#66 arrived into KIN bright and ugly at 6:17 am. Because I had checked a bag to BOS, I continued to BOS. (Besides I wanted more train time!) 66 arrived into BOS early at 7:42 am. (RTE and BBY are both "D" stops.)
#66 delivers checked baggage right from the baggage car at South Station. But it was not aboard, so I had to go to the baggage claim office, it came in the night before on #448 from CHI.
I left my bags with the Red Cap (to allow for early boarding). Mike (the Red Cap) asked me "Didn't you go out on #449 last week?" That small statement earned him an extra tip!
#161 departed right on time at 9:40 am. It was announced over the PA that 161 was "very full".
Due to track work near Quonset Point (RI) that shut down one track, 161 arrived KIN about 15 minutes late.
Friday, April 5, 2013
3/8/13
During the night, I woke up twice on my own. I'm not sure where, but I guess CLE and ALC. Ohio never looked better!
Just before Connellsville, #30 was put in the hole for 3 (THREE) freights! This was over 1 hour in length. Oh yeah, this was within a few miles of the Connellsville stop! (Which I believe is double tracked BTW.) We pulled into Connellsville over 2 hours late. During the next 30 minutes, I heard (on the opposite side of the train) 3 more freights pass by. Luckily we were still moving at the time.
At breakfast, one of my tablemates was on the previous #50. He said that when they arrived at Huntington (note the city is the same as the day before), they were annulled. They returned to CHI as #51. However, due to #51's scheduled departure time, they remained in Huntington for 16 hours!
This brings up 2 questions (at least). If #50 returned to CHI as #51, what was done with the original #51 passengers west of Huntington? (The Cardinal only operates 3 times a week and is usually nearly full, if not sold out,) Also if Amtrak knew about this situation, why was I not notified of it (by robocall) until less than 2 hours before the departure of #50 AND after I had already checked into the ML?
There was much construction on Sand Patch Hill. The conductor kept the passengers informed of the reasons for the delays. He also warned us that it will not improve.
#30 arrived into Cumberland about 2:15 late.
Due to the late train, breakfast ended about 9:30 am so the Dining Car Crew could prepare to serve lunch. (Normally #30 serves both meals continuously between 6:30 and 10:30.) However, the lunch service was unprofessional also.
I ordered a cheeseburger, my tablemate ordered soup & salad and her son ordered chicken nuggets. She received her salad and a dressing (take or leave it - no choice of dressing). However, she did not receive a fork to eat it with for over 30 minutes! And this was despite asking several times. In fact a spoon was brought for her soup (before it was delivered), but still no fork.
Our food was delivered about 45 minutes later, after most of the car had emptied. No apology was made.
My cheeseburger's roll was offset so condiments could be added as desired. But no condiments were offered at all! The kid at the table (as said) had chicken nuggets. Again, no condiments were offered to him either!
This was the family's first train trip. Luckily they shared the table with me, because I explained that this ("service") is not the norm on Amtrak trains. If they weren't seated with me, they may say "Never will I take Amtrak again!" And I personally would not blame them!
Departed Martinsburg over 2:30 late. However, due to continued SSLLOOWW orders, we arrived in Harper's Ferry over 3:45 late! But due to excessive padding, #30 arrived into WAS "only" 2:15 late. However, many missed their connections.
I waited for #66 in the CA, which was packed. This was due to a combination of ush hour, a Friday afternoon and the "get out of town for the weekend" crowd.
#66 was oversold (I think due to late arriving trains) and some passengers had to stand. Luckily, I was in BC and got a seat. In fact one of the 1 side of the 2x1 seats!
The conductor on 66 from WAS to NYP announced EVERY stop over the PA. (This was between 10 pm and 2 am.) The conductor from NYP to BOS did not, except after PVD. This was more then acceptable and very much appreciated.
