The first Amtrak train I rode was I think called the North star or something like that. It was from Chicago to Duluth Mn. If I remeber right I think the train was not part of the Builder but ran opposite it. Then again it could have been the Arrohead and we made connection from the builder. Because I remember having a sleeper out of Chicago. I think it was around 1979-80. It was so long ago and I know I road the arrowhead several times. I also made a trip on the Texas chief a week before they pulled it off and got pic of it on it's last trip through the Okla night.
The first and last Amtrak train I took was from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas NV. I had taken the DRG&W CZ from Denver to Salt Lake City. That was a great train. The Amtrak train was one of the worst trips I have ever taken. The train was scheduled to leave Salt Lake City around midnight but it was running about an hour late. The car was cold (November). The windows were so dark that you couldn't see out. We arrived in Las Vegas about 2 hours late. I swore I would never take Amtrak again and I never have.
Amtrak Trailways bus to Seattle. Happy Railroading! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to BCRailKing@Canada.com
ncng, Sorry to hear about your ONE and ONLY trip on Amtrak. I've had a bad experiance on the City of New Orleans once, but it hasn't stopped me from riding again. I've lost count on how many times I've taken Amtrak and because I know you can have a bad trip onetime, it doesn't mean it would be that way the next. You might want to give them another shot sometime. Now, what was my first Amtrak trip? It was from Bloomington (The Old Alton Station), IL. to Lincoln, Il. for the last leg of a grade school class trip back in 1972 or 3(?). We rode in an Ex-GM&O coach still in maroon, red and gold. As a matter of fact, the whole train was still in GM&O paint. I remember the Head-Rest covers where white linen with the GM&O "wings" in light green. REAL NICE! We had E-8 #100 in charge for the headend with a E-7 sister behind. I'm not sure of what cars were on the rest of the train because we couldn't leave the "safety" of our coach. But I do remember the whole train was in GM&O colors still. Not very long after, the Amfleet cars and also the Turbo trains were running through town. I never got to ride the Turbo, but my Dad did one winter from Chicago. His regular train was still using steam heat and it froze up. So they pulled a Turbo set out from the coach yard and sent it south instead. Because of the delay, the drinks, on board services and gifts were FREE! I got a TON of cool Amtrak stuff when he got home. I just wish someone hadn't stolen my Amtrak over-night duffle bag. It was my favorite thing he gave me from that trip. He had playing cards, cups, post cards, buttons, a blanket, and many other things that I can't remember. That duffle was STUFFED! I bet there wasn't anything left before they got to Springfield. Like I said, sometimes things don't go right no matter what the situation. Give them another try, you might just like it this time. Besides, they have a 100% money back policy if you're not happy so what do you have to lose? America's getting into Training! ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234 [This message has been edited by Maxwell Plant (edited 26 May 2000).]
My first Amtrak trip was from OKC to Ardmore, Oklahoma on the Lone Star in 1978. It was pulled by 2 SDP40's in the cigar band paint,and consisted of a baggage, 10-6 sleeper, diner, 3 hi level coaches, a lounge, 10-6 sleeper, and a baggage. According to agent in OKC it hit a truck in Ponca City and broke the head light. They had to stop until the light was replaced putting it 2 hours late. Throttlejack, if I could get a copy of your Texas Chief photo to put on my web site @ http://home.mmcable.com/rherendeen I would be forever greatful.
I will look again for it. But I have some how misplaced most all of my photos I took when I was an avid but very poor picture taker. If I do find them I will send them to ya.
At my age, and all the drugs, it's hard to remember the first one. I think it was in the mid 70's going from Brattelboro Vt to Wash DC and back. As I recall it couldnt hold a candle to the days of the Pulmans. The food was crapy and the service was, well we'll do you a favor and wait on you. In those days Amtrak was run by old Pensy people who could care less about humans, they wanted just freight, who couldn't complain and didn't care if the train was a couple of hours late. Over the years, the service has improved, marginally, but the on-time performance for any train ride more than an hour long hasn't. I took the AutoTrain after it was taken over by Amtrak from Sanford to Lorton and it was quite pleasant. But the food sucked. Man, what was it about those SF chefs on the Super Chief, they were good. I've done lots of Metroliners to DC from New Haven and R/T, it's better than riding a bus thats for sure but still these people don't understand customer service. That is not to say that I havn't met some real nice individuals in Amtrak colors, who were helpful and liked to "jaw" with a railfan, but by and large they think they're running a train not moving people from place to place. Gotta get off this soap box. see Ya ! ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine.
My first Amtrak trip was on the 'International' from Toronto to Flint, MI. The Via staff were rude and unhelpful, but at the border Amtrak staff took over and they were much better. The ride was very slow and boring, compared to trains here in the UK (or anywhere in Europe). The Amfleet coaches are awful! We are used to more comfort My last Amtrak trip was the return run one month later! This was 1985, by the way. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
Via staff is often like that I think Via may be one of the only companies that can have there staff for 13 hours, and then say they worked 8! You should see the bags under the eyes of most staff when they get into Vancouver, and they are even bigger when they leave 8 hours later! Man, I would nenver take that from an employer! It looks like they are ready to jsut drop where they are and SLEEP!! Geez Via Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to BCRailKing@Canada.com [This message has been edited by BC Rail King (edited 28 May 2000).]
My first trip was the Empire Builder from Fargo, ND to Seattle, WA. My dad and I went to the Friends of the Burlington Northern convention in 1996. I didn't spend a dull moment on the train for the entire trip. I must say that the service by the employees was good, and they made the trip enjoyable. On a side note, anyone that has the opportunity to ride the train through Cascade Tunnel should take it!
My first trip on Amtrak was about 12 years ago. I rode the Southwest Chief from Albuquerque to Chicago then the Broadway Limited to Newark. I fell in love with trains again after many years of never riding the rails. Previous to that I rode from San Antonio to Cairo Ill. in 1968 while in transit to USAF tech school in Champaign Ill. I rode a heritage sleeper-roomette on the train. Don't remember the railroad. Reggie
My first Amtrack was from Ocean Side CA to San Diego Ca in 1990. while I was stationed at Camp Pendleton while I was in the U.S. Marines. It was kinda pricey at the time (but then again I never had any money back then). I rode coach class, it reminded of riding on a Greyhound. I barely remember San Diego though, I was a young Marine with other things on my mind besides trains
My first Amtrak trip was last summer on the Cardinal between Cincinnati and Charlottesville. Eastbound the trip was fine, but coming home we were four hours late due to a faulty air conditioning unit in the transition sleeper and problems with the CSX signal system.
The san diegan from oceanside to LA. ------------------ Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!! LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!!
San Diegan in 1971 from San Diego to Los Angeles being pulled by ex-SP F-7's in SP coaches! Man I wish I had a good camera!!!
