Three nights aboard Amtrak’s Texas Eagle train (1/2)

[@KathrynHaugan]

I've watched a number of train bloggers prepping to do some long term Amtrak trekking myself. This gentleman is tied for number 1 on my list. Not overbearing...not self focused...it's not all about the food but the scenery. Which is what I want to see when I travel. Thank you.

[@T1DWanderer]

Very nice, thanks!

[@kit19601]

Great videos, very friendly and warm host. I'm always relaxed watching these videos. I love train travel, and the insights are appreciated.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

The Texas Eagle doesn’t have a sightseer lounge due to a shortage of lounges as claimed by management. But that seems hard to believe given the fact that they’re able to give one to the Winter Park Express and the fact that last week I spotted the northbound Saluki with 2 sightseer lounges running as empty axle count cars to meet CN’s minimum axle requirement of 32. There is hope that it will finally return this fiscal year as a handful of equipment, idled in 2020 is returning to service! That said, taking that car off was totally unneeded! They could have done better to prioritize returning all the rolling stock used for long distance services that they temporarily stored!!

[@luzmalara5584]

Excellent and Exact comments!! I've quit taking #21 & #22 since they removed the sightseeing Lounges. My last trip was in 2019 pre-covid. I done the complete Chicago - Los Angeles about ten times since 1981. Train passes my house, so I keep an eye on it daily. When the sightseer Lounges return then so will I - God Willing!! Nathan in Chicago 🇺🇲

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

@@luzmalara5584 Sadly, even before Covid Amtrak was little by little downgrading the Texas Eagle. The Eagle historically had a full service baggage car until it was taken off in early 2019. I also took a ride on the Eagle over the 2019 winter break about a week before Christmas from Dallas to Longview and was shocked to discover that the third Chicago to San Antonio coach had been dropped! Yes you heard me right, just in time for the busy holiday travel season Amtrak took a coach off the Texas Eagle when it could’ve used another sleeping car! It operated that entire holiday period with just 6 cars, while all the other western trains operated with at least 9 cars!!!

[@juderickman8275]

I had Thanksgiving dinner in a dining car going from Dallas to Chicago pre-lockdown. I’m very unhappy with the downgrades on the Eagle. I may be on it with an Amtrak 30 day pass but then I must be in coach.

[@pennytill5183]

I too took it often pre COVID. Until they return observation car and traditional dining It won't be an option.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

@@pennytill5183 Long overdue, but they are restoring Sightseer Lounge cars on the Eagle in the coming weeks. I also found on the booking site that the Eagle will begin operating with two sleeping cars the first week of September after operating with JUST one ever since the pandemic started!

[@CoryMatthew87]

I appreciate your positive outlook and love your reviews, but I have to be honest... I find the Texas Eagle to be the worst, mismatched/gutted train Amtrak has to date and (IMO) there is really no good reason to take this entire route unless you have a bucket list to take every train Amtrak has running. First, although much of this route does not have amazing views to write home about, given it is such a long route, why on Earth does Amtrak think this train (and its passengers) doesn't deserve an observation car? Second, the sleeper cars up front was a no-go for me. The one and only time I took part of this route, my sleep was very little as we had the horn blasting us right in front of our car. It was a miserable night. The only section I find worth taking on this train is from San Antonio to LA (Sunset Limited)... where sleeper car passengers get decent food to eat, instead of the microwaved crap that they feed you from TX to Chicago. If someone wants to go from LA to Chicago, I highly recommend the Southwest Chief. The desert views are better, follows historic Route 66, has an observation car, a diner car, is faster, and is usually hundreds of dollars cheaper.

[@jaywatty8728]

I 100% agree. I did this whole trip couple years ago and it was miserable. It was round trip and on my way back when I made it to San Antonio I got off and flew back Chicago. Never again 😮.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

The Sunset Limited itself has a sightseer lounge for Eagle passengers riding on the thru cars between San Antonio and LA. It’s the San Antonio to Chicago segment that is the biggest let down of any route. I mean seriously. No sightseer lounge, no traditional dining, no coach passengers in the dining car, and just one sleeping car, which by the way also must function as crew dorm car thanks to the lack of a transition sleeping car that normally housed the crew, while providing additional roomettes?!?! This is just like the private railroads when they tried their best to get rid of passengers!! Today’s Texas Eagle operates with just four cars!!! Two coaches, one diner-lite, and one sleeper. The train in it’s once proud days had a baggage car, two sleeping cars, a dining car, a sightseer lounge car, three coaches, and a transition sleeping car!

[@CoryMatthew87]

@@johnsons74thsquadron74 exactly why I said that the Sunset Limited is the only portion I would pay to ride. I hate even calling this "the Texas Eagle" as it is a very different vibe & experience depending on which section you travel. Might as well be two different trains. One is completed gutted.

[@jaywatty8728]

@@johnsons74thsquadron74 sad reality of the Texas eagle

[@ronclark9724]

It would be nice if Amtrak received funding to replace the Superliners and Amfleet II car fleets as well as the Amfleet I and Horizon car fleets. Unfortunately Amtrak only got funding to refurbish the Superliner and Amfleet II fleets. To do refurbishments some cars have to be pulled out of service, especially with the Sightseeing Lounges and Diners as there are only so many. With every derailment Amtrak loses cars in their fleet, sometimes temporary and sometimes forever...