Just before Connellsville, #30 was put in the hole for 3 (THREE) freights! This was over 1 hour in length. Oh yeah, this was within a few miles of the Connellsville stop! (Which I believe is double tracked BTW.) We pulled into Connellsville over 2 hours late. During the next 30 minutes, I heard (on the opposite side of the train) 3 more freights pass by. Luckily we were still moving at the time.
At breakfast, one of my tablemates was on the previous #50. He said that when they arrived at Huntington (note the city is the same as the day before), they were annulled. They returned to CHI as #51. However, due to #51's scheduled departure time, they remained in Huntington for 16 hours!
This brings up 2 questions (at least). If #50 returned to CHI as #51, what was done with the original #51 passengers west of Huntington? (The Cardinal only operates 3 times a week and is usually nearly full, if not sold out,) Also if Amtrak knew about this situation, why was I not notified of it (by robocall) until less than 2 hours before the departure of #50 AND after I had already checked into the ML?
There was much construction on Sand Patch Hill. The conductor kept the passengers informed of the reasons for the delays. He also warned us that it will not improve.
#30 arrived into Cumberland about 2:15 late.
Due to the late train, breakfast ended about 9:30 am so the Dining Car Crew could prepare to serve lunch. (Normally #30 serves both meals continuously between 6:30 and 10:30.) However, the lunch service was unprofessional also.
I ordered a cheeseburger, my tablemate ordered soup & salad and her son ordered chicken nuggets. She received her salad and a dressing (take or leave it - no choice of dressing). However, she did not receive a fork to eat it with for over 30 minutes! And this was despite asking several times. In fact a spoon was brought for her soup (before it was delivered), but still no fork.
Our food was delivered about 45 minutes later, after most of the car had emptied. No apology was made.
My cheeseburger's roll was offset so condiments could be added as desired. But no condiments were offered at all! The kid at the table (as said) had chicken nuggets. Again, no condiments were offered to him either!
This was the family's first train trip. Luckily they shared the table with me, because I explained that this ("service") is not the norm on Amtrak trains. If they weren't seated with me, they may say "Never will I take Amtrak again!" And I personally would not blame them!
Departed Martinsburg over 2:30 late. However, due to continued SSLLOOWW orders, we arrived in Harper's Ferry over 3:45 late! But due to excessive padding, #30 arrived into WAS "only" 2:15 late. However, many missed their connections.
I waited for #66 in the CA, which was packed. This was due to a combination of ush hour, a Friday afternoon and the "get out of town for the weekend" crowd.
#66 was oversold (I think due to late arriving trains) and some passengers had to stand. Luckily, I was in BC and got a seat. In fact one of the 1 side of the 2x1 seats!
The conductor on 66 from WAS to NYP announced EVERY stop over the PA. (This was between 10 pm and 2 am.) The conductor from NYP to BOS did not, except after PVD. This was more then acceptable and very much appreciated.
Monday, March 25, 2013
3/7/13
I awoke somewhere in northern MN. I then discovered that the circuit breaker (in the sleeping car) tripped during the night. This controls the in-room outlets. Thus my cell pone (and thus my alarm) ran out of juice during the night!
I was still early enough to get to breakfast early enough to beat the rush.
Upon my return, #8 pulled into MSP about 30 minutes down. During the stop, I went to take a shower only to find ............... cold water! (And no,I didn't need a cold shower!) the SCA later told me that the water lines from and thus there was no hot water.
#8 continued down to CHI and also reduced the padded stop at MKE. We arrived into CHI about 4 pm, just slightly late.
(Now the good, bad, ugly and unbelievable part begins!)
I went to the Metropolitan Lounge to wait for #50 (the Cardinal). Check in was quick and uneventful. Because I had only about 90 minutes between trains, and I found a luggage cart on the platform, I did not leave my bags in the baggage room.
