Amtrak Guest Rewards - Celebrity Sightings on Amtrak

I think all the airline-specific forums have a thread like this, so why not?

Actress Cristine Rose, in coach (not biz class) aboard Pacific Surfliner #564 on Saturday 7/26, heading to Comic-Con in San Diego. She plays Angela Petrelli on "Heroes," although the couple in the seats in front of me -- who got a quick photo with her -- were more excited about the fact that she has a recurring role on "How I Met Your Mother."

I don't know his name, but the guy who plays "Ryan" in The Office was on Pacific Surfliner 583 on Saturday heading to Los Angeles. He was in Pacific Business Class.

I think all the airline-specific forums have a thread like this, so why not?Actually...Celebrity Sightings (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=583482).

My Amtrak travel is limited to the NEC...so Joe Biden, Arlen Spector and most recently Bill Bradley. I thought I saw Tia Tequila recently but don't think it was really her (depending on what her real "American" name is).

Al Franken on Acela NYC-WAS last year.

Glad to see that some allegedly pro-Amtrak politicians do take Amtrak. When I see Chuck Schumer and leading Democratic senators on the US Airways Shuttle, in first class in particular, I feel like saying something!

Actually...Celebrity Sightings (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=583482).

I swear, I did a search before I posted, but that thread didn't show up.

I thought I saw Tia Tequila recently but don't think it was really her (depending on what her real "American" name is).

Before she was Tila Tequila, she was Tila Nguyen, although I'm not 100% sure that's her real name (or, at least, the name she'd be traveling under).

I saw James Carville in Acela First last year between WAS - NYP

I have seen Bill Cosby on Acela F between PHL-WAS and Sen. Biden between WIL-WAS recently.

Dan

CBS News anchor and moderator of Face the Nation Bob Schieffer at the Club Acela in NY Penn. Funny thing was that he recognized me before I recognized him :o

Funny thing was that he recognized me before I recognized him :oSo...who are you? :) And if saw yourself in the mirror while on a train, would that count as a celebrity sighting?

So...who are you? :) And if saw yourself in the mirror while on a train, would that count as a celebrity sighting?
Well, he's obviously a wx guy... ;)

I have seen Bill Cosby on Acela F between PHL-WAS and Sen. Biden between WIL-WAS recently.

Dan

No sightings myself, but...:

My PHL-based friend was in Acela F with Bill Cosby a few years ago- said he was a good sport and kept everyone entertained.

My parents were on Acela F NYP-WAS with Helen Thomas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Thomas) (former UPI reporter) and said she was very polite and friendly.

Dan Quayle in Acela F last September (http://www.wanderingaramean.com/2007/09/celebrity-spotting-part-2.html). The sad part is that the rest of us in the car knew something was going on based on the extra security during the trip, but none of us knew who the guy was until we started talking about it upon arrival at WAS and someone figured it out. Not a particularly tall man, FWIW.

Rudy Giuliani, Henry Kissinger (sitting right behind me, it was funny listening to that oh so unique voice for 2 hours), Geraldine Ferraro, Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue. All on Acelela FC

Rudy Giuliani, Henry Kissinger (sitting right behind me, it was funny listening to that oh so unique voice for 2 hours), Geraldine Ferraro, Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue. All on Acelela FC
One of these things is not like the other...

Was Nikki in makeup and all dressed up? Or looking 'normal'?

Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters (and a gaggle of Secret Service agents) in the Amtrak Club Acela at NYP today around 1:00pm. She had just concluded a news conference about higher-speed rail.

Steve Forbes, Brit Hume and Fred Barnes in Acela F out of WAS in the last couple of weeks.

Just so we can have a non-Acela based celebrity thread, I saw Gene Shalit on the Lake Shore and sat with him briefly during the the "departure reception" in April 2007. He rode from Chicago to Albany and appeared to be a frequent rider since he seemed to know many of the station staff by name.

marv albert, nyc-bos

US Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and spouse, out of WAS in Acela First.

Alan Kalter from the Letterman show... several times between NYC and PHL

Sean Connery on the way to DC

US Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and spouse, out of WAS in Acela First.

his wife is Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao

So I guess that counts as a double.

Rufus Wainwright, Acela NYP-Baltimore -- Acela business aka coach class.

NYP-BOS academy award winning actor Chris Cooper is in the four top in F.

Last month, stood in front of conservative commentator and Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol in line to check in at the WAS ClubAcela. He's shorter in person than on TV. But then again, he's usually seen seated!

Tonight's Acela 2173 in First from NYP onwards - Stephen Colbert.

Just to show it also happens west of the Mississippi:
Ron Popeil (of 'Set it! And forget it!' fame) on Train 784 (Pacific Surfliner), from someplace north of OXN (where I boarded) to VNC.
Not sure what class he was traveling in...I first noticed him downstairs in the cafe, then chatting with the crew at their table at the 'away from LAX' end of the cafe car upstairs, then detraining from the business car.
I'm very familiar with the crew of this train, and vice-versa (I ride it frequently, especially on weekends), and they said he's ridden it off and on for almost 10 years, and is a 'really nice guy'. The (lead/head) Conductor was encouraging me to introduce myself, but famous people are people too, and I wasn't going to run up and say 'You don't know me, but I've seen you on TV!'

