I belong to the Amtrak Discussion Form (http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/), but enjoy Flyertalk and especially trip reports. The following was posted over several days on the Amtrak Discussion site and I thought some here might be interested, too.
Some things may not make sense as they were directed to those on the Amtrak Forum. Questions, comments, let me know.
My May/June Train Rides in Chicago and on the CONO
Part One of Several
Those of you who know me know I don't live anywhere near an Amtrak route. It is close to 100 miles for me to get to one and that's The Cardinal with really bad departure times where I would board and only three days a week. So, at least once a year I try to get to Chicago where I can ride a variety of trains at reasonable prices and visit some friends along the way.
This year's trip included a visit to Woodstock, IL (http://www.woodstockil.gov/) to see Forum Member, Everydaymatters, who is also on the Gathering Committee with me. I hadn't seen her in a while as I missed the Chicago Gathering and she wasn't able to make it to Los Angeles.
I was able to purchase some very inexpensive airline tickets from IND to ORD. I know, why not take The Cardinal or Hoosier State. Well, it's the hour it leaves IND that makes it difficult for me logistically. And even worse coming back to IND. My wife and I were in IND for grandkid babysitting duty so it was convenient to fly from that airport. Plus Indianapolis has a brand new Terminal (http://www.indianapolisairport.com/) and I was able to see what it looked like. Very nice indeed. Looks like they built many more gates than they need, now, so they are ready for future expansion.
I flew into ORD on Friday afternoon, 5/29/09 and shuttled to my hotel, The Hilton Garden Inn (http://www.hiltongardeninn.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ORDCHGI), which AlanB had recommended. I usually have been a Marriott person, but Hilton gives me AGR points so I gave it a try. It is a nice place, the food was good (a bit expensive) but the hotel service is top notch. Had a great weekend rate, too.
I needed to take the Harvard Metra Line (http://www.metrarail.com/Sched/cnw_nw/cnw_nw.shtml) out to Woodstock the next AM to meet Betty for lunch and a tour of Woodstock, the town where they filmed Groundhog Day (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/). Rather than go all the way downtown to catch the train at Olgavie Transportation Center I was able to take a short taxi ride up River Rd to the Des Plaines Metra station and catch the train there. I had about a 20 minute wait and was able to see an inbound train come by, plus a UP pickup truck come outbound up the rails. He stopped at the traffic intersection, got out, raised the rail wheels and drove off into traffic. Nice way to get to work, I guess.
My train came along and I enjoyed the first of my train rides for the week, the hour trip out to Woodstock.
[font="Times New Roman"]Woodstock is the next to the last stop on the Harvard Line which is the longest Metra ride you can take from Downtown. Almost 2.5 hours one way. So, if you are in Chicago and have a lot of time to kill, here is something to consider. Near Woodstock is The Illinois Railway Museum at Union, one of the finest in the country.
Also, on the weekend you can purchase a $5.00 Metra ticket that is good on all Metra lines all day Saturday and Sunday. Best bargain in Chicago.
Betty was waiting for me as we arrived right on time and we walked the two blocks from the station into town and had lunch at a nice Italian restaurant. We then had time to walk around the square and see the town. It was a very busy place for a Saturday. Even a wedding in the Gazebo in the middle of the town square park.
It was time for my southbound trip and I was going all the way into downtown, so I had a long ride. I was able to find a seat in the first car, the cab car, and had access to the front window most of the way. I took some video along the way and the links are listed at the end of the report.
Especially interesting is the one where the train approaches the station. Lots of track work and switching which I always have enjoyed seeing, even as a kid in the 40's and 50's.
We pulled into Olgavie on time and I walked out the station doors, crossed the street and entered Union Station on the walkways on the North side that follow the tracks and then into the ticketing area. Always a treat to see the trains waiting at the gates for their trips out of town to so many places.
I had walked these same platforms as a kid for the first time in the 1940's, and I always remember the big steam engines with all the steam coming out of so many places on the sides of the engines. They were massive to a young boy like me in those days. Couldn't have steam in there today as there is no place for the exhaust to go.
