Opinions on Amtrak

I recently rode Amtrak from Chicago to Ft Worth and return on the Eagle. I have ridden Amtrak before but this was my first time riding the long haul. (overnight, 23 hours) First, I am a lifelong railroad nut and probably fit, "There isn't a train I wouldn't ride no matter where its going." My family of four visited relatives in Texas. We decided since this was a 23 hour trip we would purchase two standard bedrooms. The southbound trip provided enough padding in the schedule to assure an on time arrival in Ft Worth. The northbound trip was a "Sunset connection day" at San Antonio and are train arrived 4 hours late and stayed that way all the way to Chicago. This is a normal occurance I am told.
The cars are really showing signs of age. The cushions in the sleepers were no longer comfortable and in one case the fabric was torn and tattered. The price of the tickets provided meal service in the diner. The dinner menu was available as advertised but in both directions lunch was either last nights dinner or salads and cheeseburgers. It was explained that the lunch items likely were not stocked.
The onboard personel were very nice. We had the same sleeping car attendent both ways. Considering the condition of the equipment, the lack of on time arrivals, and the negative press Amtrak consistantly seems to be getting, these people do a fantastic job.
I had always wanted to ride a long distance train and am very happy to have had the experience. It was relaxing and the time went by quickly.
I would like to hear anyone elses tales of Amtrak rides. Thanks
A F Niederer

 

I rode the Coast Starlight from San Jose to Eugene as part of my senior trip in high school. We were in coach, and I was very impressed with how comfortable coach is. The seats are similar to airline seats, but there is more leg room than any one person could possibly need. I could fully recline my chair and not worry about disturbing the person behind me. If I was to travel overnight again, I don't think I would pay for a room in a sleeper. Coach is plenty comfortable.

The sightseer lounge was the best place to sit during the day. The lower level has a snack bar and tables. The upper level has large comfortable chairs facing the big windows.

I was not impressed with the menu in the dining car, so I didn't bother eating there. The snack bar food was better.

I enjoyed the trip, and would like to do it again sometime, but the fact remains that Amtrak (at least out west) is only useful to people with lots of money to spend on travelling and lots of time on their hands.

Mike

 

I rode Amtrak from Greensburg, PA to New York back in May. I was immediately impressed by the cleanliness (train started in Chicago). It was a smooth, comfortable 9 hour ride to New York by coach. It was very rough trackage around Philidelphia with a quite a few stops, but it was nice when we got on the NEC to NY. On the return, we had reserved Sleeper, it was cramped, for 3 people but there was a private bathroom and a very large window and a TV. The Interiors were very nice and comfortable. The return trick train was very long, it had like 2 engines, 6 or 8 coaches, 2 sleepers, 6 Mailcars and 6 roadrailers. They ran out of food at Lunch while stopped on the big bridge over the Susquehenna to let 2 Norfolk Southern Trains roll by on the way to NY. And the Dinner on the return trip was only as good as a TV dinner from the box (That's what it was). But over all, the service was great, cleaniless and on time (1 minute late into New York; 15 minutes late back to Greensburg) Four and Three-Quarter stars, lol.

 

ive rode amtrack only small distances(like 2 hour trips) its not to bad the seats are comfortable but its like a $25 trip one way. They have pretty nice views of stuff you wouldnt normally see which i found nice. The only thing i really disliked about them is the # of stops at park and ride stations. At some areas there would be 1 every 5 minutes.

 

I was told that not all food items are stocked or a very limited supply of certain foods are stocked. 1st class passengers are invited to the dining car first. Out of Chicago this was the case and we had first choice at dinner. Because the northbound tr 22 was so late it was first come first serve. Why the lunch menu was scrapped on the southbound trip I do not know.
I found it difficult to get to sleep the first night on train 21. The ride was not rough but having never ridden in a sleeper I guess I was a bit nervous. On the northbound run I slept very well as I suppose I was somewhat more relaxed.
I am already thinking about next years vacation and hopefully Amtrak will be included.

 

A big part of the problem is that Amtrak is critically short on rolling stock due to a series of derailments. The damaged cars are beingstored at Beech Grove shops pending the railroad finding money to fix them. Any further derailments or damage to cars may result in routes being cut due to a lack of rolling stock!

 

I'm glad that even though there were problems most people enjoyed their trips. It is so hard to keep a good attitude about the company you work for when they continually screw up aka food supplies, poor running times, lack of equipment and so on. That is one of the biggest problems we Amtrak employees fight. We get so tired of trying 110% all the time just to have our efforts messed up by Frieght interference or piss poor mangement decision causing train to go out under stocked or lazyness of mechanical crews to fix flaws. Like the quote It is hard to soar like an eagle when you work with turkeys.