My Dad reported seeing Frankie Faison of The Wire and Silence of the Lambs between NYP and PHL last year.

Back in march of this year, I was taking a AGR rewards trip from LA to ATL with my wife. We were on a 2 zone award with a roomette. On the first night as we headed to dinner in the cafe car, we were seated with two "older ladies" who were travelling together. One of these ladies I immediately recognized as JANE RUSSELL... a true living legend! I am in my late thirties and don't know how I seem to recognize celebs, especially one who is nearly 90 years old, but I did. Immediately!! This lady starred with Marilyn Monroe and was discovered by Howard Hughes!! WOW!!

I could write 10 paragraphs about the next four days but the gist of it is that my wife and I were lucky enough to be invited to have EVERY SINGLE MEAL with Ms. Russell over the course of the entire 4 day journey. What an incredible trip!! Such amazing stories!!! I still can't believe the luck of just stumbling upon this incredible movie star on a cross-country train trip!

Out of respect, I will keep private the details of my conversation/meals with Ms. Russell and her cousin (who was travelling with her) but I just wanted to say that my wife and I had an incredible time talking and spending time with these two wonderful ladies!

I am quite positive that I will never have another encounter like this on any future Amtrak trip!! :)

I will keep private the details of my conversation/meals with Ms. Russell and her cousin (who was travelling with her)
Share a little bit of this with us. C'mon.

I saw Michael Gross (of Family Ties fame) in coach on a Pacific Surfliner to L.A. in February.

I saw Michael Gross (of Family Ties fame) in coach on a Pacific Surfliner to L.A. in February.

He's well-known as a railroad buff; he's also hosted several documentaries about passenger trains that have aired on PBS.

In front of me is Thomas Friedman, and behind me is Andrew Nepalitano on Amtrak 2119 (FC) from NYC-DC.

MICHAEL PHELPS and girlfriend.

2253 11April FC boarded at NYP headed southbound. He was wearing a baseball hat, hoodie, and sun glasses. The rest of the body gave him away ;)

I had the pleasure to meet late sen ted kennedy and his wife, bill cosby,candy from cnn, the guy who plays jack mccoy on law order (my favorite show) jesse jackson wife on capital limited in first class and most recently pattie labelle and colin powell.

I had the pleasure to meet late sen ted kennedy and his wife, bill cosby,candy from cnn, the guy who plays jack mccoy on law order (my favorite show) jesse jackson wife on capital limited in first class and most recently pattie labelle and colin powell.

Awesome. ^ That would be Sam Waterston who plays Jack McCoy.

He's well-known as a railroad buff; he's also hosted several documentaries about passenger trains that have aired on PBS.

Also, he is part owner of the Santa Fe Southern Railroad between Lamy and Santa Fe

Was in Washington's Club Acela earlier this afternoon. Overheard two attendants talking about Palin will be there tomorrow afternoon (4/15).

Knowing she's currently in the northeast (was in Boston today), this seems plausible.

Few months ago (July 09) Saw Colin Quinn on a NY-BBY train. Very nice guy, and was quite hospitable to me. He was going up to film "Old People," which is coming out soon.

Saw Bill Maher a few years back on a NYP -> BOS Acela, first class. Hat pulled low over his brow, clearly wanted to be left alone...

Yesterday PBS NewsHour founder Jim Lehrer liveblogged from train 2166 WAS-NYP (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/04/jim-lehrers-first-blog-from-the-rails.html). He discusses his upcoming book about the Santa Fe Super Chief!

over the past few months

Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes fame
Mel Kiper Jr - saw him from the back first and noticed the hair.

Last Sat on Acela from NWK to PHL.in business class on 2251...Craig Rivera from Fox News..as in Geraldo's brother....he was as thrilled as I was that the train was packed full of kids!:rolleyes::p

Yesterday PBS NewsHour founder Jim Lehrer liveblogged from train 2166 WAS-NYP (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/04/jim-lehrers-first-blog-from-the-rails.html). He discusses his upcoming book about the Santa Fe Super Chief!

Your Super Chief comment reminds me of a very memorable family trip we took when I was a child. We rode the Super Chief to California for our first trip to Disneyland. We met Danny Thomas in the vistadome, and he spent several hours with us telling stories and pointing out landmarks.

Very cool stories, especially the Jane Russell sighting.

I rode the Super Chief a lot going to college out west in the last four years (until the end of the Santa Fe/Fred Harvey service). Even in the later years, "the stars" quietly rode.

US Rep Steve Rothman (NJ) traveled from NWK on Acela today got off at NWK where I boarded. He was kind enough to vacate seat 13A, a single with full recline :) Thank you! I enjoyed your seat all the way to BOS - and thanks for leaving your newspapers in the seat pocket!

Not a literal sighting, but since it's San Diego Comic-Con time again, in the past couple of days, a surprising number of the minor celebrities I follow on Twitter have mentioned taking the Pacific Surfliner down to the convention -- everyone from Phil LaMarr to Allison Scagliotti.