[@steveshama5960]

Very, very nicely done video. You've really captured the feeling of riding on Amtrak. I've been on every long distance Amtrak route and love it all. I've been late many times but it's really all in the journey. When you travel by train thru the US, you get to see the way most people in small towns and towns live. I'm thinking that if we really want to unite our country once again, then we all need to travel by train, slow down, look out the windows to see the magnificence of the land, and share a meal and conversation and a personal story. Thanks for spending time putting this all together. You are a good guy.

[@T1DWanderer]

Excellent, thanks a lot

[@ronclark9724]

I encourage others to book your Amtrak long distance trip with a layover stop anywhere, whether a large city like St. Louis and Dallas, or a small town like Alpine San Marcos... Of course doing so does add hotel costs to your journey, but alas you will enjoy your journey more. Experiencing America, not just seeing it...

[@kphalloran2564]

My hometown of Temple and I saw my buddy Paul Bettencourt, the station agent.

[@jamescrabtree9240]

Senator Paul Bettencourt? Ha.

[@RVail623]

At 3:15 correction: the Sunset Ltd. still only runs 3x weekly, although efforts are underway to increase that to daily service. Union Pacific has stated that they want over a billion $$'s to allow for increasing to 7x weekly service via their tracks west of New Orleans. Before 2005's hurricane Katrina happened, a full "coast to coast" Sunset Ltd. train ride could be taken between Orlando & Los Angeles. My 2002 Sunset Ltd. coach ticket from Orlando, FL to Maricopa, AZ only cost $105: left 2:00 PM Sunday from Orlando to Maricopa 5:30 AM Wednesday. About 64 hours total travel time, including a 4 hour layover in New Orleans. A full Orlando to Los Angeles trip would have taken over 72 hours.

[@Orangebitingthing]

Great review. You have a calming voice.

[@DOSBoxMom]

Finally booked tickets for the TE for my husband and myself, but just for the portion from Pontiac, IL to Fort Worth, TX (since my husband didn't want to go all the way to LA, and we wanted to leave the train during daylight hours). We even sprang for a bedroom on the train (at my husband's request).

[@petersnortum2971]

I watch many very good journals from excellent folks, this fellow has definitely captured my attention

[@aztecwrrior1997]

That train actually passes thru my hometown in Deming New Mexico along with the Sunset Limited

[@T1DWanderer]

Yes, the Deming stop will be in Part 2 of this video

[@aztecwrrior1997]

@@T1DWanderer 👍

[@prmayner]

I love Deming, we passed through there going to Calif. once. Hwy 60 baby yea that's what we usually take off the beaten path, I hate interstates.. I like downtown, blink and you miss it. My kinda place NO HUMANS!!!!

[@aztecwrrior1997]

@@prmayner you should come in August during the Duck Races (yes really)

[@Snowboarder16]

My favorite part of your videos is showing us your meals. You have such fun on your trips .

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks. I'm not much of a food guy when traveling (convenience stores are fine by me!) but I try to show it sometimes :)

[@LuisRodriguez-sc1oq]

🇺🇲🇵🇷🇲🇽😎 Thank you for the memories! Back in the mid-fifties, when I was quite young, we used to take the train from Washington DC to Mexico City and stop here in St. Louis, Missouri to change trains 3 days, 3 nights. It was beautiful.😊❤👏👏👏👏

[@shelzp7272]

Loved seeing this and appreciate your commentary! I like the route, as you mentioned, not the most scenic but still enjoyable to me.

[@T1DWanderer]

Right. I'd definitely do this again, just to pass through that curious landscape

[@ronclark9724]

Unfortunately what I consider the best scenic part of this route north of San Antonio, the Texas Eagle does during the night in the Missouri and Arkansas Ozarks... Maybe why Amtrak chose the shared train sets of the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited for diners and sightseeing lounges for fleet refurbishment... Keep in mind the westbound Capitol Limited does the Appalachians during the night as well...

[@_ArsNova]

I really like your video format. Straightforward, unpretentious, disclosing what you paid, etc. All very informative. I am taking the Eagle from Austin to LA soon, really looking forward to it, as well as having a traditional dining car.

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks, I try to make normal, not-flashy videos :)

[@PrimeTimeTravelers]

Would love to take this full route someday. The bathroom and shower were adequate. Always good to have a warm shower. Thank you for another wonderful vlog.

[@danielleporter1829]

The tower you saw in Dallas when the Tx Eagle 🦅 is Reunion Tower, there's an observation deck on top and The Trinity River Express (TRE) is a commuter train that goes between Dallas and Fort Worth along with TexRail which goes between DFW airport and Fort Worth. TexRail and TRE the next time I'm in Dallas visiting family friends. I have an aunt in FW whi due to other commitments on both our partsz i haven't been able to see when I've been in the DFW Metroplex in the past. I also want to go to the top of Reunion Tower, the views of Downtown Dallas are said to wonderful.😊 Wonderful video

[@Snowboarder16]

I absolutely LOVE your videos. Wish I could travel with you sometime!

