caravanman
Engineer
Just a few observations on my 1st ride on the Cardinal.
I guess I mostly ride train routes from end to end, so boarding after the start in Washington, I was allocated a specific aisle seat by the attendant. Quite a small number of passengers boarding here, and now that I am a senior, I can head to the front of the line.
The window seat passenger looked a bit annoyed by my arrival, although I shook hands and said hello. Several hours later he thawed out and we had some interesting and wide ranging conversations.
The cafe car attendant was rather off hand, and I was not impressed by the lack of announcements about dining options. It may be that the p.a. in my car was out of order, but I had thought ahead anyway, and enjoyed some salad and fresh foods bought from a store in advance.
There were the usual threats in reaction to someone smoking, possibly a non english speaker, but no one got thrown off.
I hestiate to mention the restrooms, not dirty but very smelly... looked as if the flush was just water, no chemical cleaning agent to reduce the stink.
It is hard to find a balance in matters of security, but I felt the repeated video loops of security warnings at the station were rather intimidating, and could make folk feel worried more than secure.
I found the outside scenery was not as interesting as I had imagined, although there were some nice wooded vistas.
Highlight was meeting member City of Miami en route, we had an interesting chat.
A few pics from my Washington stay:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152685247659120.1073741833.682004119&type=1&l=954d212e86
Currently staying in Chicago, been here several times to start my train rides in the past, I love the place!
The Zephyr to Reno on Friday is my next train ride.
Please click this link to read the next thrilling instalment! :http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/61327-chicago-to-reno-zephyr-was-a-breezemostly/?p=554314
Cheers,
Ed
I guess I mostly ride train routes from end to end, so boarding after the start in Washington, I was allocated a specific aisle seat by the attendant. Quite a small number of passengers boarding here, and now that I am a senior, I can head to the front of the line.
The window seat passenger looked a bit annoyed by my arrival, although I shook hands and said hello. Several hours later he thawed out and we had some interesting and wide ranging conversations.
The cafe car attendant was rather off hand, and I was not impressed by the lack of announcements about dining options. It may be that the p.a. in my car was out of order, but I had thought ahead anyway, and enjoyed some salad and fresh foods bought from a store in advance.
There were the usual threats in reaction to someone smoking, possibly a non english speaker, but no one got thrown off.
I hestiate to mention the restrooms, not dirty but very smelly... looked as if the flush was just water, no chemical cleaning agent to reduce the stink.
It is hard to find a balance in matters of security, but I felt the repeated video loops of security warnings at the station were rather intimidating, and could make folk feel worried more than secure.
I found the outside scenery was not as interesting as I had imagined, although there were some nice wooded vistas.
Highlight was meeting member City of Miami en route, we had an interesting chat.
A few pics from my Washington stay:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152685247659120.1073741833.682004119&type=1&l=954d212e86
Currently staying in Chicago, been here several times to start my train rides in the past, I love the place!
The Zephyr to Reno on Friday is my next train ride.
Please click this link to read the next thrilling instalment! :http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/61327-chicago-to-reno-zephyr-was-a-breezemostly/?p=554314
Cheers,
Ed
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