Amtrak Southwest Chief : 24 hrs in a Superliner Bedroom. Awesome and disappointing

[@k01c62]

I was your Engineer from Dodge City to La Junta that morning, it was my last trip before being furloughed. Glad you enjoyed it and was able to sleep! 156 was a good motor, heater was a bit on the weak side but that was it.

[@SimplyRailway]

Awesome. :) I love that type of comment

[@newwomyn]

You took him on the La Junta Sub to Las Animas CO then the Boise City from Las Animas CO to La Junta CO. When you were out there, did BNSF convert it from jointed rail to continuous? Just curious, a couple of years ago, that sub as well as the Boise City and the Raton were slated for a TIGER Grant to upgrade those subdivisions.

[@jasonjmarchi]

@@SimplyRailway have more long distance trains been cancelled??

[@strykercm]

That sucks man, from a fellow railroader I hate to see that happen. Keep paying your dues and hopefully you'll be back soon. I'm praying my seniority keeps me on the road.

[@Henry5623]

I understand your pain. I've worked for UP for coming right up on two decades now (kind of scary to think about) and while I love this job, the forever changing self sabotaging bureaucracy of this industry has undoubtedly taken years off my life trying to adapt to it and make sense of it all. Add to it the incredibly tight connection the freight side of this industry has with a forever unstable economy and it's no surprise that even when the industry seemed "stable" it was hard to get guys to last longer then 6-12 months before they just couldn't take it anymore and would drop. I feel lucky to still be working but I know I'm in one of the shrinking pools of guys who still are. As for people on the passenger side of things all I can say is hang in there. The passenger side of things in general has historically been more predictable, excluding major events like the pandemic, and likely will bounce back once the pandemic craziness settles down. Hopefully it'll boost the freight side of things too when it happens. I'll say this though; you have no idea how many of us on the freight side of things envy most of you passenger carriers simply for the reasonably consistent work hours alone lol

[@kevintoo8]

Thank you for the 'table cloth' moment, it brought back special memories of a French friend who is no longer with us😉

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

Sorry to hear that.

[@nmpls]

Amtrak Protip: Always bring a short power strip for 2 reason. 1: Only 1 plug 2: Many amtrak plugs are worn out and won't hold a wall-wort style AC adaptor but will support a standard plug.

[@jaybee4307]

And bring Clorox wipes and a fan (if you sleep hot). I brought Clorox wipes and wiped all surfaces (including shower floor) and it was FILTHY!! Amtak claims to have special COVID cleaning protocols, but they don't clean. Other than that, I recommend everyone try a long distance trip in a sleeper car. Totally awesome and worth it

[@lonwaslien104]

I’ve never traveled by rail. Your wonderful presentation is giving me ideas! Thanks much!

[@deathbyramen_]

A little fun fact, the benches in the Amtrak waiting room at KC Union Station are the original 1914 benches that were in the grand hall

[@josephwalker2624]

Getting the video from your buddy standing in the desert while you went by on the train was a cool touch great video

[@Chetok]

For a limey planning his first trips in your country this was a mine of information, no rubbish "musik" and just the right balance of commentary and silence, brilliant thanks

[@SimplyRailway]

Thank you sir. :)

[@amyelder6964]

My husband and I took the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles in mid September this year. We had a bedroom and loved the trip. The only disappointing thing was the food

[@willstrainsplanes]

Hopefully Amtrak will become profitable so that all the tradition meal dining, everyday long distant services, etc will make a comeback. Amtrak has been low on money for a long time which is why everything isn’t up to date. I hope to see a change in the future. Awesome trip report and I look forward to seeing more!

[@bwcbiz]

Yeah, the collapse of tourism isn't helping, though. With airlines cutting service to smaller cities, Amtrak service is needed more than ever in much of the country. They should do a special COVID recovery bill for Amtrak.

[@willstrainsplanes]

Couldn’t agree more. Even if amtrak ever decides to step up to Europe’s level of train travel, still wouldn’t happen for a super long time

[@theq4602]

Joe Biden loves Amtrak , he has used it to commute from Delaware where he lives to Washington DC every day for several decades. Maybe if he wins the presidency he'll help them out? (I am not for or against him simply stating a possibility)

[@ironmatic1]

Amtrak long distance trains will never be profitable.

[@davidlipscombe916]

@@theq4602 He's won and Trump's airline appointee to Amtrack could/hopefully be given the boot ?

[@trainliker100]

A tip regarding luggage: You can find posts online of the dimensions of areas in the bedrooms or roomettes where you can store luggage. I usually travel in a roomette. The smaller roll-a-long luggage nicely fits standing vertically on the wide step used to climb up to the upper berth. There is a lot of space under the seats, but the space is not very tall so I take sports type duffel bag. I take some things out and hang them up. Put some items loose under one seat (like shoes), and squash the duffel bag to fit under the other seat. I'm usually the only one with a pristine looking and comfortable compartment while others look like they are living in a garbage dump. It pays to plan. And I took a large amount of items. Two people packing a little more lightly could do the same. One caveat is that when the lower bunk is made up it is pretty difficult, or impossible, to get to things under the seats. But if you first pull some things out to the floor area between the seats, you will be able to reach them.