[@Mpp31provo]

Ive taken Amtrack from Los Angeles to Seattle. I enjoyed having the top bunk made for bed and keeping the bottom seats as is for reading and relaxing. That train was fairly new and in excellent condition. Amtrack staff and food was excellent as well. Train travel is perfect for digitally detoxing.

[@T1DWanderer]

You really don't miss your little screen when you can look out of an Amtrak window instead

[@makulewahine]

Also about the isolation, it depends a lot on the type of passengers in your car and if you eat in the dining car. I've been on trains where it was a party among a number of roomette passengers. Not rowdy, just fun. And I always had different seat mates at meals when I ate in the dining car. So many really interesting people. Sometimes though, you just want to hang and be quiet in your own space.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

it might be a Covid policy now to isolate at meals, it was tradition for decades for passengers to eat together so as to save space for others

[@MikeRadioNY]

I thought Covid pandemic ended?!

[@makulewahine]

@@bostonrailfan2427 That ended a long time ago. I last rode the train a year ago and everything was back to normal. The train was packed also.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@makulewahine so it’s just ending traditional seating and nothing else…can understand why, especially when traveling alone

[@tolucaheights]

Id love to take this train some day, it stops in many towns i visit and have grown up around , and my family is orgianlly from texas, also have a love of the west.

[@T1DWanderer]

I hope you get to ride it some day

[@garyhess3139]

My wife and I have done that route many times over the last 30+ years. It was great really enjoyed it. I like it because you’re on the train longer.

[@garyhess3139]

My wife and I did this route many times over the last 30 years really enjoy it always go to sleepers. People in food was really great.

[@nonbiz1520]

The Koftas are the best thing on the flexible menu right now.

[@eswillie]

This is why I so miss train travel across this country. Despite some shortcomings, I would love to take this journey (probably because of so many hours on the train, and also the scenery). I've already convinced my partner to consider this, but I have to figure out what season of the year would be the best, and also what the options would be to travel back to the East Coast by a different route. Would prefer our own bathroom after dealing with shared ones on one other Amtrak trip, but since I've already gotten her interested, I'll try to figure out a route and time and best fare choices. Also, need those smoke breaks at the longer stops; even at our age we need that respite, and I'm also not paying $7.50 for a beer when I usually have more on a regular basis. Thanks for this, and I'm waiting for part 2.

[@T1DWanderer]

Have fun working it all out. Part 2 coming soon!

[@kennethbone1331]

Get a bedroom. It has a toilet/shower combo in it. That is a step up from a roomet.

[@stickasockinit]

When I smoked these shift changes of the crew was very welcomed. I noticed the Europe trip we had, no long stops ever. I was so pleased not to have the tobacco craving. Thanks for sharing your trips!

[@BoratWanksta]

Even if you don't smoke, the smoke/stretch breaks every so many stops(and several hours) are nice. Though certain stretch/smoke stops are only brief(i.e. Shelby, MT), and others longer(i.e. Havre, MT, Minot, ND) I'm surprised European long distance trains don't provide smoke/stretch breaks. VIA Rail Canada has smoke/stretch breaks for their longer distance trains, too.

[@PhilS.-ez1ve]

Love your Amtrak videos, Jeremy! I ride the train frequently back and forth across Pennsylvania to visit my folks. As you document in your videos, it's always a rich experience!

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks!

[@lindamcfadden5522]

I feel like I have been on the trips with you. Now, I don't really have to go!!!

[@odiecalodie]

Here’s a tip,if you want to save between 200-400 dollars on a trip between Chicago and Los Angeles. ride Coach between Chicago and St. Louis, get a roomette or bedroom between St Louis and Los Angeles. You will get dinner out of St. Louis.

[@T1DWanderer]

Genius

[@DOSBoxMom]

The Texas Eagle goes past my office window every day (in Dwight, IL, just N of Pontiac), and I would love to ride it someday (despite the bad press the "Eaglette" gets on the Amtrak Unlimited forums). My husband and I recently rode the Lincoln Service/Missouri River Runner all the way to its terminus in Kansas City and back, so we were on the same tracks as you as far as St. Louis. I certainly recognized the Cafe Car box part of your Flex Dining meal arrived in!

[@DOSBoxMom]

I've heard of some Amtrak passengers using an app on their phone to take care of tipping. (I think we'll probably try to bring cash for tipping, though, when we ride the Texas Eagle.)

[@ronclark9724]

The Texas Eagle and the Capitol Limited share train sets because of their arrival and departure times out of Chicago works well for Amtrak saving Amtrak one train set. Both have had the Sightseeing Lounge car in the past before the pandemic, however Amtrak received funding to upgrade all of their Superliner cars, including the Sightseeing Lounge. There are only a limited number of Sightseeing Lounges compared to sleepers and coaches, thus Amtrak had to pull some out to refurbish. Unfortunately the cars they chose were from these two trains sharing the train sets. Ditto with the diners as well, and thus the reason traditional dining isn't on both of these trains as well. Presently these shared train sets are using the Cross Country Cafe cars which were formerly coach cars before conversion. There is no kitchen, just a microwave oven. Amtrak chose NOT to pull these cars from the other long distance trains that serve the Rockies and Cascades, not to mention the AutoTrain that also uses Superliner cars that do have traditional dining, diners, and Sightseeing Lounges. Therefore they won't return to the Texas Eagle and the Capitol Limited until ALL of them have been refurbished... Maybe in another year or two, it is taking far too long... Amtrak got funding for new locos, new Siemens coaches to replace Amfleet I's, and Horizon cars, but not to replace Superliner and Amfleet II's... They only are getting refurbishments... Keep in mind some of these cars are over 50 years in age... Frankly, it is amazing they run as well as they do considering their age...

