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    'Amtrak Cascades': the good and the not so good

    In August 2016 I travelled on the northbound 'Amtrak Cascades' twice: firstly from Portland, Oregon to Edmonds, Washington, and then from Edmonds to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. On Saturday 27 August, I observed Amtrak locos 117 and 176 departing from Portland on a 12 car southbound...
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    'Coast Starlight': Los Angeles, California to Portland, Oregon

    My August 2016 trip on 'Coast Starlight' from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon was an opportunity to see if things had changed since my previous trip about 15 years ago. I enjoyed a brief time in the Amtrak lounge, which would be better if it served free alcohol (not that this is required at...
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    'Coast Starlight': crew

    On long distance trains such as the CS, I gather that the SCA and OBS work all the way from LAX to SEA or vice versa. What about the conductor(s), which in Australia (if we still had them) we'd call the 'guard.' Is there only one bloke on board who works all the time during an eight hour shift...
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    Comparative reliability of Amtrak's locos

    What is the reliability (kilometres between adverse 'failure' incidents) for each of Amtrak's classes of diesel or electric mainline locomotives such as its P42DC, fleet numbers #-1-207? Of the diesels, do the crews prefer a particular class? Are the locos ever swapped between depots or do...
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    Do USA's November elections immediately affect Amtrak's approp

    Do the USA November elections, which from memory are not for every Senator but are for every House of Representatives member (congressman) affect the level of Amtrak's appropriations within two or three months once Congress meets and its committees like those for transportation are reconstituted...
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    Thurmond WV: the most beautiful small station on Amtrak's network

    There is a stunningly beautiful photo on TripAdvisor's website of the Thurmond railway station (depot) with the double track main line in the foreground and what looks to be a single track branch line disappearing over a picturesque bridge into the distance. All rails are shiny indicating...
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    How much 'Amtrak Express' is carried?

    There have been occasional praiseworthy reviews on general websites such as 'Yelp' of the little advertised 'Amtrak Express' service that quite a few who are moving belongings between states have found to be very handy, being cheaper than working through a removalist company...
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    A more passenger-friendly 'Coast Starlight' timetable

    The present 'Coast Starlight' timetable has its advantages, especially with the 'tourist friendly' departure times from Los Angeles Union Station and Seattle King Street. However, the late arrivals in both (compounded by unpunctuality fairly often) are relatively unattractive. Perhaps commuter...
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    Blankets: in sleepers or have to ask

    It's been years since I've been on Amtrak. Are the beds in roomettes and bedrooms supplied with a blanket that is already above the top sheet when either the passenger or SCA changes the setup from day to night, or does one have to ask the attendant to bring a blanket?
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    Minor Amtrak dining car menu requests

    On long distance trains such as CS, CZ and so on, can passengers request (say) 'no gravy' with the 'Amtrak signature steak' or is every menu item pre-prepared with the sauce or other condiment or enhancement noted on the printed menus? I am not talking about 'special meals' - which as with...
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    Sleeping car attendants: overnight

    Do Amtrak Superliner sleeping car attendants always rest in berth 1 (roomette, upper level) or do they sometimes sleep overnight in the mostly staff (except for four public berths) sleeping car at one end of the LD train?
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    How have you found the patronage on Amtrak LD trains lately?

    The NARP statistics on Amtrak ridership (patronage) by train name are very interesting although I wish they were presented as boardings only, because this would eliminate double counting: https://www.narprail.org/our-issues/reports-and-white-papers/ridership-statistics/ It would also be good...
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    Coast Starlight: freight trains

    On the northbound Coast Starlight (#14), how many freights does one typically cross (meet) or overtake between Los Angeles Union - Seattle? What is the busiest section of track for freights? Are they a mix of intermodals (container) trains and 'manifest' (general loading) trains, or are there...
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    Late connecting trains at Chicago: Amtrak hotels

    If one's connecting train is hours late arriving in Chicago and the next one on the second leg is not until the next day, what are the names of hotels that Amtrak typically uses to put passengers up in? Is this typically on a bed and breakfast basis only, bed only (no breakfast) or bed plus...
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    Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge LA: hours

    I haven't been on it for a few years but am shortly travelling on 'Coast Starlight.' What time does the lounge at Los Angeles Union station for sleeper and business class passengers open each morning? Apart from sodas (soft drinks), what else is on offer in the food and beverage department at...
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