When Trains Rain Inside?! Heading South on Amtrak's Heartland Flyer

[@NickP16]

It rained 🌧 inside the sleeper i was on, on the Capitol Limited I was riding from Chicago to Pittsburgh to connect onto Philly on the Pennsylvanian A part of the electronics failed, and Water started leaking through the ceiling. The mechanical crew and Pittsburgh figure that out but it sure was freaky getting out of my room at and hearing water coming from the ceiling and thinking is it raining in here?... lol Great Video here, as always

[@ronclark9724]

Just like RVs, railroad cars occasionally require maintenance to plug the leaks...

[@stephenkeever6029]

Great to see the Santa Fe Depot in Oklahoma! I think you are the only one who consistently shows the various train stations that you depart and arrive at. For me it's all part of the trip experience.

[@LonestarTrips]

That’s exactly why I show them! The station is as much a part of the journey as the train ride there.

[@stopsign997]

That was a sick view from inside the station of the train

[@LonestarTrips]

Right?! I wish more stations around the US had windows like that.

[@JJRol.]

Thanks for another trip review, and the history about Santa Fe depot! Love the rainy train trips

[@LonestarTrips]

I’m glad you enjoyed! The rainy day trips aren’t the most scenic, but they’re still a good time.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

I had a fun time on this train when I rode it back in 2018. I am excited for the extension the current train to Kansas to connect the Flyer to the Southwest Chief and restore rail service to Wichita. I am also looking forward to seeing increased service btw Fort Worth and OKC. I dislike the fact that there’s no morning train to OKC and an evening train back to Fort Worth currently. I would ride the Flyer to spend some time in OKC before heading back home.

[@LonestarTrips]

The lack of service is the main thing holding the heartland flyer back. Hopefully the increase in service will see an uptick in passenger numbers.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

@@LonestarTrips There is potential for Amtrak in a Texas Triangle. Fort Worth to San Antonio, San Antonio to Houston, Houston to Dallas, and Dallas to Fort Worth would bring significant ridership for Amtrak.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@johnsons74thsquadron74 Amtrak is already moving forward with that as a part of their ConnectsUs plan. Most of the infrastructure is already in place, so it may be one of the first new set of trains we see out of the program.

[@johnsons74thsquadron74]

@@LonestarTrips I’m aware of that and that’s really awesome. But the infrastructure needs big upgrades to make rail competitive with driving. The Texas Eagle is scheduled at an average of 7 1/2 hours between Fort Worth and San Antonio, which is too slow to draw many people out of their cars. If it could be reduced to 4 1/2 to 5 hours, a lot of people would ride. The Lincoln Service is a good example of what would be great corridor vision for Texas and the Texas Eagle often sells out between Chicago and St. Louis despite having a third coach added on that segment due to much more competitive travel times.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@johnsons74thsquadron74 My hope is that they attempt to upgrade service speeds to 90mph, but seeing as it’s all freight right of way, who knows how far they’ll actually get.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Sweeeeet Amtrak Train

[@odiecalodie]

Would love to see this train eventually being combined with the Southwest Chief giving us a second Fort Worth Chicago Train.

[@LonestarTrips]

I don’t think Amtrak is planning on running service into Chicago at the moment, but the extension to connect with the Southwest Chief is at least a step in the right direction.

[@ronclark9724]

Amtrak may be able to extend the Heartland Flyer to Newton KS and back to OKC with this same train set, but to go to Kansas City or to Houston Amtrak will need to provide a second train set for one, or provide two more train sets to do both... Unfortunately Amtrak does NOT have extra Superliner train sets....

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video 👋

[@LonestarTrips]

Thank you very much!

[@lauramczig]

Nice channel lonestar

[@broyofroyo1207]

It is

[@LonestarTrips]

Thank you!

[@pauljansson2691]

Rain in the vestibule isn't suprising. there is a little gap in the vestibule's. atleast its not over your head. those Coach/Cafe cars used to be on the capitol corridor, we had 3 of them 35010,35005,35003. the LSA's (cafe attendants) called them "Panic boxes"

[@LonestarTrips]

Yeah the vestibules leaking is an understandably normal thing, but still annoying. The name “Panic Boxes” for the coach cafe cars is very fitting. They feel very similar to the SSL cars with the cafe on the lower level.

