Crescent 19 BAL TCL 2022 07 28

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Our experience:
  1. Consist: three coaches, two sleepers, a cafe car, and what looked like maybe a bag-dorm car.
  2. Scheduled performance: Remarkable. For most of the trip, we sped merrily along. The train was on time in Baltimore and DC of course, typical in my experience, but then unusually an hour late departing DC due to congestion in the station and a problem getting the engines switched from electric to diesel; staff blamed it on the construction of a new high-speed train platform. But we were on time again at Atlanta, which was astonishing, first time in my dozen or so trips on this line. Between Atlanta and Tuscaloosa there were reportedly freight train interference problems, which on past trips has ALWAYS been the case, so we were 90 minutes late to our final destination; in my experience we’re usually a couple of hours late, so technically this was better. Still, I’ll call it remarkable overall because of the speed between DC and Atlanta. Do we have CSX to thank? Secretary Pete?
  3. Roomette mechanics: The stuff I tend to care most about were all working great: the upper bunk could be easily raised and lowered, the lower bed/chairs mechanism worked just fine, the toilet flushed, AC and ventilation, lights and electric outlets, tray table. The things that I consider to be of poor quality by design were, well, still there: curtains with Velcro (unsightly but functional), door that doesn’t latch, so must be locked, otherwise slides open and closed as the train rocks. The only thing that seemed to need maintenance was the toilet lid, which wouldn’t stay open in use — imagine how awkward. I hear the new cars now being assembled simply won’t have toilets in the roomettes, so I suppose that’ll take care of the lid.
  4. Roomette service items: Clean and well stocked when we arrived, with bath and face towels, toilet paper, two water bottles, bar soap and a pump bottle of hand wash, two hangers. Standard thin, stiff foam mattress — I always find this mildly uncomfortable, but not horrible; I’m considering bringing along an inflatable camping pad next time. Top and bottom sheet were fine. Blanket was very nice, thick, padded, without static. Pillow was large (standard queen size) medium-firmness foam, with a branded cover, nice.
  5. Sleeper car service: Claude was great. Available, happy to fulfill any request. Coffee at the end of the car was always ready and well stocked with cups, lids, sweeteners, creamers. Quickly and happily moved his trash can out of the shower when we wanted to use the shower. (Is there some new rule on Amtrak that forbids them from placing trash cans in the vestibules???) Took our flex meal orders promptly and delivered the bags to our roomette with a smile. He also took one special request from us: Claude arranged for us to take our “flex meal” in the cafe car before it was opened to the coaches. One over/above service: Claude volunteered (we already knew, but it was nice anyway) that because my husband doesn’t drink, he could nonetheless order a free alcoholic beverage and give it to me so that I’d have two. We tipped $20 as we exited in TCL, our standard amount for very good service.
  6. Dining car: Well, there wasn’t one. Very disappointing, but expected.
  7. Cafe car: The car was closed when we boarded in Baltimore so that the solo attendant could prep and assemble the free flex meals for the sleeper passengers. Then the cafe was opened and coach passengers streamed in, the line stretching out the door. We know this because we had one of our flex meals served to us in the cafe car. I figured the wait time in that line quickly extended to a half hour. We finished our meal with that line standing next to our table, which was uncomfortable, so we probably won’t do that again.
  8. Special service: At several points, announcements were made to prepare cameras for special photo opportunities. This made the trip seem special, better than flying in this respect. Much appreciated.
Things that need attention:
  1. Special service: How about headsets so passengers can hear a guide talk about key spots along the route? Or an observation car with a guide? Yeah, I know, dreaming… But it’s something that makes some of the Western trains particularly special. Why not in the East?
  2. Coaches service: It appeared there was only the conductor to attend to everyone in the three coaches. Wow. Glad I didn’t need to visit a coach toilet. I’d put a lead and junior attendant on every coach car, the lead to serve for-sale snacks and help with problems, the junior to keep the toilets clean and help the lead.
  3. Roomette service items: Two pillows per passenger please. This will facilitate sitting up at night, and then later one can be placed under the knees for those with back problems that don’t tolerate thin mattresses.
  4. Flex meal service: If it must exist, then add another staff member to help with prep, so that meals can be served when the passenger requests it. Our breakfast was served at 7am with a loud bang on the door to wake us up, and we had no choice in the matter, presumably because the solo cafe car attendant had to finish with flex meals before he could open the car to the coaches. So, because there seemed to be no way around it, given the staff shortage and Amtrak’s unfortunate decision not to have full-service dining in a dining car, we forgive Claude, our sleeping car attendant, for rousting us abruptly from bed at 7am.
  5. Cafe car service, part one: The car was designed with a service counter in the middle, with comfortable tables with bench seating on either end. We were required to sit on the coach end, as it seems staff had occupied the sleeper end for their personal relaxation space, with papers strewn about on the tables, some staff stretched out reclining, etc. That’s just plain rude, and wrong. That car should be for customers, not staff. I’d suggest building a staff lounge stocked with refreshments in the bag/dorm car, but it’s not my job to figure this out.
  6. Cafe car service, part two: One table was removed, trash cans in its place. Very unsightly, and having a cardboard trash can next to you while eating is just plain rude, and wrong. Put it somewhere else. I’d put it in the vestibules between cars, but it’s really not my job to figure this out.
  7. Cafe car service, part three: Not enough staff to serve three coaches plus the occasional sleeper passenger. The customer line was way too long. I’d expect some of the waiters from the dining car to help out — oh wait, no dining car. I’d put more staff in the coaches, one to push a cart with for-sale snacks and free bottled water, but it’s not my job to figure this out.
 
