Ride This Not That Avoiding The Worst Amtrak Train Routes

[@privacyseekr]

If traveling/commuting between NYCity and Washington DC (relevant portion @7:36), it's good to find a Northeast Regional that begins and terminates in either cities. That way the trip can rival the Acela in terms of time and definitely in terms of cost.

[@deerinmyyard8430]

10:20 The pricing on the Empire Builder is also weird like the Texas Eagle. The SEA and PDX trains join in Spokane, but depending on which "portion" of the train you are on between Spokane and Chicago, the pricing varies wildly. It makes no sense why it's like that.

[@charlesdahl9714]

If you time it right the Cardinals going from Chicago to New York as it goes along the new river in West Virginia that’s spectacular scenery

[@weinito]

If I'm trying to get from Chicago to Los Angeles, I'd easily choose the Southwest Chief both ways. The Southwest Chief is my favorite route while the Texas Eagle is my least favorite. The Southwest Chief has better scenery, my favorite sights on the network. With the Texas Eagle, you get that one full day of great scenery, but the rest of the trip, the scenery is just nothing but farmland.

[@Ashley-bs6ci]

Wonderful video, as usual. I just started riding Amtrak a year ago and already I've traveled so much around the country. I just got back from a 2 week trip to visit family in Los Angeles. Since I took the TE last year, I decided that I wanted to take a different route. So this time I took the Texas Eagle from Fort Worth to St. Louis. Then in St. Louis I took the Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner to Kansas City, and in Kansas City I caught the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles. It was an amazing trip with beautiful views and I met some very interesting people. Then when I had to come home I took the Texas Eagle all the way back. That trip was pretty awful, but that wasn't really Amtrak's fault. I just got back yesterday and I am already looking forward to my next trip!

[@johnkeener2065]

Thank you so much for your videos, from John - from. Pittsburgh Pennsylvania ☕️☕️👍👍👍😊😊😊😊❤️

[@Nancy-bm5bf]

Cardinal used to be better because the dining options but, now both have flexible. Also lake shore limited is 3:40pm so u can enjoy the metropolitan lounge longer and just relax

[@MoctezumaStudios]

The lakeshore limited going into NYC is fine if I just want to get there. The cardinal from NYC to Chicago was amazing, someone mentioned the river, I got to see a lot of small towns, a covered bridge, but Didn't get many smoke breaks. I want to do a little exploring but, it wasn't possible in this line. It feels like a commuter train. I got to see Washington DC for the first time, that was a lot of fun and union station there is Beautiful!

[@kbyrdleroy]

I know it is early but I enjoy the Cardinal 6:30am train. You spend an entire day and a few hours sightseeing. I only take it going home so there is no hurry. You get breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and maybe breakfast again. I'm referring to roomette and bedroom though. I would not take it in Coach.

[@barbaralienhard3490]

We use the Silver Star or Silver Meteor more depending on the departure time or arrival time. We get on, and off southbound, in Winter Park FL, just north Orlando so we're not dealing with that extra Tampa part. But arrival and departure times are what we usually base our decision and mostly it's the same price. A big price difference and we'd choose that one!!!

[@brucesmith9144]

Agree with you about the Acela versus NE Regional. It is not worth the extra charge because really what you are paying for is an upgraded train car - which some may like - but it rides on the same rails which won’t let them operate at speeds like in Japan, Taiwan, or China.

[@ronclark9724]

@@Mugsy-14 But is saving less than 30 minutes worth the extra $25 to $50? Instead of buying new HSR train sets, couldn't Amtrak save millions buying more cheaper Siemens coaches and locomotives that ARE just as comfortable?

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Of course, thee function of these wandering trains (I live in Cincinnati) is to serve additional markets. The need is better connections at more intermediate points.

[@dnice9168]

Hi guys. Currently sitting on the Southwest Chief as im watching this. Talking about early arrival, I get to Newton, KS at 2:15am. I plan to not sleep that evening. Lol. Just wanted to ty for all the tips, having a blast.

[@ronclark9724]

Frankly I hope Amtrak grows services on these long distance overnight trains to twice daily services, around 12 hours apart so that those areas served at night presently could see services during the day... Notice that on the east coast Amtrak's Palmetto with no sleepers serves North Carolina and South Carolina during the day, not during the night... NOBODY, well not too many, wants to embark or disembark a train at 3 AM...

[@squalli1297]

I rode the Westbound Texas Eagle from Chicago-L.A. last October. I expected to arrive in L.A. 3-4 or more hours late but arrived approx. 1.5 hours early. I usually wake up at 3:00 AM & didn't see an early arrival to be a problem. I sensed a panic in the air after the conductor announced on the PA system at 3:00 AM of an early arrival. Leaving L.A. on the Eastbound Sunset Ltd./Texas Eagle is a problem for me since I retire early & it leaves at 10:00 PM. It used to leave at 11:00 PM, so I shouldn't complain. I've learned to expect anything when riding Amtrak.

[@ronclark9724]

From trains derailing, to tracks being flooded or snowed in especially at Donners Pass, route detours due to tracks being maintained, etc., etc. Never expect everything to be in 100 percent tip top condition with aging trains and infrastructure. I doubt whether anyone would expect to drive half way across the nation without seeing some road construction.

[@loopbraider]

I have had two arrivals into LA an hour early on that line, just like you! Awful to get woken up at 3am after bad sleep to come in to the final destination at 4am when even the scheduled arrival of 5:30 is hellishly early. Have NEVER come in that early to a final destination on any other Amtrak line and now two out of three on that westbound Eagle/Sunset combo. Even the third time it came in early, just not a whole hour early!

[@BassPlayerSusan]

My husband and I have ridden both trains. No way are the views on the Lake Shore Limited better. The Cardinal goes thru the New River Gorge, which is w-a-y more gorgeous!

[@thefareplayer2254]

Rare L from them! I’ve been on the LSL about 24 times and the Cardinal once. The Cardinal’s views absolutely *body* the LSL’s, as the kids say.

