Service on the CZ

[Anonymous]

My Brother-in-law recently took a Holiday Vacations tour with a group of 30. They left Chicago on 9/10 aboard the CZ and he had a Delux Bedroom. He said the first day and night he never saw the sleeping car attendant and his bed was not made up. The showers did not work throughout their whole car and nothing was done about that. The tour escort is contacting Amtrak on that. The food was fine, except that all the breakfasts were served cold, they offered seconds at other meals. They returned on the SW Chief from LAX, leaving on 9/19 and everything worked and staff was very attentive with an early arrival in Chicago. He said he would take the train again, he really enjoyed it. They toured by bus between Reno and Los Angeles. Not being a gambler he said, he would of rather spent two more nights in Frisco, instead of Lake Tahoe.

[Anonymous]

I have rode both of those trains myself many times and I find with the cz that its a crap shoot...some good runs some bad ones..The sw chief seems to be a different story. That train is still run with alot of pride and has an excellent "on-time" record.

[Anonymous]

I rode the Chief in '98 and i thought eveything about the train was first rate.The beef medallions on the dinner menu were out of this world!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I have found that service on Amtrak depends upon the tips. Yes, you are expected to tip your sleeping car attendant, expecially if he has to do a little extra loading your luggage. I have noticed what $5 or even $10 will do to increase service.

There is also a yellow button to call your attendant. And they do have lunch breaks, try not to bother them while they are attempting to eat. They get hungry too.

Also, on the two night trains, one sleeping car attendant will take one night off while the other covers.

[Anonymous]

Service is what AMTRAK allows.

I have twice taken the Empire Builder in deluxe bedroom from st. paul to Seattle and return and the service was lousy.

I worked on the former GREAT NORTHERN and used the Western Star and Empire Builder about 3 times a year and my worst trip on the GRREAT NORTHERN was superior to the so called best on AMTRAK.




TOM
GOD BLESS THE GREAT NORTHERN