20 HOURS Across America! - Amtrak City of New Orleans

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

The fact that this train was this early is absolutely insane

[@LonestarTrips]

It made no sense. And of course it’s the one time I get a bedroom that we’re early. The universe did not want me to enjoy sleeping in a larger bed lol.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

​@LonestarTrips it certainly didn't lol

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

Sunset Limited train number 1 is scheduled to arrive in LA at 5:35am. There have been times that it pulls in 50 minutes to an hour early!!

[@samtrak1204]

Over padding schedules can really inconvenience passengers. The Canadian can arrive at intermediate stations and Vancouver hours early in the wee hours of the morning. Sleeping car passengers can remain onboard and last breakfast is served while train is parked at Vancouver.station.

[@stinkyroadhog1347]

You think that's crazy? Due to padding, The Canadian can arrive even into its final destinations anywhere from an hour to 3+ hours early!

[@johnpollard4158]

The Illinois Central version of this train would cry at what it became.

[@DakotaEcton]

I periodically use the City of New Orleans to head to Chicago from Effingham IL. I've never had it be as early as yours but it normally picks us up about 5am and arrives ahead of schedule at about 8:30 or so. A great way to get an early start on a vacation. Tip for folks just riding the short distance I do: once you get checked in by the attendant, just hang out in the Observation Car and watch the sunrise. You won't disturb sleeping passengers, and it's far more comfortable than the regular seats.

[@coleallen3895]

7:00 - Canadian National (CN) is the successor to the original operator of this train, the Illinois Central Railroad - which named this train the “Panama Limited” and Amtrak renamed it to “City of New Orleans”. In my opinion, I find that a little lame of a name becuz people could confuse it with NOLA’s official name itself (would be like naming a train “City of Chicago”). I think a better name would be “Moonlight Central”. It would represent the fact that a high percentage of this journey takes place at night, as well as the word Central, promoting the IC railroad heritage.

[@debraball2641]

Well, this was interesting. I actually love train travel. My longest trip has been the Texas Eagle. My enthusiasm for long trips has lessened since the dining options changed. I will stick with my short trips between Chicago and Detroit until the day that full dining cars return. I always wanted to do the City of New Orleans...but I should have done it ten years ago, when on train dining was still enjoyable.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

I’m not taking the Eagle again until they at least bring back the Sightseer Lounge! I had a journey on the Southwest Chief this past summer! The Chief has a full service dining car and a lounge! It was incredible!! Easily worth doing again!

[@chrisdobrowolski2783]

The full dinning routes returned west of Chicago and San Antonio already.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

The City of New Orleans doesn’t have a dining car due to a continued shortage of rolling stock, further aggravated by CN demanding 7 Superliners on all Amtrak trains on the IC line used by the City of New Orleans, and the Illini and Saluki! That’s the reason why your train had an empty coach all the way up front. Without a diner, all three CONO sets are forced to run with one empty car, solely to comply with the axle count! Even dining cars and Sightseer Lounges are occasionally used for this! Amtrak has been conducting test runs with an antenna installed 2.5 inches above the rails on their locomotives! FRA is now reviewing the data. If approved, no more minimum axle or rolling stock restrictions will be in place allowing the 17 Superliners to be released back into the long haul network! This will be the key to getting a proper dining car back on the City and getting a Sightseer Lounge back on the Texas Eagle! For a cafe menu, I’ll hand it down, it’s better for me than expected! At least they’re doing what they can with limited equipment!

[@SuperDave30]

Amtrak City of New Orleans one of my favorite overnight routes, also you passing thru my hometown of Memphis Tennessee. 😊

[@rick420buzz]

Going through my mind the whole video: Good morning America, how are you? I say, don't you know me, I'm your native son? I'm the train they call The City of New Orleans I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done.

[@ymvrr]

The sunsets of the Mississippi Delta (between Jackson and Memphis) are typically very scenic! All that flat open land helps out.

