siberianmo
Service Attendant
Greetings!
Time for another installment from my notes of personal train trips - this one is my return from Chicago on May 7th, 2014 aboard the Texas Eagle in lower level roomette #11 . . .
Trip Report
May 7th, 2014
Chicago – St. Louis
Aboard the Texas Eagle #21
Solo
Wednesday, May 7th:
Texas Eagle #21
The Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago’s Union Station was jammed to standing room only. There were snacks and beverages available. Within 10 minutes of my arrival aboard Lincoln Service #302, a pre-boarding check was called for bedroom passengers then boarding followed at 1:10 PM.
My bedroom car was the 2nd from the locomotive with “Toni” as my attendant. Had traveled with him on at least 4 other trips; good seeing him again. A very attentive and friendly guy.
The roomette was lower level, #11 on the port side. Amazing – I found a Route Guide at the window; something not always seen on the long distance trains anymore. Also chagrined to note there were no tissues in any of the rooms. Amtrak austerity strikes again!
Equipment:
Locomotive – AMD/PA42 #123
SuperLiner Dormitory #39008
SuperLiner Sleeper #32016
SuperLiner Diner #37014
SuperLiner Sightseer Lounge #33020
SuperLiner Coaches #31039 – 34039 – 34113 - 34061
Decided to have dinner in my room as my hip was beginning to flare up with all of the platform walking to take fotos, etc. Toni was more than willing to take my order which to my surprise turned out to be the 2nd best meal ever experience aboard Amtrak. A turkey dinner smothered in a gravy that was simply outstanding.
Trip was pretty much like the northbound in that we had all sorts of unexplained slow downs and stops – the longest before Joliet supposedly for “paper work” which made absolutely no sense at all; paper work??
The gal taking the dinner reservations – “Stacy” – was also someone traveled with before; last time was aboard the Eagle northbound from Ft. Worth. Very friendly and has her own style with dinner announcements. Added to the pleasure of it all.
Also the guy running the snack bar had some innovative ways of making announcements – a good crew for sure; although I did not detect any smiles or congenial offerings from the Conductor or Assistant – grumps.
A pleasant way to end a long day on the rails – full stomach, nice surroundings with some fine scenery!
Email sent to Amtrak regarding Toni & Stacy along with tissue issues!
Station Departures/Arrival:
Chicago, Illinois On time departure sked – 1:45 PM
Joliet 2:58 – 18 minutes late departing – sked 2:40
Pontiac 3:55 – 28 minutes late departing – sked 3:27
Bloomington 4:43 – 39 minutes late departing – sked 4:04
Normal
Lincoln 5:15 – 38 minutes late departing – sked 4:37
Springfield 5:55 – 41 minutes late departing – sked 5:14
Carlinville 6:32 – 43 minutes late departing – sked 5:49
Alton 7:04 – 42 minutes late departing – sked 6:22
St. Louis, Missouri 7:52 – 31 minutes late arriving – sked 7:21 PM
Home at 8:27 PM
End of Report!
===========================================================================
Oh, almost forgot - I will be traveling on the 14th aboard the Missouri River Runner for a daytime/evening round trip between Kirkwood & Kansas City, MO. Then on the 17th it will be the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Kansas City - flying home as "they" canceled the morning River Runner due to UP track work between KCity and JCity. Oh well . . . Then on the 22nd I will be out of commission for who-knows-how-long - personal stuff. Oh well - again!
==========================================================================
Some fotos to enjoy. Sure wish I could "caption" these - but one day I'll figga it out!
These have not been posted on my web site - yet. When I get-around-tuit, they will have captions!
Time for another installment from my notes of personal train trips - this one is my return from Chicago on May 7th, 2014 aboard the Texas Eagle in lower level roomette #11 . . .
Trip Report
May 7th, 2014
Chicago – St. Louis
Aboard the Texas Eagle #21
Solo
Wednesday, May 7th:
Texas Eagle #21
The Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago’s Union Station was jammed to standing room only. There were snacks and beverages available. Within 10 minutes of my arrival aboard Lincoln Service #302, a pre-boarding check was called for bedroom passengers then boarding followed at 1:10 PM.
My bedroom car was the 2nd from the locomotive with “Toni” as my attendant. Had traveled with him on at least 4 other trips; good seeing him again. A very attentive and friendly guy.
The roomette was lower level, #11 on the port side. Amazing – I found a Route Guide at the window; something not always seen on the long distance trains anymore. Also chagrined to note there were no tissues in any of the rooms. Amtrak austerity strikes again!
Equipment:
Locomotive – AMD/PA42 #123
SuperLiner Dormitory #39008
SuperLiner Sleeper #32016
SuperLiner Diner #37014
SuperLiner Sightseer Lounge #33020
SuperLiner Coaches #31039 – 34039 – 34113 - 34061
Decided to have dinner in my room as my hip was beginning to flare up with all of the platform walking to take fotos, etc. Toni was more than willing to take my order which to my surprise turned out to be the 2nd best meal ever experience aboard Amtrak. A turkey dinner smothered in a gravy that was simply outstanding.
Trip was pretty much like the northbound in that we had all sorts of unexplained slow downs and stops – the longest before Joliet supposedly for “paper work” which made absolutely no sense at all; paper work??
The gal taking the dinner reservations – “Stacy” – was also someone traveled with before; last time was aboard the Eagle northbound from Ft. Worth. Very friendly and has her own style with dinner announcements. Added to the pleasure of it all.
Also the guy running the snack bar had some innovative ways of making announcements – a good crew for sure; although I did not detect any smiles or congenial offerings from the Conductor or Assistant – grumps.
A pleasant way to end a long day on the rails – full stomach, nice surroundings with some fine scenery!
Email sent to Amtrak regarding Toni & Stacy along with tissue issues!
Station Departures/Arrival:
Chicago, Illinois On time departure sked – 1:45 PM
Joliet 2:58 – 18 minutes late departing – sked 2:40
Pontiac 3:55 – 28 minutes late departing – sked 3:27
Bloomington 4:43 – 39 minutes late departing – sked 4:04
Normal
Lincoln 5:15 – 38 minutes late departing – sked 4:37
Springfield 5:55 – 41 minutes late departing – sked 5:14
Carlinville 6:32 – 43 minutes late departing – sked 5:49
Alton 7:04 – 42 minutes late departing – sked 6:22
St. Louis, Missouri 7:52 – 31 minutes late arriving – sked 7:21 PM
Home at 8:27 PM
End of Report!
===========================================================================
Oh, almost forgot - I will be traveling on the 14th aboard the Missouri River Runner for a daytime/evening round trip between Kirkwood & Kansas City, MO. Then on the 17th it will be the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Kansas City - flying home as "they" canceled the morning River Runner due to UP track work between KCity and JCity. Oh well . . . Then on the 22nd I will be out of commission for who-knows-how-long - personal stuff. Oh well - again!
==========================================================================
Some fotos to enjoy. Sure wish I could "caption" these - but one day I'll figga it out!
These have not been posted on my web site - yet. When I get-around-tuit, they will have captions!
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