For a Saturday afternoon, the station was very busy. I went to the Metropolitan Lounge to ask what time it would open in the morning. I wanted to be there early to drop off my luggage before I boarded the CONO on Sunday evening.
[font="Times New Roman"]Interestingly enough I was able to ask three different Amtrak employees and received three different answers.
7:30 – 8:00 – 8:15
However I didn't make it there on Sunday until 10:30 and it was obviously open, so I never did find out for sure what the correct opening time normally is.
I then picked up my tickets from the Quik-Trak machine and was ready for my ride on the CONO the next evening. More about that in Part Two of the report as soon as I can get it written.
My plan was to take the Blue Line back out toward the airport where the hotel is. I walked into the Great Hall to exit on Clinton Street to walk down to the subway station. As I entered the Great Hall, on the south side, they were having a wedding picture session. Looked like a nice place with the columns in the background, etc.
As you walk out onto Clinton you immediately pass the Amtrak Parking Garage. Makes it very easy to access the station if you need that accommodation.
Here is where a great day went south.
I boarded The Blue Line at the Clinton Station and immediately they announced on the train there was a bus bridge between Lake and Western. We would have to leave the train at Lake, go upstairs and board buses which would stop at every Subway and El stop until we reached Western. Packed in like sardines and the AC wasn't working well, either. At least I had a seat. But it added almost 1.25 hours to the trip out to ORD.
Now, they would be doing this on Sunday, too, and I could see myself with a suitcase, laptop case, and camera case doing all those stairs and on and off the bus trying to get back to CUS. What to do became the question. What I did will be explained in Part Two of the report which follows soon.
mrfss
Jun 18, 09, 1:57 pm
My May/June Train Rides in Chicago and on the CONO
Part Two of Several
Part One is Here (http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?showtopic=27632)
My plan had been, after my trip to Woodstock, to arise early on Sunday and get down to CUS early, check my luggage and get several Metra and El rides in before it would be time to board the CONO that evening.
But, as I mentioned in Part One, I would have a problem with the bus bridge and all my luggage. In addition to what I needed for the week, we had been gone from home for a week before, so I had more to carry then I normally would. Plus, a laptop and camera case to contend with.
I considered taking a taxi from the ORD area to CUS but the last time I did that it was almost $50.00. I also considered the direct bus service from ORD to CUS but learned that would be about $40.00. I would have been OK on the Blue Line if it weren't for the blasted bus part of the trip.
As fate would have it, the afternoon before a guy on the Blue Line Train who was sitting across the aisle from me struck up a conversation (he had seen me taking pictures through the dirty windows). I explained my dilemma and he suggested I take the Blue Line from Rosemont to Jefferson Park, a few stops away and walk across the bridge to the Jefferson Park Metra Station. I didn't even need to leave the station to get to the other station, just up a level and there was an escalator. I still had my weekend Metra pass, so that would work well with my CTA pass. But, the catch was, the first Metra train of the morning wasn't due to arrive at Jefferson Park until 10:00 AM. So, I would loose some time for rides, but it solved the transporting of luggage problem. And, it allowed me to sleep in a bit and have a nice breakfast buffet at the Hilton before I left for the day.
The hotel van dropped me at the Rosemont Blue Line Station at 9:00 and I was at the Jefferson Park stations by 9:30 with just a 30 minute wait for the Metra, which was right on time. This was the same route I had been on the day before.
We arrived at Olgavie Transportation Center right on time and I easily exited the station with my wheeled suitcase and laptop case on top of it for the short walk down Clinton to the Great Hall entrance of CUS. I was in the Lounge by 11:15 and checked everything with the Red Cap. My next Metra ride wasn't for a couple of hours so I hung out in the Lounge for a while and then, believe it or not, I was beginning to be hungry again.