[@dennishenderson6988]

We found the roomette didn’t have room for TWO roller carry on suitcases (sketch stack of two bags in their sides on the armrest/step) or room to set the out and fold over the top of the roller bag to retrieve items. We each packed most everything for our one second overnight In smaller bag and kept the roller bag in the luggage compartment.

[@robinmartz9052]

I watched your trip through the Appalachian mountains last night. In fact I forgot about the time change so it was early this morning. 🙃. It was beautiful. I really want to take another train trip before I can't.

[@Railfan225]

I love watching your vids during covid so it’s like I’m on Amtrak myself good job :)

[@THETRIVIALTHINGS]

This is the most comprehensive video on this train I've seen. Awesome! The one thing kinda made me sad is to see everything almost empty. The experience would be different in normal times I think. I really want people to come out go places like before.

[@abthepilot]

Love the video! One quick note, traditional dining is currently “suspended” due to COVID. Supposedly it will come back as Amtrak gets more passengers. We’ll have to see.

[@bwcbiz]

They were already in the process of phasing out traditional dining east of Chicago before COVID. So don't hold your breath.

[@ronclark9724]

@RoadhogTime13 Unfortunately the last previous Amtrak CEO was a former airline CEO, who has introduced Amtrak to airline preprepared meals killing the American railroad diner. We wonder whether Amtrak Joe will reinstitute the great American railroad diner after this pandemic. Truth be told, Amtrak can't afford $30 an hour diner UNION help. Well, not Amtrak riders who balk at paying so much for Waffle House food. Amtrak diner was not Gordon Ramsay's fine dining. The sleepers prices are also so much more due to the high costs of diner food, but here is the rub, we didn't see the sleepers prices fall when they shut down the diner... Simply put, this preprepared airline food is a cost saving matter, better to pay a dozen cooks in a warehouse kitchen and distribute box meals than it is to pay hundreds of diner employees on the trains...

[@minniemouska4320]

If Amtrak brought back the old time train cross country on just one route I bet people would flock to it. Those waitersin the dining cars were consummate professionals! The food was excellent and also the service.Also, working on The train brought jobs to so many African American men, who could provide a steady income for their families and a retirement pension in old age.

[@abthepilot]

@@minniemouska4320 I would love to see a significant increase in service too. But one has to remember that Amtrak was formed due to the vast majority of independent railroad passenger service with amazing service levels, losing copious amounts of money. There were many reasons for this but lack of service wasn’t one of them. I think the better option would be for an independent operator such as The Rocky Mountaineer to start a high dollar, long distance service. The other issue with Amtrak trying this is being it’s the quasi-government service that it is. Although the idea has merit if the idea can be related to Via as they haves something similar going with their Prestige class. I don’t know how or if that would work with Amtrak, but it might be worth a try.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

@RoadhogTime13 Agree - eating in a proper dining car on a train is a real highlight!

[@doncarlton4858]

I was once an interpretive guide for the US Park Service "Rails and Trails" program on the Capitol Limited. The Amtrak crew told us if Amtrak is less than one hour behind schedule it has priority over all other trains on the frieght railroads. If the delay exceeds one hour the frieght railroad dispatchers are under no obligation to give Amtrak any priority over their own frieght trains, meaning you could sit in a siding for hours.

[@billmorris2613]

This is a beautiful station. I was there twice in 2006. We brought our Steam Engine, SPX-745, with her 4 car consist, there on Mardi Gras day for the grand opening of the Railroad Museum. The two center cars had three compartments each filled with Mardi Gras exhibits as a rolling museum. Then 6 months later in August of 2006 we went back to KC MO to bring her back to New Orleans. We were there for a couple weeks as we had to do an annual inspection and some repairs before we left. They did an awesome job of restoring the station. Besides the Amtrak station and the RR Museum there are a lot of retail stores restaurants and offices. They took a rundown huge eye sore and turned it into a restored work of art, that any town would be proud of.

[@martha7811]

I did this trip! I took a different train to Chicago and got on the SW Chief there. I only took it to Albuquerque New Mexico but it was the most wonderful trip of my life. The dining car was up and running then. I cannot think of a more relaxing way to travel. I had a private bedroom and oh that observation car! I would smell the fresh coffee being brew at dawn and this was a few years ago and they would give us the morning paper from each city we passed through. Thanks for sharing this....the BEST memories for me.

[@Cassie4486]

$900 is cheap. You are paying for the room, your personal room attendant, the food, the gas for the train, maintenance, people's paychecks and your travel destination. What did you expect to pay? Coach fare?

