L
LA resident
Guest
Took an LD train for the he first time since in almost a year--bedroom on the SWC LA-Chicago. The LA-based crew was terrific across the board, from the SCA to the dining and lounge car employees. The conductors pointed out scenic highlights and explained track delays. Those were the positives. On the flip side, the bed mattress, sheets and blankets could have been from my National Guard barracks some 30 years ago: worn, thin, uncomfortable. Frayed curtains, an inaudible in-room speaker, two non-working room lights. No soap or shampoo in shower. What's the point of an in-room shower with no soap? (For the record I always carry a purloined hotel bar with me for cases like this.) The food quality was Denny's at best--edible but uninspired. All four at dinner the second night ordered steak medium-rare and all four received steak well-done. (The two coach pax at the table said they had cut back the diner because the extra charges now for salad and beverage added $7 to an already pricy tab.) Bottom line: for the same $1457 that I paid for the SWC, I could have flown and had two-plus nights at the Ritz Carlton in a suite. The sleeper charges are preposterous for the rundown nature of Amtrak's LD service today.