[@T1DWanderer]

Good details, thanks

[@valeriecallaghan]

Great video! I love the Texas Eagle ! Have taken it 4 times. I hope they bring back the observation car and the traditional dining soon

[@T1DWanderer]

Me too

[@marcelinomedina3232]

I took this train from Los Angeles California to Austin Texas round trip twice. It was overall a good experience because I love the American landscape. The train did break down and I would recommend if you do take this train to just go with it and try and be in the moment. I felt like I was in a peaceful western movie for a lot of the train ride. I met some interesting folks on the train too.

[@T1DWanderer]

Agreed. The scenery is great and best enjoyed when you're not too worried about a tight schedule

[@jf0817bl]

I am surprised that not many people notice that in Dallas, you go right by the Texas School Book Depository and Dealey Plaza.

[@T1DWanderer]

Wow, no I didn't notice that. Right outside my window :0

[@ronclark9724]

@@T1DWanderer Yep, you rode over the Triple Overpass on the west side of downtown Dallas...

[@clehouser4]

I like that train and the route - but i get off in Tucson. Always an adventure!

[@julieg4926]

I felt your footage of Saint Louis was very beautiful. You captured particularly captivating scenery. Thanks for including it. It’s nice to see a positive spin on one of many cities that often gets a bad wrap. All I can really say about all of the video is WOW! It’s one of my favorites. Kudos!

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks! That time on the St. Louis platform was what elevated the trip into magic, from my perspective :)

[@ScottPalmer-mp1we]

I'm hoping to ride on this train in a couple of weeks. My wife and I went on it a few years ago and had a wonderful time (Chicago to Fort Worth)

[@JimStubchaer]

My wife and I book two roomettes across from each other so we can see both sides from the train. Also we each get a lower bed.

[@T1DWanderer]

Heh, you build a little empire for yourself. Nice approach!

[@ronclark9724]

But you doubled the price for the one roomette.... Easy come, easy go....

[@jmajette2]

Absolute great job on part one - can’t wait for part 2!!! 😊🎉

[@petermccann8402]

I live in Mineola, and I see the train frequently, but still haven't ridden it. Fun to see my town from the passenger's perspective!

[@T1DWanderer]

It was quite a welcoming-looking approach to the station

[@thr3748]

I really enjoyed this video, Jeremy....lots of interesting tidbits and the interaction with other people is always welcomed. It looked like a good ride and I actually was sorry to see it end. Now Ill just have to wait and see part two. See you then. Thanks for the cool video. THR

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks. I like the parts with people too. Part 2 awaits you!

[@johnpatterson4272]

At 28:44 you captured the infamous Dealey Plaza. I've never seen that angle before, but its wide-open and you can see the entire area. I'm rather surprised the parking lot behind the grassy knoll is still maintained. This video was fantastic, hopefully Amtrak gives you some serious comps in the future it's a wonderful promotion for them.

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks! Yeah I'm ashamed that I didn't know that was Dealey Plaza at the time, but I don't think I ever saw it from that angle either

[@ronclark9724]

The parking lot didn't exist there during 1963, it was built several years later. In 1963 there was a railroad freight yard there... Presently the parking lot serves the Sixth Floor museum at the former TSBD...

[@kalon227]

“hotter than hell” as you dug into you chicken enchiladas. Of course it’s “hotter than hell”. You’ve come to my home town Fort Worth in the summer time. lol. So far, good travel blog. Keep it up.

[@spark_6710]

There is an old song called " Hotter than Hell " by kiss ,one of my favourite songs of theirs. Lol.💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🚈💕💞

[@alimazimmer3819]

I travelled on the Texas eagle round trip from Chicago to Fort Worth / Dallas. I enjoyed the trip very much. I later connected with the Heartland fiyer to Oklahoma City. Very nice trip . I originally took the Caardinal from Newark, New Jersey to Chicago . then I changed to the Texas Eagole.

[@TheWolverine-ff2rs]

Before Hurricane Katrina decimated the route east of New Orleans in 2005 - the Sunset Ltd used to be the longest. - starting in central Florida to LA - also a 3 night trip. I rode that one 4 times [out and back twice]. Have not been on the Texas Eagle. I would like to ride it sometime. Still need to do SW Chief and California Zephyr.

[@Bamboosh00ts]

I hope they get the entire sunset limited up and running within my lifetime so I can ride it

[@baseballfan99]

Great video I have taken this train Coach from Chicago to El Paso back when it had a full restaurant car on the whole route and everyone was welcome. It was a few hours late in El Paso due to freight traffic but was a great way to cross Texas. Issues now are even if you pay sky high sleeper prices are the flex dining for half of the route and the lack of an observation car. This year I did New York to Chicago on The Cardinal then almost straight onto the The South West Chief which in total is over 75 hours in total all in Coach though thankfully I only had to use the cafe car once thanks to pre planning and buying found from shops on route.