Before I even found a seat my cell phone rang! It was a robocall from Amtrak. It notified me that "... part or all of my trio (on 50) may involve alternate transportation ..." due to track work, and to call 1-877-xxx-xxxx for more information. Nothing of this sort was told to me when I checked into the ML 2 minutes earlier! I also knew "alternate transportation" is Amspeak for "bustitution"!
Since I was at CHI, instead of calling and wasting cell phone minutes, I walked a few hundred feet to the Amtrak Passenger Services office. I spoke with Linda, who was VERY helpful!
She also was unaware of the reason. She determined (via her computer) that the reason was due to track work between Huntington and CVS.
The track work was on the Buckingham Branch.
..............
The first agent I was called to (I wish I got her name - position #12 about 4:30 pm on 3/7) would not reissue the ticket, because it was an AGR award ticket. She told me that I must MYSELF contact AGR to get this corrected. It did not matter when i replied that i had just spoken to Linda and was told to come over to the ticket window to be re-ticked! (BTW : It is just across the concourse, under 100 feet away!) She then dismissed me!
Because I was so close to the ML, I decided to return there to sit down comfortably to call AGR on my cell phone. While returning to the ML, I passed Linda who asked me if I was all set. I explained what happened.
Linda was mad at agent #12, and told me to follow her back to the ticket windows. At first, she was going to go back to the same agent, but on the way down the line to position #12, she passed an available agent at position #6 (I believe), Kishi, who was VERY helpful!
It was determined that AGR did not make a notation on the PNR that authorized the re issuance of the ticket. Kishi spent much time on the phone and waiting on the computer with me remaining at her position, to get this ticket reissued. A couple of times during this period, Linda returned to check on the progress! Finally, all was set, and Kishi reissued the ticket.
Between Linda and Kishi, these 2 spent well over 1 and 1/2 hours assisting me with my problem! They are 2 of the best employees that I have ever met and dealt with!
I want to publicly commend and thank them! (A letter will be sent to Amtrak to be placed in their employee files!)
#30 departed on time, and the bedroom was GREAT! For those of you wondering about e-tickets, when the conductor came by to scan the tickets I was relaxing on the couch and the curtain was closed. It took me a little time to realize the knock was for me. The conductor called me by name (from his scanning device) - even though I was only reissued the ticket for #30 about 15 minutes before!
Although the car number was 3002, it was located right next to the Dining Car!
The dinner service was very unprofessional from the server! This was one of the earlier meal times also. Thus I doubt that she was "tired" from working too hard.
Near the start of dinner, the train hit a hard switch/bump and I spilled my iced tea. It went all over the table, onto my seat and pants and also on the floor. I used my napkin to wipe it up as best that I could. One of my tablemates also gave me his napkin to use for the clean-up. At that time, I asked for bottled water instead, and 2 napkins to replace the wet napkins.
I never received either one!
After we had finished our meals, the wait for the server to take our desert orders was so long that the other 3 at the table finally gave up and left! Because this was my last meal on this trip with desert, I remained. However, it still was a long time before the server came.
Due to the earlier seating (with many more to follow) I decided to give up the table ASAP for other diners. So I requested a bottle of water and cheesecake with topping to go. I would eat it in my room.
They were both delivered semi-quickly. I returned to my room. But there was a problem. There was no fork (or other utensil) to eat with! Luckily the topping was in a separate container. I had to use my hands to eat me cheesecake. (The topping I had no choice but to throw out.)
I'm very glad bedrooms have their own in room sink and towels!
I was still early enough to get to breakfast early enough to beat the rush.
Upon my return, #8 pulled into MSP about 30 minutes down. During the stop, I went to take a shower only to find ............... cold water! (And no,I didn't need a cold shower!) the SCA later told me that the water lines from and thus there was no hot water.
#8 continued down to CHI and also reduced the padded stop at MKE. We arrived into CHI about 4 pm, just slightly late.
(Now the good, bad, ugly and unbelievable part begins!)