Not a literal sighting, but since it's San Diego Comic-Con time again, in the past couple of days, a surprising number of the minor celebrities I follow on Twitter have mentioned taking the Pacific Surfliner down to the convention -- everyone from Phil LaMarr to Allison Scagliotti.

Can't Hermes just take the Planet Express spaceship? :D

7/25: in the business class car of Regional #135, heading south from BOS: Garrison Keillor. I didn't talk to him, but a couple of people did go and say "hi."

Looks like two well-known political pundits rode Acela yesterday (http://wonkette.com/423209/redstate-guy-says-tom-friedman-acts-like-a-jackass-on-amtrak), one having tweeted about the other's poor treatment of the attendant. (Reader discretion advised for the salty but awesome comments on Wonkette. :D)

CNN's Candy Crowley NYC-WAS. Reading "People".

According to a good friend of mine, yesterday at the NYP Club Acela there were multiple AMTRAK police and maybe even some sort of Secret Service types (probably not actual Secret Service but guys in suits talking into their sleeves) guarding the conference room.

When they announced the 3PM to WAS the police sprung to action and escorted a blond female out of the Club. He thinks that it was Kirsten Gillibrand, but it was so fast he was not really sure.

Dan

wow i just met bon jovi. it very cool.

A friend saw Meghan McCain (author, Daily Beast columnist, and Sen. John McCain's daughter) on a northbound Acela yesterday. She was on the Rachel Maddow Show tonight.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the New York Penn Club Acela this morning around 11am. Of course, with a gaggle of Secret Service and NY's finest.

she rides all the time on acela

Saw Hoda Kohb from the today show on the Acela last year. She is very classy and good looking in real life.

Spotting of a wonk by a wonk: On Saturday, Paul Krugman rode Northeast Regional train 161 TRE-WAS and saw George Will on the train (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/diminished-individualism-watch/), weeks after the latter derided trains as a symbol of collectivism.

Chris Kimball from America's Test Kitchen in First on the Acela from BOS-NYP

love him tons... except for the extra few pounds i have put on b/c of his show and magazine!

In the Acela lounge at NYP yesterday, Harry Belafonte was sitting across from me. He was on my train, too (2163 southbound Acela) but sat in F, so I lost track of where he was going.

He was very chatty in the lounge with all sorts of people, staff and travelers. A cool guy, clearly.

According to a good friend of mine, yesterday at the NYP Club Acela there were multiple AMTRAK police and maybe even some sort of Secret Service types (probably not actual Secret Service but guys in suits talking into their sleeves) guarding the conference room.

When they announced the 3PM to WAS the police sprung to action and escorted a blond female out of the Club. He thinks that it was Kirsten Gillibrand, but it was so fast he was not really sure.

Dan

Gillibrand isn't in leadership, so she wouldn't get that sort of security treatment.

Maybe Jill Biden, HRC, Jenna Bush Hager, she is more of a grey but Kathleen Sebelius,

Greta Van Susteren is sitting near me in Acela F out of WAS right now. She's been very quiet, except to discreetly take a call in the vestibule. ^

Lots of sports folks on Acela. This week former Patriot Ty Law. Previously, Dustin Pedroia from Sox, and sat at a 4 top with Gold Medal hockey player Jim Craig and his wife. Really interesting guy.

Lots of sports folks on Acela. This week former Patriot Ty Law. Previously, Dustin Pedroia from Sox, and sat at a 4 top with Gold Medal hockey player Jim Craig and his wife. Really interesting guy.

Currently on board the Acela with the Red Bulls.

There's a long-time F attendant (I think NYC-based) who has books-full of business cards and autographs from VIPs he's served on-board. He's always happy to show them off! He has my card :D

Ended up sitting next to Roger Torres and Carlos Valdes of Philly Union FC a few weeks back from PHL-NYP.

Was sitting in the NYP Acela lounge just now, facing the private conference room, when all of a sudden a gaggle of Secret Service materialized there. Jill Biden (Mrs. Joe Biden) then popped out to use the ladies' room. She and her crew are now on my train to WIL.

The one FT-worthy thing to note is that those Secret Service agents, who were all traveling with luggage, do NOT travel light. They all had multiple bags. Must not be FTers! :D

Was sitting in the NYP Acela lounge just now, facing the private conference room, when all of a sudden a gaggle of Secret Service materialized there. Jill Biden (Mrs. Joe Biden) then popped out to use the ladies' room. She and her crew are now on my train to WIL.

The one FT-worthy thing to note is that those Secret Service agents, who were all traveling with luggage, do NOT travel light. They all had multiple bags. Must not be FTers! :D
Dr. Jill Biden was on the Colbert Report last night - must be why she was in NYC! :)

Senator Lautenburg and Chris Matthews in Club Acela NYP 7:45am today. Guess they were on the 8 o'clock.

Brit Hume, Bob Schieffer and David Gregory, all in the NYP Club Lounge, then on 2251 to DC today. Spoke briefly to all three at various points along the trip, they were all very friendly and personable.

Linda Lavin (Alice) on the CA Zephyr at Denver station about three years ago. Saw her in the Sleepers again later.