Amtrak Across America (We Didn't Make It)
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Date: 2023-08-28
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Comments and reviews: 30
Patty
On a recent trip on the Coast Starlight from Seattle to LA, we got as far as Davis, CA and just after breakfast the train stopped and we were told that the tracks were washed out ahead and we had to get off in Davis, go back north to Sacramento or further south to Emeryville and find our way to our destinations. Either way, they had no way to get us any further since the buses couldnt through the snowed-in passes. A porter told us we should go to Sacramento rather than Emeryville. We are from Canada and dont know the details of each city so took his advice. Once in Sacramento we decided to rent a car to carry on. It was Sunday afternoon and they were all closed. So, after an hour plus in the lineup to speak to an agent I asked for any way to get to LA. She said we could go back to Emeryville on a commuter train, catch an overnight bus there to Santa Barbara and then another commuter train to LA. Unfortunately, there was no mention of the almost nine hour wait for the bus in Emeryville. I rented a hotel room nearby to soften the wait. We finally got to LA exactly 24 hours late. Amtrak immediately refunded the entire one way portion of our trip. I was glad we didnt have to apply for a refund (or even ask for it. Would we take Amtrak again? You bet. We cant blame them for weather. We were unaware of the weather issues they were dealing with. In an entire week in LA it rained and was chilly every day so things were definitely unusual. We are retired seniors and are not wealthy but with a little planning we are able to take an occasional trip on the train (in a roomette) so people of average means can certainly afford it. We were road trippers and loved driving vacations but my hubby always missed everything because he was behind the wheel. This way we can both relax, have a nap, take a walk etc. He isnt exhausted at the end of it. We love the privacy of the roomette and every meal weve had on the train has been very good. The crew are (mostly) friendly and accommodating. Weve done the Coast Starlight four times now and will do Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale next spring. We are really looking forward to that trip. If you arent prepared for some bumps in the road when traveling, you should stay home. Things can go wrong no matter the mode of travel. Also, if you think sleeping accommodations are expensive on Amtrak, you should see the cost of a similar trip in Canada. You do have to be wealthy to experience that in Canada. We are big fans of Amtrak and will be riders until we cant do it anymore.
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On a recent trip on the Coast Starlight from Seattle to LA, we got as far as Davis, CA and just after breakfast the train stopped and we were told that the tracks were washed out ahead and we had to get off in Davis, go back north to Sacramento or further south to Emeryville and find our way to our destinations. Either way, they had no way to get us any further since the buses couldnt through the snowed-in passes. A porter told us we should go to Sacramento rather than Emeryville. We are from Canada and dont know the details of each city so took his advice. Once in Sacramento we decided to rent a car to carry on. It was Sunday afternoon and they were all closed. So, after an hour plus in the lineup to speak to an agent I asked for any way to get to LA. She said we could go back to Emeryville on a commuter train, catch an overnight bus there to Santa Barbara and then another commuter train to LA. Unfortunately, there was no mention of the almost nine hour wait for the bus in Emeryville. I rented a hotel room nearby to soften the wait. We finally got to LA exactly 24 hours late. Amtrak immediately refunded the entire one way portion of our trip. I was glad we didnt have to apply for a refund (or even ask for it. Would we take Amtrak again? You bet. We cant blame them for weather. We were unaware of the weather issues they were dealing with. In an entire week in LA it rained and was chilly every day so things were definitely unusual. We are retired seniors and are not wealthy but with a little planning we are able to take an occasional trip on the train (in a roomette) so people of average means can certainly afford it. We were road trippers and loved driving vacations but my hubby always missed everything because he was behind the wheel. This way we can both relax, have a nap, take a walk etc. He isnt exhausted at the end of it. We love the privacy of the roomette and every meal weve had on the train has been very good. The crew are (mostly) friendly and accommodating. Weve done the Coast Starlight four times now and will do Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale next spring. We are really looking forward to that trip. If you arent prepared for some bumps in the road when traveling, you should stay home. Things can go wrong no matter the mode of travel. Also, if you think sleeping accommodations are expensive on Amtrak, you should see the cost of a similar trip in Canada. You do have to be wealthy to experience that in Canada. We are big fans of Amtrak and will be riders until we cant do it anymore.