I went to the Metropolitan Lounge to wait for #50 (the Cardinal). Check in was quick and uneventful. Because I had only about 90 minutes between trains, and I found a luggage cart on the platform, I did not leave my bags in the baggage room.
Before I even found a seat my cell phone rang! It was a robocall from Amtrak. It notified me that "... part or all of my trio (on 50) may involve alternate transportation ..." due to track work, and to call 1-877-xxx-xxxx for more information. Nothing of this sort was told to me when I checked into the ML 2 minutes earlier! I also knew "alternate transportation" is Amspeak for "bustitution"!
Since I was at CHI, instead of calling and wasting cell phone minutes, I walked a few hundred feet to the Amtrak Passenger Services office. I spoke with Linda, who was VERY helpful!
She also was unaware of the reason. She determined (via her computer) that the reason was due to track work between Huntington and CVS.
The track work was on the Buckingham Branch.
..............
The first agent I was called to (I wish I got her name - position #12 about 4:30 pm on 3/7) would not reissue the ticket, because it was an AGR award ticket. She told me that I must MYSELF contact AGR to get this corrected. It did not matter when i replied that i had just spoken to Linda and was told to come over to the ticket window to be re-ticked! (BTW : It is just across the concourse, under 100 feet away!) She then dismissed me!
Because I was so close to the ML, I decided to return there to sit down comfortably to call AGR on my cell phone. While returning to the ML, I passed Linda who asked me if I was all set. I explained what happened.
Linda was mad at agent #12, and told me to follow her back to the ticket windows. At first, she was going to go back to the same agent, but on the way down the line to position #12, she passed an available agent at position #6 (I believe), Kishi, who was VERY helpful!
It was determined that AGR did not make a notation on the PNR that authorized the re issuance of the ticket. Kishi spent much time on the phone and waiting on the computer with me remaining at her position, to get this ticket reissued. A couple of times during this period, Linda returned to check on the progress! Finally, all was set, and Kishi reissued the ticket.
Between Linda and Kishi, these 2 spent well over 1 and 1/2 hours assisting me with my problem! They are 2 of the best employees that I have ever met and dealt with!
I want to publicly commend and thank them! (A letter will be sent to Amtrak to be placed in their employee files!)
#30 departed on time, and the bedroom was GREAT! For those of you wondering about e-tickets, when the conductor came by to scan the tickets I was relaxing on the couch and the curtain was closed. It took me a little time to realize the knock was for me. The conductor called me by name (from his scanning device) - even though I was only reissued the ticket for #30 about 15 minutes before!
Although the car number was 3002, it was located right next to the Dining Car!
The dinner service was very unprofessional from the server! This was one of the earlier meal times also. Thus I doubt that she was "tired" from working too hard.
Near the start of dinner, the train hit a hard switch/bump and I spilled my iced tea. It went all over the table, onto my seat and pants and also on the floor. I used my napkin to wipe it up as best that I could. One of my tablemates also gave me his napkin to use for the clean-up. At that time, I asked for bottled water instead, and 2 napkins to replace the wet napkins.
I never received either one!
After we had finished our meals, the wait for the server to take our desert orders was so long that the other 3 at the table finally gave up and left! Because this was my last meal on this trip with desert, I remained. However, it still was a long time before the server came.
Due to the earlier seating (with many more to follow) I decided to give up the table ASAP for other diners. So I requested a bottle of water and cheesecake with topping to go. I would eat it in my room.
They were both delivered semi-quickly. I returned to my room. But there was a problem. There was no fork (or other utensil) to eat with! Luckily the topping was in a separate container. I had to use my hands to eat me cheesecake. (The topping I had no choice but to throw out.)
I'm very glad bedrooms have their own in room sink and towels!
3/6/13
I awoke in Idaho. Much more snow was in ID and MT. The area around Glacier NP was snow covered and beautiful. 28/8 even stopped at Essex (Isaac Walton Inn), which is normally only a flag stop. I could not tell if someone got on of off, but I did see the hotel van pull away from the platform.