[@johnpowell1875]

The Cardinal in October is spectacular traveling from Chicago

[@Nancy-bm5bf]

Cardinal is better views but LSD is several hours shorter

[@ManhattanRats]

Thanks for the tip about the Cardinal. Will look into that! Robert in NYC.

[@raimunddippon3120]

Just rode the Southwest Chief last Thursday from LA to Chicago. There was a freight train derailment near Gallup, NM. Our train made it through before it happened, but the Southwest Chief LA-bound didn't. Eventually that train terminated in Albuquerque, NM. Our train stopped for almost 2 hours in a place called Lamy, NM, in order to wait for the westbound one. Passengers were given the choice to change into our train there (or wait in ABQ for at least one whole day/night) , and in the end a handful of passengers chose that option. I talked to some of them in the diner car later. Most of them returned to Chicago and were offered a space on the next available train, which was two days later when the tracks were open again. Always be open for some adventure on the long distance Amtrak trains. (To be clear: none of this was Amtrak's fault).

[@xavybaby4797]

Is this common on this route it just luck of the draw

[@loopbraider]

@@xavybaby4797 Derailments are not common! What's common is getting delayed by a slow freight train ahead of the Amtrak train, that's very common. The few derailments are almost always freight trains (not Amtrak) because freight trains have so many cars to insane lengths that verge on being unsafe. I did experience that once - I was on an eastbound CA Zephyr to Chicago last year, but I was stopping off for two nights in Grand Junction CO on the way. But it turned out that everybody on the train had to get off at my stop, and take an Amtrak bus the rest of the way to Denver CO before getting back on a train waiting there for them there for the rest of the way in to Chicago - this was in order to bypass a section of track after Grand Junction where a freight train had had one car derail. So those unlucky passengers had to miss that very beautiful long section of the train ride between Grand Junction and Denver, it's the highlight of the whole route. By the time I got back on the CA Zephyr two days later to continue on to Chicago, the damaged freight car had been removed, so I had no problem. I think it was fixed within a day, actually.

[@DJNX4995]

I’ve taken that Texas eagle sunset limited between az and lax. 9/10 times they pull in a hour early into union station based off the tracking website and me getting on myself. Texas eagle on back sunset limited up front

[@ThunderBroomPilot]

We are taking the Texas Eagle from CHI to LA and return on Southwest Chief the next day. The reasoning was that it was best to take the longer trip first, and after recovering in a hotel, to take the shorter one back. We are lucky to live in Chicago, the Vatican of the Amtrak, he he.

[@ronclark9724]

Please note going westbound you will be flipped and flopped with the shunting operations in San Antonio that night... What was once starboard will be port, and vice a versa, and the direction that was forward will be aft... Amtrak shunts only two cars there, a sleeper and a coach at the tail end of the train...

[@loopbraider]

I would do it the other way - counter-clockwise - to avoid getting woken up by staff at 3am an hour before the seemingly consistently early arrival into LA an hour or more before the scheduled arrival time. They wake you an hour before arrival. Hard to enjoy a city in a totally sleep-deprived state! That has happened to me 2 out of 3 times now on the westbound Eagle/Sunset into L.A.

[@phronsiekeys]

Very interesting, especially about the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited price differential. ILLOGICAL like so much of Amtrak's pricing!

[@IFUPokeTheLAMBULWakeThaLION]

amtrak factors in refunds and comps into their pricing

[@ronclark9724]

A hint for tightwads. I find it's usually cheaper to book Amtrak with two tickets going anywhere instead of booking that with one ticket. Notice booking the California Zephyr for example, Chicago to Emeryville with one ticket versus booking the same route with two tickets, Chicago to Denver, and Denver to Emeryville... You might be surprised how much you can save... Just be aware of using the proper dates, book early to maintain the same accommodation... Step off, step on... Of course doing so is very inconvenient, but as I noted usually considerably cheaper...

[@TheWolverine-ff2rs]

Another thing to consider with The Cardinal and the Texas-Eagle-Sunset Limited [total consist to LA] IS that they only run 3 times a week. SW Chief and Lake Shore Limited are everyday trains. Back when the Sunset Lmtd started in central Florida to LA [still only a thrice- weekly train] - that was my train of choice. Hurricane Katrina shut the New Orleans to Florida part.

[@draggonsgate]

The Acela is nice for the experience... once. Took my grandson on a round trip to experience all the different options. Coach, Acela 1st, roomette and bedroom.

[@RVail623]

There's a third option between D.C. & Chicago: the Capitol Limited: Washington, DC - Pittsburgh - Cleveland - Chicago. For unknown reasons, Amtrak does not offer timetables, but a third-party site does have timetables at railpassengers. (KZbin auto-deletes if the full web link is posted in the comments section). The two Amtrak routes that are currently only 3x weekly are supposedly planned to "soon" increase frequency to daily service: Sunset Ltd. & Cardinal.

[@jeffwaite6624]

when taking the Northeast Regional, the Acela does not run all the way from Boston to Norfolk/Newport News Va. while the slower one does

[@weinito]

When traveling from New York to Chicago, I find it hard to choose between the Lake Shore Limited or the Cardinal. I think the lake shore limited is the easier way because it's faster and you don't have to get up so early. But I think the Cardinal has better scenery. Doing a round trip, i'd ride westbound on the lake shore limited and eastbound on the cardinal.