[@r.f.pennington746]

I'm an avid rail runner. Hate flying and don't care to drive much anymore. Here's some tips: if you have a couple hour layover, like San Antonio, Tx in the middle of the night, that's a really good time to take a shower. Train is stopped and on auxiliary power. If travelling by yourself and you booked a roomette, the top bunk is great if you are able to get into it. You can leave the seats as they are.I'm 6'-4" and have no trouble in the top bunk. Next is tipping. If you tip your porter at the absolute beginning of your trip, you'll be surprised what they can ' do for you.' Many, many people just don't tip, so it is greatly appreciated. Porters and wait staff in the dining car. Tipping wait staff at the first encounter will net you coffee before they are 'officially' open for breakfast and lots of extras, including seating you on the best side of the train for what's coming up. Once, on a trip from AZ to New Orleans (2 nights each way) we were able to 'upgrade' from a roomette to a regular bedroom by simply tipping the porter (it's the way things are, not ashamed in the least!). We estimated the trip by vehicle, inclusive of motels, toll roads, and food stops, and found that the cost of a roomette vs. the cost of Amtrak, was almost the same--and don't forget to figure in the oil change and tire wear and being worn out by driving when you get to your destination. In other words, train travel is a vacation inside of a vacation. Trains go where some roads don't, so the scenery is a bit different. I've NEVER had a bad meal or a disappointment in over a decade and a half of train travel. Just figure it all out and give it a go! Thank you for this video, it was a good one.

[@markusnerlich4039]

To my knowledge, AMTRAK (R) had to change the meal and dining offerings due to the pandemic. They are currently not allowed to offer traditional dishes, such as plates, glasses, cutlery and so on. Those items come in direct contact with the customers mouth and possibly nose, or in other words, where the virus might sit. Thus they need to use disposable plastic dishes and paper cups and they get burned (not recycled). It's a sad measure, but better than no food/drink at all. As per flexible dining - the much beloved - traditional dinner sittings are not "en vogue" as the current situation. They would only be allowed to sit people travelling in the same room at a table and then would need to keep minimum distance on top of that. So they would need many more sittings. Not to mention, they actually encourage people to eat in the roomette or room rather than come to the dining car to mingle with people. I totally agree with you: The meals in the dining car are an absolute highlight of any AMTRAK (R) overnight journey. And the are are for most of the (loyal) customers. I made many friends at this occasions. I am very sure they will bring it back, once it is possible. Until then, I think they do a great job in subsidising to get as close to the high standard as possible.

[@johnstewart491]

It's not health related, it's about revenue and crew. That's why the Auto Train still has Traditional Dining and Daily Service. It's the same thing as ordering food at a restaurant and having food delivered, they could just do that onboard.

[@steventagawa6959]

Nice to see an Amtrak video made during the pandemic, so we can see what's changed. Good job on that. I have been in roomettes on the Coast Starlight and California Zephyr many times, but not this year so far. Tip: If your room table isn't level (most aren't due to their age and design), you can wedge something into the slot underneath it to bring it up to level. One tiny correction: The sleeper cars are always at one end of the train or the other, but they can be either at the front or at the back. It just depends on how the train was put together.

[@wkaemena]

Regarding the power outlet at the sink. These trains were built end of 70s and the only electric appliance was a shaver !!!;-)

[@corrigenda70]

Are you really expected to use a shaver supplied by the train company? How sterilised can that be?

[@wkaemena]

@@corrigenda70 WTF I was talking of your personal electric shaver which had no batteries like today and needed 110V power

[@deekang6244]

Also, that outlet is GFCI to protect you. If it tripped, then it means there was some water or something that tripped it. That’s not on the train. That’s a result of unintended water getting into the outlet. Once it’s dry, it should reset.

[@ronclark9724]

@@wkaemena Yep, these Superliners are showing their age reaching the end of their life. Many are over 40 years in age. Many have had their smoked fillet carpeted walls removed and replace with a smooth plastic walls, some of which have been contact papered, and their fabrics reupholstered. Frankly, considering their age, Amtrak has done a great job keeping them operational over the decades...

[@dennishenderson6988]

We brought an extension cord to prove power and multiple outlets where we wanted.

[@nednewly]

The dining cars were awesome! Hopefully Amtrak will bring them back after Covid. I usually bring a power strip in the sleeper car. Great video!

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

great video bro

[@thomaselers7416]

Way too many ads 😴

[@roykallinen2751]

I took the Southwest Chief two weeks ago, bedroom from LaJunta to Chicago .. I loved it. No more flying.

[@weinito]

You missed the scenic parts of the route. The great scenery is between La Junta and LA.

[@maggot2637]

Oh boy, a prison breakfast. It's really bad when the food in the cafe car is better than the food you paid for with your sleeper. I've traveled on the Chief, City of New Orleans, Texas Eagle, and the Empire Builder. All had great food and food choices. I'll be back when they get real food again.

[@ronclark9724]

Yep, the microwaved cheeseburger and ham sandwich is better than that frozen entree shit...

[@MrBNARick]

" I'll be back when they get real food again" So you are saying you won't travel Amtrak again? ;)

[@David-yc6ph]

@Juan Sanchez WOOOOO YEAH BABBYYY THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FORR WOOOOO

[@stanleyjm84]

The dining is as such due to covid. It will be back but the don't have dining staff during these times. Your attendant serves. And regular coach passengers don't dine at all... its all lounge car for them.