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Dawn
I love watching your videos. I have traveled Amtrak a number of times, all east of Chicago. Longest delay was 6 hours or so after taking the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Washington DC. There was a massive snowstorm in Pennsylvania, and lots of freight traffic. Fortunately I had built in a day buffer so that I was able to get on my connecting train from DC to Newport News VA. I am planning a trip on Amtrak in 2024 going from Chicago to Emeryville CA on the Zephyr, Coast Starlight from Emeryville to Seattle, and Empire Builder back to Chicago. You could do that and maybe take the Capitol Ltd from DC to Chicago. That's a lot of train time, but doing it all in a bedroom would be fun. I always do roomettes, because it's just me, and they are cheaper than bedrooms. Sorry for what you had to go through when your train was cancelled in WV. I laughed so hard when you were talking about hating driving. I am the opposite. I love to drive, love taking long road trips. That would have been a great experience for me to drive the five hours from WV to NC. Would have loved to do that for you. Thanks for keeping us all informed and entertained!
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I love watching your videos. I have traveled Amtrak a number of times, all east of Chicago. Longest delay was 6 hours or so after taking the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Washington DC. There was a massive snowstorm in Pennsylvania, and lots of freight traffic. Fortunately I had built in a day buffer so that I was able to get on my connecting train from DC to Newport News VA. I am planning a trip on Amtrak in 2024 going from Chicago to Emeryville CA on the Zephyr, Coast Starlight from Emeryville to Seattle, and Empire Builder back to Chicago. You could do that and maybe take the Capitol Ltd from DC to Chicago. That's a lot of train time, but doing it all in a bedroom would be fun. I always do roomettes, because it's just me, and they are cheaper than bedrooms. Sorry for what you had to go through when your train was cancelled in WV. I laughed so hard when you were talking about hating driving. I am the opposite. I love to drive, love taking long road trips. That would have been a great experience for me to drive the five hours from WV to NC. Would have loved to do that for you. Thanks for keeping us all informed and entertained!
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Ben
Here is my Amtrak story. It starts in Minot Nd. It was winter and my wife, 6mo old son and I were going home to LI NY by train to Chicago then fly to NY. I was 20 plus below zero when we pulled in to Fargo ND. the heat from the brakes created moisture on there surfaces. This moisture froze and all the breaks froze to the wheels. It took house to get us moving again. In Breckenridge MN we hit a car and the driver was killed. It took hours to get going again. The train was damaged in the accident and could go only about half speed. At this time we were about 8 hours behind schedule. By the time we got to Chicago it as almost 10 hours late. We were lucky because we were able to catch a flight to JFK. We had run out of food for our 6 mo son. The train also had run out of food. If I had time I would tell you about my wife and I trip by train from Amsterdam to London. First class on a high speed train. This is something you should try. Better than flying. Ben
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Here is my Amtrak story. It starts in Minot Nd. It was winter and my wife, 6mo old son and I were going home to LI NY by train to Chicago then fly to NY. I was 20 plus below zero when we pulled in to Fargo ND. the heat from the brakes created moisture on there surfaces. This moisture froze and all the breaks froze to the wheels. It took house to get us moving again. In Breckenridge MN we hit a car and the driver was killed. It took hours to get going again. The train was damaged in the accident and could go only about half speed. At this time we were about 8 hours behind schedule. By the time we got to Chicago it as almost 10 hours late. We were lucky because we were able to catch a flight to JFK. We had run out of food for our 6 mo son. The train also had run out of food. If I had time I would tell you about my wife and I trip by train from Amsterdam to London. First class on a high speed train. This is something you should try. Better than flying. Ben
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lisalu910
Been there/done that. I did a three day Amtrak trip to from Atlanta to Denver which followed a similar route - Atlanta to Washington DC to Chicago to Denver. I enjoyed every minute of it, including the several hours each in DC and Chicago to do a little sightseeing and then sleeping away the long hours between cities. But for the return journey, I only made it as far as Denver to Chicago before the rest of the trip was canceled (due to a washed out track from heavy rains, I think) and I ended up flying home from O'Hare. Actually it wasn't so bad after all, since I did the whole train trip one way, and didn't necessarily need to see everything again going home (the only reason I was taking the train both ways was because I was traveling with different people each time, and they both wanted to experience the journey)
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Been there/done that. I did a three day Amtrak trip to from Atlanta to Denver which followed a similar route - Atlanta to Washington DC to Chicago to Denver. I enjoyed every minute of it, including the several hours each in DC and Chicago to do a little sightseeing and then sleeping away the long hours between cities. But for the return journey, I only made it as far as Denver to Chicago before the rest of the trip was canceled (due to a washed out track from heavy rains, I think) and I ended up flying home from O'Hare. Actually it wasn't so bad after all, since I did the whole train trip one way, and didn't necessarily need to see everything again going home (the only reason I was taking the train both ways was because I was traveling with different people each time, and they both wanted to experience the journey)
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Adam
My wife and I made several long western journeys on Coast Starlight (LA to Portland, when the Parlour Car was in service, Southwest Chief (LA to Albuquerque) and Empire builder (Portland to Glacier national park.
