I traveled 6/26-27 Dallas-St. Louis on the Texas Eagle. Husband was out of the country, so my three children and I got psyched about trying something new. Train was an hour late to Dallas. You all warned me about that, and we were not in a hurry and as advised, planned nothing for the morning of our arrival. I was a little annoyed that all information, calling and internet, assured us that even though the train was running an hour late, it would likely make up the time. SOOOO we arrived and waited and waited, not the worst but would have loved more honest info (found out later that it was the full hour late into Ft. Worth, no way to make it up at that point-we would have rather waited the extra hour at home....).

Agents at Dallas were helpful enough. Reading others trip reports warned me that the cabin attendant makes all the difference. Therefore the disappointment. We boarded to a seemingly indifferent attendant. The steps up to our rooms were sticky and dirty. Our rooms were dirty and the connecting door was not open as requested at ticketing. Shower floor area of one room had toilet paper dried to the drain and stuck in corners in one bathroom, yuck. Sheets and linens were very clean. Windows, carpet, under seats, bathroom floors, and one sink were dirty.

After departing I asked Gloria if we might get the door opened between the rooms, heavy sigh and moaning that "that takes a special key and I will have to go all the way to the front of the train." Having two children in that room, I couldn't back down, so I told her we'd look forward to her return and could we do anything to help? Another heavy sigh and she handed me two slips of paper, marked 6:45. "These are your dinner times." I asked if we shouldn't get to choose our times.....? "No, this is what he gave me." No need to make a stink so we went with it. While "dining" 30 minutes later she stopped to tell us "they are working on it." I appreciated the update.

Dinner: Not much different than current first class airplane food. I thought it would be noticably better. Attendant in the dining car was wonderful though. Her attitude made up for the pretty bad food. Interestly, she seemed was very appreciative of our tip, which was suprising. Kids ordered the "special"-Chicken Fried Steak. I had cod filets. Would not order either again. I heard later, from regulars and Gloria, that the chicken and the pork chops are much better, oh well. Dessert was good, except the fruit, which is from a can! I had never tasted canned melon, another yuck!

12 and 9 year old thought rooms were pretty neat especially once connected. We took off our shoes and settled in. Within 10 minutes the bottoms of our feet were black. Didn't know to bring lots of sock/slipper changes. Thanks to whoever recommends bringing wet wipes!

Lounge attendant was wonderful, lounge areas were really dated. The three coach cars were 1/2 full. Two looked older, one was pretty nice. Most passengers were friendly. When waiting near the downstairs door in the last coach car (because that was the door that was going to open at our next stop) my children were cussed at violently by a "lady" in the front row. She was laying across two seats and they couldn't see her therefore had no idea someone was sleeping there. She seemed to believe the area was her bedroom and behaved poorly in front of children. Otherwise everyone was great!

I had to convince the room attendant that she actually could (and should because it is one of the selling points of the sleeping rooms) bring us room service in the morning. We figured it couldn't taste worse from a plastic box, than from a plastic plate. I wrote out the order and told her she could bring it at her convienence.

The beds were suprisingly comfortable. We slept pretty well. I slept better than I have ever slept in a plane (even in the lay-flat beds). That was the greatest part of the trip. We arrived into St. Louis about an hour and a half late. Didn't matter to us.

We tipped our attendant, who didn't seem to particularly appriciate it. She grew on me, maybe just fimiliarity, but it was still hard to tip for a cabin that was not very well cleaned and services that were some work to obtain.

Overall, Amtrak over promised and under delivered BUT it was interesting. Not a good value for the money, but that wasn't what we were going for. Just over $1000 for 4 people to get to sleep on a train. 16 hours vs. 2 hours on a plane. Being rocked to sleep was wonderful...but kind of pricey.

I was curious about the difference between employees. Some were wonderful, some pitiful. The good and the bad were all ages. Are the good ones new and they just can't get rid of the bad? Or do they start out here and leave for other hospitality businesses? I admit, cabin-attendant seems like a tough job-when do they rest? If they had cleaning help it might improve the look of things and people willing to pay for it might become repeat users and Amtrak would be ahead. I don't think "donating" more tax dollars is the answer. If my cabin attendant had taken more pride in her cabin we would have been more satisfied. I want to say we will try it again, but I'm not sure. The other sleeping car may have offered a completely different experience. I am glad we gave it a try.