[@banksrail]

No. It looks like this dining situation is a cause of modernization. Amtrak is ditching “traditional” for “logical.” Amtrak is starting to become more like an airline. I personally don’t like it. But these trains don’t make any money or have the budget to be losing the company money like this, so I can’t argue with it. It’s truly sad.

[@himbourbanist]

wow, how did I not know that Kansas City Union Station was so grand, what a beautiful building. That neon Amtrak sign was so cool, I would love to see Amtrak adopt a Neo-Deco stylization in the future for their aesthetic

[@trainliker100]

I will make the argument that sleeping car prices are NOT overpriced. Amtrak routinely sells out. In the world of supply and demand, that is what sets the price. You can save money by booking far ahead and looking for deals (one of the ways Amtrak makes sure they are fully booked.) A bedroom is a pretty deluxe way to travel. You can save with a roomette. Fine for one. A bit tight for two but not so bad if you PLAN how much luggage you bring and how you will stow it. (You don't want to pay the ticket price for your luggage to occupy YOUR living space on the seats.) The roomette seats are very wide. It's not that bad to use one of the many general bathrooms. And they have a nice shower room on the lower level with a nice sink (much nicer and larger than the onea in a bedroom) and provide towels and washcloths.

[@rogers6168]

Love your videos. Your passion for trains really shows. I hope when the world returns to normal Amtrak brings back the dining car experience. As mentioned, its part of the experience that makes traveling on a train a step above flying on a plane.

[@NelsonClick]

Amazing video! Thank you so much I enjoyed it immensely. I like your point of view. Thank you for silence as it makes the video better by not talking about everything. Merci bon ami.

[@wisnomjr]

Great video and I agree with your 3 thoughts on Amtrak, particularly national treasure. Your videos show me it’s time for a long trip by Amtrak. Thank you Jeb!

[@Bothomas-vm5hz]

20 years ago the dining car was the starlight of my trip going from florida to los angeles the food was absolutely spectacular it sad they modified alot of those options anyways good video sir

[@ronclark9724]

Well, I recall the days when the airlines offered good food too. The days of the Burlington T-bone steak is over...

[@williame.legare8618]

I rode it 2 years ago on a 25 day trip in roommet. Was just before end of dining cars, food was good, over priced if not in sleeper. AAA and AMTRAK made the arrangements, tours, hotels and most transfers included. A GREAT TRIP 👍 🙀🚂🚉

[@risasb]

I have had power outlet issues everywhere with Amtrak, especially Chicago station (that was in 2008-2012 when I had to make some long journeys). Formed the habit of carrying a three -outlet extension cord in my laptop bag. At stations, people would walk up and ask if they could use the spare outlet on my cord. Made lots of friends!

[@georgeadams1853]

32:28 Washing the sleeper's windows. The last time I took the Southwest Chief, from San Bernardino to Chicago in 1979, they washed the exterior of the entire train at Albuquerque during the 40-minute (I think) stop. How times have changed!

[@squalli1297]

During the 50's & 60's, (dinosaur age) for Super Chief & El Capitan trains- a machine would wash all windows during the Albuquerque stop which was a highlight. Jewelry' still being sold. I've seen a few changes too!

[@huntere2205]

Awesome stuff! I'm hoping to take the California zephyr once covid has calmed down. But who knows when that will be lol.

[@dinostudios6579]

Do it. I took it from Emeryville to Denver in 2019 and it was amazing. Going through the Sierras, Utah dessert, and the Rockies is beautiful.

[@markdm4805]

Great videos and this one is no exception. This is an awesome in depth video on the southwest chief. I have always wanted to ride this train. I just wanted to point out and please know I’m not trying to be rude but please do not open the vestibule window on the train. The only reason I say this is I’ve seen it personally in my travels. Some conductors would either give a personal warning or a general announcement over the PA System not to do that but there are a fraction of conductors that have the captain of the ship attitude and might put you off the train with no warning. I just don’t want to see that happen to you.

[@marthahoushar5428]

Yes, I was wondering why there isn’t an alarm or something to warn conductors of a door opening. How dangerous that can be if done by a passenger (as in, a child), I should think. If somebody decided to “do the deed”, no one would ever know where to begin looking. Yikes.

[@oneeyedjack2254]

I prefer the bedroom option over the roomette when traveling alone (despite the excessive price difference) so I don't have to leave the room unattended and unlocked to go to the bathroom or take a shower . I can also eat in my room, and enjoy whatever view there is , with the door closed and curtain open.

[@paulaajohnson2597]

Same here. We're Boomers who grew up often riding luxurious Pullman trains, so the constant vagaries of Amtrak require a lot of adjustments on our part.

[@robyoungquist5803]

I’m old enough to remember/have the privilege of riding the original Super Chief in a drawing room from Chicago to Los Angeles. Now THAT was an experience and the excellence of train travel!

[@bellestarr6484]

As did I once. I was on a national television program and since I don't fly, they paid train fare. First class. That ride was one of the happiest times in my life.

