Search results

I know 8:15 is listed, but I've heard that it usually gets in earlier, sometimes by as much as an hour. Any truth to that, or has anyone experienced consistently earlier arrival times?

Has anyone on here done this? If so, what was it like? Is the car attached to the diner (with the one row of single seats on the right side), or is it a typical coach car that they're designating "Business Class"? Are there any perks that make it worth considering over a sleeper (access to a...

I'd be arriving in Chicago on a business class ticket and leaving a few hours later on the Wolverine (again in business class). Would I be able to access the Met Lounge, or is it strictly for passengers with sleeper accommodations?

Hello all-- I'm coming in from LA on the Pacific Surfliner for the Huskers bowl game at Qualcomm Stadium. Amtrak lists 3 stops in San Diego: Old Town (OLT), Sorrento Valley (SRB), and San Diego itself (SAN). Could anyone familiar with these San Diego stops make a recommendation? There's about...

Hello all-- I'm taking a trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, and am choosing between the Southwest Chief and the Texas Eagle. Besides the quicker travel time on the SWC (not necessarily an advantage since I love being on the train), are there any distinctive differences between the two routes...

So I've been booked for a roomette on a LD train, and the ticket agent told me that it's in the Crew Car. Any advantages or drawbacks to this?

When I first started riding Amtrak heavily a few years back, I remember thinking that the California Zephyr had the worst attendees of all the long distance routes. Now, after multiple really good trips in a row, I think they might be the best. Paul, Ron, and now Johnny--all outstanding SCA's. I...

So I booked a trip on the Zephyr, originally planning to get off in Sacramento. I got a good deal on the price of a sleeper, and the fare immediately went to the highest bucket after I purchased. However, my plans later changed. Now, instead of getting off in Sacramento, it would actually be...

Just outside of San Marcos. Not sure what's happening (and don't want to look), but the conductor came on and asked people to refrain from looking out the windows, so it can't be good.

You know who I'm talking about--the SCA, the Dining Car attendant, the Conductor, etc, whose reputation precedes them on this board so that when you end up with them on a trip, you recognize the first name and think "Yes! Now I can finally find out what people were talking about--going to be a...

Has anyone tried this yet? There was a lot of debate when the TE/SL schedule changed about how successful it would be to allow Sleeping Car passengers to "stay in their accomodations until 6:30 AM". Are they really "welcome" to do so as the Amtrak site says? What have your experiences been so far?

I need a knowledgeable train fan to name the different types of cars for me, but in the second leg of a cross-country trip on the California Zephyr, I've again noticed a big difference in the equipment. The older cars have the carpeting in spots on the walls in the bedrooms (helps absorb noise)...

Why is it so hard for Amtrak to coordinate its PA announcements so that the dining car staff or other personnel aren't constantly talking over the Trails and Rails volunteers? Personally, I think the T&R folks add something valuable to the trip with their commentary, but on the Zephyr just a few...

Spoke too soon...never mind!

I know they're lettered from A-E, but which one do most people want? Which room is the one to avoid (I've read that one of the rooms is noisier than others--can't remember which). Any pros and cons in terms of location? I've always traveled by Roomette or Coach, but am seriously thinking about...

So I entered my sleeper for a three day trip on the Empire Builder, the same way I have many times before. At first glance, the Roomette seemed normal enough--familiar blue seats adorned with white head protectors, dark blue curtains that barely cover the windows after a fair amount of...

I'm interested in hearing other responses on this. One of the reasons I choose to pay extra for a sleeper is so that I can work on my laptop, fall asleep when I want to, take in the scenery, or read a book on my Kindle and tune out the world for awhile. I also like to meet new people and get my...

Every single stop, she gives the same exact announcement: Children must be accompanied by an adult to the bathrooms. They must not play, stand, or run in the aisles. Children must be seated at all times. Children must be accompanied to the lounge car. And on, and on, and on, all delivered in the...

I'm coming into San Antonio on the Texas Eagle two weeks from now and am thinking about detraining for at least a couple of hours during the 7 hour layover. Does anyone have recommendations for attractions/restaurants close to the train station (particularly those within walking distance)? The...

Hello all- I have AGR points to burn, and I'd like to get your recommendations about small town stops on Amtrak long distance routes that would be quiet and fun for 1 or 2 days. Distance is not important, but for this trip I'd like to visit towns with access to basic shopping, fast food, a...