I walked down to Lou Mitchell's and had to wait in line for almost 20 minutes before getting a stool at the counter. The line was out the door when I first got there. I ordered one of my favorite types of burgers that many places don't serve. The Green Olive Burger. I love those things and it came with a nice side of fries and cole slaw. I finished lunch about 12:45 just in time to walk back to CUS to catch the Metra to Elgin and back, about a 2.5 hour trip. The train wasn't very crowded and I found a relatively clean window to sit by on the upper level, right side.
I always enjoy the view coming out of the CUS tunnel on the north side of the station and being able to see the river, Merchandise Mart, and the bridges as we curve sharply to the left just outside the tunnel. I was able to take some pictures and video. As we approached Western Avenue we were really flying. A few passengers boarded and left the train at most of the stops and we were almost empty by the time we reached Elgin. This was a Metra route I had not been on before.
[font="Times New Roman"]About 6 stops out from CUS a fellow boarded and came up to a seat across the aisle on the upper level and sat down. I didn't think much about it but did notice he had a feather in his baseball type cap. He sort of look like a Native American, too, so I thought maybe he was just used to wearing that feather as a sign of his heritage.
Then a couple of stops later another Native American looking fellow boarded and went up the stairs on the other side from me. He saw the fellow with the feather and immediately went down on one knee and bowed his head, said a few words in something other than English and sat in the seat in front of the fellow with the feather.
Nothing further happened until a few more stops when the fellow in front got up to leave the train at his station stop. He again turned toward the fellow behind him, went down on one knee, said a few words and then left. The man with the feather never said a word or acknowledged the second man at all. He then got off the train in Elgin and I saw him walk away up the riverside toward town.
We had about a 10 minute wait in Elgin before we left so I went downstairs and sat on the other side for the ride back for a change of scenery.
After arriving back in CUS in the afternoon I hung out in the lounge and used the wi-fi as I knew I wouldn't be online for over 24 hours. I caught up with reading the forum and emails I needed to respond too as well as getting pictures ready for use on my web site and for the trip reports. The time went quickly. They had told us we would board between 7:00 and 7:15 so about 6:45 I shut everything down and had all my luggage ready to go.
7:00 came and went – no announcement.
7:15 came and went – no announcement.
7:30 came and went – no announcement.
Finally at 7:40 they took us out, not via the back door, but through the main station area. The coach line was backed up out of the south gate area up to the ticket counters. Lots of passengers.
I walked out with the sleeper car passengers and much to my surprise the engine was pointing out, not in toward the station as it usually is on trains that will use the High Line over to the Electric corridor. My past experience had the train back out of the station to the south and then to the west on the route that heads toward Aurora. It then would pull forward on to the High Line and over East to the Electric Line tracks. I wondered what was going to happen. Find out in the next installment, boarding the CONO and the trip to NOL.
mrfss
Jun 18, 09, 1:59 pm
My May/June Train Rides in Chicago and on the CONO
Part Three of Several
At the end of my last report I was walking out to the train and noticed the engine pointing out of the station to the south. I really wondered how they were going to get up on the High Line and not have to back all the way to New Orleans. I didn't have to wait too long to find out and I'll tell you in just a minute.
First I had to walk the entire length of the train as my sleeping car was second from the front behind the engine. I wasn't able to walk the train outside until the next morning in Memphis, but here is the consist for those of you who keep score.
P-42 - #75
39014 – Trans Dorm
32117 – Superliner Sleeper – my car
37000 – Superliner Café Car
34136 – Superliner Coach
31015 – Superliner Coach/Baggage
35006 – Coach
34037 – Coach
While I can't confirm for sure, I was told the last two coaches were on the train just to satisfy CN requirement for axles. Seems like a waste to me.
Anyway – I reached my car before any of the other passengers and David, our car attendant for the trip met me at the door. He lifted my ticket and asked if I needed any assistance getting to my room. I told him I knew where I was going, but thanks. I stowed my big bag in the lower level storage area and took myself upstairs to Roomette #5. The bedrooms were away from the engine and I would have to walk past them to reach the Café Car.
