Amtrak: Off the track?
Mar 19 '00
General Late last year (Nov-Dec) I took a trip with Amtrak from Newton Kansas to Flagstaff Arizona. Which is about 22 hours there and 22 back. All in all it was a pretty uneventful journey
Amtrak will allow you to have up to three checked bags and two carry on's when you are not changing trains. Checked bags may not weigh more then fifty pounds unless you pay a ten dollar over weight fee.
Amtrak recommends that if you have checked bags you need to be there an before the train is scheduled to leave because bags checked an half an hour before the trains leaves may not be sent on the same train with you.
Red Cap service is available at all major stations for free tips are accepted.
The way there,
We packed are beds and headed for the station we had to be there an hour before because we had checked bags. We checked in an waited for the next hour. The chairs were what you would think for a waiting room, about the same quality as a bus station. The train was five minutes late but that isn't to bad of a delay. The one thing I did not like about the station was once the trained arrived you had to walk roughly three hundred feet to enter the train unless of course you are traveling sleeper class.
The staff were very helpful always offering pillows and making sure everything was fine. the seats were heaven if you have ever taken an air flight you know what I am talking about the entire coach class was like the first class of an airplane roomy with foot leg and head rest. If the trains was not crowded you could easily get two seats to yourself. Blankets are available at about fifteen dollars the are about six by six with the Amtrak symbol embroidered on on of the corners
The Southwest Chief has both a dinner car and a lounge car the dining car serves three meals a day. Diner is by reservation only they will announce this over the intercom and will come through the car asking if you want to make a reservation. I ate breakfast and diner in the lounge car which serves. sandwich's pop etc, For Lunch I would eat in the Dining car the price for an adult meal is between 6 - 14. I had chicken noodle soup a soft and a muffin for about 7 dollars.
The train even arrived five minutes early at Flagstaff the way down was wonderful. I enjoyed traveling with them so far.
The way back,
A week later were headed back I wish I could say that the way back was just as enjoyable but I can't.
Arriving at the station about 45 minutes before the train was supposed to be there coming from Los Angeles. The train was 45 minutes late do to 'unforeseen difficulties'. A plus here we only had to walk about a hundred feet to enter the train. The staff wasn't as pleasing and pliable as were the people who brought us down. However there was one stewardess who went above and beyond what you would except a stewardess to do and I thank her for being so nice.
The bathrooms were kept clean and could accommodate most anyone there was as there should be a handicapped restroom the bathrooms are shared and a little bit bigger then those on an airplane.
The food is prepared by live chefs on the train and honestly the food on the way back looked like it had came out of a can. The prices and menu were the same.
Finally the train rolled into the station 5 hours later then it was supposed to be there. They say this was due to the switches being frozen and them having to switch the tracks manually... this was the week of that big snow storm that hit the entire country. The one that had been forecast for a week in advance? I just think they should have been more prepared then they were.. five hours is an inexcusable delay for me.
Looking back:
In looking back, I'd have to say I don't think I would take the train again. Right now I probably would even with the five hour delay on the way back and all the wrecks they have been having lately (The train I took on the way back. The southwest chief was recently derailed) Mainly because of the price of gas. there service was fair and if you like to see the scenery and don't mind taking your time this could be the way for you. But for me I think I'll stick with the airlines.
It may not be the Bullet or the Orient Express but its in America.
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Epinions.com ID:
BenjiePanda
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Location: Ponca City OK
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 6 members
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