Amtrak - is it really that bad!? $13 Chicago to Bloomington 🇺🇸

I found a bargain $13 fare from Chicago Union station to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, so I just had to take it!
What I experienced was a ninety minute delay, doors that wouldn't close (then wouldn't open) and speeds of 110mph which the conductor just couldn't stop bragging about despite his pretty terrible intercom system!
What a trip, I wasn't expecting so much excitement from a simple 2 hour train ride into Illinois!

[@rjames45_3]

great video, the older cars that are over 40 years old last so much better than the newer ones which is funny

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

It's strange how they don't build them to last anymore, isn't it?

[@rjames45_3]

@@helloantoniotraveladventuresyes aint that the truth

[@MustachioFurioso9134]

What's funny is, technically Passenger service is supposed to take priority....but Congress basically made it unenforceable, so freight just does what it feels like and doesn't really allow passenger service to take priority like it should

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

It's a real shame that it's ended up like that

[@MustachioFurioso9134]

@@helloantoniotraveladventures yeah, hopefully they'll fix it. They have been investing heavily in the network lately, and there's a couple of companies popping up to help the passenger industry in the US. The long distance trains here in the US, I highly recommend. Just plan on not being on time to the final destination, lol. But genuinely, they are some of the most gorgeous sights you can see in rail, especially those that travel through the Rocky Mountains.

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

I really must get back over to the states to do some of the long distance rides!

[@MustachioFurioso9134]

@@helloantoniotraveladventures yeah that would be awesome! Just discovered your channel, been binging them lol. Keep up the great work, love the humor.

[@TimMcCurry-ue9kr]

Amtrak often contracts with train companies to use their tracks. Therefore, Amtrak usage is a second priority, meaning, when the company that owns the track is using a particular portion of the track, they get first priority over Amtrack, thus, the delays.

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

Spot on

[@centralillinoisrailpix453]

Pretty nice compared to what this line has been in the past, wood ties and jointed rail until about 10 or so years ago, yet still with all the Amtrak there as well. New cars for the first time in many years, as well.

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

I was impressed with the rolling stock!

[@centralillinoisrailpix453]

@@helloantoniotraveladventures New to us, only had it about a year or so, before that it was all horizons and Amfleet. Still do not have cafe/business class cars from Siemens, but Siemens has provided coaches, locomotives, and crossing gates. Around Bloomington, the entire line is fenced off from surrounding town, because people, esp uni students, do not play nice with HSR.

[@centralillinoisrailpix453]

@@helloantoniotraveladventures And 110 mph is super impressive from trackside!

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

I bet!

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

Sad, shame to hear all that

[@noeonoohno4219]

You have the same intonation as Bald and Bankrupt but I like that you're showing us Americana instead of Soviet nostalgia. Also you're a bit less of a lecher which is good hah

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

😂 only a little bit less. Was watching bald this morning actually... I still don't see the similarity! Cheers for watching

[@noeonoohno4219]

@@helloantoniotraveladventures it’s not in the looks but in how you inflect your words. Kinda a presenter style of speech.

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

@noeonoohno4219 we're from the same part of the world so I guess dinner similarities are there

[@MyYouTubeAccount2025]

Wow

[@gnhansen29]

I've heard that the Amtrak long distance seats are very good. Is that the case?

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

Nothing special but comfy enough. Nice and wide

[@randolphharrison4219]

@@helloantoniotraveladventuresI wouldn’t exactly call Chicago to Bloomington, IL long distance, if you’re taking a real long distance train like chi to dc the seats are much larger and go most of the way down

[@helloantoniotraveladventures]

Thanks for the info