Per the agreement of the 2830 car, the SCA of the 830 car and the conductor, I was allowed to change cars in Havre. I had a room on 2839 to WPT and a room room on 0830 from WPT. This allowed me to switch rooms on the long platform at Havre on the outside of the train from the very back of the train to near the front of the train.
Arrived into Williston 9 minutes late. Williston is ND oil country.
After dinner, I retired for the evening. Not much to see in ND.
Per the agreement of the 2830 car, the SCA of the 830 car and the conductor, I was allowed to change cars in Havre. I had a room on 2839 to WPT and a room room on 0830 from WPT. This allowed me to switch rooms on the long platform at Havre on the outside of the train from the very back of the train to near the front of the train.
Arrived into Williston 9 minutes late. Williston is ND oil country.
After dinner, I retired for the evening. Not much to see in ND.
3/5/13
After a restful sleep, I went to breakfast in the PPC. #14 arrived into KFS early, so due to padding, the stop was over 1 hour long. That also meant I could eat on a non moving train.
Early in the crossing of the Cascades, there were only some patches of snow visible. However, once 14 crossed to the west side, there was deep snow by the tracks and heavy snow falling. I don't remember as many tunnels and snow sheds during prior crossings of the Cascades. Maybe they have recently been built.
I had told Michelle (the PPC attendant) that I was going to purchase some CS coffee mugs before I got off, either before or after the wine tasting. That was scheduled (per the listed schedule) between 2:45 and 3:30 pm. This was before the arrival into PDX. I know the PPC has to "earn it's keep", so I really wanted to make this purchase. I also realize Michelle had to have a lunch break.
However, since I am familiar with that area, once we passed Oregon City I knew we were getting close to PDX, so I returned to my room to pack for departure. After I had quickly done that, I returned to the PPC. Michelle had not yet returned, and of course the wine tasting had not begun.
I remained in the PPC until we crossed the Steel Bridge (that's the name of it!), 1/4 mile south of Union Station. Michelle still had not returned. Thus I could not make a purchase to sustain the PPC!
Still I would give high grades to Michelle!
I waited in the Metropolitan Lounge for the departure of #28. The wait was about 90 minutes or so.
Utilized a Red Cap to get out to the 28 sleeper, which is the very last car on 28. We left PDX on time. By the time the SCA (Rebecca) reached me, all the great seafood boxed dinners (which was salmon) were handed out. (Rebecca told me that they only loaded 5 seafood meals on 28!) So I chose the marinated chicken with orzo salad. It was great as always, but not as good as the salmon would have been!
Soon #28 reached Vancouver, WA and turned east. Thus my quick visit to the wrong (i meant left, I meant west) coast was over. (For now!)
Soon I went to sleep. Besides, it was dark, and who wants to see SPK anyway!
Early in the crossing of the Cascades, there were only some patches of snow visible. However, once 14 crossed to the west side, there was deep snow by the tracks and heavy snow falling. I don't remember as many tunnels and snow sheds during prior crossings of the Cascades. Maybe they have recently been built.
I had told Michelle (the PPC attendant) that I was going to purchase some CS coffee mugs before I got off, either before or after the wine tasting. That was scheduled (per the listed schedule) between 2:45 and 3:30 pm. This was before the arrival into PDX. I know the PPC has to "earn it's keep", so I really wanted to make this purchase. I also realize Michelle had to have a lunch break.
However, since I am familiar with that area, once we passed Oregon City I knew we were getting close to PDX, so I returned to my room to pack for departure. After I had quickly done that, I returned to the PPC. Michelle had not yet returned, and of course the wine tasting had not begun.
I remained in the PPC until we crossed the Steel Bridge (that's the name of it!), 1/4 mile south of Union Station. Michelle still had not returned. Thus I could not make a purchase to sustain the PPC!