Overall we had very few delays- nothing as bad as what you experienced. Loved the journeys we took.
Now we have a 3 year old. what you went through would be hell on rails with a child: )
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My wife and I made several long western journeys on Coast Starlight (LA to Portland, when the Parlour Car was in service, Southwest Chief (LA to Albuquerque) and Empire builder (Portland to Glacier national park.
Overall we had very few delays- nothing as bad as what you experienced. Loved the journeys we took.
Now we have a 3 year old. what you went through would be hell on rails with a child: )
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Byron
VERY surprised you were able to get a one-way rental. None of the rental places near me, even at the airport, do them anymore.
At least, not officially. I've heard you can book a usual trip and turn it in to a different location and they'll charge you a large fee for it, but none of them (at least, according the internet, so make of that what you will) will refuse to check in the car.
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VERY surprised you were able to get a one-way rental. None of the rental places near me, even at the airport, do them anymore.
At least, not officially. I've heard you can book a usual trip and turn it in to a different location and they'll charge you a large fee for it, but none of them (at least, according the internet, so make of that what you will) will refuse to check in the car.
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Alexa
My daughters and I LOVE your videos, and we actually are planning on taking the Empire Builder from Portland to Chicago this October. I love Amtrak, but had a similar misadventure back in 2003, when the Crescent I was on struck a dump truck on the tracks outside of Manassas, VA. We made the national news, and it took another 8 hours for me to travel to Philadelphia (my final destination.
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My daughters and I LOVE your videos, and we actually are planning on taking the Empire Builder from Portland to Chicago this October. I love Amtrak, but had a similar misadventure back in 2003, when the Crescent I was on struck a dump truck on the tracks outside of Manassas, VA. We made the national news, and it took another 8 hours for me to travel to Philadelphia (my final destination.
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travel
Maybe there will be another time when you can attempt a coast-to-coast Amtrak trip. Delays occur, but oftentimes a trip can be salvaged. While this was disappointing, Im glad your fare was refunded.
If you havent done this already, how about an overnight coach trip? (I realize it wouldnt be as comfortable, and one night would be enough to answer every question)
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Maybe there will be another time when you can attempt a coast-to-coast Amtrak trip. Delays occur, but oftentimes a trip can be salvaged. While this was disappointing, Im glad your fare was refunded.
If you havent done this already, how about an overnight coach trip? (I realize it wouldnt be as comfortable, and one night would be enough to answer every question)
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Dasquarius
When things go wrong on Amtrak, they tend to go VERY wrong. I got stuck on the Amtrak Auto-Train heading from Virginia to Florida. What should have been a pleasant overnight journey of 16 hours turned into a grueling 38 hours after we got stuck in the middle of swamp country South Carolina. The train broke down and Amtrak forced us to stay on the whole time.
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When things go wrong on Amtrak, they tend to go VERY wrong. I got stuck on the Amtrak Auto-Train heading from Virginia to Florida. What should have been a pleasant overnight journey of 16 hours turned into a grueling 38 hours after we got stuck in the middle of swamp country South Carolina. The train broke down and Amtrak forced us to stay on the whole time.
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Scott
Jeb - I don't think I would ever travel by train again if that happened to me. Perhaps just not worth the complete inconvenience of being dropped hundreds of miles from my planned destination. Glad you could make it all workout. Just one of those surprise moments in life where you need to be good at improvising. Love your content! Good luck on the next trip.