[@alexanderkroll7511]

I have taken the silver metor a couples times to and fron Dc also I found out if the sleeper car is an even number you will have a super liner 2

[@nathanjiang100]

A few other pointers: There are also two trains between DC and Chicago, the aforementioned Cardinal but also the Capitol Limited, which used Superliners. I’d recommend the Cardinal since the Capitol Limited doesn’t have a proper sightseer lounge or dining car anyways and the views are better on the Cardinal. For sleeping car passengers you also have more room on the top bunk of Viewliners than the Superliner, but I’m a coach traveler and the Superliners have slightly more legroom than long-distance Amfleets. I’d even put the Cardinal over the NY section of the Lake Shore because once you’re out of the Hudson Line, which can be easily day-tripped on the Empire Service/Maple Leaf/Adirondack, there’s nothing to see. The Cardinal passes through more rural areas and the New River Gorge. The LSL/CL also pass through the industrial part of Indiana whereas the Cardinal passes more open fields in Indiana. The Empire Builder and Lake Shore Limited show up as two trains between Chicago and Spokane and Chicago and Albany, respectively, like the Sunset Ltd/Texas Eagle. 27/28 is the same train as 7/8 for that stretch and but goes to Portland instead of Seattle on the last/first day. Similarly 448/449 heads via the Berkshires to Boston whereas 48/49 heads down the Hudson Line to NYC. There are also two trains between NYC/Philly/DC and Greensboro/Charlotte, NC. The Crescent is about two hours faster than the Carolinian but serves Charlotte at 2am southbound and 5:30am northbound. So with Charlotte it’s just a pick your poison situation with a slow train at better hours or a faster train at terrible hours. The Crescent also has long-distance coach seats which are substantially nicer than the intercity coach seats found on the Carolinian, a longer journey in worse seats. Greensboro is served at better hours by the Crescent do definitely go with that one. Between Greensboro and DC the Crescent goes through western VA and Charlottesville whereas the Carolinian takes a detour through Raleigh and Richmond. Similarly, there’s also two trains between Chicago and Kansas City, the Southwest Chief and Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner combined train. The Southwest Chief is 4 hours faster than the LSMRR and as vastly better seats. The Venture coach (and business class seats for that matter) are some of the worst in the industry while the Superliners have some of the best seats. The LSMRR detours through St Louis and Springfield while the SWC takes a straight shot to Chicago. Oh yeah, and don’t take the Acela unless it’s the rare occasion when it’s cheaper than the Regional. It’s almost always just marginally faster but for more than double the price.

[@RichardinNC1]

In 2019 I took the Crescent CLT > NYC and the Carolinean NYC > CLT. I did a roomette northbound and business class southbound. I preferred the Crescent northbound (especially with pre-pandemic full service dining) and earlier NYC arrival but chose the Carolinean southbound for its timing. The different route made an interesting comparison.

[@kathleenhudson8429]

The Southwest Chief has better views than the Texas Eagle anyway. I totally agree with you on the Lakeshore Limited. I rode the other train once thinking I would get Mountain View’s in West Virginia, but they weren’t that special. I did ride north from Miami once, but I had a stop in Orlando, so I took the longer train. I was surprised in Tampa when it ran for a long ways back on the same track it had been on going to get to Tampa.

[@hawktb9]

Have you guys considered doing commuter train trips in between the longer Amtrak trips for comparison? I mean, the NEC is a prime example of multiple commuter services in which you can hop and skip all the way from NYC to Washington utilizing NJT, SEPTA, and MARC (Baltimore-Penn).

[@RSDX99]

The Silver Star also travels more westerly thru NC bypassing Fayettevile for Southern Pines/Pinehurst (great tain option for golfers) and then to Columbia SC on to Savannah GA where it joins the route of the Meteor.

[@BarbaraSchranz]

I live by the train track outside Southern Pines and I can tell you that being on a regular schedule isn't their forte. Have seen the train 12 hours late.

[@ThunderBroomPilot]

Thanks for the great tip about the Lake Shore Limited and the Cardinal. We are looking at the Eastern routes, as we covered the West of Chicago routes.

[@russellcronk1224]

There was one destination that was missed with the comparisons: Chicago to Washington D.C. ( Capitol Limited vs Cardinal ). Otherwise, this was a very good and informative video.

[@divox9pqr]

Good comparisons guys, additionally when you look at the Cardinal, it only runs 3 days a week, where as the Lake Shore runs daily.

[@nataliemkennedy_aboutthebooks]

Good information. I learned to pick between the Silver Star and the meteor for the time I want to arrive in Philadelphia. I do take one up and the other back sometimes.

[@grumpyoldstudios]

The LSL will also have different prices from Albany to Chicago. Many times the Boston side of the train will be cheaper than the NY one. Its the same train from Albany but different prices. Also you can save money by only getting the room from Albany to Chicago and coach to there.

[@darinburkholder7588]

It's funny when you were showing the Amtrak departure schedule for the south west Chief and Texas Eagle. That's the same day that me and my wife are going on the California Zephyr. October 18th

[@s.sleeps8128]

Very helpful,. I was just looking up booking from NY to Orlando and wasn't sure if one was better. The Star is more expensive so I figured maybe that one was more updated. Now I know I can go ahead and book the Meteor. Thanks!

[@qapla]

Interesting video. I enjoyed your "this or that" theme. Good information. I have ridden both Silvers from Jacksonville to Ney York. Since I am not going to Miami, the jaunt to Tampa does not have a bearing. However, they have different boarding times and one takes 2 hours longer than the other. You did not mention Pittsburgh to Florida, and it also has two options leaving from PGH - the Capitol Limited and the Pennsylvanian. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this route.

[@Lynn-kh5rs]

. Unfortunately I don't have any choice I have to take the Cardinal because Cincinnati is the closest train station for me to get anywhere. If that's not bad enough I always have to go to Chicago to go either West or South. Leaves Cincy at 1:41 am and the return arrives at 3:30 a.m. Runs only 2x/week. ugh! 🙄

[@ronclark9724]

Without any doubt whatsoever Amtrak needs to increase frequencies with all of its long distance trains to twice daily, some 12 hours apart... Crappy middle of the night services SUCK! Amtrak doesn't need expensive HSR, Amtrak needs more services, more trains... Amtrak, pull your head out...

[@patcheslee7317]

Same, it's equal drive to Indy or Cincinnati for me, so it just comes down to boarding time and station. Cardinal there is no such thing as a weekend in Chicago.

