The configuration you saw applies (in the south-bound case for example) to those days when the Texas Eagle does not meet the Sunset Limited in San Antonio. This change became effective on 8 June. On those days when the Texas Eagle does meet the Sunset Limited, a sleeper and a coach are added on the rear, which are connected to the Sunset Limited in the middle of the night. The single locomotive is all there is on any configuration these days. I was on this train (south-bound) on 8 and 9 June, when a service crew member explained that the changes were made so that additional sleepers and locomotives would be available for the more popular trains in the west, which he presumed to be the California Zephyr. The same crew member thought this was a temporary change only for the summer, and that if Mr. Gunn's plans are allowed to function, there will be enough rebuilt sleepers to not have to do this next year (2004).
I have been riding the western long distance trains for several years, and find the Texas Eagle somewhat unusual in that it has a larger percentage of "regulars" than the others; I am more likely to see familiar faces on the Texas Eagle than on any other train in the west. The Texas Eagle doesn't seem to have a "busy season" like most of the other western trains do. I am on the Texas Eagle about 3 times a month. The bad part (bad for Amtrak - good for me) is that I seem to able to get a sleeper on very short notice, and there is at least one empty sleeper compartment every time I'm on the Texas Eagle – any time of the year. This is somewhat worrisome for me, as I take the Texas Eagle in and out of Dallas (in both directions) often as a means of business travel; I don’t know what I would do without it.
The diner service between Ft. Worth and San Antonio ended early this year; I think it was in February. The lounge still works, and sleeper passengers get special box lunches during the segment. I can remember several times when I was the only customer in the diner between these two cities the whole time the diner was open.
As for outlets... The sleepers have them of course. You can always find one in the lounge car, but it's likely to have someone's phone plugged into it. Some of the recently rebuilt coaches have them on a power strip just under the windows next to every seat. The older coaches have a few hidden next to a few selected seats down closer to the floor. Thay hard to see, but I have always been able to find a coach outlet. If you are plugging in a laptop or other "electrically fragile" device, bring a small surge protector. Radio Shack has a small one for about $8.