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Jeb - I don't think I would ever travel by train again if that happened to me. Perhaps just not worth the complete inconvenience of being dropped hundreds of miles from my planned destination. Glad you could make it all workout. Just one of those surprise moments in life where you need to be good at improvising. Love your content! Good luck on the next trip.
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Dee
In the late 90's we weren't so lucky. Left Denver 10 hours late! The train broke down in Iowa and they ran out of food. We were given a plain bologna sandwich, for the same price as a dinner! We missed our train in Chicago and we were taken by bus to Michigan. Worst trip of our lives. Oh, they left some people behind in Iowa who got off to smoke.
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In the late 90's we weren't so lucky. Left Denver 10 hours late! The train broke down in Iowa and they ran out of food. We were given a plain bologna sandwich, for the same price as a dinner! We missed our train in Chicago and we were taken by bus to Michigan. Worst trip of our lives. Oh, they left some people behind in Iowa who got off to smoke.
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Molten
we had 4 rooms but got kicked off for too loud music, beer cans in the hallway, a few people passed out among the beer cans, cigarette burns on the carpet and strippers on board that had no tickets. they weren't very understanding of the situation and could have at least gave us all 1 last drink as a complimentary thanks
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we had 4 rooms but got kicked off for too loud music, beer cans in the hallway, a few people passed out among the beer cans, cigarette burns on the carpet and strippers on board that had no tickets. they weren't very understanding of the situation and could have at least gave us all 1 last drink as a complimentary thanks
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miketeacher
I took the Empire Builder from Minneapolis to Washington State in 1972 and it was so bad I promised myself I would never do it again. Such awful, old cars. You and your wife seem like intelligent, insightful people. Couldn't you tell that Amtrak is awful! Spare yourself more grief and do not travel by Amtrak.
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I took the Empire Builder from Minneapolis to Washington State in 1972 and it was so bad I promised myself I would never do it again. Such awful, old cars. You and your wife seem like intelligent, insightful people. Couldn't you tell that Amtrak is awful! Spare yourself more grief and do not travel by Amtrak.
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Robert
Thats the whole bad aspect of passenger travel Amtrak has to use freight tracks and that means they can just quickly get a work around by rail if those other routes have scheduled freight that prevents passenger trains. Maybe if we didnt spend near a trillion on defense we might get dedicated people trains.
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Thats the whole bad aspect of passenger travel Amtrak has to use freight tracks and that means they can just quickly get a work around by rail if those other routes have scheduled freight that prevents passenger trains. Maybe if we didnt spend near a trillion on defense we might get dedicated people trains.
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Uncle
I took the trip from Chicago to Seattle and back and the WiFi was pretty much nonexistent. Your term spotty was kind. The breakfast and the steak dinner was fantastic. Food was great on Amtrak. Too expensive. Going first class on a airplane is cheaper. Way cheaper. Way way cheaper.
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I took the trip from Chicago to Seattle and back and the WiFi was pretty much nonexistent. Your term spotty was kind. The breakfast and the steak dinner was fantastic. Food was great on Amtrak. Too expensive. Going first class on a airplane is cheaper. Way cheaper. Way way cheaper.
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Jon
I am going to be riding on the #51 Cardinal from Charlottesville, VA to Indianapolis next month. I sure hope that I don't encounter anything like this.
Did Amtrak pay for your rental car or refund a portion of your trip? I know it was not their fault, but your trip was canceled?
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I am going to be riding on the #51 Cardinal from Charlottesville, VA to Indianapolis next month. I sure hope that I don't encounter anything like this.
Did Amtrak pay for your rental car or refund a portion of your trip? I know it was not their fault, but your trip was canceled?
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Jo
Being a charter bus driver, there are available buses, but they have to be contracted, then drivers have to get ready, buses inspected (usually 30 minutes, drive to RR station. It does take time. Glad you two made it home safely. Looking forward to your next adventure.
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Being a charter bus driver, there are available buses, but they have to be contracted, then drivers have to get ready, buses inspected (usually 30 minutes, drive to RR station. It does take time. Glad you two made it home safely. Looking forward to your next adventure.
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Wesley
Hahaha wow. I can't believe a trip like this gets ruined I mean I can almost understand the emergency or whatever on the train but how do you cancel buses? I feel bad for the folks that got that sad news, AFTER waiting 6 hours
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Hahaha wow. I can't believe a trip like this gets ruined I mean I can almost understand the emergency or whatever on the train but how do you cancel buses? I feel bad for the folks that got that sad news, AFTER waiting 6 hours
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DesertRat332
l hate driving, too. I had NO desire to get a big RV and drive around the country after I retired. Especially since in my lifetime the roads have become more crowed and the drivers (even the truckers) have become worse.