[@T1DWanderer]

What a trip. Buying stuff from shops along the way is master-level train traveling! You're a good pre-planner

[@ronclark9724]

@@T1DWanderer While coach passengers today wonder why no one riding in coach desire to purchase hot meals from the diner? Too expensive. Diner meals are not worth twice what Dennys charges. When the pandemic Amtrak finally got the nudge to not serve coach passengers from the diner. Apparently the only ones dining in the diner were and are sleeper car passengers. It's my opinion Amtrak should include and charge diner meals with the coach passengers too. Sleeper car passengers don't have the option to have diner meal expenses removed from their sleeping car fares.

[@ClifHaley]

Took my first ever train ride last week on the Texas Eagle and brought an electric guitar in a hardshell case. It fit in that tiny, narrow closet in the roomette perfectly!

[@T1DWanderer]

Haha awesome!

[@deborahsells1092]

I agree!! Why not an Observation Level?? Southwest Chief had them & it was Very Enoyable, wentvI traveled to California from Illinois..Years ago!!

[@kevinhoward9593]

i did the route going Eastbound a few years ago. was fun. Sunset Limited operates 3 days a week. You'll know when its time to get on the train when the train's horn blows twice. There should be a sight searer lounge

[@RedWaveComing2024]

my next rail pass i'll take Texas Eagle....going from east to west coast yearly....i already ridden Empire Builder and CA Zephyr

[@T1DWanderer]

Cool, have fun!

[@jopflah416]

Wow! Deally Plaza and Elm St. and you didn’t even mention it. Also the Texas School Book Depository.

[@prchristman]

Thanks for mentioning it (28:43).

[@ronclark9724]

That old train car seen in Fort Worth is a museum restored relic from the Dallas Interurban that ran from Mineral Wells to Canton thru Fort Worth and Dallas... It also ran from Waco to Dennison as well thru Dallas... The Dallas Interurban was owned and operated by what was Dallas Power & Light... Its bridge over the Brazos River in downtown Waco still stands as a walk bridge today...

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

I love your music!

[@dhawthorne15]

This will be my trip next year 🎉

[@larrylairsonjr5129]

The tower in Dallas is reunion tower. trinity railway goes between Dallas and Ft. Worth.Union station also serves DART(Dallas area rapid transit) Just some FYI.

[@suejames3208]

In the middle of watching. I live in England and 10 years ago we went on the Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver. It was March and the weather was so bad, it was the first time in 25 years that the train was half a day late getting into Vancouver. The train also handed over food supplies to the train going east as they had been stuck in the storm and their supplies were running low. Arrived in Vancouver to warm spring weather! An excellent experience.

[@FreihEitner]

Wow, that sounds like quite a trip. It says something if they were only half a day late one time in 25 years, though. Just luck of the draw for you to be on it.

[@MA-yh2ko]

How expensive was that do u remember? The prices now are in the thousands.

[@suejames3208]

@@MA-yh2ko There are some things that I remember, being a rather sad muppet when it comes to finance as my husband lets me organise everything and I tend to remember stuff!! We had a double cabin with toilet and all meals. Cost in £ sterling was £2900. A "Once in a lifetime" trip and as my husband is a train lover, worth every penny. We've now been married 52 years and he's an easy person to live with!!!! The standing joke has always been, he earns it, I spend it. By then, Ian had retired and I continued to work till the end of 2013.

[@ronclark9724]

Landslides, well mudslides happen, as do flash flooding... Weather can mess up travel arrangements... Plan and book accordingly...

[@glennblum6410]

Once again a very nice video. Ive been watching your channel since 2020. The Temple Stop, I actually live west of there a few miles.

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks! Glad you are enjoy the travels :)

[@FreihEitner]

It's funny you should say the restroom seemed more modern here. The sleeping car you were on was an original 1970s Superliner car. the ones with the worse restrooms were the 1990s Superliner II cars. Which one you get is all up to chance as both run on all Western lines and may be swapped out at any point for maintenance purposes. I concur, the original Superliners were far superior in every way, but it's still mostly little differences -- just the restrooms are far and away superior! Also certain it will come up in part 2, but the observation lounge car likely was added when your part of the train from Chicago got connected to the other part of the train coming from (I believe) Louisiana.

[@CoryMatthew87]

He was comparing the sleeper restroom to the coach restroom he's had before. But yes, the Superliner I's that have the refurbished cars have very spacious restrooms. And on the single level Viewliners, the V2 bathrooms/showers are much nicer. As you said, ya never know what you will get these days!

[@ronclark9724]

Before the Superliner I's were refurbished they used to have what seems like bulkheads of smokey stinky carpet... As time goes by situations change...

[@ajw1976Horn]

Enjoyed this video and I’m looking forward to part two. Subscribed.

[@nembird]

Thanks for a great overview of this route- on my bucket list. Done the other LD routes west of Chicago but this is still undone.

[@calbob750]

Last year I rode the Texas Eagle from Chicago to Dallas by coach. One thing I noticed that you can hear the endless whistle blowing for crossings in some parts of Texas. Not good when you’re trying to sleep.

