debmep
Train Attendant
Will post in installments as my memory isn't the best anymore. I tried to keep a notebook with up to date notes, but that lasted only the first day. We arrived at the Grand Rapids Pere Marquette train station
around 7AM on the 13th. There was plenty of parking so we knew that the train would not be busy. We walked into the station following a large Amish family. It was interesting to note that there were more
Amish inside the station than English. In the past we have always had to "Check-in" with the person sitting at the small desk. A very "crusty" 50ish year old guy was seated at the desk reading a newspaper. No
Amtrak ID, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. We approached him with our tickets and was told "They will check you in on the train". We took a seat and he continued to give very sharp replies to everyone who
came in with tickets to scan. One gentlemen had issues with printing his tickets and had to ask for assistance twice. The second time he asked, we saw this guy actually roll his eyes and mutter something under
his breath before leaving his newspaper to give some assistance. Thankfully the train boarded right on time, and we never saw Mr Grumpy again.
The train to Chicago was uneventful. We stopped twice for short times and were given reasons why each time. We arrived in Chicago right on time.
Check-in at the Metropolitan Lounge was a bit of a wait. 3 long distance trains arrived at the same time. The line to get into the lounge was way out the door almost past the security desk. We finally made it in
and got our passes then check our luggage. We then took off to see the sites in the city. Water taxi is the way to go this trip. We road it twice. The Pullman Employees set up there little greeting area near the
sliding doors out to the trains. They roped off the little corner circle waiting area, and booted a few non Pullman people out of the area. There were about 6 employee's greeting people, handing out name lanyards
and taking dinner reservations.
About 7:20 we were called to board the CONO. We thought that we would eat soon, but surprise! No call for supper until we were about 30 minutes outside of Chicago. Just one general announcement, no
reservations or early seating. Meals the entire trip were wonderful. We had a new SCA, it was her first trip off of orientation. She did fine, not real talkative but we had no complaints. We were in Roomette #5
both directions and looked west both there and back. We had rain the entire trip south on the night of the13th and morning of the 14th. We were told that the train was full, and we did not see any empty
bedrooms or roomettes the entire trip.
The CONO pulled 6 Pullmans cars on the way down that trip. It made for quite the walk both in Chicago and New Orleans, but it sure was interesting looking into the Pullman cars. We were delayed
once and had a 25 mile slow section but arrived in New Orleans exactly on time. The train backs into the station in New Orleans, so many people were taking photo's of the Pullman cars. Interesting that
it was not a usual run day for the Pullmans. The cars were full of 2 tour groups, one from England and the second group from Germany.
We spent 2 nights in New Orleans at the Hotel Provincial. Love New Orleans and didn't eat, drink, or see near enough.
around 7AM on the 13th. There was plenty of parking so we knew that the train would not be busy. We walked into the station following a large Amish family. It was interesting to note that there were more
Amish inside the station than English. In the past we have always had to "Check-in" with the person sitting at the small desk. A very "crusty" 50ish year old guy was seated at the desk reading a newspaper. No
Amtrak ID, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. We approached him with our tickets and was told "They will check you in on the train". We took a seat and he continued to give very sharp replies to everyone who
came in with tickets to scan. One gentlemen had issues with printing his tickets and had to ask for assistance twice. The second time he asked, we saw this guy actually roll his eyes and mutter something under
his breath before leaving his newspaper to give some assistance. Thankfully the train boarded right on time, and we never saw Mr Grumpy again.
The train to Chicago was uneventful. We stopped twice for short times and were given reasons why each time. We arrived in Chicago right on time.
Check-in at the Metropolitan Lounge was a bit of a wait. 3 long distance trains arrived at the same time. The line to get into the lounge was way out the door almost past the security desk. We finally made it in
and got our passes then check our luggage. We then took off to see the sites in the city. Water taxi is the way to go this trip. We road it twice. The Pullman Employees set up there little greeting area near the
sliding doors out to the trains. They roped off the little corner circle waiting area, and booted a few non Pullman people out of the area. There were about 6 employee's greeting people, handing out name lanyards
and taking dinner reservations.
About 7:20 we were called to board the CONO. We thought that we would eat soon, but surprise! No call for supper until we were about 30 minutes outside of Chicago. Just one general announcement, no
reservations or early seating. Meals the entire trip were wonderful. We had a new SCA, it was her first trip off of orientation. She did fine, not real talkative but we had no complaints. We were in Roomette #5
both directions and looked west both there and back. We had rain the entire trip south on the night of the13th and morning of the 14th. We were told that the train was full, and we did not see any empty
bedrooms or roomettes the entire trip.
The CONO pulled 6 Pullmans cars on the way down that trip. It made for quite the walk both in Chicago and New Orleans, but it sure was interesting looking into the Pullman cars. We were delayed
once and had a 25 mile slow section but arrived in New Orleans exactly on time. The train backs into the station in New Orleans, so many people were taking photo's of the Pullman cars. Interesting that
it was not a usual run day for the Pullmans. The cars were full of 2 tour groups, one from England and the second group from Germany.
We spent 2 nights in New Orleans at the Hotel Provincial. Love New Orleans and didn't eat, drink, or see near enough.