[@madalynknudsen1650]

We took the Southwest Chief in May of 2021. I absolutely love train travel, and was not bothered by the delays. In fact we were on time when we left Albuquerque. Once we crossed the Arizona boarder is when the trouble began. On our engine, one of the wheels overheated and basically melted. So we had to wait for a new locomotive. What we got was a freight locomotive to pull us to Needles, CA. Unfortunately with freight locomotives, top speed is 75 while for regular Amtrak locomotives the limit is 90. So originally we were supposed to be in Needles around 11 - 12 pm. We arrived at 6 am the next morning. Frustrating, yes. But I would take SW Chief anytime.

[@lelandrogers1078]

Just a comment about being profitable. Amtrak has never been a profit center. It is subsidized public transport that the current administration is trying to eliminate. Funding has been cut and Amtrak has been forced to lay off employees or furlough them and cut services on long distance trains. The current CEO is a former airline exec and has stated his desire to do away with all long distance trains and only have regional, state supported routes.

[@nightflyer3242]

Except Amtrak's funding has actually been increased the past couple of years and Richard Anderson is no longer the CEO.

[@lelandrogers1078]

@@nightflyer3242 His replacement is also from the airline industry as is the chairman of the board. Funding is in the bill passed by the House but the Senate has not voted on it.

[@nightflyer3242]

@@lelandrogers1078 Republican senators from the Midwest and Southwest had successfully lobbied additional funding for Amtrak the past couple of fiscal years. Funding for Amtrak in FY 2018, 2019, and 2020 were almost $2 billion each.

[@banksrail]

@@lelandrogers1078 It’s pretty unclear what Amtrak is nowadays. Is it supposed to make profit or benefit the people? No one knows. Can’t even put blame on Republicans or Democrats with this one. Just seem like the US government doesn’t know how to run a railroad or a transit system for that matter.

[@YaniBoholana]

Thank you for this wonderful tour my friend..stay safe

[@KumarBrad]

I have done this journey twice Syracuse to Flagstaff and Buffalo to Flagstaff and then flagstaff to Syracuse. It was awesome every time, in coach class.

[@amtrakisveryepic]

The burgers on the SWC... Are absolutely AMAZING, I swear I talk about that burger every freaking day lol. It was 2014 when I had it. I hope they get dinning service back up soon💜

[@andyhoward1811]

getting a feeling that i am also on train thanks for entertaining us

[@chazzstorie2981]

I've ridden the Chief many times. Never in a sleeper, since my stop was at Hutchinson, Kansas and we arrived around 4am. Still a good ride though. You're definitely right about the crew. Some love their job and are super nice and others are clearly in the wrong line of work.

[@Eurobazz]

I prefer your subtitles to commentary Thibault. When you wander into franglais though, it can sometimes be amusing and charming 😀😀😀

[@ernestgalvan9037]

I love the ‘franglais’!!!

[@ZILOGz80VIDEOS]

@17:21 god there is nothing like the view out of the back of a Superliner. They were hauling a private railcar during my most recent amtrak trip and as fun as it is to see it I missed that view. Fun fact the Superliners are actually designed after the El Capitan Budd Hi-Level cars Amtrak inherited from the Santa Fe.

[@johnstewart491]

I just wanted to point out that you are *NOT ALLOWED* to open the window without a crew-member's permission. Don't try this yourself or else the conductor will not be very happy with you. Please do not do this! Unless he got permission, he was lucky not to get caught! I don't want anyone else following his footsteps and getting caught. :)

[@erik_griswold]

I second this, you can get in real trouble for doing this as it is a safety violation

[@kishascape]

What window is that? Looks like he's standing at the end door.

[@johnstewart491]

@@kishascape 24:48

[@johnstewart491]

Ticketed passengers on board trains may take photos or video record on a train when it does not interfere with passengers or crew and in accordance with any directions given by Amtrak onboard train personnel. Please remove those parts of your video in accordance with Amtrak's policy. www.amtrak.com/photography-video-recording-policy

[@raygunsforronnie847]

When I was a youngster and rode the Super Chief, a nice conductor opened a vestibule window so I could take a couple pictures. After he closed it he said "never open a window, that's my job." I remember it 55 years later.

[@Neville60001]

15:15-This is a sad thing to hear about, and I hope that Amtrak brings back full service.

[@joeljoseph6022]

Your review is spot on! I rode The Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff in the summer of 2017 and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the scenery was beautiful, especially in Colorado and New Mexico. My only gripe was that we were two hours late arriving in Albuquerque and about four hours late arriving in Flagstaff. The friendliest staff member I've ever met on an Amtrak train was our recently hired Dining Car waiter. The Roomette was comfortable but I had a hard time staying asleep.

[@ronclark9724]

Amtrak is at the mercy of the freight railroad's dispatchers. All it takes to delay Amtrak is a freight train running ahead of the Amtrak train with a overheated wheel bearing. When you consider how many freight cars there are in the USA, and the number of freight trains, you are lucky to reach your destination on time after 2000 miles in the same manner as if you drove that same distance on any highway without seeing any road construction... Good luck...

