City Of New Orleans

[Anonymous]

Has anyone on this forum ridden the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS in the recent past?

When I lived in Mississippi, I planned to take the train to Chicago and back. However, I wound up moving out of state before I could actually make the trip.

I will be back in MS next year and might be able to take the trip. But first I would like to know if anyone has experienced long delays enroute, poor onboard service, etc.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone on this forum ridden the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS in the recent past?

When I lived in Mississippi, I planned to take the train to Chicago and back. However, I wound up moving out of state before I could actually make the trip.

I will be back in MS next year and might be able to take the trip. But first I would like to know if anyone has experienced long delays enroute, poor onboard service, etc.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I have 4 times , I took it from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago and then from there I went to Salt Lake City. It was the most scary train ride of my life! Almost every other passenger was drunk, or acted like they were on drugs. Five year old kids walking back and fourth looking for there parents. The train was going faster than the track speed limit. They were going so fast that they missed a depot and stoped on a grade crossing to let people who missed the depot get off. Don`t get me wrong it was a fun trip, I think you should take it at least once.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I have 4 times , I took it from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago and then from there I went to Salt Lake City. It was the most scary train ride of my life! Almost every other passenger was drunk, or acted like they were on drugs. Five year old kids walking back and fourth looking for there parents. The train was going faster than the track speed limit. They were going so fast that they missed a depot and stoped on a grade crossing to let people who missed the depot get off. Don`t get me wrong it was a fun trip, I think you should take it at least once.

[Anonymous]

The City of New Orleans usually runs on time or close to it. It runs down formally Illinois Central tracks all the way, so there isn't any UP tracks and dispatchers to worry about....

[Anonymous]

The City of New Orleans usually runs on time or close to it. It runs down formally Illinois Central tracks all the way, so there isn't any UP tracks and dispatchers to worry about....

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NathanDavid

Yeah I have 4 times , I took it from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago and then from there I went to Salt Lake City. It was the most scary train ride of my life! Almost every other passenger was drunk, or acted like they were on drugs. Five year old kids walking back and fourth looking for there parents. The train was going faster than the track speed limit. They were going so fast that they missed a depot and stoped on a grade crossing to let people who missed the depot get off. Don`t get me wrong it was a fun trip, I think you should take it at least once.

Are you sure you weren't on a Greyhound bus?? [:p]

--Nora

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NathanDavid

Yeah I have 4 times , I took it from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago and then from there I went to Salt Lake City. It was the most scary train ride of my life! Almost every other passenger was drunk, or acted like they were on drugs. Five year old kids walking back and fourth looking for there parents. The train was going faster than the track speed limit. They were going so fast that they missed a depot and stoped on a grade crossing to let people who missed the depot get off. Don`t get me wrong it was a fun trip, I think you should take it at least once.

Are you sure you weren't on a Greyhound bus?? [:p]

--Nora

[Anonymous]

Thanks, you all. It doesn't sound as bad as the reports I heard recently (including a newspaper article from somewhere Down South). I'll try to make the trip before it's too late...

[Anonymous]

Thanks, you all. It doesn't sound as bad as the reports I heard recently (including a newspaper article from somewhere Down South). I'll try to make the trip before it's too late...

[Anonymous]

You think my trip from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago was bad you should have seen my trip from Salt Lake City to Chicago! Let me think people spiting on you, poor service in Chicago, people yelling at you, a 17 hour delay, a derailment. But that was one of my best trips on Amtrak! I have had so much bad stuff happen on Amtrak I could write a book! What ever happend to the REAL passenger trains?

[Anonymous]

You think my trip from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago was bad you should have seen my trip from Salt Lake City to Chicago! Let me think people spiting on you, poor service in Chicago, people yelling at you, a 17 hour delay, a derailment. But that was one of my best trips on Amtrak! I have had so much bad stuff happen on Amtrak I could write a book! What ever happend to the REAL passenger trains?

[Anonymous]

This was in the late 80's, my new wife and I rode the city to her namesake.New Orleans.departing St.Louis,Mo. on a one coach train to make conections in Carbendale,Il.with the City of New Orleans out of Chicago.Let me tell you this! the people on the train could have spit, punched, kick and called me every name but the child of GOD, and I still would have injoyed the trip.Thats how much I love passenger trains. Growing up in East St. Louis,Il. was fun for me (beleive it or not) my house was surrounded by trains, and the one I loved the most was the Illinois Central. I could watch that train all day.As I got older, I remember hearing this song by Arlo Guthrey, City of New Orleans, and was hooked all over agian. One of the most memorable part of the train ride was the stops. Just to see the other stations and depots, The one that stood out the most was the depot in McComb Ms. Thats where my Grandmother was born.She and her family left there when she was 15 years old to start an new life in East St. Louis. Well thats enough of my ramblin,take the trip, and enjoy the ride for what it is,(THE TRAIN THEY CALL THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS).