[@coryphillips8526]

Good morning. My usual Amtrak journeys are from Philadelphia to San Antonio. At one time I had 3 options. Broadway Limited then Texas Eagle, Cardinal then Texas Eagle, & Silver Meteor then Sunset Limited. My problem with Sunset Limited is it arrives in San Antonio around 4 a.m. and only runs 3 days a week. My problems with the Cardinal is it only runs 3 days a week, no real dining car (even before the pandemic) and it leaves 4 hours earlier from Philadelphia as oppose to when the Broadway Limited was running. Both arrived in Chicago around the same time. Have a great day.

[@ronclark9724]

Unfortunately Amtrak does not have the number of train sets to increase services presently. Many had expected the Cardinal to start daily services with the new Viewliner II cars entering service, but apparently there isn't enough Amfleet II cars to provide more train sets for the Cardinal. Just going from three days a week service to seven days a week service requires more than twice as many train sets for the Cardinal and the Sunset Limited. Cardinal does it with one train set presently, would require three trains sets for daily services. The Sunset Limited does it with three train sets presently, would require six train sets for daily services. Amtrak needs more rolling stock and locomotives to increase services folks... And they don't exist anywhere, Amtrak needs to wait some years before they get built...

[@loopbraider]

That Texas Eagle (which has been attached onto the Sunset Limited from New Orleans by the time they arrive together in LA) that you say is the ONLY Amtrak train you as a passenger wish it does come in late to its final destination (because scheduled arrival time is so hellishly early at 5:30 am)???? Guess what, that's the only Amtrak train I've been on that's been consistently EARLY!!! I'm talking not falling asleep until 2am because of a stranger next to me keeping falling asleep ONTO me, and then being woken up by staff at 3:30 A.M an hour ahead of arrival, and arriving over an HOUR early into LA sometime before 4:30am! It came so early that the Metropolitan Lounge wasn't even open yet (which I had a pass for) so nowhere good to relax in the station and no way was I ready to hit the streets of LA in the pitch dark at 4:30 am after an hour of bad sleep. Then the same thing happened again the next time I took that train into LA! Arrived 45 min early. And staff equally eager to wake you up an hour beforehand, WHY?!. It's the end of the line, why not let passengers sleep another hour, esp since the train is coming in early? Ouch! There's something different about that combined Texas Eagle/ Sunset Limited westbound line, why does only that line come in early when nobody wants it to???

[@IFUPokeTheLAMBULWakeThaLION]

the differences on the 2 north-south NY-FL trains routes are the the route paths themselves, by design one route has fewer number of stops AND many locations are different within a state for from state to state- wider coverage area. For example, one train dedicated stops at Quantico, Fredericksburg, & some others where the other south bound train does not, though in the case of Quantico there may be a special pickup/drop-off. the route path itself is different so its station stops,, especially for overnite trips are not the same. When i go to Ft Gordon GA, ATL and Columbia SC are not the two closest but are the same train route.

[@jstephens2758]

Speaking of the same train. The Lakeshore Limited is also two trains in one, but in this case, they have the same name (you covered this before but it bears repeating). If you are riding from Chicago, you should know the train splits at Albany NY into two sections, one that goes to New York City and one to Boston. In either direction, there is a long delay at Albany to separate or join the trains.

[@ronclark9724]

Amtrak splits the Empire Builder in Spokane as well, with some of the train going either to/from Portland or Seattle...

[@RichardWhiffen]

One thing to factor in on the NE Regional vs Acela vs NE Regional Business class - Reserved seating. The Acela and Business class have assigned seats - you can guarantee you get to sit with your travel companions in business class and Acela. If your getting on at an originating station it's not too big a deal but getting on in cities between DC and NYC as an example, you may not get to sit together.

[@ronclark9724]

As if that will make a huge difference as pre booking coach seats usually removes the flexibility of carrying more passengers with fewer seats than with first come first serve. As you noted not everyone goes all of the way, many get on and off on the linear route, unlike a plane... As you also noted, even with first class Acela one is not guaranteed sitting next to your companions when your book early or late...

[@JohnHaumann]

You left a pair off, Washington DC to Chicago between the Cardinal and the Capitol Limited. I have taken both trains and much prefer the Cardinal. The food was better, the scenery was much better because we went through the Shenandoah Valley and New River Gorge on the Cardinal and I prefer Viewliners to Superliners especially since I was the one in the top bunk. I liked having a window.

[@ronclark9724]

But that Superliner Sightseeing Lounge is very nice for everyone aboard the train to use...

[@loopbraider]

@@ronclark9724 Yes, but the routes he is talking about don't have Sightseer Lounges/ a.k.a. observation cars. No train routes east of Chicago have one, only the western trains. Except for the poor Texas Eagle from Chi to San Antonio, no observation car until it hooks onto the Sunset Limited from San Antonio to LA. The eastern trains seem to all (?) have a cafe car with cafe-style tables and seats to sit in and look at the view, but no big wrap-around windows. (I haven't been on all of them to know if they all have a cafe car though)

[@Bxr400]

What about trips to Canada? Are there round trips to that country? 🙂

[@edwardcasper5231]

On most Amtrak routes, it's important to keep in mind that travelers don't always go from one end of the route to the other. So if one wants to go from Phoenix (Maricopa) to Dallas, there's not always a truly good choice.

[@helenamara8891]

Thank you! I love the additional information I learn from your videos.

[@patriciafuchs5970]

This is one for my archives! Great info!

[@NickP16]

You guys definitely need to take the Cardinal at least once before you judge it I’ve taken it both directions and I absolutely love the scenery to the new River Gorge in West Virginia The Lakeshore Limited is pretty as well, but the Cardinal is at least worth one trip on it!