[@ronclark9724]

There is a federal requirements to blow the horn at road crossings... If the horn bothers your sleep, wear ear plugs... Amtrak sells ear plugs... Walmart sells ear plugs... If you can afford a Amtrak fare, well, you can afford a pair of ear plugs...

[@carolm8003]

Wonder how CPAP users do with the non continuous electric. Thx for an enjoyable video

[@JL-lg8tk]

Well done video. You provided a lot of information about the sleeping car roomette and the dining experience. I recognized a lot of the scenery from Dallas to San Antonio since I'm a Ft. Worth native now living in Austin, TX. Your video on the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited to L.A. was also well done. You showed how diverse the scenery is in Texas. Did you recognize Dealey Plaza and the School Book Depository Building immediately after leaving the Dallas Union Station and crossed over the triple overpass? That old rail car on display at the Ft. Worth station is one of the original Interurban cars that ran parallel to the Texas & Pacific railroad between Ft. Worth and Dallas back in the very early 1900's. The first of commuter rail.

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks. I actually didn't realize that was Dealey Plaza until someone else pointed it out in a comment. Oops! Thanks for the info about that train in Fort Worth; I was wondering

[@tincanboat]

The auto train is actually the longest passenger train, but the Texas eagle is the longest passenger route.

[@deborahsells1092]

Really enjoying Your Streams! VERY INFORMATIVE!!

[@MariaHernandez-jd2bi]

Longview, Texas has a nice train station.

[@julieg4926]

I really appreciate your positivity and gratitude so far. The detail you give in your video is second to none. Thanks!

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks!

[@CaptainJerry-]

I have enjoyed that trip in coach to SA. Next time willbe roomette!

[@makulewahine]

What? No dessert for your first meal? If you eat in the cafe you have to pay for it as far as I know. I was curious about the flexible meal too. That seems to be the best for this leg of the trip. I'm looking forward to the next leg from San Antonio to Los Angeles where you can get traditional dining. Happy travels.

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks. There may be some dessert coming in the second video ;)

[@ronclark9724]

Flexible dining sucks considering how much sleeper passengers pay for their accommodations... Much more than what coach passengers pay...

[@rwdavidoff]

I'm inclined to suspect the lack of observation car is due to equipment shortages. There were only 50 Superliners built as lounges, with five converted from Superliner I diners, and they have a lot of routes to cover and I think some have been lost over the years in collisions and derailments. They may not have enough for one per consist for all their long distance trains, so they concentrate them on the "prettiest" bits of the routes that really benefit from them and other marque trains, especially since the Texas Eagle meets up with the Sunset limited that already has a lounge for the trip through the southwest? Dunno.

[@rwdavidoff]

I poked it, and apparently Wikipedia says the Texas Eagle should get its lounge car back between Chicago and San Antonio in October, 2024 if schedules hold and the backlog of maintenance caused by COVID, supply chain issues, funding, and derailment recoveries clears out of the shops. So that's nice for the future if it's true, though no help for you in making this video last year. :)

[@kevinhenley7976]

Huge rail interchange at 28:30 in Dallas - AKA Dealey Plaza / Grassy Knoll where JFK was shot.

[@gregsells8549]

One of the switches at Dealey Plaza is known as JFK Junction.

[@effectmd5359]

"one mistake and you're stuck in fort worth" ... 😂

[@T1DWanderer]

😇

[@bextar6365]

Like riding Greyhound on rails ! @@T1DWanderer

[@BoratWanksta]

​​@@bextar6365I wouldn't quite compare Amtrak to Greyhound. Greyhound usually has more poorer riders, riding it. Not to forget whereas at times Greyhound buses might pick up passengers from prisons, I don't notice this on Amtrak as much. Plus it seems Amtrak riders are more well off financially vs. Greyhound, from what I notice.

[@berzerker1100]

Yes, i totally agree 👍💥​@@BoratWanksta

[@MariaHernandez-jd2bi]

Fort Worth isn't so bad.

[@Rockfan10001]

Thank you sir, for your thorough content of train travel. I imagine the editing is time consuming. Much appreciated. I need to contribute. Is Palpal an option?

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks. I have a Patreon at patreon.com/t1dwanderer

[@JP-Au-Schulz]

I would love do make this trip some day soon. Thanks for sharing your experience. Looks like you really enjoyed this trip.

[@T1DWanderer]

Yes it was great fun

[@divox9pqr]

I’ve done the Eagle after it meets the Sunset Ltd, so your video was a wonderful introduction to the TE from Chicago. Thanks so much

[@T1DWanderer]

Glad you liked the trip, thanks

[@lpettet1]

I made the trip St Louis to San Antonio on the same train a few months earlier. Good experience. BUT no Wi-fi. Only telephone data when near a town. Really something Amtrak needs to upgrade.

[@VICSWEB1]

please try a coast to coast greyhound bus?

[@T1DWanderer]

That would be insane. I've thought of that but I have some hesitancy...!

