My July Loop around the West and Mid-West

[Bob Dylan]

Fixing to make a TE/SSL/CS/EB/CONO/SL loop from Austin to Austin. Any info on the following will be

appreciated!!!!!! Any feedback on the new menus especially the buffalo meatloaf on the EB?

The menu in the Parlor Car on the CS is usually what currently? Which side of the EB from SEA/CHI

is the most scenic????In CHI, is dinner on the CONO served in the CCC before the train leaves CUS

or underway for Sleeper Pax??IN LAUS is there anywhere to leave or check your baggage while

touring the area since our hotel has a 3PM check in and we Should arrive on the SSL around 10AM??

(Yes we plan to have luncch @ Phillipes!!!)Thanks for any ingo!!!!

 

[stntylr]

Hey take me with you! I've thought of that before but figured it would be way too much for my wife to handle. Let me get my toothbrush and I can be in Austin in a hour.

 

[wayman]

Fixing to make a TE/SSL/CS/EB/CONO/SL loop from Austin to Austin. Any info on the following will beappreciated!!!!!! Any feedback on the new menus especially the buffalo meatloaf on the EB?

The menu in the Parlor Car on the CS is usually what currently? Which side of the EB from SEA/CHI

is the most scenic????In CHI, is dinner on the CONO served in the CCC before the train leaves CUS

or underway for Sleeper Pax??IN LAUS is there anywhere to leave or check your baggage while

touring the area since our hotel has a 3PM check in and we Should arrive on the SSL around 10AM??

(Yes we plan to have luncch @ Phillipes!!!)Thanks for any ingo!!!!

My recollection of the EB between Spokane and Chicago was that both sides had spectacular scenery in roughly equal measure through Glacier National Park, and both sides had endless fields of wheat in roughly equal measure through North Dakota I don't think there's a "bad side" on the EB. (If you were traveling from Portland, I would say the south side of the train is best, since that's the side with the river, but you're not going to be on that route. And my sense of everything from Minneapolis to Chicago is not helpful since my main memory of that leg is of the flood detour, not the regular route!)

Besides, you can't really change which side your roomette is on and you can't even predict very well which side it will be on in advance; it's not like coach, where you might get to express some preference about which side you sit on when you board. And you should spend most of your time in the lounge for the scenery anyhow

EDIT: Ooh! I'm member number 1512, and this is my post number 1512!

 

[MrFSS]

Fixing to make a TE/SSL/CS/EB/CONO/SL loop from Austin to Austin. Any info on the following will beappreciated!!!!!! Any feedback on the new menus especially the buffalo meatloaf on the EB?

The menu in the Parlor Car on the CS is usually what currently? Which side of the EB from SEA/CHI

is the most scenic????In CHI, is dinner on the CONO served in the CCC before the train leaves CUS

or underway for Sleeper Pax??IN LAUS is there anywhere to leave or check your baggage while

touring the area since our hotel has a 3PM check in and we Should arrive on the SSL around 10AM??

(Yes we plan to have lunch @ Phillipe's!!!)Thanks for any ingo!!!!

I was just on the CONO out of CHI and they started serving dinner in the CCC before we left the station. Well - we were in the CCC and had made it out into the yards when we were served, but we were late boarding. If you board at 7:00 as they would like happen, you could even be done with the meal before leaving the station.

There is a baggage room in LAUS where you can store bags for about $4-5 a bag. But if you have them checked, just don't pick them up until you get back from sightseeing and go to check into the hotel. Or, go early to the hotel and if they won't let you check in when you get there, they may hold your bags for free.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Hey take me with you! I've thought of that before but figured it would be way too much for my wife to handle. Let me get my toothbrush and I can be in Austin in a hour.

Well my girfriend was reluctant too, she rode the train many years ago in the NE, now shes as exited as me about the trip, I will say that these trains stay pretty full so if you plan to go get your

rail pass as early as possible and book you sleeper @ low bucket wherever possible!It also helps of course to

search for deals on hotels,cars etc.Thats part of the fun as a retiree, planning the trip yourself as opposed to

a travel agent or business travel!This forum is the best Ive seen!!! :lol: BOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[the_traveler]

Fixing to make a TE/SSL/CS/EB/CONO/SL loop from Austin to Austin. Any info on the following will beappreciated!!!!!!

I take a stab at some of them, as I did parts in March!

Any feedback on the new menus especially the buffalo meatloaf on the EB?

I have no idea. The last time I did the was in October - before the new menus.

The menu in the Parlor Car on the CS is usually what currently?

Give me a minute to scan (hopefully) my menu from March. It may or may not be the same.

Which side of the EB from SEA/CHI is the most scenic????

The best view is from the Sightseer! :lol: But I would vote for the north side!

In CHI, is dinner on the CONO served in the CCC before the train leaves CUS or underway for Sleeper Pax??