[@earlenedorethy7233]

I think my son 34 years and autistic are one of the worst route( round trip) from Ann Arbor Michigan to New York Bus/Amtrak as it was cheaper ! Lay over in Ohio (4: plus hrs 10:30 pm to 3:15 am ) climbing on Amtrak 3:15 am but just want to get to New York fasted way! I did put in a low bid for a roomette, hoping we would get it as we are coming on so late and for the free meals! Didn’t think of it when I bought the tickets ( our second time on Amtrak) leaving a lot after the fact watching your video’s we did get get good prices booking early though! Thanks!

[@tvvidmaster]

One thing that sets Acela apart from NE Regional is the assigned seating…removes the stress of finding seats together, especially as a family of 3.

[@ashleylitebrite6971]

Great video. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! We love your channel!

[@Hodaggium]

Another thing to remember about the Texas Eagle is that while it's a daily train between Chicago and San Antonio, it only runs three days a week between San Antonio and Los Angeles. So if you plan to take the Texas Eagle to/from anywhere between Los Angeles and San Antonio, you have to know what day it's scheduled to pass through your stations.

[@ThunderBroomPilot]

True

[@ronclark9724]

Yep, some days the Texas Eagle west of San Antonio is not available because it doesn't exist...

[@caroljohnson658]

I truly appreciate your videos.

[@dianethulin1700]

LOL! Going on my ten city rail pass journey next week. Thank god I am staying overnight in really nice places instead of the sleeper cars. Those sleepers should be better, but they are not. I am bailing from the Sunset Limited in El Paso, flying to Denver and taking the Zephyr. I used to live in Texas and will not be stuck there for days waiting for the next train

[@ronclark9724]

Without any doubt whatsoever, the Amtrak 30-day Rail Pass in coach for ten different trips is the best deal Amtrak offers. Layovers in any city or town ENHANCES the journey whether in a hotel or B&B within walking distance of the station. Like Sherlock Holmes I bring my fishing pole with me on every train journey. I started doing layovers as I keep asking myself as I ride through many cities and towns, I wish I could spend a day or two here... Well do, if only to spend the day at the local fishing hole...However every city and town has a museum or tourist trap to visit if fishing isn't your thing... And if you don't have 30 days, use it for 14 days or 7 days... Still a good deal...

[@dianethulin1700]

@@ronclark9724 I am excited! Plus I am meeting up with family in Seattle, Memphis, New Orleans , Utah and Truckee. I did book all ten stops

[@loopbraider]

Have fun! I've done the 30 day rail pass twice now! I never stayed more than one night on the train on any stretch, but it is still a learning curve getting your sleeping strategy together in coach. Be sure to bring a comfortable neck travel pillow. mine inflates with only a few puffs and deflates quickly too which is good for saving space in luggage. Don't bring as many clothes as you think you'll need! Books are too heavy! Download all books or movies ahead of time, because streaming won't work most of the time (audible books with earbuds are great for enjoying the scenery at the same time!) also look at the Google map of the route at a good scale on your phone ahead of time and it will still be there even with no cell or wifi you'll be able to look at your phone along the way and see on a map exactly where your train is! (this only works with the Google map app, NOT the iphone map app!) I recommend earplugs and a lightweight blanket, both for privacy and for comfort because it can be cold on the train for sleeping.

[@dianethulin1700]

@@loopbraider Now this is what I’m talking about! I rarely see any real useful advice. I’ve taken the train many times but never more than two different ones. Yes, limited nights on the train! I’m unimpressed with the food but feel compelled to eat it when it comes with my sleeper car. I’m right now double checking my details are correct and packing

[@loopbraider]

@@dianethulin1700 (Since you like advice!) don't forget a plug-in phone cable to charge your phone or whatever on the train. Also great to have a little battery backup charger (one that you can plug in to the wall to recharge). Just in case your seat is an aisle seat - in coach there are two outlets, but both outlets are on the wall by the window, so if you aren't by the window you have to reach past your seatmate to use the outlet. Can be awkward sometimes, easier to use your own charger. Although you can always go to the observation car, it has outlets near all the seats. But I also found my little battery pack useful when walking around in a city if my phone was dying.

[@trishoconnor2169]

It makes me oddly quite happy to hear that you like to take the Lakeshore Limited, because I often unwind for bed watching the live railcam from Elkhart, Indiana (it's the eastbound, the 48, that goes through Elkhart at night), and I have probably seen you go by many times without knowing it. For all I know, you may always be asleep as you roll by Elkhart, but maybe someday you'll decide to make a stop here. If you do, I suggest you contact the Virtual Railfan channel owners and arrange to wave at the camera! (It's just a quick stop, so I doubt that the conductor would want you to get out, wave, and get back on again.) Could be a way to do at least a perfunctory "collab," and who knows? Someone from their channel might be able to be a guest interviewee on yours.

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Named my car the Silver Meteor. Wishful thinking, because my family live in areas that don't have good train service.

[@davidsaunders6700]

Thank you. As usual, very helpful.

[@Tornadoross]

Originally from WV and the views on Appalachia are pretty decent

[@jimpern]

You should also compare the Capitol Limited with the Cardinal between Washington and Chicago.

[@davidburrow5895]

When I took the Sunset Limited (a.k.a. the Texas Eagle), I got into L.A. almost an hour early (well before 5am). They let us stay in our sleepers until 6:30, though. After that I went to the Metropolitan Lounge until about 8am, when it was a much more reasonable time to go out and explore the city. Rather than the Lake Shore Limited, I see the Cardinal as an alternative to the Capitol Limited. Both go to D.C. The Cardinal takes longer, but it covers the "pretty" part by day, while the Capitol Limited goes through most of Appalachia overnight. I also like the Viewliner on the Cardinal better than the Superliner on the Capitol Limited, and neither has a lounge car.

[@ronclark9724]

Presently Amtrak is refurbishing the entire Superliner fleet of cars, including the Sightseeing Lounge cars. Instead of pulling cars to refurbish from every train route one by one, Amtrak chose to pull the Sightseeing Lounge cars from the shared five train sets of the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited. When the entire fleet is completed Amtrak will return the Sightseeing Lounges to the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited. Amtrak is expected to complete the refurbishment program by the end of 2024. Amtrak rightly chose not to pull this car from the more scenic western routes. Imagine not having a Sightseeing Lounge car through the Colorado River canyon west of Denver... It isn't the end of the world, scenery can be seen from a coach seat or a sleeping accommodation...