[@keithknott8307]

That TOWER you showed but didn't know about at "28:10" is called: "REUNION TOWER." Also, while you were in DALLAS TX, The other TRAIN you showed is called The "TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESS". Besides "THE TEXAS EAGLE" (AMTRAK), It's the only TRAIN connecting "DALLAS TX to FT WORTH TX". And if you need to stop at "DFW AIRPORT" you can, Which is on the SOUTHSIDE OF DFW.

[@debbiehaynes8295]

First of your videos I've seen and I found it interesting and informative. I did have to constantly adjust the volume and I wonder if it might be helpful to use a wearable, noise cancelling microphone to equalize background noise and better record your low voice.

[@T1DWanderer]

Excellent feedback, thanks. Yes, I have been trying to improve the audio levels. You may (hopefully!) find that my more recent videos (from the last couple months) have more even levels and are a bit clearer. One other skill I'm trying to grow is how to speak in a very quiet environment like a Japanese train, so I don't annoy people around me but can still be understood via the mic. Thanks for the ideas and I'd be curious if a more recent video sounds better to your ears!

[@Truman5555]

Weird, I think the Texas Eagle used to have the observation car when I used to take it from STL to Chicago. Maybe its a more recent change. THe last time I took it was like a decade ago though.

[@jaywatty8728]

They removed it in 2020 during the pandemic for so-called social distancing reasons and now almost 4 years later still haven’t returned it 😖😖

[@ronclark9724]

@@jaywatty8728 During the pandemic Amtrak got funding from Congress to refurbish the entire Superliner fleet... Notice on some videos new upgraded leather seat covers replacing the blue cloth seat covers and refinished rest rooms... I just wished Amtrak would add more power outlets and USB ports as well...

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining. Nice tour of the passenger car/inhabitable cabin rooms/edible meals/sizable dining quarters. Not too shabby a ride for the money 💰 😉in

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks, yeah I really enjoyed this one

[@deborahsells1092]

When was This Stream taken?? I'm going put on THIS train to Lordsburg, NM to see my Sisters! I will be traveling in a Roomette but traveling back to Galesburg, IL on Coach. I couldn't afford affor another trip back on the Roomette., sadly. I'm worried about that. Do they have Traditional Dining yet??

[@T1DWanderer]

This was in Fall of 2023. Not sure what the situation is right now with dining; it probably says on the Texas Eagle page on the Amtrak website. Enjoy the trip!

[@DOSBoxMom]

The presentation of the meal looks a lot like that of Cafe Car items on the Missouri River Runner/Lincoln Service. What desserts were they serving at lunch and supper with the Flex Dining?

[@T1DWanderer]

I can't recall but I think it was on the menu in the video, might have to freeze frame it. Enjoy your trip to Ft Worth!

[@johnnyraymond2532]

ATMS at 7 Eleven are free Nationwide if you can get to one

[@foodiola]

You mentioned that this is only of the long-distanced trains to not have an observation car...I wonder if it might be because there's a tunnel height limit...? I enjoy your travelogues...very nice!

[@jaywatty8728]

They removed it in 2020 during the pandemic 😷

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks! According to other commenters, it's just that Amtrak doesn't have any extra cars, or they say they don't 🤷‍♂️

[@luzmalara5584]

The Sightseeing Lounges are the same height as the other equipment on the train! All superliner I or II. So No, there are no restrictions due to tunnels. Nathan in Chicago 🇺🇲

[@ronclark9724]

@@T1DWanderer Amtrak pulled the diners and sightseeing lounges on the shared train sets of the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited so they can refurbish the entire Superliner fleet. With the coaches and sleepers, Amtrak pulled a car off many of their Superliner train sets to provide enough for refurbishment. It seems Amtrak is well along on this refurbishment process that hopefully soon the diners and sightseeing lounges will return to the Texas Eagle/Capitol Limited...

[@vanessablackmon5561]

The Trinity rail travels between Dallas and Fort Worth Texas.

[@bluecanary822]

At Fort Worth station you could have gotten a Subway sandwich for a late night snack.

[@robj2583]

I need to get up to Chicago in December and I live in SA. About 6 weeks of unused vacation days. I thought it would be fun to go by train. Never been on Amtrak. But now I’m reading comments that I will be on the worst of the Amtrak trains with the worst food options.

[@noramaegomez197]

Which side should I be on going from Los Angeles to St. Louis? And from St. Louis to Los Angeles, which side? I appreciate your videos are very informative.. thank you😊😊

[@T1DWanderer]

I think either side is fine. Especially if you go to the observation car, then you just choose whichever side looks best at the moment

[@RobertPaniagua]

Wow! Great train ride! I want to do this myself even though I come from Boston which would make this a cross country run. I'd also do sleeping car service, way better than coach

[@ronclark9724]

I consider every night on a train is one LESS night at a expensive hotel whether I fly or drive... Amtrak isn't just transportation, Amtrak is also hospitality...In a sleeper or coach better than the Dog, Greyhound...

[@Alan-lv9rw]

Nice video. Just the right amount of information.

[@jjstevens9261]

The Journey, and one LDW Route I've not done yet(and grew up a MO Ozark boy).. Wish Flexible Dining wasn't the norm for so much of this extended route; would be great to see Arcadia Valley/MO Ozarks in daylight (there's quite the Civil War history around Arcadia Valley...)