I settled in quickly and watched as others began to find their rooms. There was no one in #3 or #7 it turns out, so I thought I wouldn't have any noise problems. Wrong! More on that later.
They had told us to proceed to the Café Car as soon as we could for dinner. Another couple I met in the Lounge was just going in so we sat together in a three seater. I had one end facing forward. Other sleeper passengers began to come in and they were seated in groups of three and four, but the sleeper end of the car never did fill up completely.
The service attendant was just taking our order when we pulled out of CUS for our long trip south. The couple I was sitting with had never been on a train before, so we had lots to talk about. Since I'm basically a shy person, they had to ask lots of questions.
I had mentioned to them my wonderment about how we were going to navigate the High Line. Then I had to explain what the High Line was and why we would be on it. One question kept leading to another one. I felt like I was back on the forum.
We moved south slowly past Roosevelt Road and then past the Amtrak and Metra facilities and continued on south past where trains to the west would turn to the right and where I had thought we would go. Obviously we didn't and we kept going south for perhaps a quarter to a half mile past the westbound split off. Then we stopped.
And we waited for about 10 minutes and then began to back up. I thought, well they have seen the error of their ways and we're going to back to the station and start over. But, as we backed, we switched to the track just next to us on the right (west side) and backed up toward the Amtrak shops. Then we stopped.
Then we pulled forward again and switched over to the right (west) one more track and pulled forward a ways and stopped. All this has taken about 20 minutes and our food has been brought to us.
Finally we began backing again but this time we took the wye that leads out to the West and continued far enough that the engine could now pull us onto the High Line. WOW – what a lot of maneuvering just to do what was always very easy to do in the past. I never did learn why we went through all that or if it is the common way, these days.
But we were on the High Line and the view was spectacular, just at sunset and the city lights were on. What a beautiful city Chicago can be.
We made our way over to the electric line tracks and were on our way south once again. We were in Homewood by time for dessert. So, I'll tell you about the meal and service since both were very good.
We had two ladies taking care of us in the Café Car. Michelle and Karen. Karen ran the area where they cater to the coach passengers and Michelle took care of us sleeping car folks. But, they both helped each other and service was top notch during each of the three meals I would have going southbound.
Michelle had a big button on her lapel that said, "Bride to Be". Karen had one that said, "Maid of Honor".
Of course we had to ask what was going on. Michelle was getting married on Saturday, 6/6, and Karen was the maid of honor. In fact the wedding was to be at Karen's home. Michelle was marring an assistant conductor. I told her they should get married on the train. She said, "Not on your life!"
Again, I can't say enough about how good these two ladies were with the service they provided and how well they took care of everyone in the car. Amtrak gets a letter from me about this.
I had the crab cakes with rice and mixed veggies for dinner. I have a friend who is from Baltimore and he makes his own crab cakes. The ones I had, while not quite up to real Maryland crab cake standards were very tasty and prepared very well. The sauce they use was good with just a slight kick to it, but was nice mixed with the rice. The vegetables were a bit crunchy but tasted alright.
The best part of the meal was dessert. Pecan pie with a bourbon sauce on it and vanilla ice cream. YUM! I had to force myself to finish it there was so much.
Since the car wasn't full we were able to stay a while after the meal and the couple I was with and I chatted about all things Amtrak and we had some more conversation with the Bride-To-Be and how excited she was.
At about 9:15 we left and the fellow I ate with said he would get the tip for all three of us since I had answered so many of his questions. I tried to talk him out of it but he wouldn't let me leave one. He plopped down $30.00 and I told him he was making everyone else look bad. He said, "Hey – she's getting married on Saturday.
I walked back to room 5 and David had it made up for the evening. I had wanted to stay up a while longer, but since the bed was down I brushed my teeth and took my evening medications before trying out the Superliner roomette bed for the first time. On Superliners I had always been in a big bedroom and enjoyed the lower which is much wider than what I found in the roomette. But, it was long enough for me and it was cool, so I was enjoying the rock and roll of the train, the ever blowing engine horn and thought to myself, it doesn't get any better than this!