Still I would give high grades to Michelle!
I waited in the Metropolitan Lounge for the departure of #28. The wait was about 90 minutes or so.
Utilized a Red Cap to get out to the 28 sleeper, which is the very last car on 28. We left PDX on time. By the time the SCA (Rebecca) reached me, all the great seafood boxed dinners (which was salmon) were handed out. (Rebecca told me that they only loaded 5 seafood meals on 28!) So I chose the marinated chicken with orzo salad. It was great as always, but not as good as the salmon would have been!
Soon #28 reached Vancouver, WA and turned east. Thus my quick visit to the wrong (i meant left, I meant west) coast was over. (For now!)
Soon I went to sleep. Besides, it was dark, and who wants to see SPK anyway!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
3/4/13
Arrived "early" in to LAX. Although the scheduled arrival is IIRC 5:15 am, most arrivals are about 4:30 an! However, this one was "early", as we arrived about 4:20 am!
The SCA (I wish I had gotten his name) was not even awake!! The "rule" is that sleeper passengers "can" occupy their rooms until 6:30 - but I never saw wording saying that they "NUST" occupy their rooms until 6:30! With akk the activity on the platform (coach passengers must disembark upon arrival) and with other trains coming and going, I don't see how anyone could continue sleeping anyway.
Since the SCA was not awake, passengers had to carry their own bags down the stairs to the door. As many of you know, I have a balance coordination problem. It wasn't easy for me to carry my 2 carry on bags and my walking stick, but it was possible. But for the couple in the H Room, that was a different story!
After many of the passengers disembarked, we flagged down a Red Cap. He assisted the couple in the H Room with their bags. After helping that couple, he saw a conductor on the platform and notified her of the situation. She went into the car and did not see, to be happy!
Before she cane back, I had left with the Red Cap so I don't know "the rest of the story"! This was one of the very few times I didn't tip the SCA, but I had no choice. There was no one to tip!
As per my practice of traveling for an extended period without stopping over, I had checked one bag of clean clothes to LAX, with the intention of switching my dirty clothes for my clean clothes and then checking my dirty clothes bag back home.
I went to the ”Parcel Room" (aka baggage claim at LAX) to retrieve my bag. I then took a seat in the beautiful waiting room to switch my clothes from 1 bag to the other. I then took that bag to the ticket counter to recheck it back to BOS.
Due to being very tired, I did not go to Phillippe's! (I know that's rules for dismissal from AU.) instead I stayed at LAX and had a great conversation with a Native American returning from AZ to OR.
I waited for the Traxx Lounge to open to recharge my iPhone and iPad. Also to get some free coffee and juice!
Soon it was time to board the CS. I again used a Red Cap. #14 departed right on time, with a PPC in the consist! However, by the time the conductor reached me to scan my ticker,and I got to the PPC, all 8 of the great swivel seats were taken. So I was forced to take one of the "bar seats" instead.
There was no wifi in the PPC. If there was, it wasn't listed as a choice.
I had lunch (and dinner) in the PPC. Lunch was great, with the ocean views as a background. Dinner had the salad served in a real glass bowk, the iced tea was served in a real glass - but the entree was served on a (plastic) Amplate!
I later discovered that the PPC did have wifi, but I could not connect to it.
The SCA (I wish I had gotten his name) was not even awake!! The "rule" is that sleeper passengers "can" occupy their rooms until 6:30 - but I never saw wording saying that they "NUST" occupy their rooms until 6:30! With akk the activity on the platform (coach passengers must disembark upon arrival) and with other trains coming and going, I don't see how anyone could continue sleeping anyway.
Since the SCA was not awake, passengers had to carry their own bags down the stairs to the door. As many of you know, I have a balance coordination problem. It wasn't easy for me to carry my 2 carry on bags and my walking stick, but it was possible. But for the couple in the H Room, that was a different story!