[@raphtze]

i remember those when i used to take the CC. they had the biggest table ! it was a good day if i got the table :) they are also incredibly quiet.

[@pauljansson2691]

@@raphtze those where the superliner coaches they got them in 2007 to surplus capacity. they where 5 wreck repairs that they state paid amtrak to rebuild and operate, in 2020 due to payment issues the cars where taken back by amtrak with 3 still being used, 34953,34981 are on the SJ line. and CC trains are all 8xxx with a small splattering of 69xx,64xx and the 63xx. Coach baggage 31934 went back to amtrak and got its number changed to 31034.

[@joestill7802]

Posted just a few moments ago, this trip must have occurred sometime last spring (based on the weather & passenger attire)?

[@LonestarTrips]

You are correct.

[@timbacchus]

I guess you can check in your bagage for safe keeping. I don't like having it down stairs where you cannot see it.

[@LonestarTrips]

Unfortunately, the heartland flyer does not offer checked baggage, so it’s either upstairs, downstairs, or not at all.

[@timbacchus]

@@LonestarTrips Wow

[@LonestarTrips]

@@timbacchus yeah it’s really annoying, but it’s just how things are. If it’s really a big concern, then you can sit on the lower level to keep an eye on your stuff.

[@AT-nq6cu]

@@LonestarTrips Your channel and the content is awesome. I was surprised to the nice platform at OKC without using the yellow chair to board the train. I'm sure you would agree. Safe travels and Thank You for the video.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@AT-nq6cu I’m so glad you enjoy the channel. Safe travels to you too, and I hope to see you in the comments on future videos!

[@trume12]

The middle coach is usually reserved for the crew. If they only have two coaches the end of the last car it blocked off for the crew.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Reminds me (a little) of the Portland Union Station, which is on but one level.

[@LonestarTrips]

I have yet to visit Portland, but I’ll be sure to see if I can draw parallels when I eventually head out west.

[@dennisyoung4631]

@@LonestarTrips the station itself is like a trip back in time. If you have a Roomette, like I had in May ‘21 - the Virus was yet frisky, and I did not wish to chance infecting an aged parent if I should catch it - that lounge you go in to wait for the train, is *Chill.* It’s the very thing one needs when one is worried about inadvertently offending people, (justifiable social phobia, due to being disabled) as it’s quiet and peaceful, almost like the libraries of years ago. Note: the Virus is still about. Many people might be done with it, *but it is not done with us* - and as I’m in a vulnerable cohort, I want to take what precautions I can. I especially do not wish to give it to other people, especially those *more* vulnerable than I am.

[@marciaharder1647]

When did you film this

[@madisontaylorz]

Do you know when they plan to add the additional round trips to the Heartland Flyer routes?

[@ronclark9724]

Maybe in 2029... Much depends upon how many Superliner cars Amtrak can bring back into service by repairing wrecked cars that have derailed in the past. Much depends upon how many more derailments and wrecked cars that occur in the future. Keep in mind Texas would like to see the Sunset Limited be a DAILY train, not a TRICE weekly train. And Texas really does want a DAILY train from Houston to Dallas. In Texas eyes, Amtrak is SCREWING Texas... While those living near the northeast corridor demand many more trains with more frequency with their regional trains, Texas wants a DAILY Sunset Limited and a DAILY train from Houston to Dallas... Yet, Amtrak IGNORES Texas...

[@petethetraveler]

@12:12 do you mean #21?

[@mohamadfaiz6935]

In 2029 heartland flyer extended to all the to Newton station.

[@dfwrider3830]

the rain at the ends of the car barely counts as inside, Id really consider it more like a dressed up section of outside.

[@willgibson9718]

Why you are making a video on Wednesday are you going make a video on Friday?

[@LonestarTrips]

I’ll decided to add some Wednesday videos to the mix to help get through the massive amount of footage I have. I still plan on doing weekly videos on Saturdays, but Wednesday videos will likely alternate depending on how much time I can find to edit.

