A round trip to EMY. Departing Chicago 8/9/19. Departing EMY 8/13/19

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I have gotten enough feedback to know that people enjoy my on going trip reports of my travels on Amtrak. This one might be more interesting than most.

As many of you know I’m a teacher in Chicago. The large urban school system operates without rhyme or reason sometimes. At the end of the last year I was not renewed at the school I was working at. Thus I had to find a new one for this upcoming year. After completing 136 online applications (those are not hard after you get the initial information in the computer) and interviewing 8 times I was offered a job 15 minutes after the interview Thursday 8/8/19. Of course I gleefully accepted. Then went home to pack.

All week I’ve been tracking the red and black dots on AMS maps that represent 5 and 6. Lots of several hour delays due to different reasons. This morning at breakfast with my dad I did my normal perusal of train orders and nearly choked on my bagel lox and cream cheese. 5 and 6 had spent hours in Provo and Salt Lake City due to mud slides near Thistle. As I write this both trains are still sitting. I’m on the Metra approaching Union station.

I am relaxed and ready for this trip.
 
There is a new procedure, at least for me, where the agent issues a laminated card with a colored dot on it. The directions on the card tell the passengers to show each time one enters the lounge. It is to be returned when one boards their train. My dot is yellow. I’m not sure if this indicates day of week or the train that I am departing on.
 

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There is a new procedure, at least for me, where the agent issues a laminated card with a colored dot on it. The directions on the card tell the passengers to show each time one enters the lounge. It is to be returned when one boards their train. My dot is yellow. I’m not sure if this indicates day of week or the train that I am departing on.

In Calif, a pink dot on your driver's license signifies that you have agreed to donate all organs and tissues in the event of your demise.
 
The wait in the lounge was non eventful. I made and received phone calls, texts and emails. The one piece of drama was a guy with tattoos on his arms with two service dogs. At one point the dogs barked. They were big enough dogs that the bite would be much worse than the bite. When I went to use the bathroom I saw that some plain clothes police officers were questioning him about the dogs. It seemed a calm conversation that was none of my business so I ignored the proceedings.

Boarding occurred about 1:45 pm. It’s 2:11pm and we are now departing.

The SCA is good. She has packages of m&ms and stuff at the service area. I’m in the 533 car right side.
 
Interesting comments about the Chicago Education system Steve.Reminds me of the Washington DC School Operations from when I lived there many moons ago.

Looking forward to your Adventures on the Zephyrs, looks like they're back in Operation but bet the Freight Congestion will be a problem!
 
We are doing better today than yesterday and the day before. Both days 5 was 2 hours 45 minutes late at Burlington. Today we are 1 hour late. We just put in the dessert orders. Reggie Howard is the LSA. I’ve had him before. He remembered me immediately. That’s cool.

I showered before Galesburg. I was hot and sticky and itchy. So it seemed the thing to do. I’m feeling great.
 
I believe the color dot is the train. I had a blue one yesterday (perfect color for me ;) ) and I saw at least one other color, which I think was for the Pere Marquette (sp). I was wondering if it might be north tracks vs south tracks??
 
Met a tatted young (homeless) man just out of rehab near Chicago that was heading to west (California Zephyr) to try and start a new life. Very nice and intelligent young man. He had a rescued pit bull service (by court order) dog with him in the lounge. I sat in one of the double seats in the Lounge and chatted with him for some time. His pooch was the sweetest and calmest dog I have ever met. As we chatted the dog was lying on the floor at his feet and I assume wanted a change of scenery. So he jumped up next to me in the double seat, plopped his head in my lap and went to sleep. Passengers expressions through the Lounge looks ranged from a big grin to utter terror (remember it was one of those deadly pit bulls!). It was fun just watching their faces. upload_2019-8-9_21-24-45.png
 
I think I got a video of Agent video taping the Train. At Ottumwa I took a quick walk on the platform decision And all Tom while I walked around on the platform and gloves and Flecher were still running about an hour late but we're making good time across Iowa. I want to do wound care and I love Luke beer and Eminem's as a snack and just chill for a while and now I'm going to head back and go to bed
 
I had a pretty good night sleep we managed to lose another 45 minutes or so and are now running two hours late. Interesting thing is that people do not really understand time zones. The dining car was supposed to open at 6 AM on mountain time so people set their alarm for 6 AM or you get up for 6 AM and alarm went off at 6 AM central. They walk into the lounge or diner expecting it to be open.

We met a very late 6 at Benkelman, Nebraska. Took photos of poor quality because this was a rarity.
 

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What ever Padding we have between Fort Morgan and Denver has been eaten up by meeting with freight trains. We’ve stopped or slowed at nearly every siding since Roggen. The conductor has just informed us that we are now waiting for a freight train that is 15 minutes away. End result arrive Denver 10:00 am. I’m just chilling listening to the Rolling Stones on my head phones.
 
We are now on the move. Conductor announced that dispatch promised no more delays. Then a few minutes later the LSA announces over PA that the steam table will need attention from mechanical in Denver. Conductor confirmed “Steam table Mechanical Code Blue”. I am now wondering what code blue means.
 
I have the scanner out. I can here the crew discussing departure clearance with dispatch. We were given clearance but are still sitting. I’d we depart momentarily a 2 hour 30 minute delay is manageable and could be made up.

A few photos from Denver.
 

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I have the scanner out. I can here the crew discussing departure clearance with dispatch. We were given clearance but are still sitting. I’d we depart momentarily a 2 hour 30 minute delay is manageable and could be made up.

A few photos from Denver.

Nice 10-6 sleeper PV on the side track in DUS.
 
Well, if he wasn't a trained service animal, he shouldn't have been there. Amtrak's policies are very clear: trained service animals are fine, emotional support animals are not included within the allowable service animals, but they can travel if they meet the pet restrictions: 25 dollar pet fee, under 20 pounds, and must be in a carrier. The last two don't appear to be true here.

Also, even for trained support animals, they must be on the floor, not on seats, unless the person's disability requires that.

Just because this particular crew let the passenger get away with this, doesn't mean the next crew will turn a blind eye to the rules. And, it would be a shame for someone already struggling in life to get kicked out of the train or else denied boarding in the first place because they didn't know the policies.
 
Lost another 30 minutes leaving Denver . The conductor announced that the train had to back to clear a switch so a freight could pull through. He stated that there was a miscommunication which caused this too happen. Apparently no rules were broken and we are happily under way.

I meant to post in Denver but forgot to hit submit.
 
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We are currently 3 hours late and 8 minutes out of Glenwood Springs. There were several mooners. It is one of my goals in life to catch one in a photograph and then post on Facebook book with the caption, “Do you know where your ass is?” If I knew how to put it on a milk carton I wood. Then have people share until the mooner finds himself.
 
These are G rated. I promise.
 

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