Texas Eagle LAX - CHI / Wolverine CHI - DER 8/31 - 9/3

[DetroitDave]

This is another "Planes, Trains, Automobile" trips that I like to do, in this case the train trip is punctuating my Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas and road trip to LA. The Texas Eagle was a route on my bucket list to cross off, even if the scenery isn't as mind blowing. I also noticed more posts online and on YouTube referencing the westbound trek of Texas Eagle, so I thought I'd document how the trip is in mid-2022.

It was my first time at LA Union Station. I had already gotten tips on how to locate the Metroplitan Lounge and that I'd have to look for the sneaky elevator. Well...I found a hidden elevator, but not the right one nearest the ticket office! (ha!) Anyways, after dropping my rental off and picking up some snacks and dessert, I settled in again in the Metro Lounge. It was about what I expected: a bit small and sparse, but comfortable enough.

The RedCaps began boarding those who wanted/needed assistance about an hour before departure. I opted for RedCap since I had added luggage I was getting tired of lugging (cosplay).

My Roomette is in car 2230, Room 5. My SCA is Harold (already very pleasant!)

Currently, it's 10:20pm / 2220 . We departed right on time and are currently rolling at 61 mph.

More to come as time/signal allows.

Cheers,
Dave G

 

[DetroitDave]

Thursday morning

A beautiful sunrise greeted our train this morning. Breakfast at 0705 was the quesadilla with pork sausage. A nice couple seated a table away from me reminded a few of us that we were coming to Picacho Peak and the location of the Battle of Picacho Pass, the westernmost (or one of the westernmost) battles of the Civil War.
By 0805 we pulled up to Tucson, AZ for replenishment and smoke break. I made connection with Virtua Railfan folks on the cam and by 0846 we were back on our way.

 

[DetroitDave]

Thursday Evening

I took my lunch in the roometee but it took quite a while to arrive. Our SCA warned he was gong to have to make multiple trips to fill everyone's orders. I ended up eating at 2:30pm which wasn't to get from the El Paso arrival time (running about 35 min begins schedule). I had the Awesome burger (not bad, but the SCA warned it was slightly smaller than the Angus) and blueberry Cheesecake.

Arriving in El Paso (and just because I was there), I did get in the queue for Juanita the "burrito lady" that I heard about and it didn't disappoint! I grabbed a chili verde for a couple bucks and it was nice and spicy and tasted fresh!

From that time until dinner, the journey was very uneventful. Almost spooky in that! Dinner reservations were at 6:30 but they had issues making the announcement. I sat with a couple Sandy and Patsy who were on a multi route journey to visit their children and explore, part of which was on the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, and the Sunset taking them to New Orleans. The conversation was fun: Patsy noticed I was writing in a travel journal as she was a retired teacher and Sandy apparently had noticed my shirt throughout the day so we talked about various YT channels on railnerds and our favorite scenic railroads.

As for dinner, I had the baked brie & raspberry empanada and the rigatoni bolognese, all flavorful, but the pasta was a bit undercooked. They were out of the lemon cake but the carrot cake was a good substitution. Patsy and I agreed the cake was good....but it had an almost pudding-like texture this time. There were no complaints on how it tasted!

My stomach was more than full from the rapid succession of late lunch-burrito-dinner! I got back to my room a bit after 9:30 and changed to bed configuration. About 2 min afterwards Harold made the announcement he would change folks' beds if desired. Since this was our last night with him before the SAS split, it was a good time for the gratuity and to chat briefly before he wrapped up beds and went off the clock himself.

Zzz...

 

[DetroitDave]

Friday Morning

Arrived at SAS at 5:53am. I wasn't sure what to expect with a late arrival after hearing about pax being possibly bussed up to the next setup, but things went very smoothly. Switching of cars was done by 6:15am and power restored by 6:33am.

Jason is our new SCA and is very amiable. Now it's time for much needed breakfast (flex menu) and shower.

 

[jiml]

Hey DD, it's been a while. Enjoying the report so far.

 

[DetroitDave]

Hey DD, it's been a while. Enjoying the report so far.

True! It has been a good while. I've been "lurking" for the most part, but always happy to check out discussions.

 

[DetroitDave]

Friday summary:

Flex breakfast was French Toast, orange juice, and enough coffee to jump start a car.

Flex lunch was chicken ala rosa, with salad, brownie, and ginger ale. The sauce was pretty tasty with the pasta!

There wasn't much to speak of as far as scenery, but as we approached Dallas I had the foresight to jump to the stairwell on the opposite side of the car and get some video and pics of Dealey Plaza.

Flex dinner was....incorrect!! I ordered the Thai noodles for room delivery this time but I received the burritos. It was...meh. Nothing to write home about. I could have used another burrito from Juanita!

 

[joelkfla]

Friday summary:

Flex breakfast was French Toast, orange juice, and enough coffee to jump start a car.

Flex lunch was chicken ala rosa, with salad, brownie, and ginger ale. The sauce was pretty tasty with the pasta!

There wasn't much to speak of as far as scenery, but as we approached Dallas I had the foresight to jump to the stairwell on the opposite side of the car and get some video and pics of Dealey Plaza.

Flex dinner was....incorrect!! I ordered the Thai noodles for room delivery this time but I received the burritos. It was...meh. Nothing to write home about. I could have used another burrito from Juanita!

Guess they're using up the Flex French Toast leftovers before they start serving Flex pancakes.

 

[DetroitDave]

Saturday morning & afternoon:

Early to rise for flex breakfast in the dining car. I was feeling a bit under the weather so I opted for oatmeal, breakfast sandwich, yogurt, and tea. Lots of tea!

SCA Jason asked us the night before to give his button a push when we left for breakfast so he could get a jump on changing over the linens, pillows and such for the next batch of passengers after we leave.

We picked up a coach car in St. Louis, added to the rear of our consist.

Flex lunch was a quick cheeseburger and sparkling water in my room. Overall, we made great time on this journey. We waffled from an hr late to within 30 min of schedule. Eventually we arrived at Chicago Union Station at 2:00pm.

The Metropolitan Lounge was packed on arrival, but after the SWC pax emptied out, it's sparse.

Now about a 3 hr wait and away on the Wolverine 354!

 

[DetroitDave]

Guess they're using up the Flex French Toast leftovers before they start serving Flex pancakes.

True...and served concurrently! (at least that day) While our SCA provided a menu with the pancakes, the dining car showed the French toast. A passenger one table over from me asked which were available and was told he could order either. He grabbed the pancakes.

 

[DetroitDave]

The last stretch...

Completely uneventful from Chicago to Dearborn/Detroit via Wolverine 354.

The attendant in the Metropolitan Lounge gave plenty of notice for Business Class pax to find it gate and board (the second to last time, this didn't happen and the group of us were sort of all bunched together on the platform and the conductor directed all of us through the coach - big confusion).

I was the only one loaded into the Business Class initially and grabbed a single in the rear with my copious baggage!

One treat I never get tired of seeing is when we pass near Michigan City across where the South Shore Line would streetrun among 10th and 11th streets. It still gets me going to see the track there, even if not used anymore.

With the swiftness of the high speed, the rest of the stops on the Wolverine were timely and I arrived at Dearborn station at 11:50pm. All in all, a very good trip from Los Angeles and while I probably wouldn't do TE again due to "meh" scenery and split traditional/flex meal service, at least it's off my bucket list.

 

[Old MM]

Congratulations on being on 354 when it's on time

 

[DetroitDave]

Congratulations on being on 354 when it's on time

Yeah really! That tends to be an upward battle!