Then it started. A sound I would hear the rest of the night. To learn what that sound was and what happens next, join me for the next part as I wake up just before we arrived in Memphis.
Good night!
mrfss
Jun 18, 09, 2:00 pm
My May/June Train Rides in Chicago and on the CONO
Part Four of Several
As I went to bed in the little roomette it started. A noise I would hear off and on all night. It became very aggravating. It wasn't a constant repetitive noise as the tick of a clock is, but a very intermittent noise that would make even a sleeping baby come awake.
The door to the roomette slides in between two panels when it is open. When the door is closed there is a gap between those panels. The car attendant also told me there is a second panel inside the other two that helps hold the door when it is in the open position. When my door closed those two inner panels knocked against each other as the door wasn't there to press against the inner one. And it rattled. Our speed and the condition of the roadbed would determine the amount of rattling that took place.
David, the car attendant, said he could hear it all the way down in his room, #1. He said it had been reported by other passengers and written up but maintenance had never done anything about it. It would require taking all the panels apart and working on it from the inside.
Needless to say I think I had about 3 hours of sleep that night. But, what are you going to do. Even moving to one of the other roomettes near where I was wouldn't solve the problem. Duck tape wouldn't fix this.
Morning came and I needed coffee!
We were arriving in Memphis a little early and it was a beautiful day. The sun was just appearing over the skyline and the first evidence of being in Memphis was our passing the Pyramid. I had seen this structure from a distance, but not this close. We could also see the riverfront and bridges on the Mississippi River.
I got off, walked the train for the car numbers, and took a peek at the station, but breakfast was what was on my mind. I had traveled to Memphis for years on business so I didn't need to see anymore of the city today.
I was seated in a four seat booth with a mother and her son. I had my usual scrambled egg breakfast and the young fellow across from ne had the RR French Toast. His mother had to help him finish it. It did look good, but I don't really care for sweet stuff for breakfast.
Michelle and Karen again took excellent care of us and I enjoyed a couple of cups of coffee before returning to my room. David didn't have it made up, yet, but would shortly.
The rest of the day I sat and enjoyed the views from the window, took lots of pictures and just relaxed.
I was able to get off at Jackson and walk around to stretch my legs. I hadn't been to Jackson in probably 20 years when a business trip took me there and Northwest Airlines lost my luggage. My only remembrance of the city. Lunch right after Jackson was the Angus burger. Very good.
Jay Hadley (Had8ley on the forum) had asked me to see what I thought of the track conditions south of Memphis and Jackson. He had heard some reports that there were some very rough places. There were some bad places south of Memphis and we moved no more than 30-40MPH I would guess. But, south of Jackson we had no problems. We were ready to leave Jackson right on time and the conductor came on the PA and said we would be delayed 45 minutes from a CN track crew up ahead doing some work. We would never make that time up and be late into NOL.
We slowed for several CN work crews along the way and remained behind schedule at each station stop.
Around Greenwood they made a strong announcement about not smoking on the train. David and I just happen to be talking when this was said and he indicated they have to put people off the train several times a month for the infraction. Some people will never learn.
By the time we reached Brookhaven and McComb we were down 50 minutes on the schedule.
The roadbed became very rough south of Amite, LA. Guess the crews hadn't been that far south, yet. We really had to slow down through this area and by the time we reached Hammond we were down 1:15. Just south of Hammond we passed the north bound, also running late, and it had a baggage car. Part of the 30 axle deal, they said.
After we left Hammond, Jay called me to see where we were so he'd know when to be at the station to meet me. I explained to him the rattle in the door panel and asked if he knew anyone in NOL at the station who could get my room changed. We would have the same equipment going north the next day and guess what room I had on my ticket - #5.
He said he'd call me right back, and he did. He said he had it fixed. He found the station manager and when I got off the train and we walked into the station I handed them my old ticket and got a new one with room #10 on it. Problem perhaps solved. Nice to have friends in high places.
Jay drove me to my hotel so I could check in and then he toured me around the city a while before we went to dinner and a very nice steak and rib restaurant that he has frequented for years. They treated us like royalty.