[@michaausleipzig]

I must admit I didn't really get the reason for sperating passengers. Why does the crew need to "keep track" of who is getting off the train? 🤔

[@LonestarTrips]

The crew has to keep track to make sure no one is riding without a ticket, while ensuring that nobody missed their stop. Because it’s a 2 member crew, putting all passengers with intermediate stops in one car, with everyone else in the other means they only have to keep track of one car’s worth of people instead of two, or three had they opened the middle car. Hope that clears things up!

[@michaausleipzig]

@@LonestarTrips thanks, it does! Still it's super weird from my european perspective. As is most US rail travel... 😅🤷‍♂️ Over here my ticket would usually be checked at some point during my trip. Or I can check in via the app if I'm in my allocated seat and nobody needs to check anything anymore. And it's entirely up to me to make sure I get off at the right station, which will be announced of course. (I know you know all that but others maybe don't)

[@LonestarTrips]

@@michaausleipzig Haha yeah rail travel in the US is way different than in Europe. Most routes on Amtrak don’t offer reserved seating, and those that do offer it as a premium service for business class passengers. Checking tickets during the ride really depends on what route you’re on and how busy it is. For example, the higher frequency routes in the northeast and Midwest will usually check tickets en route, but for long distance trains, tickets are checked at the platform and then passengers are assigned to a car based on their destination. The crew then “Keeps track” of everyone because people tend to fall asleep on long distance routes, especially those that run overnight, so they’ll come through to wake people up when it’s their stop. It’s a strange way of doing it for sure, but you get used to it after a while.

[@michaausleipzig]

@@LonestarTrips well ... a coast to coast on Amtrak is definitely on my bucket list! 😊 Also with an average speed of just over 50mph I would have expected a sign instructing me that picking flowers while being underway is strictly forbidden. 😜 (That is a phrase we use over here to poke fun at very slow trains.)

[@LonestarTrips]

@@michaausleipzig 😂 Amtrak’s speeds tend to be laughably slow, but it’s not for a lack of trying. As mentioned in the video, Amtrak runs mostly on freight right of way, which is often limited to 80 mph, plus you’ll often get stuck waiting for traffic to pass, which can lower that average even further.

[@travelsofmunch1476]

This rote should run every two hours, this frequency is ridiculous

[@ronclark9724]

Dallas would prefer a DAILY train to Houston than multiple trains to OKC. After all OKC has a metro population of maybe 1.5 million, Houston has a metro population of 7 million... Amtrak needs to stop SCREWING Texas and pull their head out of their ass...

[@DavidTaylor-v6o]

When my room mate Steve and I go to Omaha I am almost tempted to take a Greyhound just to save a day Greyhound has a bus leave Dallas Texas at 720 am It is in Omaha at 1 30 am Rexas Eagle has us going to Cjicago We are due in Chicago at 144 pm But the California Zepry leaves Chicago at 2 pm That is a very very close connection It just scares me that we are going to be stranded in Chicago Next April 19 2024 I want to be in Oklahoma City at the Oklahoma City bombing sitee it is another annisversary

[@ronclark9724]

I suggest you plan a layover in Chicago for one day... I recommend everyone on their long journeys to plan a layover somewhere on the route and enjoy experiencing America somewhere you have never been before... Lots of cities and towns to pick from, any will do... Usually there is a hotel or a B&B within walking distance of most stations...

[@divox9pqr]

With so few passengers, it’s only a matter of time before this service is discontinued despite your fine review.

[@samtrak1204]

I'm surpised you didn't mention the disgusting dirty carpet.

[@LonestarTrips]

It’s so commonplace on Amtrak that it’s not even worth mentioning (which really isn’t great lol).

[@samtrak1204]

@@LonestarTrips When I was conductor I wrote a letter with photos to Amtrak President Boardman complaining about the filthy toilets and carpets on our trains. He replied, “I’ll look into it" and t that was end of story.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@samtrak1204 Completely ridiculous. They really need to do a better job looking after their fleet.

[@carlsmith5545]

Heartland flyer? Haaaa,ha, ha, haaaa, lol!!! Now yal know this is Amtrak right? Amtrak trains don't fly to fast. Lol!! Highspeed bullet trains and maglev super train technology, the new american dream...

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

This is the ironic heartland flyer with the track speed of 45 mph

[@ronclark9724]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist Maybe slow, but I have seen slower trains in the Balkans... If you are in a hurry FLY...