[@baseballfan99]

When paying premium prices for a sleeper accommodation the lack of any proper food for such a longer journey is very poor. Also due to the timetable change I would hate that super early arrival time as I would have nowhere to go at that time. I think I would travel South if I were to make the trip. Glad you enjoyed the Bedroom set up.

[@jasoncassady6286]

Loving the cancelled CZ mention around 3:50 lol.

[@LonestarTrips]

Yep, that was the exact moment I found out I wasn’t going all the way to Emeryville 😆

[@stephenkeever6029]

That's rude to kick you off the train early just because it arrives early. Amtrak needs to revamp this policy. Thanks for another well done concise trip report!

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

Agreed! However, the City was on an adjusted schedule due to track work by CN at the time! Standard arrival time in Chicago is 9:15am

[@MrThecroatian]

Wow, they named an airport for Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong! That's pretty cool.

[@johntaeowens1248]

I had just rode this train from Hammond Louisiana to Chicago Illinois back on December 21st of last year just few days before Christmas 🎄

[@mohamadfaiz6935]

Jackson Union Station is one of the proposed Amtrak Crescent Texas Section stations along the Interstate 20 corridor.

[@LonestarTrips]

Having a second connection in Jackson would be great. They have a recently revamped station, so a second train would be awesome.

[@MarcelosalivaTRENESArg]

Excellent video my friends 😊

[@cctime731]

I have taken this train from Chicago to Greenwood many times to visit family in the winter time. Bc driving that route Dec-March can be dangerous due to weather.

[@repulser93]

Shame you didn't get to enjoy the bedroom more. I will say that its fascinating how most of these City of New Orleans videos go with the northbound trains, rather than the southbound ones.

[@marvin6870]

Love your content ✨️ fr your the real deal 💯 GO AMT 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@OmahaTom]

New Orleans is actually the terminus for THREE Amtrak trains. You forgot to mention the Sunset Limited which operates between New Orleans, Louisiana & Los Angeles, California. 😎👍🌴

[@samtrak1204]

Train exterior actually looks clean even at CHI.😮

[@coryphillips8526]

Wow. Surprise after surprise. No dining car on a long distance train is the 1st mind blower. 2nd was that the train backed into Chicago Union Station. I thought Amtrak stopped doing that about 15 years ago. 3rd being 45 minutes early. Too good to be true. The only thing I may not like is the new upholstery. If it's like the material in the coach seats, then me personally, I might not like it. I still like the blue cushion seats coach or sleeper. Which I had in the bedroom on the Texas Eagle in 2021. Great video nonetheless.

[@TheWolfHowling]

Whilst the Bedrooms do look nice, I don't think I could personally justify the ~2x cost vs the roomette, which I found perfectly functional as a solo traveller. IDK, maybe next time I'm booked into a sleeper, I might put in a cheeky "Poor Bid" for an upgrade, just for the Shiggles🤷‍♂

[@LonestarTrips]

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t ever book a bedroom. This trip was an exception, however, as bedrooms were only a hundred dollars more than a roomette.

[@TheWolfHowling]

@@LonestarTrips Wow, that's interesting. In that case, probably worth the splurge as a $100 is likely in the territory of "In for a Penny"

[@mohamadfaiz6935]

You forgot mentioned Amtrak Sunset Limited

[@LonestarTrips]

Whoops! I completely forgot.

[@vivyan92]

@@LonestarTripsalso I hope there comes a day that the Sunset Limited can have the proposed access to restored part of their route to Florida just like in the old days before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I know the new Gulf Coast route to Mobile, Alabama will be ready for 2025 soon.

[@chrisdobrowolski2783]

I doubt that will happen since the hurricane destroyed the tracks, it would be very costly to built it again and than next hurricane destroy it again..

[@BerdBlumensein]

You forgot the Sunset Limited!!!!!!!

[@LedySagastume]

He ride it

[@michaelsiehl8851]

Also the Terminus of The Sunset Limited to Los Angles

[@gregtrain1]

Pro tip: Always hold onto something when walking through the train! This train flies down the tracks.