[@telquad1953]

Americans need to stop hating government. Period.

[@nightflyer3242]

Nah, a skeptical attitude towards government is good.

[@greggross8856]

@@nightflyer3242 A healthy skepticism is good. Blind, robotic hatred is not.

[@dynasty0019]

Americans rarely hate their government. Most Americans have a good skeptical attitude towards their government.

[@damnimloomin]

The government is killing trains on propose so I’ll hate who I want

[@alvintexas5859]

Why would you ever trust the government?

[@davidburrow5895]

The luggage storage on the lower floor of the coach was likely converted from what used to be a smoking lounge. Until the late '90s each train had a smoking lounge on the lower floor of one of the coaches.

[@rugbynimbus]

Well this helps. Seriously, when your expectation of train travel is set by Bing Crosby and company singing "Snow, snow, snow" or Cary Grant nailing Eva Marie Saint in the club car, it's good to have a hard-reset like this.

[@michaelglass4701]

Loooove your video of the Southwest Chief, I'm a Model Railroder & i have a N Scale model of the Amtrak Leading Locomotive on the Chief.

[@jstoney6471]

Your AMTRAK map shows service from Jacksonville, FL to New Orleans, LA which has not existed since 2005....

[@ronclark9724]

Unfortunately the Sunset Limited and AutoTrain train derailment and a bridge collapse killed that route east of New Orleans when Amtrak needed three Sunset Limited trains sets out of six elsewhere to keep other services going. Yep, until the recent service cuts, some of the routes required six train sets to keep trains on these routes running daily...

[@davidgolbert3548]

I enjoy your videos very much....I wish train travel in the US was on the same level as that in Europe and Japan, but many circumstances dictate otherwise. I live in a town of 200,000 and the closest passenger train is the Southwest Chief that passes 200 miles to the north.....by the way, the guy checking the cars is called a car man, or in slang, a car tonk, from the sound made by a hammer when metal parts, like the wheels, are struck looking for flaws.....I don't know if that is still a practice.

[@jonathangros1086]

Great Vids , you talk about your N scale P42 from Kato , maybe you should make a video of you Layout or N scale model train , that will be great! I’m a N scale guy to!

[@The4905]

36:25 Luckily, by now Traditional dining is BACK!! 🤩🥳😋 (on amtrak's western routes only)

[@THEHuntingChannel]

Wow very cool. I'd love to take a ride!!! Maybe someday I'll make it over there.

[@russbear31]

I've taken the Chief in the opposite direction several times (from Kansas City to Chicago). About 15 years ago Amtrak called me one day before the trip and made an offer: I could upgrade to a roomette sleeper for only $50!! But what they failed to tell me: The dining car had caught fire somewhere in New Mexico and they were serving only sandwiches and cold food from New Mexico to Chicago. (It was still worth it, though.) On the return trip, we had a dining car!! You better believe that I had the $30 steak dinner with the cheesecake for dessert while crossing the Mississippi River into Iowa.

[@ronclark9724]

That flat iron steak... The cheesecake... Proper Amtrak diner food...

[@michalsvojanovsky8025]

I think the main difference between European and American railway is that in the USA the trip itself is the destination, but in Europe it is only means of transport :)

[@ADtranzakias]

900$? I think it's overpriced. You have personal toilet, shower free food, but still is too much. They could reduce their prices and make wider cabins. I don't know you take a flight and book a hotel with less than a 900$.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

It's priced for 3 people, so if you were traveling with 3 people, it would be around 300 a person.

[@chesapeakerailphotography]

Great video! Keep up the awesome work!

[@Zeppflyer]

My wife and I took the SW Chief from Santa Fe to Chicago a couple years ago, followed by the Capitol Limited to Pittsburgh. We did a roomette for the first half and a room for the second. (We were getting in on a Monday morning and wanted the space and personal shower so that we could get ready and roll right into work. Amtrak, being Amtrak, we were two hours late anyways.) Overall, I preferred the roomette. It was nice to have your own bathroom and a little space to move around in the room (There is no floor space in a roomette with 2 people), but I just could not get comfortable either on that couch or the little chair. Meanwhile, I found the roomette seats very comfortable. Plus, there's the price difference. If we did a similar trip today with our daughter, we'd have to get a room, but if you only have two people (who are OK playing footsie for the whole trip), get a roomette.

[@markroberts6491]

Sean. Have to agree. We did SW Chief from Kansas City to Chicago in 2017 and the roomette was more than adequate. For a longer trip, (under non-Covid conditions!), I would consider a bedroom but cost/quality does become a factor. Enjoyed the video but you get on an Amtrak long distance service at your peril re timekeeping. The freight companies have always had control of scheduling as they own the infrastructure. The best bit of our trip, though the boss doesn't agree with me, was watching all the freight traffic from the observation car. The hilarious dining room steward was another highlight.

[@Kansasavation]

I have touching it from Lawrence to Chicago

[@alvintexas5859]

You're lucky you were only 2 hours late.

