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Amtrak and the Rocky Mountaineer are marketing to 2 very different audiences. I would argue they are offering 2 different products as well, with a little bit of overlap. It's a bit like comparing an all-inclusive deluxe resort with a Hampton Inn... they kinda offer the same thing (a hotel...

I just got back from Europe and the only train I rode that went faster than 125 was the Eurostar. I think many are under the impression that all the train in Europe run "high speed" - but in reality they just have higher average speeds over all. With a few, extra fast lines of course...

I've had good and bad customer service experiences with both Amtrak and VIA - the Canadian is 1 train that operates 2-3 times a week. Amtrak operates 3 daily trains from Chicago to the West Coast and offers pretty comparable on board services (full service dining car, sightseeing lounge car...

There are lots of hotels within a few blocks of the station. I usually look for one that is within walking distance of the station and also convenient to the St. Charles streetcar since I enjoy riding it and I can use it to get elsewhere in the city. The Drury (which was previously mentioned)...

At the station - at the Customer Service Desk.

Thanks!!!! I did end up riding and of course it was a wrapped train, but the customer service guy was able to change me to car 4. Was glad to get to ride the full length - lots of side to side movement at 110 on FEC. Brightline really needs a quiet car... the college kids riding in my car...

*edit to add - I wouldn't take the overnight bus for comfort / sleeping purposes. If it's the only thing that will work with your budget / schedule and you don't mind not getting a good nights sleep it can still work.

Hello and welcome! - I wouldn't take the overnight bus. You can take the Surfliner from San Diego to LA and then take the thruway to Bakersfield and take the train from there to Emeryville or Sacremento and catch the Zephyr there. (with an overnight in a hotel). Or you can take the Coast...

any updates on how many wrapped trains (full wrap covering windows) exist? If I knew I had an unwrapped window I would fly into Orlando and take brightline down to Miami.... but I could save some money and fly right into Miami. Worth the gamble?

Tents - Check! No sorting or organization - Check! For better or worse, they now stack large plastic bins of luggage with a forklift and load and unload them, stacked. Typcially they unload all of them and leave them stacked, and then go back and unstack them with the forklift. Obviously...

This is 100% true... north to Fairbanks is fine for baggage but don't check baggage TO Anchorage. It is indeed a cluster. That's another reason for taking Adventure Class vs. Gold... you can easily bring your carry-on with you.

No, I spoke to the Conductor as well. She was not in operations.

I'm not sure what the titles are but there are indeed OBS employees. There is a position similar to the old "Chief of On Board Services" - there are also tour guides, they are seasonal. Even the Hurricane Turn (the flag stop train) had an attendant on board - she was pretty much the tour guide...

Goldstar is basically the same menu and same quality now, I've talked to fellow passengers who said it used to be better. I agree, I've taken both Goldstar and Adventure Class and Goldstar really isn't worth the money vs. Adventure - especially if the train isn't too crowded and you can spend...

Oh interesting, the sign said "Amtrak Passengers scan your tickets" so I assumed that NJT riders had to pay for the AirTrain but maybe the turnstyles take the NJ Transit tickets? The way it is set up I almost just tapped my credit card until I saw the sign that said "Amtrak passengers scan your...

I've now used public transit from all 3 NYC area airports into and/or out of the city. LaGuardia is definitely the best and cheapest option in my experience. LaGuardia you can ride a free bus to and from the airport and the Subway station, or take the M60 bus from the airport into the city...

So I'm a little confused... is the KC Streetcar eventually going to serve the airport and this extension gets it closer? And... why do all passengers have to exit the streetcar at Union Station Southbound?

I'm under 40 and I remember them - not sure when they were completely discontinued. Yes! Alaska Railroad has this too. I've ridden them on Alaska but not Rocky Mountaineer yet... I'd like to take it in Canada one day but for now my budget is VIA Rail in Coach haha. These platforms are set...

It's enjoyable to ride in vestibules when it's permitted. When Iowa Pacific ran the "Pullman" cars on the back of the City of New Orleans it was allowed and I've been on a few mainline steam excursions when they allowed it too (some only allowed with safety glasses). I understand and follow...

I've been on the Zephyr several times and I've never seen the SSL completely full eastbound, but of course it could happen. It will get a bit shadowy and dark going through the Rockies but that means looking out and down on the city of Denver in twilight as you descend the "Big 10" curves. As...