[@ronclark9724]

Hopefully after all of the Superliners have been refurbished, traditional dining will return to the Texas Eagle...

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

I enjoy your videos because you dont talk too much!

[@T1DWanderer]

Nice to hear!

[@NickP16]

Another great video, I’ve taken the Texas eagle and the sunset limited separately The only part of that trip I haven’t done as I haven’t traveled by train between Fort Worth and San Antonio I’ve taken the Texas Eagle from Chicago to Fort Worth. And then I have also taken the Sunset Limited from New Orleans all the way to Los Angeles. We were five hours late getting into San Antonio to pick up the other cars from the Texas Eagle. We were so late I had to pay to have my bags held at Los Angeles, Union Station. And hopped a Uber to get out to the Santa Monica pier with only minutes to spare for my all day tour of Los Angeles.

[@T1DWanderer]

When either of the trains is late I guess it throws everything off

[@ronclark9724]

I have had flights cancelled... Plan and book any long distance trip to arrive to your destination at least a day early, if not two. Even with flights sometimes you have to wait to the next day for the next flight. Better to spend one more day at a hotel than miss the event you went there for. Imagine missing your daughter's wedding? Or your grand daughter's wedding? Plan and book accordingly...

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Did you spend TWO nights on the trains, or THREE nights?

[@T1DWanderer]

It was three nights from Chicago to Los Angeles (sort of 2.5 nights -- we arrived before 5 am)

[@cruisecrazy7066]

@@T1DWanderer If you arrived before 5 am, you must have been up all night to get showered and dressed. That is a ridiculous time to arrive.

[@calebstrayer478]

The Texas Eagle doesn't have a sightseer lounge car because Amtrak simply doesn't have enough of them. Over the years, some of them have been damaged in wrecks, some have fallen into such disrepair that they had to be removed from service. I haven't heard that Amtrak is planning to replace or refurbish them.

[@MA-yh2ko]

You answered my question. Thank u

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

And yet, I just saw 2 sightseer lounges on the northbound Saluki leaving Centralia Illinois in order to meet CN’s 32 axle requirement. Management can spare Eagle passengers the claim that they don’t have enough of those cars to run one on the Eagle!

[@calebstrayer478]

That's weird. Usually Amtrak puts on multiple baggage cars to meet axle minimums. Maybe it's because the Saluki is paid for by the state of Illinois, and only operated by Amtrak? Just a guess on my part.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

⁠@@calebstrayer478 The Chicago to Carbondale trains use Superliners because the single level Amfleet and Horizon equipment that Amtrak normally uses for it’s Midwest services are not heavy enough to reliably trigger the signaling along the route. As a result both trains are required by CN to run with at least 7 Superliners each. At peak only 3 of the cars are used for paying passengers while the rest are on the train merely being used to fulfill the axle requirement.

[@ronclark9724]

@@MA-yh2ko Amtrak is refurbishing the entire Superliner fleet including Sightseeing Lounges and Diners. Unfortunately having suffered many derailments over the past 50 years of the Superliner fleet, there aren't many left not in daily service. To do the refurbishment, those on the shared trainsets of the Texas Eagle and Capitol Limited have been pulled, with the Diners replaced with the Diner Lite cars converted from coaches earlier... Emphasis was to sustain both type of cars on the western mountainous routes serving the west coast and the Autotrain... Eventually after all have been refurbished they will return to the TE and CL... Note the TE mountainous sector west of San Antonio do have them combined with the Sunset Limited serving the west coast... Also notice when there are maintenance issues Amtrak pulls the Diner and Sightseeing Lounge cars out of service even on the west coast train routes presently... You can't refurbish cars without pulling some out of service...

[@jacquelyngreen4210]

I love your videos and you seem to be a wonderful guy. I want you to know that God loves you and that he hasn’t forgotten about you or anyone reading this. Please let him in and pray. Please don’t forget about him❤.

[@lisareed5669]

Oh, brother.

[@andrewthacker114]

I enjoyed your video. Keep up the good work

[@annm.7176]

Amtrak needs a pass like Eurorail where you can just get on and of course it would be coach, and get off anywhere you wanted without reservations. It's a shame you go through some of these towns and you can't go see the historical sites.

[@flsnowman82]

What kinda camera did you use? Love the travel videos

[@T1DWanderer]

Thanks. It's a DJI Pocket 2

[@lerlanger]

Very informative! Question: : If you put the bottom beds together in a roomette, is that big enough for 2 people? Does flexible spending mean you have a choice of e ating in dining car or roomette?

[@T1DWanderer]

Two smaller people could maybe fit on one roomette bed, but it'd be pretty narrow. And yes, they will bring the food to your roomette if you want

[@rob5894]

So what happens if the Texas Eagle is very late. Does the Sunset Limited wait for it?

[@jaywatty8728]

It’s a 5 hour layover in San Antonio from 9pm-2am for that route. So no they won’t wait if the train is more than 5 hours late coming from Chicago.

[@T1DWanderer]

They'd just strand the Texas Eagle passengers in San Antonio?

[@jaywatty8728]

@@T1DWanderer Amtrak has there own buses so they will drive you to the closest next stop for the train so you can board if train not too far ahead.