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l hate driving, too. I had NO desire to get a big RV and drive around the country after I retired. Especially since in my lifetime the roads have become more crowed and the drivers (even the truckers) have become worse.
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Talon
Though I love trains, Haven't been on to many amtracks, NE Regional, and I'd encourage you to try the Pennsylvanian at some point, 10-11 hours or so from pittsburgh to NY. Though not sure how it fits into your travel needs
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Though I love trains, Haven't been on to many amtracks, NE Regional, and I'd encourage you to try the Pennsylvanian at some point, 10-11 hours or so from pittsburgh to NY. Though not sure how it fits into your travel needs
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Rick
Jeb I watch all your videos this is not a comment be a question does am track handle a double amputee I was all ways wanted to go across country by train my mom and sister lives in WA I live near Winston Salem.
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Jeb I watch all your videos this is not a comment be a question does am track handle a double amputee I was all ways wanted to go across country by train my mom and sister lives in WA I live near Winston Salem.
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L.
We took Amtrak once from Alabama to California, via New Orleans and we were so late getting into LA. It was really a frustrating trip, except for the delicious meals. Amtrak and Greyhound, definitely adventures!
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We took Amtrak once from Alabama to California, via New Orleans and we were so late getting into LA. It was really a frustrating trip, except for the delicious meals. Amtrak and Greyhound, definitely adventures!
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Shilah
So funny and humorous felt like I was watching a favor soap. I look forward to watching trains, planes and yes when you rented a car to get home from Chicago. You both are the story makers love you both.
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So funny and humorous felt like I was watching a favor soap. I look forward to watching trains, planes and yes when you rented a car to get home from Chicago. You both are the story makers love you both.
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Patricia
I did part of this journey a year ago--Seattle-Everett to Chicago and then the Lake Shore Limited to Springfield, MA. Then I took the Vermonter to southern Vermont. I don't know if I would do it again.
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I did part of this journey a year ago--Seattle-Everett to Chicago and then the Lake Shore Limited to Springfield, MA. Then I took the Vermonter to southern Vermont. I don't know if I would do it again.
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Joseph
Maybe it is time for Amtrak to replace the aging equipment it owns, and not at the 2 rail cars per month, as I heard recently. My advice, dont take Amtrak if you want reliability and comfort.
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Maybe it is time for Amtrak to replace the aging equipment it owns, and not at the 2 rail cars per month, as I heard recently. My advice, dont take Amtrak if you want reliability and comfort.
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Marcia
I love Amtrak, but hell no i aint staying on it that long. I stopped getting on it cause i got tired of delays and the length of time it takes. I just fly from here on.
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I love Amtrak, but hell no i aint staying on it that long. I stopped getting on it cause i got tired of delays and the length of time it takes. I just fly from here on.
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vincent412
Amtrak used to have a sleeper transfer between the Capitol Limited and the? Empire Builder, I think. Think they may reinstate that, single seat (or bed) DCA-LAX?
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Amtrak used to have a sleeper transfer between the Capitol Limited and the? Empire Builder, I think. Think they may reinstate that, single seat (or bed) DCA-LAX?
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Thyri
Oh wow that's so unfortunate. I went cross country on the SouthWest Chief and I did the NE Regional, Capitol Limited and then the SouthWest Chief. I had a great time
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Oh wow that's so unfortunate. I went cross country on the SouthWest Chief and I did the NE Regional, Capitol Limited and then the SouthWest Chief. I had a great time
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DesertRat332
Is there still rail service between Chicago and New York? It used to be call the 20th Century Limited? I would take it just because of the movie, The Sting.
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Is there still rail service between Chicago and New York? It used to be call the 20th Century Limited? I would take it just because of the movie, The Sting.
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Andres
The rail service in the U. S. is a disgrace. I had thought that President Biden was interested in improving it but it seems he'd rather pump oil out of Alaska.
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The rail service in the U. S. is a disgrace. I had thought that President Biden was interested in improving it but it seems he'd rather pump oil out of Alaska.
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