I don't know for sure, but I think they do before you depart.

In LAUS is there anywhere to leave or check your baggage while touring the area since our hotel has a 3PM check in and we Should arrive on the SSL around 10AM?? (Yes we plan to have luncch @ Phillipes!!!)

I think that you can leave them at baggage claim, for a couple of $. Here's an idea - If you check them on the SL, do not pick them up when you first arrive! They will be held in the baggage room - and the "storage fee" will be $-0-!

I don't know where you're staying, but if it is the Metro Plaza, I think they will hold your bags - and it is 1/2 block from Phillipes!

Bonus answer: If you're connecting from the SL westbound to the TE northbound in SAS on a day that the TE does not come from LAX, you can not board the TE until like 6:30 AM! You stay in the station (if you want) from 3 AM - although I arrived at 2 AM from NOL!

 

[EB_OBS]

I just had the buffalo meatloaf again yesterday. I had initially tried it in Wilmington, DE during the testing phase for the new menu. I liked it then and I thought it was delicious yesterday as well.

Buffalo is a leaner meat than beef and does have a different taste. I think our buffalo meatloaf is a little bit spicy but not too spicy. It's served with a mushroom cream sauce.

We did get some initial feedback from passengers and crews after the first full week on the new menu. One comment on the meatloaf was that it was dry. We've been talking with the chefs and food specialists to ensure that it's not overcooked.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I just had the buffalo meatloaf again yesterday. I had initially tried it in Wilmington, DE during the testing phase for the new menu. I liked it then and I thought it was delicious yesterday as well.
Buffalo is a leaner meat than beef and does have a different taste. I think our buffalo meatloaf is a little bit spicy but not too spicy. It's served with a mushroom cream sauce.

We did get some initial feedback from passengers and crews after the first full week on the new menu. One comment on the meatloaf was that it was dry. We've been talking with the chefs and food specialists to ensure that it's not overcooked.

Thanx for the info folks(Ive got to quit using guys in thisday and age since so many females are now involved in things(which is great!!!! :lol: )Hope I can help newbies as much as yall have helped me when Im more

experienced!!"Board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Trainmans daughter]

Are you still planning on a Wine Train excursion? If so, I might have given you some bad advise. Not good to say you are a friend of Ray Balch in order to get the key to the RPO car, since Ray passed away 3 years ago. Better to use the past tense. I don't know much about this discussion board, but if there is a way for you to email me direct and tell me what day your tickets are for, I could call the Wine Train office and tell them to release the key to my new friend Jim (that is if you are interested in this).

 

[Bob Dylan]

Are you still planning on a Wine Train excursion? If so, I might have given you some bad advise. Not good to say you are a friend of Ray Balch in order to get the key to the RPO car, since Ray passed away 3 years ago. Better to use the past tense. I don't know much about this discussion board, but if there is a way for you to email me direct and tell me what day your tickets are for, I could call the Wine Train office and tell them to release the key to my new friend Jim (that is if you are interested in this).

For sure!we are spending 4 days in Sonoma with my brother and his love,Im not sure what the details areas to reservations/cost etc., Im sure its crowded in the summmer but would Love to see the car(s) you

mention!PM me , Thanx!!!!!

 

[AAARGH!]

For sure!we are spending 4 days in Sonoma with my brother and his love,Im not sure what the details areas to reservations/cost etc., Im sure its crowded in the summmer but would Love to see the car(s) you

mention!My e-mail is ------- orso PM me!Thanx!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I would not recommend putting your e-maill address out in the open, Spammers will get a hold of it. You might want to edit it out and PM it instead.

 

[Trainmans daughter]

Point well taken. So here's a question from Ms. Luddite---What does "PM it" mean?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Personal message, Im not great on computers either, dont have a clue how to edit out the e-mail address???

 

[the_traveler]

Personal message, Im not great on computers either, dont have a clue how to edit out the e-mail address???

On the bottom right corner of YOUR posts, there are 3 boxes - "EDIT", "QUOTE" and "REPLY". Click the "EDIT" box, and you can edit your post! (Only your own posts have the "EDIT" box - all other posts only have the other 2 bboxes.

 

[EB_OBS]

Personal message, Im not great on computers either, dont have a clue how to edit out the e-mail address???

Click on the 'edit' button that's next to the 'reply' / 'quote' buttons.

Remove the text and re-post.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Personal message, Im not great on computers either, dont have a clue how to edit out the e-mail address???

Click on the 'edit' button that's next to the 'reply' / 'quote' buttons.

Remove the text and re-post.

Thanks!Wiill do!

 

[AlanB]

Point well taken. So here's a question from Ms. Luddite---What does "PM it" mean?

Look in the upper right corner and you'll see a link that says X New Messages, with X representing the number of new messages you have received from other people. If you click on that link, it will take you to a screen where you can read any PM's sent to you, and if you like you can compose you're own new messages.