[@400bhp2]

I lv you tube vids about train travel in the US and especially overnight sleeper travel in the US. Ive visited New York many times over the yrs and on one occasion went 2 Washington 4 the dy on amtrak. I really want 2 do a longer journey with amtrak where I'm in a berth. Hopefully I'll get round 2 getting it done some time.

[@Bobrogers99]

A thorough report of a good trip despite the aging cabin. If I were traveling alone I would resent that the lower berth is double-sized (I think what's called a three-quarter bed) taking up so much floor space. The prepackaged food didn't look bad, but the former dinners in the dining car used to be an important part of the experience. Their steak dinners were famous! Other reviews have said that food items from the cafe were poor, and I guess you didn't need to try them. Since Amtrak is at the mercy of the freight railroad owners they are never on time, but if you've chosen rail rather than flying, time isn't a priority. I agree that the price of a bedroom is high, but the ensuite toilet/shower is a costly benefit. No amenity kit for their highest-paying customers? I'm surprised. I have read that Amtrak would like to eliminate all their sleeper trains because they aren't profitable, but public opinion has stalled that move.

[@AVeryRandomPerson]

A condition of joining Amtrak was to allow the Amtraks higher priority over everything, but, as every administration past Nixon has either actively tried to eliminate Amtrak or didn't care at all, they can get away with not allowing priority.

[@woodmt.5548]

Thank you for your wonderful trip across America. I am Japanese. For the first time this year, I got on the sleeper express Sunrise IZUMO. Sunrise Izumo is the only sleeper express in Japan today that you can ride for a small fee. In addition, there is only a cruise train that pays hundreds of thousands of yen. The Shinkansen killed all the many sleeper express trains that operated until the end of the 20th century. I hope Sunrise Izumo is driving forever. I was surprised to find out that you have the N gauge of KAKO. I live near the KATO's factory. I've been on the Metroliner 20 years ago. The locomotive was HHP-8, but unfortunately it has not been commercialized from KATO. I want to travel on Amtrack's Super Liner someday.

[@TheWestlandgirl]

I hope you get a chance.

[@RailfanTurner]

Terrific catches! Terrific Trip you had on the Southwest Chief! Please try to do a trip on the California Zephry from Chicago to Salt Lake and Emeryville to Provo or Salt Lake City in the future?

[@amtrakharry]

Great trip report ! I rode this train back in 2019 and it was incredible !!! You really missed out on the dining car experience when they served "Full Menu's " ...

[@ZenkoTheGreat]

4:03 - Sleepers on Superliner trains are at the front. Sleepers on single-level equipped trains are on the rear (except Lake Shore Limited, which has them front and rear)

[@michaelnistal2316]

Wow! What an awesome video! Thanks for sharing Your video. I would also like to travel on the trains across the U.S.A. Take Care.

[@richardcavin981]

Thanks for the video! My father (lineman, switchman and yardmaster) and grandfather (lineman, switchman) had careers at Santa Fe so trains are special to me. When I was a kid we'd get to go in the engine cars and cabooses. A few years ago I rode Amtrak from San Antonio to El Paso with a couple of friends. We took our bicycles on the train and rode them back to San Antonio. Really cool trip. Now I need to watch more of your videos.

[@conniepayne591]

You and your friends are really ambitious. I hope it was interesting. Especially in the Big Bend area.🙂

[@calebtrains2261]

@Simply Railway @4:01-4:11, That's Not True Because Some Of The East Coast Long-Distance AMTRAK Trains Like The Cardinal, Crescent And Silver Service Have The Sleeping Cars Closer To The Rear.

[@johnstewart491]

Yes, and the Empire Builder.

[@calebtrains2261]

@@johnstewart491 Yeah, Because It Converges/Splits In Spokane.

[@walterfink9782]

Nice video. I'm really surprised about the room and shower. Maybe their is a larger room. And maybe a better shower. Updating is definitely needed. Amtrak really is hurting for money. I would bet that the covid cut some of your expectations. I really thought the dining car was still being used. Another really neat trip to take, is on the Auto-Train. I've seen videos on that. Thanks for the information.

[@ronclark9724]

The family room is larger, but without a ensuite bathroom/shower. You will have to use the public restrooms and shower those in the roomettes use...

[@sacredknight1331]

Amazing video as always 😊👍👍

[@dtnbabcock1841]

Great video and thanks. One note: sleeper cars are not always at the front of the train. Actually the opposite is more common. Amtrak tries to keep the sleeper cars away from the engine and the whistle...

[@ronclark9724]

Depends on the route... Some trains have sleepers in the front and rear...

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Very cool. Looks like a great trip. 👍 So is dining car service cut forever? I thought it was partly a COVID-19 safety measure so might come back eventually. 🤞🏽 I’ve travelled on the Coast Starlight and the California Zephyr and in both cases, the dining car experience was great. It was also a good way to meet new people as you never know who you’ll be seated with. 👨‍🍳

[@markdm4805]

Simplified dining was on its way to the western trains eventually. It was just a matter of time. COVID-19 just sped it up a bit. Sadly Katrina temporarily halted the sunset limited east of New Orleans as Covid-19 has temporarily reduced dining options on Amtrak. I can only hope that a full dining car service comes back to at least the Western Trains.

