Search results

Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
  1. L

    VIA tipping

    Are the train cafe services in US or Canada still taking cash or are they 100% credit card? If credit card would not be able to break a bill on board. But a tip for a drink could be added to the credit card charge.
  2. L

    VIA tipping

    I have always tipped good service on Amtrak in Dining Car and Sleeper. In a couple months, I will be on the Canadian going end to end, 5 days SleeperPLUS. Do the Dining Car Servers pool their tips and share a portion with the kitchen? I read that you need to tip before Winnipeg because the...
  3. L

    Comparison of Amtrak vs. other transport mode

    I have ridden on Amtrak since the late 80's, probably well over 250K actual miles, so I am a big advocate for others to start using Amtrak for a relaxing trip. I talked a Pastor friend of mine into riding Amtrak this weekend to see family in Louisiana. I did prepare them that often freight...
  4. L

    Another wonderful trip report by Jeb Brooks

    I really enjoyed his report and his video on this route I have taken many many times. Though some routes have more spectacular scenery, every route allows the rider to experience the real beauty of this country. Look at west Texas, the NM/AZ border, both shown in the video. But also, I so...
  5. L

    $66 billion for Amtrak

    Though the Senate plans a bi-partisan vote this week, there are many in the House who want to make major additions to the Bill. The key here is that the Senate got a Bi-partisan bill written, so any major additions by the House would totally kill what the Senate has managed to put together...
  6. L

    Superliner roomette space, views

    Keep in mind there is a big difference between the upper bunk on the VL and the Superliner. The VL has windows and reasonable bed to ceiling clearance. There are no windows on the upper on the Superliners, and the ceiling curves cutting out clearance space. If possible, I try to buy roomette...
  7. L

    Amtrak #5 Versus Semi in Colorado

    Unfortunately, people are always running late. I was on the train out of Grand Rapids running out in the open, when we hit a SUV. Somehow the engine didn’t derail, but the train didn’t come to a stop until the last car was past the accident. Later I read that a friend said the mother...
  8. L

    Dinner tonight on SW Chief

    Pre Covid Amtrak used to provide on line allergy concerns for their menu entrees, like GL, Soy, Milk, etc. currently I haven’t found anything. Each of my granddaughters has something we have to be careful to avoid. Now with my daughter, it is more like what isn’t she allergic to. Several...
  9. L

    Miles Traveled on Amtrak

    I have been traveling Amtrak since the 80’s. Until I retired, most of my travel was for business, so I traveled all over the country. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to travel on almost every current LD route plus several that have been discontinued over the years. My granddaughters...
  10. L

    Sleeper Door Locks

    In my almost 40 years of traveling on Amtrak, I have never heard of a theft in the Sleepers. The attendants and Conductors seems to know who belongs where so have been on top of people who roam. I always use “out of site out of mind” SOP. I feel my things are very safe on Amtrak in the...
  11. L

    Boy Scout Trip to Philmont on SWC

    I remember a trip to Philmont about ten years ago, our arrival was about 6-7 hours late, but Philmont still met the train. There were 45 of us. Departing, the trains was late, all we did was kill time walking around Raton. We arrived after the Cap was scheduled to leave but they held it for...
  12. L

    Boy Scout Trip to Philmont on SWC

    I have seen the Conductor plus an Adult get into the Baggage car to load or unload the big backpacks, especially if the group is 20 or so. I think for the summers on the SWC, the Conductors routinely load and unload the Philmont backpacks because of the size.
  13. L

    Amtrak footwear requirement?

    From the very beginning (1987) when I first took my children and later grandchildren on the train, i have had a rule that I will not vary from. Shoes always outside of our room and no flip flops, closed toe shoes only. This is for their safety. Surprisingly, i have never had any push back on...
  14. L

    Tipping on Amtrak

    I tip the SCA per night and per person and always at the end of the trip unless there is a crew change like on 421/422. The tip is strictly for for SCA who have gone out of their way to make my/our trip enjoyable. Like the time my 7 year old granddaughter traveled with me on her first trip...
  15. L

    Trains can't leave before their departure time right?

    The last few stations before Emeryville on the CZ are drop only so lost time can be picked up quickly or arrive final early with ultra short stops departing as soon as the work has been completed. I don’t any reason why Amtrak should hold until departure time if all reservations have boarded...
  16. L

    When Texas Eagle leaves before Sunset arrives

    Pre Covid, I met different people a couple times bused from El Paso to San Antonio because the SL was three hours late and they anticipated losing even more with freight congestion. One time, I ate with a couple that was bused to FT Worth from El Paso, they were very unhappy.
  17. L

    Post-vaccine Amtrak travel

    You are probably right. I just miss the enjoyment of riding the train, especially taking one of the grandkids with me. Just getting impatient. I wonder if Amtrak realizes or cares about the pent up demand once train travel becomes viable again.
  18. L

    Post-vaccine Amtrak travel

    With the wearing of masks going on the “honor” system in 15 states, and the rollout of vaccines still army in the 1b priority list, I am concerned once I have both my shots and have 94% immunity, that still Amtrak will be just as it is now because the easing up was premature with too many...
  19. L

    Sunday(14)/Monday(15) Texas Eagles Cancelled

    My father, being an electrical engineer, built an emergency by pass switch, which enabled him to turn on the gas and lit it manually when we lost electricity in bad snow and ice storms. We lived in rural Pittsburgh. When we lost power in a 38” snow fall for five days, we had just enough heat...
  20. L

    Sunday(14)/Monday(15) Texas Eagles Cancelled

    Some Texas Utilities are projecting their costs during the emergency to be as much as 16,000% higher than budgeted. Big question is who is going to pay this cost? I see Amtrak cancelled the SL departing 2/19 from LAX, not sure why since temps were above freezing during the day and forecast...
Back
Top