I confess it was way too much food for me, but I enjoyed all that I could eat and Jay's dog was the recipient of a very nice doggy bag. I can't thank Jay enough for such a wonderful evening, and it was my birthday. I think this was the first time in 44 years I had spent my birthday away from my wife. She was on her own trip in Michigan with friends. But, we talked on the phone several times that day.
After dinner with my fantastic host we drove around a bit more and then back to the hotel. I would get a good night's sleep this night after the lousy one on the train.
The next day I would have time to quickly ride some streetcars and explore downtown New Orleans before going back to the station to catch the north bound.
I was glad I had my room switched, but as it turns out, I wouldn't spend the night in #10. Details in the next report.
mrfss
Jun 18, 09, 2:01 pm
My May/June Train Rides in Chicago and on the CONO
I was up in time for breakfast at The Hampton Inn, set in a very nice remodeled old building a block from the quarter and St Charles Street. It was going to be another very warm day. I checked out and they held my luggage for me at the front desk. So, I was off to ride street cars. It is $1.25 from end to end, $2.50 round trip. A bargain for a 2 hour ride.
http://www.filehive.com/files/090609/Report-1.jpg
St Charles Street is filled with beautiful old homes, most restored for a second time after Katrina. And, there was construction work going on with many of them, still. We passed a number of churches, a synagogue and Tulane University. The street cars run about every 5 - 10 minutes so it is east to get one when you need it. While there were a few of us tourist types, most were simply using it to get from point A to point B. They all seemed to have some type of transit car they showed the driver. Must have bee a monthly pass.
Anyway, I conversed with a couple of ladies from New Zealand. They were traveling across America and today was their day in New Orleans. I took their picture at the terminus and they took mine for me.
http://www.filehive.com/files/090609/Report-2.jpg
After arriving back downtown I walked over to the French Quarter, just to say I had been there. Not much going on at 11:30 in the AM, but a few folks walking around. It was becoming very warm, for me especially as I don't do heat and humidity well, so I found a little coffee shop and had some lunch. I then picked up my luggage and took a cab to the station.
They gave me the Magnolia Room code and I entered and found it was very nicely air conditioned. I had about an hour until we would board the train and there were only 4 other people in there with me. I set my laptop up on one of the tables and worked on editing pictures and video until it was time to board the northbound train.
They never did come and get us from the lounge. Another fellow happened to be looking out and saw the coach passengers lining up. He opened the door and yelled over to the attendant at the gate and he waved and said we could come board, now. Wonder how long we would have been there if that hadn't have happened?
I was again the first one up to the front of the train and JoEllen, our car attendant for the trip met me at the door. She asked if I needed help and I said I was fine, boarded, stowed my luggage on the lower level and easily found room 10. It looked just like room 5 but was on the other side of the car.
Just as the train was leaving the assistant conductor came by to collect tickets. A very nice young man who was friendly, wished me a good trip and said to call him if I needed any assistance. So, I asked, "are there any bedrooms available for an upgrade?" He said there was one and did I want it?
I said it depended on the price. He said, I'll go find out and be right back. 4 minutes later he was back and said $51.00. I said, I'll take it. The $51.00 was the exact difference between my low bucket roomette price and the low bucket bedroom price. So, that answered that question about what they charge on board - low bucket.
Since I really hadn't unpacked, I easily moved to Room E, my home for the rest of the trip. I would really enjoy the bigger bed this night. Everything was going fine, the room was nice and quiet and I soon learned that JoEllen would be one of the finest sleeping car attendants I had ever had on a train. Amtrak will hear about her from me.
She was always visible if you needed her, always asking if she could help with anything, she assisted in the dinning car and was so polite and simply a joy to converse with. We discussed several thinks Amtrak and I learned her choice about restarting service from NOL - Florida is the continuation of the CONO from Chicago to Jacksonville or Orlando with a stop, of course, in New Orleans. She had never worked the SSL so she didn't really have any comments about that service other than it should be daily. Again, as fine a sleeping car attendant as you will find with Amtrak.