[@loopbraider]

@@ronclark9724 Thanks that is very interesting! Good to know the TX Eagle is slated to get its Sightseer Lounges back! Do you know if the City of New Orleans has one? On the Amtrak Guide page "Amtrak routes with observation cars" (can't put a link or KZbin might strip this comment out) Amtrak says that route does have one but I thought I heard or read somewhere that it doesn't always have one.

[@larkspin]

What is the name of your other channel? I thought I was subscribed to it,but I can't find it.

[@margelsoderberg5860]

I plan to travel from my home to Seattle this fall. I live in Granger, Indiana and have 4 Amtrak stations within a half hour from my home - Elkhart, South Bend, Niles and Dowagiac. All would require a change in Chicago to the Empire Builder. It looks like if I leave from Niles, on the Bluewater, my trip could be $200 cheaper but there is a projected layover in Chicago of about 3 1/2 hrs. Is this enough? Do you have a video about choosing a station or particular train to get to a connection with one of the main long routes? Thanks.

[@willboyd7794]

Hey there, I really appreciate your videos I have just one question for you Traveling sleepers are we required to tip the porters? If so how much? Thanks

[@ronclark9724]

$10 per night per room works for us... You don't have to tip, but I do and it is appreciated...

[@redcreekfarm4305]

The Texas Eagle is the oldest cars and the worst. Our air conditioning was out in our roomette and we felt like we had to sleep in a little oven. Was awful and everything was old and run down.

[@ronclark9724]

The Superliner fleet of cars are old, many over 40 years in age, the youngest around 30 years in age. Frankly considering their age Amtrak is doing a good job keeping them running as well as they do, but like anything that old they require maintenance. The good news is Amtrak has received the funding to buy a new fleet of cars to replace the Superliner fleet. This is in the tendering process currently. We are still waiting for the purchase. Don't expect any new cars to enter service before 2030. As for their cleanliness, these are NOT coach cars that are thoroughly cleaned overnight for city transit systems. These cars run almost 24-7, and have been for decades. At best they get quick turnaround cleaning at their terminus route stations. So that chewing gum wrapper you found in the very tight space on the floor by your roomette seat sits there for months, if not years. It's unreachable with any hand, and no vacuum cleaner I am aware of has a hose as tiny as a straw. Only when the car is pulled from service is anyone able to clean that gum wrapper after unbolting the chair to get to it. And I have seen gum wrappers in tight places on airline jets as well...

[@johnflack4241]

I live near Washington, DC, so my choices to Chicago are between the Cardinal and the Capitol Limited. Cardinal doesn't leave Washington quite so early as it does from New York. Do you have a preference?

[@JoAnnAnderson-z2g]

How are the trains from Washington DC to Chicago?

[@TexasWorldRailfan-wi5ei]

I chose the Southwest Chief over the Texas Eagle easily. It has better scenery, better amenities and a better schedule. I don't see any point in taking the Texas Eagle and the scenery for much of its route is bland other than the part where it connects with the Sunset Limited.

[@joememphis1571]

Taking the Missouri River Runner from Union Station (Kansas City) to St. Louis for a five hour layover until a 27 hour train ride from Gateway Station to San Antonio on the Texas Eagle (Chicago to San Antonio). It’s a roomette. I also have a power strip for my devices, and enough snacks for 36 hours of train traveling.

[@DianneHathorn]

Oh, no! I'm on the Cardinal 😢

[@DianneHathorn]

Just kidding, I'm not sad😊

[@NolaGal2601]

Question: what would you (or others) recommend for dealing with the horn blaring all night? I got a roomette for a trip in the autumn. I remember last time I didn’t sleep well because of the sound. I can’t sleep with anything in my ears so I’m looking at other options. One thing I have thought of trying is to listen to the sound of a train with horn as I fall asleep at night in the months before the trip. I also plan on taking something to knock me out but I want to have a backup plan.

[@Alfscan777]

You must like looking at the Hudson River for 2.5 hours from NY to Albany. I have ridden on both and the Cardinal definitely had the better scenery through the hills of Virginia on up to Chicago. The Lake Shore has nice scenery riding from Albany to Buffalo but once you hit Erie and Cleveland…. It is all bland. Stick with the Cardinal. Too bad they took off the business car from NY to Chi.

[@timgraymatter]

I live near La Crosse, WI. I’m looking forward to the new Borealis train as an alternative to the Empire Builder!

[@randyjohnson2794]

I see the price is much lower for the Borealis. I wonder if they will have an observation car, though.

[@thefareplayer2254]

North of New Haven, the Acela has a genuine speed value. And, for trips *through* NYC, the Acela is a great value. It’s about an hour shorter Boston to Philly, and 1.5 hours shorter Boston to DC. Thinking the Acela “isn’t that much faster at all” is a very “I don’t go north of NYC very often on the NEC” opinion.

[@ericsimandl3998]

Will there be a review of the new Amtrak Borealis route?

[@fw7993]

Curious how you plan your travel....on the fly or way in advance? Or both?

[@ronclark9724]

Way in advance to catch the lowest fares... Amtrak uses dynamic pricing, the fuller it is when you book, the more expensive the fare... Book early...

[@loopbraider]

What Ron said. Earliest you can book is 11 months ahead of travel date.

[@carolbrolaski6680]

Going St. Louis to Chicago on the Illinois Lincoln Service Business Class 6/22. Anything to know about this service?

[@ronclark9724]

I believe Amtrak has introduced the new Siemens coaches and locomotives on this route. Its all coaches with a cafe car, no sleepers or diners... Business class nice seats... Me, I would ride in coach as those seats are nice enough, just not as nice as business class...

