Diner LSA uses.
I also suggest that you use a Red Cap from the Lounge, that way you ride on a Cart from the Backdoor of the Lounge to the Platform instead of walking all the way thru the Station and Tunnel to the Platform
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