Our experience:
  1. Consist: three coaches, two sleepers, a cafe car, and what looked like maybe a bag-dorm car.
  2. Scheduled performance: Remarkable. For most of the trip, we sped merrily along. The train was on time in Baltimore and DC of course, typical in my experience, but then unusually an hour late departing DC due to congestion in the station and a problem getting the engines switched from electric to diesel; staff blamed it on the construction of a new high-speed train platform. But we were on time again at Atlanta, which was astonishing, first time in my dozen or so trips on this line. Between Atlanta and Tuscaloosa there were reportedly freight train interference problems, which on past trips has ALWAYS been the case, so we were 90 minutes late to our final destination; in my experience we’re usually a couple of hours late, so technically this was better. Still, I’ll call it remarkable overall because of the speed between DC and Atlanta. Do we have CSX to thank? Secretary Pete?
  3. Roomette mechanics: The stuff I tend to care most about were all working great: the upper bunk could be easily raised and lowered, the lower bed/chairs mechanism worked just fine, the toilet flushed, AC and ventilation, lights and electric outlets, tray table. The things that I consider to be of poor quality by design were, well, still there: curtains with Velcro (unsightly but functional), door that doesn’t latch, so must be locked, otherwise slides open and closed as the train rocks. The only thing that seemed to need maintenance was the toilet lid, which wouldn’t stay open in use — imagine how awkward. I hear the new cars now being assembled simply won’t have toilets in the roomettes, so I suppose that’ll take care of the lid.
  4. Roomette service items: Clean and well stocked when we arrived, with bath and face towels, toilet paper, two water bottles, bar soap and a pump bottle of hand wash, two hangers. Standard thin, stiff foam mattress — I always find this mildly uncomfortable, but not horrible; I’m considering bringing along an inflatable camping pad next time. Top and bottom sheet were fine. Blanket was very nice, thick, padded, without static. Pillow was large (standard queen size) medium-firmness foam, with a branded cover, nice.
  5. Sleeper car service: Claude was great. Available, happy to fulfill any request. Coffee at the end of the car was always ready and well stocked with cups, lids, sweeteners, creamers. Quickly and happily moved his trash can out of the shower when we wanted to use the shower. (Is there some new rule on Amtrak that forbids them from placing trash cans in the vestibules???) Took our flex meal orders promptly and delivered the bags to our roomette with a smile. He also took one special request from us: Claude arranged for us to take our “flex meal” in the cafe car before it was opened to the coaches. One over/above service: Claude volunteered (we already knew, but it was nice anyway) that because my husband doesn’t drink, he could nonetheless order a free alcoholic beverage and give it to me so that I’d have two. We tipped $20 as we exited in TCL, our standard amount for very good service.
  6. Dining car: Well, there wasn’t one. Very disappointing, but expected.
  7. Cafe car: The car was closed when we boarded in Baltimore so that the solo attendant could prep and assemble the free flex meals for the sleeper passengers. Then the cafe was opened and coach passengers streamed in, the line stretching out the door. We know this because we had one of our flex meals served to us in the cafe car. I figured the wait time in that line quickly extended to a half hour. We finished our meal with that line standing next to our table, which was uncomfortable, so we probably won’t do that again.
  8. Special service: At several points, announcements were made to prepare cameras for special photo opportunities. This made the trip seem special, better than flying in this respect. Much appreciated.
Things that need attention:
  1. Special service: How about headsets so passengers can hear a guide talk about key spots along the route? Or an observation car with a guide? Yeah, I know, dreaming… But it’s something that makes some of the Western trains particularly special. Why not in the East?
  2. Coaches service: It appeared there was only the conductor to attend to everyone in the three coaches. Wow. Glad I didn’t need to visit a coach toilet. I’d put a lead and junior attendant on every coach car, the lead to serve for-sale snacks and help with problems, the junior to keep the toilets clean and help the lead.
  3. Roomette service items: Two pillows per passenger please. This will facilitate sitting up at night, and then later one can be placed under the knees for those with back problems that don’t tolerate thin mattresses.
  4. Flex meal service: If it must exist, then add another staff member to help with prep, so that meals can be served when the passenger requests it. Our breakfast was served at 7am with a loud bang on the door to wake us up, and we had no choice in the matter, presumably because the solo cafe car attendant had to finish with flex meals before he could open the car to the coaches. So, because there seemed to be no way around it, given the staff shortage and Amtrak’s unfortunate decision not to have full-service dining in a dining car, we forgive Claude, our sleeping car attendant, for rousting us abruptly from bed at 7am.
  5. Cafe car service, part one: The car was designed with a service counter in the middle, with comfortable tables with bench seating on either end. We were required to sit on the coach end, as it seems staff had occupied the sleeper end for their personal relaxation space, with papers strewn about on the tables, some staff stretched out reclining, etc. That’s just plain rude, and wrong. That car should be for customers, not staff. I’d suggest building a staff lounge stocked with refreshments in the bag/dorm car, but it’s not my job to figure this out.
  6. Cafe car service, part two: One table was removed, trash cans in its place. Very unsightly, and having a cardboard trash can next to you while eating is just plain rude, and wrong. Put it somewhere else. I’d put it in the vestibules between cars, but it’s really not my job to figure this out.
  7. Cafe car service, part three: Not enough staff to serve three coaches plus the occasional sleeper passenger. The customer line was way too long. I’d expect some of the waiters from the dining car to help out — oh wait, no dining car. I’d put more staff in the coaches, one to push a cart with for-sale snacks and free bottled water, but it’s not my job to figure this out.
No Kleenex?
 
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