[@catylynch7909]

"Look on the bright side. We'll probably be hours late!"

[@ronclark9724]

Amtrak does not control the dispatching on the freight railroads tracks they use... Their dispatchers know who puts butter on their bread, for your information it isn't Amtrak...

[@piccleartoland1565]

how do you coordinate use of the train car shower room with the other passengers? Is it just a first-come, first-serve thing like an aircraft lavatory?

[@chrisdobrowolski2783]

If you are talking about the public shower on the 1rst floor its first come first served, no reservation are needed and no time limit for the shower. Just bring your own shampoo conditioner and dryer if you want to wash your hair, Amtrak provides towels in the shower room to be only used in there and then tossed in the red bag or chute and Amtrak only provides bar soap individual wrapped ones also located in the shower room. I heard not many people use the shower on the train so just hold on when talking a shower.

[@piccleartoland1565]

@@chrisdobrowolski2783 Thank-you! Do people not use it because it's dirty or repelling. It'll be a 3-day trip, two-nights,,, and it can't be much worse than some places I visited. Just wanna get the most for the money being spend I guess.

[@georgemcdowell8302]

Many don't see the need to use showers. Most are traveling Seniors who don't want to risk falling. One must be comfortable enough to maneuver in a tight space while being jostled. Sleeper Car showers are almost always vacant. A pet peeve for me is having to run the shower for a period of time for the water to get warm enough before use.

[@piccleartoland1565]

Thanks! Shower was fine. No issues.@@georgemcdowell8302

[@Niteskate1]

I need some advise on routes, I will be travelling from Vancouver, BC Canada to Dallas Texas. I know that I will need to take the Amtrak Cascades to Seattle, but wasn't sure what makes the most sense from there. Do I take the Coast Starlight to LA and then go across on the Texas Eagle or something.

[@ronclark9724]

Both are three nights on the train, but the Chicago connection doesn't work without spending a whole day there as the Empire Builder arrives around 4 PM and the Eagle departs around 3 PM. On the other hand book accordingly with the LA connection, as the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited isn't a daily service, book to not spend an extra day there. The TE trains usually meet in Fort Worth or near it, although I have seen them meet in Dallas. My brother lives near Seattle, while I live near Fort Worth, I have done both losing a day in both Chicago and LA... At least both those cities have museums and tourist sites to visit, like Dodgers Stadium and Wrigley Field... I recall the days before Amtrak when you could ride the Pioneer and the Texas Zephyr through Denver in two nights... Those days are gone with the wind. Amtrak pull your head out, we need MORE trains....

[@skeller61]

Hi, thanks for the comparisons! I’m going to retire in a couple of years and am thinking about what travel I want to do. This, of course, leading to another this or that question😊. What train would you recommend to go across North America: the Via Rail across Canada, or Amtrak (either the northern route across, or the California Zephyr), assuming you can only pick one? I know it’s not apples to apples, but I’d be interested in your comparison with the +’s and -‘s of each. I’ll be a solo traveler who wants a sleeper (though I wouldn’t expect that granular a response, because you’ve already done some great videos on the different accommodations (I would get a roomette on Amtrak) and the routes themselves. I’m just interested if you could only pick one, for sightseeing, which would it be and why? Thanks for your great videos!

[@annkretzschmar5085]

I haven't done Amtrak yet but Via rail across Canada is amazing. I would highly recommend it.

[@ronclark9724]

Keep in mind the Canadian sometimes is only once per week whereas Amtrak routes are mostly daily. Via is more expensive, but the food is much better. On the other hand Amtrak's food is good diner food. The scenery is great with either western route, I even find the southwest desert enjoyable with the Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited... Most will proclaim the California Zephyr route is the best scenic route with Amtrak, especially west of Denver... However, I have done all, they are all great. There isn't a better way to see America, or Canada, than riding a train. You really don't see it flying over it, and when you drive you don't see the wild animals and birds staring at the road... If you are going to do it just for one time, pick the California Zephyr west of Chicago and the Capitol Limited to see DC east of Chicago... Unless you like very urban cities, have to see Times Square, visit New York City, if not, skip... Me, I prefer see the free museums on the DC Mall...

[@skeller61]

@@ronclark9724 Thanks for your detailed reply!

[@loopbraider]

@@ronclark9724 I totally agree! Would love to do the Via rail across Canada someday. Also the eastern Canadian rail route out to Nova Scotia. Agree about train travel, and about DC. I spent 5 days in DC, longer than any other city on my 2 rail pass trips. The Natural History museum alone omg I spent two full days there. The other amazing place in DC that I only visited by chance was the Library of Congress. Had to be the most beautiful building interior I will ever be lucky enough to visit, it was dumbfoundingly beautiful inside, people were just walking around with their mouths hanging open in awe.

[@dimanimatedtakes]

I rode on both the Acela and Northeast Regional -- not the full route, but from one place they went to another. The only real difference is if you book I think it's First Class on Acela, there's a food service, while with Coach or Business on the NER there is not? (I don't remember if there's a NER Cafe Car; I never checked either, since I only went for a few stops. Someone let me know in the comments). For the short route I took, I was only on for an hour or two, out of Boston, and it was fine. For LSL vs. Cardinal, havent taken either one of those yet but I think if I was getting a sleeper car, didn't car about breakfast or lunch, and didn't sleep the night before, I would just set up the room to sleep in and then wake up whenever during the ride lol. Assuming that's okay to do of course lol. Not much to say on the other train choices here, thank you for a great informative video!

[@beverlydonaldson3205]

I can not find the prices on line for a track rates

[@loopbraider]

That's because the rates are very different depending on how far in advance you book. It's cheapest if you book early. The earliest you can book is 11 months before your travel date. Also it's better to call and make reservations over the phone than do it yourself online because the agents can do it faster and better than the form, and they can often give great suggestions for cheaper or faster routes and compare fares for you. However, the 30-day rail pass is always a flat fare of $500, unless you're lucky and catch one of Amtrak's sales, sometimes they have a sale and it's only $400 but you have to be signed up for their emails to find out about sales. The rail pass is great if you are willing to sleep in coach. You can get off nine times. You buy the pass first, and then book the segments (for the rail pass you must call and book your travel segments by phone - the online form will want you to pay for each segment). You can't do "hop off and hop on" with the pass, the segments must be reserved ahead of travel.