[@stacydelgado3285]

I live for that butter cake. 😂

[@LonestarTrips]

Same. It’s SOOOO good. Apparently the company that makes them sells packs of either 6 or 12 at Costco.

[@ronclark9724]

I prefer the cheesecake, carrot cake, and chocolate mousse of traditional dining...

[@joethepagan3297]

What camera do you use for taking the video out of the train window?

[@LonestarTrips]

I'm mainly using my iPhone 15 pro max, though some shots are done through my DJI action 4.

[@chrisdobrowolski2783]

How was the rum coke? I never had one so what does it taste like?

[@DaleDoesIt]

How much does it cost to take this trip?

[@LonestarTrips]

This trip cost me $715 for the bedroom. A roomette was closer to 550-600 if you’re looking for a cheaper sleeper.

[@ronclark9724]

@@LonestarTrips How much for a coach seat?

[@LIRR175]

Was every car open or were some of them axle count cars?

[@LonestarTrips]

All cars were open on this trip.

[@danmarkis3785]

You didn't mention the Sunset ltd also ends in N.O.

[@hamlinfan69]

What is a transition dorm car?

[@kylel4361]

When you do the sleeper car, is the included food unlimited like on a cruise? Will a tall person fit comfortably in the bed?

[@LonestarTrips]

Food is included in sleeper tickets. And a tall person can fit comfortably. I’m 6’ 3” and I never have an issue getting comfortable.

[@timbacchus]

Do the bed rooms lock when you go eat?

[@LonestarTrips]

Unfortunately they do not. The next generation of sleepers will include an exterior lock, as per Amtrak’s requirements for the next generation of sleepers.

[@timbacchus]

@@LonestarTrips Thank you.

[@markfisher1392]

The rooms do not lock from the outside, however, the sleeping cars are off-limits to coach passengers and the staff knows who is supposed to be there. Just pull the door closed (even though it won't lock) and the other sleeping car passengers will respect your room ... they wouldn't want you wandering into theirs, either. Also, if something did go missing, where would the thief be able to go? I've traveled in Amtrak sleepers on many occasions with computers, phones and camera equipment and never worried about it.

[@timbacchus]

@@markfisher1392 thank you

[@ronclark9724]

Do you really think a lock will keep a professional thief from your room? Hint: if you are worried about theft on any trip, don't pack anything that can't be replaced easily at a Walmart. Don't flash jewelry, leave your jewelry at home. Duh, this isn't rocket science... That glass can be easily broken...

[@joshuafajardo5697]

The reason the 🌆🌁🌃🌉🌇🏢🏙️ of 🆕 Orleans & Illini/Saluki 🔙 in & out of Chicago Union 🚉 is because they used to be owned by the IC which also owned the ⚡️ District 🚆 & terminated @ Central 🚉 which is approximately where the the Museum Campus/11th Street is currently located while the ⚡️ District & ⬇️ Shore Line 🚆 terminated @ Randolph Street 🚉 now Millennium 🚉 but when Amtrak took over the 🌆🌁🌃🌉🌇🏢🏙️ of 🆕 Orleans & Illini/Saluki, they wanted them @ Union while Metra took over the ⚡️ District & continued running between Millennium-Suburbs & the 🌆🌁🌃🌉🌇🏢🏙️ of 🆕 Orleans & Illini/Saluki had to use the St. Charles Airline to get between the old IC 🛤️-Union 🚉🛤️ & because there was no direct connection between the airline-Union, they have to 🔙 in & out to get between Union-Homewood Illinois but Amtrak is planning to build a flyer to connect Union-Airline to reduce the times to 🔙 in & out & they’re also planning on rerouting the Michigan 🚆 (Pere Marquette, Blue 💧, & Wolverine), Capitol Limited, & Lake Shore Limited from the NS 🛤️ to the ⬇️ Shore Line 🛤️ using the SCA to get between Chicago-Michigan, DC, & 🎭🗽🇺🇸/Boston Massachusetts to reduce delays on those 🚆

[@rapman5791]

MASSIVE

[@joshuafajardo5697]

The Memphis Pyramid was the 🏡 of the Grizzlies

[@SuperDave30]

Also The University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team were the primary tenants since the Pyramid was built 1991-2004.