By the time we reached Hammond we were 30 minutes down, McComb, 35 minutes down, Brookhaven, 40 minutes down. See a trend here? But, amazingly enough we reached Jackson on time.
Mid-afternoon the Café Car attendant came through and took reservations. We could choose from 5:00 - 6:30 - 7:45. I took 6:30 as I had had a late lunch. The sleeping car wasn't full so I figured they wouldn't run out of things. She said she would make an announcement at the time we were to come to the car for service.
5:00 came and no announcement. 5:15 came - still no announcement. Then I heard JoEllen moving up and down the car telling those with 5:00 to get to the Café Car. She seemed frustrated Debra, the Café Car attendant, hadn't made the announcement.
Near 6:30 JoEllen came by my room and said I should go eat as I had a 6:30 time. Never heard any other announcement for 6:30, either.
Then I found out why.
If JoEllen is the best sleeping car attendant, Debra must have been the worst Café Car attendant. When I came in there was one other couple in the seating area and Debra was sitting in "her" booth near the kitchen prep area. She waved to me indicating I could sit where I wanted. I ended up eating alone with the other couple across the aisle from me. I had met them before and we had some nice conversations. They like to take cruise ships and my wife and I do, too, so we had some things in common to discuss.
Debra finally got up and took our orders. The she sat down. Jo Ellen came in and served us our drinks and eventually our food when it was ready. Debra never got up again. I never did see the other car attendant and don't even know if there was one.
This would be the first time in my travels by LD train that I didn't leave a tip in the dining car. And, that would happen again at breakfast.
Now - this is interesting. Remember I said there were two tables being used for the 6:30 service, mine and the other couple across from me. A man and his little daughter had boarded the train after reservations were taken and they had a roomette. About 7:00 they wander into the Café Car and Debra, from her booth yells, "the next service is at 7:45, come back then." 6 - 8 tables empty, nothing else going on, a customer who didn't get to make a reservation, and he's "kicked" out of the car. Amtrak will hear about this.
After JoEllen cleared our dishes she asked if I wanted dessert. I had so enjoyed the pecan pie coming down so I asked for that again. I was told they were out of everything, including ice cream, except for cheese cake. So I had cheese cake. JoEllen said they always run out of the good stuff coming south and don't have enough for going north. The answer to that seems simple, load more of the good stuff on the train to begin with if you consistently run out of it.
I would mention I had the Flat Iron Steak and it was very tender, tasty and I could cut it with a fork.
http://www.filehive.com/files/090609/Report-3.jpg
Now - we had other problems with Debra, too. She was continually letting coach passengers come into the sleeping car. It was, at first, under the pretext of, we need to visit someone. There were coach passengers in and out all the time in the afternoon. Finally JoEllen put a stop to it and I also ran some out, threating to get the conductor involved. Amtrak will hear about this.
JoEllen made my room up about 9:00 and I enjoyed the bigger bed and slept well all night with no rattle next to me. But, I walked back by room 5 in the afternoon once and could hear it. They had said they would fix it in NOL, but they didn't.
I had my usual scrambled eggs for breakfast the service from Debra was even worse than the night before. Guess who served my breakfast to me - the cook!
He was bringing things up and serving the passengers, in his T shirt. I won't go on anymore about food service.
We stopped in Kankakee for 5 seconds and left, 5 minutes early.
Homewood was early and we arrived in CUS almost 30 minutes early. The view from the High Line was very nice.
I had a reservation for the 10:20 Hiawatha to see forum member RTabern, who I had met a number of years ago at the Beech Grove facility tour. We would have lunch together and I would then get back to Chicago and out to the airport as I was flying home the next day.
Robert boarded my train at the Airport stop and we traveled together the short distance to downtown Milwaukee. We then walked to the city market for a nice lunch, had a chance to catch up and then back to the station for the 3:00 departure. Robert would ride to the airport and get off there as he lives close to that station.