[@randall8379]

Disagree about NE Regional vs ACELA. If the price difference is massive then I agree, take NE Regional but if the Acela fare is manageable it's a MUCH nicer experience. Less crowded; crews are more respectful and AC can be controlled by the crew which is not the case own NE Regional so if it's too warm on Acela something can be done about it.

[@rosieshrock8621]

Live tacoma,washington what train

[@ailades123]

If you are going to Tampa, one takes the Silver Star NOT the Meteor!😐

[@pauldavis8418]

I just returned from my trip to San Francisco aboard the California Zephyr and onward to LA on the Coast Star Light. I was supposed to return to Chicago via the Southwest Chief but due to a derailed freight train was returned to Emeryville by the bus from Hell! Eight hours of misery! This was my first long distance train trip in twenty nine years and it was very disappointing! Filthy sleeping cars,bathrooms,faint odor of raw sewage in each sleeping car and invisible car attendants! If I were a health inspector,I would NOT have allowed these cars to be occupied! You guys must be riding on different trains than I was. This was not the type of experience I was expecting. Sign me very disappointed.

[@fw7993]

Amtrak travel is a toss up. 50% of the time my husband and I have a good experience with the sleeping car attendants.

[@user-di2on5gl2d]

@pauldavis8418....😂you must've been on the same train i was on! Just return back to NY via American Airlines. Yes! I wrote a comment about our terrible trip under another of their KZbin video called 'Things Amtrak don't tell you about' Read on it... i was in Rm#6 !

[@pauldavis8418]

@@user-di2on5gl2d I was in the transition car room #19! Pretty rough ride! I still want to go on another train trip,though. I just like riding the rails!

[@pauldavis8418]

@@davidwilliam9451 Absolutely!

[@ronclark9724]

@@davidwilliam9451 Unfortunately many of the Superliner cars are over 40 years in age even though they are currently being refurbished. Unlike coach cars in Europe or Asia that are cleaned thoroughly every night, Amtrak long distance train aren't cleaned every night when you are sleeping in them. They may go several days before they are thoroughly cleaned. With over 40 years of service, many cars have been removed from service after a derailment. Amtrak does not have that many extra cars in the Superliner fleet. The good news is with this current refurbishment program to be completed by the end of 2024, Amtrak will return to service 12 Superliner cars. Furthermore, Amtrak has received the funding to buy a new fleet of cars to replace the Superliner fleet, but alas, Amtrak is in the process of tendering and hasn't ordered the new fleet yet...

[@fallujah0351]

This really highlights the third world status of the USA in general these days. Book a sleeper at 4 times the cost of coach and get stale chips and a burger in the dining car.

[@GLICKMIRE]

I disagree with your assessment of what is a "bad" route. These "bad" routes bring additional cities into the Amtrak system which makes it a "good" route depending on your destination. Some routes are better choices than others, depending on your destination. A bad choice doesn't make it a bad route.

[@Lonestar-xo1cs]

The Texas Eagle isn't worth operating since Amtrak doesn't want to spend any money on the route Chicago to San Antonio. Use the SW Chief for equipment, meals, time, and scenery. Again, don't book the four car Texas Eagle with no Lounge, no real cafe, no real Dining Car, and a shared with Crew Sleeping Car.

[@ronclark9724]

Amtrak is presently refurbishing its entire fleet of Superliner cars, long overdue. Unfortunately Amtrak chose to pull the Sightseeing Lounge from the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited five shared train sets. When all of the refurbishment program is complete by the end of 2024 they will get their Sightseeing Lounge back. Amtrak rightly chose to maintain that car on the more scenic western trains. Imagine not having a Sightseeing Lounge car on the California Zephyr west of Denver. As for the Cross Country Cafe car, they are former Superliner I diners that were refurbished more than twenty years ago when the original diner grills, freezers, refrigerators, and hot water tanks required replacement after 20 years of service. How old is your refrigerator? The good news is Amtrak has received the funding to replace the entire Superliner fleet, which is presently in the tender process, and most likely before the end of 2024 Biden will order the new fleet. How many and which cars is unknown presently. Don't expect any to enter service before 2030, and it may be 2035 before they are all built. Considering some have served more than 40 years, Amtrak has done a great job just keeping these old cars running. They were built after Amtrak was created 50 years ago.

[@ThunderBroomPilot]

It would help to add an apostrophe. Ride this, not that, avoiding the.....

[@cordybluejeans]

That is a comma

[@ThunderBroomPilot]

@cordybluejeans ha ha. Yes it is a bit lower. I don't know why I call it this. 😕

[@patriciapitts3505]

Worst train is the crescent

[@ronclark9724]

Why? Please explain...

[@mikemainer3009]

A toilet in your cabin??? Good grief. One of the worst ideas imported from Canadian long distance trains. This is a bloody horrible idea! For the life of me who would want to pay for an overpriced cabin and be subjected to toilet stink, lack of cleanliness and loss of privacy. With such cabins in their fleet, no wonder that Amtrak has a problem with ridership.

[@loopbraider]

You don't have to use it! I always used the one down the hall, it's not very far. In the roomettes that have a toilet (not all of them do), it's camouflaged under one of the steps up to the upper bunk. You can just leave that step down, you won't even know the toilet is there.

On the Texas Eagle vs Sunset Limited: if there is a big difference in the room price and your start or end point is only a little bit east of San Antonio, you might consider booking a coach seat for that first/last segment and the sleeper space of your choice for the rest to take advantage of the cheaper room rate. The downside is that you'll have to move to a different part of the train at that point, but at least you won't have to worry about missing your connection!