[@martialmusic]

You forgot to mention the sunset limited To Los Angeles

[@coast_to_coast_photos]

0:35 Uhh what about the Sunset Limited? 🤣

[@amfan_17presentations87]

You forgot about the Sunset Limited

[@kl6361]

Can you ride the Caltrain emu have of them in service but the rest will be in service in service in September 21 2024

[@LonestarTrips]

Just wait until Saturday 😉

[@kl6361]

@@LonestarTrips this Saturday and also where will you go

[@LonestarTrips]

@@kl6361 This saturday, and you'll see.

[@kl6361]

@@LonestarTrips From tamien to San Francisco

[@donaldpaluga]

CUE ARLO GUTHRIE!

[@AmtrakNerd42]

Still down to one locomotive.

[@ronclark9724]

The Texas Eagle north of San Antonio usually runs with one locomotive as well. Like the City of New Orleans route, there are no steep grades. The train routes with steep grades get two locomotives, if not three....

[@rapman5791]

Why would you want to stay on the train once it gets you to your destination?

[@LonestarTrips]

Because I and other passengers may want to sleep in? Granted, this was an exception, not the rule, in terms of arrival time.

[@ronclark9724]

@@LonestarTrips And I wake up at dawn, sometimes before sunrise... 9 AM is NOT early, not ix 8 AM...

[@markfisher1392]

I think calling the lower bed in the bedroom a "double" bed is being very generous ... maybe for two children or one adult and a child. It's more what I could call a "super single".

[@divox9pqr]

The dining option on this train will not inspire anyone to travel this route. Amtrak has done it again with downsizing from traditional to flexible, and then to the standard cafe menu. It all seems to point to the deteriorating service that is coming after the fall election season.

[@joshuafajardo5697]

U forgot to mention the Mud 🏝️🚟

[@karlstriepe8050]

I will never ride an Amtrak line that has no dining car.

[@rapman5791]

Greek salad a “massive portion”??? I’d hate to see what you consider small. 😂😂😂

[@MelanieMills-c1v]

Miller Matthew Clark Kevin Thomas Paul

[@tywhiteman8379]

Next time you take a train on the Chicago - Carbondale or Chicago - St louis line, let me know and I can record it for you!

[@PernandaKelly]

#唱踢暗地r啊 Union Pacific 2024

[@OfficialETandM]

First comment!

[@JorgeButler-k4q]

Robinson Ruth Lewis Deborah Miller Frank

[@mbaktari8194]

Not being political. Since " MR CONDUCTOR JOE BIDEN" won't be President nxt year just wonder how AMTRAK modernization program will continue? Hopefully, the new administration will continue what MR CONDUCTOR has done so far.

[@LonestarTrips]

The modernization program will continue as planned. The funds have already been signed over by the government, which means all of the planned rolling stock and infrastructure upgrades will continue as normal.

[@mbaktari8194]

@LonestarTrips Good then. I am TEXAN and guessing so are you. We have been waiting for our SHIKANSEN frm my H-TOWN to BIG-D as we know BIDEN has pushed it and is hoping the nxt administration make it reality. . Just SUGGESTION for you, try Chinese made Indonesian Bullet Train that run 350KM/hrs.

[@midlifemotox]

If thats an AI voice,,, It's very gay.

[@LonestarTrips]

That's my own voice, but sure, whatever floats your boat.

[@midlifemotox]

@@LonestarTrips If thats true, you should make a career of it. You would do well. Maybe you already are a pro?. I just don't care for modern vocal inflections. I'm a bitter old fart. I didn't;t mean to offend.

[@midlifemotox]

@@LonestarTrips Okay,, I went back and listened again. Ended up watching a couple of videos.. Good work.. Im a fan now.

[@coartneycarroll6666]

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