[@luiscarracedo7793]

Many years ago I traveled from Montreal to NY, but the overnigth train leaving around 18hs and arriving nex day around 8am. I remember waking up in New Heaven.The people in the train was absolutelly amazing too! Great experience.

[@ashishaviation7210]

getting a feeling that i am also on train thanks for entertaining us

[@UncommonElevators]

The table in the room was not really designed for eating meals, which is why it was flimsy. That usually happens in the dining car or lounge car but Amtrak introduced room service due to covid. On certain cars (mostly viewliners) that table has a checker board printed on it so you can play chess with your roommate. The viewliners are interesting cars by themselves with the upper bunk windows and toilets inside the roomettes.

[@ronclark9724]

These foldaway tables were designed for sandwiches and drinks, not meals... Play cards or checkers... Read a book... They were not designed for tablets or notebooks...

[@eriktekamp1979]

Thanks for this video, Amtrak southwest chief is always special for me, I watch often the railcam in La plata MO. I do this from the Netherlands one train is really in the night for me. So this is why I know the Chief!!! Great video and review of the train. Thank you very much!

[@Ebolter1]

"Marty , we must get the train to 88 mph ! otherwise we will never 70k feet"

[@mombam]

Though it has been some years, I have taken several long train trips on Amtrak. One thing I always say to people who are traveling by the train, if you cannot expect to get there on time. You must expect to be delayed. Some delays are worse than others but it’s rare for the train to arrive at its destination on time. You must be patient and flexible. Yes definitely a pity about the meal service.

[@ronclark9724]

How people can expect a train traveling 2000 miles to arrive on time when its most likely they could not drive that distance without facing road construction delays is beyond me... I have difficulty flying and getting there on time... It seems every airport I fly to also has some sort of construction going on as well...

[@neil6212]

Great Video! Yes, the station is beautiful, and reminiscent of the days when the passengers (customers) were treated as the reason for the station being, and made travel feel like an event! And yes, I'm a KC native.

[@gladfan1989]

The Southwest Chief is a beautiful route (one I'd like to ride sometime). Amtrak does have it's limitations, but I can't think of any other better way to travel.

[@scottrichardson8158]

I can

[@josfitz]

Me too. And US trains much more fun.

[@kamanama3671]

OK shut up. That is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen anybody do on a video. To have somebody wave it to you as you’re traveling and then you show it from both sides. That’s as cool as it gets.

[@suriyyamuhammad4667]

If you put a towel down in the sink it will stop the water from splashing as much

[@kansascitysouthernfan6966]

Hate to tell you this but Amtrak isn’t gonna get any better... unless the government gives them a huge amount of funding, which the chances of that happening are slim to none.

[@VieleGuteFahrer]

Maybe now. 🍦

[@DaKyng105]

Unfortunately, most of the world values public transit as a general social good, while the U.S. considers public transit a social service. When you add the U.S. population's general animus to social services (which is a topic in and of itself), funding for rail travel goes from an uphill battle as is in most countries to a nearly insurmountable hurdle. Until we learn to see ease-of-movement as a public good or rightfully honor social services as such, Amtrak will continue to be a poor cousin to modern passenger rail services. It's a national embarrassment that Amtrak needs to charge $900 for the cabin featured in this video just to remain solvent.

[@waynejohnson1304]

$917.00 for a 24-hour trip? That seems kind of expensive for what you get.

[@yukiefromoz2573]

Very expensive for that!

[@loucosportrem]

Congratulations on your channel and beautiful footage, yesterday I posted on my channel another glass of the locomotives of the logistics route in Araraquara s.p- Brazil, thanks

[@RobertKrebill]

This is such a nice video! I want to go to Flagstaff soon on this train!

[@henrykobulnicky9537]

As far as I know, the superliner I cars were refurbished in the 90s when the superliner II’s were made. I also am pretty sure that the II’s retain their original look. I heard somewhere that the superliner fleet will be refurbished no earlier than 2022 with Amtrak looking for a replacement in the late 2020s.

[@awdrifter3394]

Roomette seems like a better deal? I would sacrifice the in suite shower for almost half the price.

[@Ice_Karma]

28:50 Interesting religious headdress on the woman on the right. Mennonite?

[@JosephSFM1Channel]

Good morning Simply, your Channel Is very very good. Do you live the America?

[@skuzlebut82]

I've read the Southwest Chief several times from Newton, Kansas to Kansas City.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

I was behind 156 on the lake shore limited in April 2019

[@HappyComfort]

I agree major upgrades are needed. I take Coast Starlight from time to time and used to love it but there is so much broken etc on it. Also for a while last time we could smell the bathrooms from upstairs. It smelled terrible. If I had the money I would love to go check out the trains in Japan. Or the ferries ⛴