While in the station we learned the EB was running late and would arrive just minutes before we were to leave. And, it did. They unloaded that train faster than I have ever seen and they were gone at 2:59. We left at 3:00 and it was a race to Chicago. We actually overtook that train before we reached the airport, but as we stopped there, it overtook us and was in Chicago about 5-10 minutes before we arrived.
What a mass of confusion on the north side of the terminal. The EB and our train unloading. Baggage trams all over the place, and three Metra trains trying to board at rush hour to leave on time.
I went to the lounge and reclaimed my luggage and headed down Clinton to the Blue Line station. No bus bridge today so I was safe. I boarded and found a seat at the rear of the car that even had a place to park my bag so it wasn't in anyone's way. Amazingly enough the train was never very full all the way out to O'Hare.
A good night's sleep and a good flight back to IND completed a week of riding trains so I have had my fill until Boston in October, Hope to see all of you there.
I will have one addition post with picture and video links as soon as I get them all processed.
Thanks for reading.
http://www.filehive.com/files/090609/Report-4.jpg
mrfss
Jun 18, 09, 2:02 pm
As promised, here is a complete set of links to the photos and videos I took on this week long trip. There are over 400 pictures taken over the seven days I was traveling. The video is probably close to 45 - 60 minutes, I would guess, maybe less.
Interesting thing is, never once on any train, in any station, or anywhere near trains did anyone question me about taking pictures. Only once was I told to stop. That was on the plane as we were about to land in IND. The flight attendant said the camera was electronic equipment and I had to turn it off as we landed. So I did. Never had that happen before on a plane.
The photo page has seven galleries available, just click on a picture to go to a particular set of pictures. In the upper right hand section of a picture page you can select several different ways to view the pictures. Slide Show is available.
Enjoy - and let me know of any questions or comments, please. I'm not up to Neil's standards, but I enjoy taking them. See if you can spot The University of Michigan Big House in the Flying Home pictures.
Flying Home - Take Off at Detroit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA8HwDC4lsc)
I can hardly wait for Boston when I will be able to ride Amtrak again.
Tom
CarlTheWebmaster
Jun 18, 09, 2:40 pm
Thanks Tom for the interesting read! Nicely done.
violist
Jun 18, 09, 2:45 pm
Enjoyed the report, thanks!
bschaff1
Jun 20, 09, 1:20 am
Great trip report. It's interesting to see what it's like on board the long haul Amtrak trains. The most I ever get to ride is the Hiawatha to Milwaukee, but whenever I go to the station from my office, I'm always intrigued by the trains going to Texas, Seattle and California. Makes me want to give Amtrak a try cross country when I have a few days to spare.
mrfss, do you have any pictures of the rooms on the train?
mrfss
Jun 20, 09, 6:25 am
mrfss, do you have any pictures of the rooms on the train?
Our Amtrak Forum has a fellow who does 3-D Photography and has a complete collection of car interior pictures. Try this LINK
(http://tour.amtraktrains.com/)
camsean
Jun 20, 09, 9:07 am
Thanks for the trip report. One of very train reports on FT I think.
Can I ask what CN stands for?
mrfss
Jun 20, 09, 9:10 am
Thanks for the trip report. One of very train reports on FT I think.
Can I ask what CN stands for?
Canadian National Railroad. They bought the old Illinois Central some years ago.
Canadian Pacific also owns railroad trackage in the US, too.
CJ99
Jun 20, 09, 3:04 pm
Great report--thanks for posting.
Marwanie
Jun 20, 09, 4:01 pm
Thanks! Loved the TR as I love trains!
1000k00
Jun 20, 09, 5:38 pm
i will be taking the crescent to nol from nyp in oct.. can you tell me the location of the $20.00 all day bar?
tia
mrfss
Jun 21, 09, 5:23 pm
i will be taking the crescent to nol from nyp in oct.. can you tell me the location of the $20.00 all day bar?
tia
I think it was on Burbon street just off canal. If not, a block one way or the other, but very near Canal.