After many of the passengers disembarked, we flagged down a Red Cap. He assisted the couple in the H Room with their bags. After helping that couple, he saw a conductor on the platform and notified her of the situation. She went into the car and did not see, to be happy!
Before she cane back, I had left with the Red Cap so I don't know "the rest of the story"! This was one of the very few times I didn't tip the SCA, but I had no choice. There was no one to tip!
As per my practice of traveling for an extended period without stopping over, I had checked one bag of clean clothes to LAX, with the intention of switching my dirty clothes for my clean clothes and then checking my dirty clothes bag back home.
I went to the ”Parcel Room" (aka baggage claim at LAX) to retrieve my bag. I then took a seat in the beautiful waiting room to switch my clothes from 1 bag to the other. I then took that bag to the ticket counter to recheck it back to BOS.
Due to being very tired, I did not go to Phillippe's! (I know that's rules for dismissal from AU.) instead I stayed at LAX and had a great conversation with a Native American returning from AZ to OR.
I waited for the Traxx Lounge to open to recharge my iPhone and iPad. Also to get some free coffee and juice!
Soon it was time to board the CS. I again used a Red Cap. #14 departed right on time, with a PPC in the consist! However, by the time the conductor reached me to scan my ticker,and I got to the PPC, all 8 of the great swivel seats were taken. So I was forced to take one of the "bar seats" instead.
There was no wifi in the PPC. If there was, it wasn't listed as a choice.
I had lunch (and dinner) in the PPC. Lunch was great, with the ocean views as a background. Dinner had the salad served in a real glass bowk, the iced tea was served in a real glass - but the entree was served on a (plastic) Amplate!
I later discovered that the PPC did have wifi, but I could not connect to it.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
3/3/13
After a restful night sleep at SAS in a bed that wasn't moving, I awoke just prior to Del Rio - abd discovered we were running late. However, because we were late, the crossing of the Pacos High Bridge was in daylight.
When passing thru the train, I discovered that most of the seats were occupied.
#1/421 stopped in Sanderson (normally a flag stop) to pick up 1 person leaving town. I wonder why they were leaving. Even the 100+ year old ex-SP station left town. (At least it's no longer standing.)
Arrived in Alpine (Jim's old stomping grounds) about 30 minutes down. We then proceeded to ELP, arriving just slightly late. The burrito lady moved from ABQ to ELP, and she was doing a very brisk business when she met the train.
Because there was only one more meal prior to LA, I was provided the choice of remaining in my room on #421 or move to a new room on #1. I chose to remain in the #421 sleeper. (For those unaware, trains #1 and #421 are combined and operate as one train west of SAS, with the #421 sleeper at the rear of the train and the #1 sleepers and the Dining Car at the front.)
Arrived early into Tucson. Thus due to the extra padding, the stop was over 1 hour long.
Shortly after departure, due to the late hour and the anticipated early arrival, I retired to sleep to enjoy my last night board the TE/SL.
When passing thru the train, I discovered that most of the seats were occupied.
#1/421 stopped in Sanderson (normally a flag stop) to pick up 1 person leaving town. I wonder why they were leaving. Even the 100+ year old ex-SP station left town. (At least it's no longer standing.)
Arrived in Alpine (Jim's old stomping grounds) about 30 minutes down. We then proceeded to ELP, arriving just slightly late. The burrito lady moved from ABQ to ELP, and she was doing a very brisk business when she met the train.
Because there was only one more meal prior to LA, I was provided the choice of remaining in my room on #421 or move to a new room on #1. I chose to remain in the #421 sleeper. (For those unaware, trains #1 and #421 are combined and operate as one train west of SAS, with the #421 sleeper at the rear of the train and the #1 sleepers and the Dining Car at the front.)
Arrived early into Tucson. Thus due to the extra padding, the stop was over 1 hour long.
Shortly after departure, due to the late hour and the anticipated early arrival, I retired to sleep to enjoy my last night board the TE/SL.
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