Sauve850
OBS Chief
I flew from Wyoming to Seattle via Salt Lake City on August 30 to take Amtrak back to Florida after summer vacation. I stayed out by SeaTac and took the light rail to King Street Station after lunch on the 31st.
Haven't been there since its remodel and its really well done. They sure could use more than a couple vending machines. A few homeless people that looked a bit scary and no security seen for the three+ hours I was there. Also the acoustics are terrible. An employee came out and was trying to tell folks train was a few minutes late but you could not hear him unless you were 10 feet away. Same with the speaker system. Anyway the train pulled in and I got settled in my bedroom.
I had the water view on the left side of the train. Sun was out and it was beautiful. My SCA was doing his first run so he was trying to please. He was a coach attendant and worked also in the diner. I'm an easy passenger so all went well. Beds done on time and plenty of ice as I requested.
The LSA was Kyle and he and his staff were really good. Announcements were very clear. No waiting for a seat, both sides of diner being used, he was always helping his staff, drinks were quick to arrive, orders were accurate for every meal and timely. Food was quite good and Im only a breakfast fan on Amtrak. Every meal was tasty. Check for drinks arrived quickly and took a dessert to go both nights. Meet some very nice table mates.
I slept well both nights and upon waking early the second morning I noticed we were in Minneapolis. Looked at my watch and thought it must be off but no we were way ahead of schedule. My thoughts immediately went to maybe we get into Chicago on time and I can check in to my hotel and head to my favorite pizza restaurant for a nice meal at a reasonable hour! Sure enough we actually arrived early. I am pleased with the trip.
Two days later I rode the CL to Washington. It was uneventful and only about 30 minutes down. I had a bedroom again and no SCA issues. My evening meal was at 7:30 and food was ready when I arrived and ate in a semi empty diner. Two people were working behind the counter. I received no amenity box so that's all done I believe. The food is fine for an overnight trip. Dinner was hot and the beer was cold. Breakfast saw a few more people. I had oatmeal, two fruit cups, a blueberry muffin warmed with coffee and ice water.
Two days in Alexandria sightseeing. My hotel was right next to the free trolley heading down King Street every fifteen minutes. I enjoyed the visit to historical sights, ate some tasty food and headed out on the subway to Union Station and my trip home on the Star. I get a roomette on the Silvers as that's my preference. I ate a big lunch in the station, picked up a Subway sandwich with oil and vinegar on the side so the sandwich would be fresh for dinner. Stored it in my small cooler with ice from the lounge. Lounge has new furniture from last year. Nothing special just new. I also carry a Tupperware container when taking the Star and pick up some bakery goods for breakfast. So I'm only having to deal with lunch. As it was I decided to get a hot dog at the stand by the Orlando station so I never visited the Cafe. I was the only sleeper passenger boarding an almost ontime train 91. I knew my SCA so that part was easy. He was in room 1 I was in 3. He was pretty worn out as Amtrak had been flying the crew back and forth from Miami not knowing where the hurricane was going. Trip was another easy ride and early again into the station in West Palm. Three train rides all good. I like it!
Haven't been there since its remodel and its really well done. They sure could use more than a couple vending machines. A few homeless people that looked a bit scary and no security seen for the three+ hours I was there. Also the acoustics are terrible. An employee came out and was trying to tell folks train was a few minutes late but you could not hear him unless you were 10 feet away. Same with the speaker system. Anyway the train pulled in and I got settled in my bedroom.
I had the water view on the left side of the train. Sun was out and it was beautiful. My SCA was doing his first run so he was trying to please. He was a coach attendant and worked also in the diner. I'm an easy passenger so all went well. Beds done on time and plenty of ice as I requested.
The LSA was Kyle and he and his staff were really good. Announcements were very clear. No waiting for a seat, both sides of diner being used, he was always helping his staff, drinks were quick to arrive, orders were accurate for every meal and timely. Food was quite good and Im only a breakfast fan on Amtrak. Every meal was tasty. Check for drinks arrived quickly and took a dessert to go both nights. Meet some very nice table mates.
I slept well both nights and upon waking early the second morning I noticed we were in Minneapolis. Looked at my watch and thought it must be off but no we were way ahead of schedule. My thoughts immediately went to maybe we get into Chicago on time and I can check in to my hotel and head to my favorite pizza restaurant for a nice meal at a reasonable hour! Sure enough we actually arrived early. I am pleased with the trip.
Two days later I rode the CL to Washington. It was uneventful and only about 30 minutes down. I had a bedroom again and no SCA issues. My evening meal was at 7:30 and food was ready when I arrived and ate in a semi empty diner. Two people were working behind the counter. I received no amenity box so that's all done I believe. The food is fine for an overnight trip. Dinner was hot and the beer was cold. Breakfast saw a few more people. I had oatmeal, two fruit cups, a blueberry muffin warmed with coffee and ice water.
Two days in Alexandria sightseeing. My hotel was right next to the free trolley heading down King Street every fifteen minutes. I enjoyed the visit to historical sights, ate some tasty food and headed out on the subway to Union Station and my trip home on the Star. I get a roomette on the Silvers as that's my preference. I ate a big lunch in the station, picked up a Subway sandwich with oil and vinegar on the side so the sandwich would be fresh for dinner. Stored it in my small cooler with ice from the lounge. Lounge has new furniture from last year. Nothing special just new. I also carry a Tupperware container when taking the Star and pick up some bakery goods for breakfast. So I'm only having to deal with lunch. As it was I decided to get a hot dog at the stand by the Orlando station so I never visited the Cafe. I was the only sleeper passenger boarding an almost ontime train 91. I knew my SCA so that part was easy. He was in room 1 I was in 3. He was pretty worn out as Amtrak had been flying the crew back and forth from Miami not knowing where the hurricane was going. Trip was another easy ride and early again into the station in West Palm. Three train rides all good. I like it!