 

[Trainmans daughter]

Very cool. Thanks! I just sent Jim a message the old fashioned way--smoke signals! Actually, I emailed a message.

At least I know how to PM now.

 

[the_traveler]

the old fashioned way--smoke signals

From a steam locomotive - I hope! :lol:

 

[Trainmans daughter]

Is there any other way?!

 

[Longford]

I rode the Empire Builder, but from Chicago to Seattle . . . over the recent Memorial Day weekend. My roomette was on the north side of the train and after viewing the scenery out of both sides, I think the best views were out of the windows on the south side. Most of the towns wer passed through - other than Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis/St. Paul - including the stations - were situated south of the tracks. Passing above and out of Seattle, however, I thought the best view was from the north/west side of the train . . . but that was for a relatively short time period.

 

[D T Nelson]

Fixing to make a TE/SSL/CS/EB/CONO/SL loop from Austin to Austin. Any info on the following will beappreciated!!!!!! Any feedback on the new menus especially the buffalo meatloaf on the EB?

The menu in the Parlor Car on the CS is usually what currently? Which side of the EB from SEA/CHI

is the most scenic????In CHI, is dinner on the CONO served in the CCC before the train leaves CUS

or underway for Sleeper Pax??IN LAUS is there anywhere to leave or check your baggage while

touring the area since our hotel has a 3PM check in and we Should arrive on the SSL around 10AM??

(Yes we plan to have luncch @ Phillipes!!!)Thanks for any ingo!!!!

I just got back from a round trip SEA-CHI on the Empire Builder, so I will address two of your questions.

I think the left side of the eastbound Empire Builder is the most scenic. Leaving Seattle, the left side gets the Puget Sound views on the run up to Everett. Through the mountains and across the plains, both sides get similar views. Along the Mississippi, the left side gets the river view, while the right side looks at the bluff. And for the remainder of the trip, I think both sides get approximately equal views.

As for the menu, the buffalo meatloaf was only offered on the eastbound trip. But I didn't try it, because they were using up their remaining inventory of flat iron steaks, so I had that both nights. I figured I'd catch the meatloaf on the return, but braised lamb shanks were the special on that trip. The steak on the return was the new "Butcher's Choice," something called a "Denver cut." I ordered it the first night, and halfway through the meal, the fellow across the table, who was also eating it, asked me, "What exactly is a Denver cut?" "It's damned chewy, that's what it is," I said, and he agreed. I was going to forego it the second night, but at lunch a woman I dined with said she had thought hers had been okay, so I decided to try it again that night. It was as chewy and gristly as I remembered it. They also offered a grilled catfish on the return, but I like my catfish breaded and deep-fried, to mask any fish taste, so I did not order it.

 

[EB_OBS]

Fixing to make a TE/SSL/CS/EB/CONO/SL loop from Austin to Austin. Any info on the following will beappreciated!!!!!! Any feedback on the new menus especially the buffalo meatloaf on the EB?

The menu in the Parlor Car on the CS is usually what currently? Which side of the EB from SEA/CHI

is the most scenic????In CHI, is dinner on the CONO served in the CCC before the train leaves CUS

or underway for Sleeper Pax??IN LAUS is there anywhere to leave or check your baggage while

touring the area since our hotel has a 3PM check in and we Should arrive on the SSL around 10AM??

(Yes we plan to have luncch @ Phillipes!!!)Thanks for any ingo!!!!

I just got back from a round trip SEA-CHI on the Empire Builder, so I will address two of your questions.

I think the left side of the eastbound Empire Builder is the most scenic. Leaving Seattle, the left side gets the Puget Sound views on the run up to Everett. Through the mountains and across the plains, both sides get similar views. Along the Mississippi, the left side gets the river view, while the right side looks at the bluff. And for the remainder of the trip, I think both sides get approximately equal views.

As for the menu, the buffalo meatloaf was only offered on the eastbound trip. But I didn't try it, because they were using up their remaining inventory of flat iron steaks, so I had that both nights. I figured I'd catch the meatloaf on the return, but braised lamb shanks were the special on that trip. The steak on the return was the new "Butcher's Choice," something called a "Denver cut." I ordered it the first night, and halfway through the meal, the fellow across the table, who was also eating it, asked me, "What exactly is a Denver cut?" "It's damned chewy, that's what it is," I said, and he agreed. I was going to forego it the second night, but at lunch a woman I dined with said she had thought hers had been okay, so I decided to try it again that night. It was as chewy and gristly as I remembered it. They also offered a grilled catfish on the return, but I like my catfish breaded and deep-fried, to mask any fish taste, so I did not order it.

The Executive Chef is aware of the Denver cut steaks being tough and is working with the vendor on a solution. I think they may decide to marinate it like the flat iron steak.