[Anonymous]

This was in the late 80's, my new wife and I rode the city to her namesake.New Orleans.departing St.Louis,Mo. on a one coach train to make conections in Carbendale,Il.with the City of New Orleans out of Chicago.Let me tell you this! the people on the train could have spit, punched, kick and called me every name but the child of GOD, and I still would have injoyed the trip.Thats how much I love passenger trains. Growing up in East St. Louis,Il. was fun for me (beleive it or not) my house was surrounded by trains, and the one I loved the most was the Illinois Central. I could watch that train all day.As I got older, I remember hearing this song by Arlo Guthrey, City of New Orleans, and was hooked all over agian. One of the most memorable part of the train ride was the stops. Just to see the other stations and depots, The one that stood out the most was the depot in McComb Ms. Thats where my Grandmother was born.She and her family left there when she was 15 years old to start an new life in East St. Louis. Well thats enough of my ramblin,take the trip, and enjoy the ride for what it is,(THE TRAIN THEY CALL THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS).

[wabash1]

when you rode amtrak on the st. louis to carbondale line what railroad did you use. what area did you run over.( towns seen to carbondale) .

[wabash1]

when you rode amtrak on the st. louis to carbondale line what railroad did you use. what area did you run over.( towns seen to carbondale) .

[Anonymous]

I remember taking the city of New Orleans from Chicago to Winona, MS back in the late 70's early 80's to visit my mother's family. I believe in the 90's they changed the route to the Yazoo River valley via Greenwood, MS to Jackson. The trackage from Memphis, Grenada, Jackson was jointed rail and not smooth. Plus it was hilly. Back then the people were ok. I can only imagine what they are now. If you go, start from Chicago. just be in awe of Union Station.

Q in Sac

[Anonymous]

I remember taking the city of New Orleans from Chicago to Winona, MS back in the late 70's early 80's to visit my mother's family. I believe in the 90's they changed the route to the Yazoo River valley via Greenwood, MS to Jackson. The trackage from Memphis, Grenada, Jackson was jointed rail and not smooth. Plus it was hilly. Back then the people were ok. I can only imagine what they are now. If you go, start from Chicago. just be in awe of Union Station.

Q in Sac

[Anonymous]

Rode the City of New Orleans in January '03. Great trip, good food in the diner, passengers and crew were friendly. Never had a problem in Chicago. Train left on time. Did rock a bit through Mississippi, but the train arrived "on the advertised" in New Orleans.

[Anonymous]

Rode the City of New Orleans in January '03. Great trip, good food in the diner, passengers and crew were friendly. Never had a problem in Chicago. Train left on time. Did rock a bit through Mississippi, but the train arrived "on the advertised" in New Orleans.

[Anonymous]

Gee, that train sounds like just riding it would be a colorful enough event to cause a person to want to write a song about it..... I can already hear it...

"Good morning America, How are ya? Don'tcha know me I'm your native son? I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans ... I'll be gone 500 miles before the day is done..."

Sounds kinda catchy. I ought to copyright that or something!

[Anonymous]

Gee, that train sounds like just riding it would be a colorful enough event to cause a person to want to write a song about it..... I can already hear it...

"Good morning America, How are ya? Don'tcha know me I'm your native son? I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans ... I'll be gone 500 miles before the day is done..."

Sounds kinda catchy. I ought to copyright that or something!

[jeaton]

As members may know, Amtrak's web site has a train status link and actual arrival times for any given train/station combo can be obtained for the previous six days. The last 6 days on Train 58's arrival at Chicago have not been good-late from 1 to almost 3 hours with no on-time arrivals. Hard to tell from that sample if the problem is chronic or a temporary condition. When I am planning a ride on Amtrak, I will monitor that site for some period to get general handle on the train's performance. Of course, anything can, and often does happen to the train I am on, but then delays are possible on any mode.

[jeaton]

As members may know, Amtrak's web site has a train status link and actual arrival times for any given train/station combo can be obtained for the previous six days. The last 6 days on Train 58's arrival at Chicago have not been good-late from 1 to almost 3 hours with no on-time arrivals. Hard to tell from that sample if the problem is chronic or a temporary condition. When I am planning a ride on Amtrak, I will monitor that site for some period to get general handle on the train's performance. Of course, anything can, and often does happen to the train I am on, but then delays are possible on any mode.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

QUOTE: Originally posted by NathanDavid

Yeah I have 4 times , I took it from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago and then from there I went to Salt Lake City. It was the most scary train ride of my life! Almost every other passenger was drunk, or acted like they were on drugs. Five year old kids walking back and fourth looking for there parents. The train was going faster than the track speed limit. They were going so fast that they missed a depot and stoped on a grade crossing to let people who missed the depot get off. Don`t get me wrong it was a fun trip, I think you should take it at least once.

Are you sure you weren't on a Greyhound bus?? [:p]

--Nora

No you cant drink or act drunk on greyhound there to stupid to allow that gimme AMTRAK any day (GREYHOUND) leave the drunk driving to us.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

QUOTE: Originally posted by NathanDavid

Yeah I have 4 times , I took it from Newburn Tennessee to Chicago and then from there I went to Salt Lake City. It was the most scary train ride of my life! Almost every other passenger was drunk, or acted like they were on drugs. Five year old kids walking back and fourth looking for there parents. The train was going faster than the track speed limit. They were going so fast that they missed a depot and stoped on a grade crossing to let people who missed the depot get off. Don`t get me wrong it was a fun trip, I think you should take it at least once.

Are you sure you weren't on a Greyhound bus?? [:p]

--Nora

No you cant drink or act drunk on greyhound there to stupid to allow that gimme AMTRAK any day (GREYHOUND) leave the drunk driving to us.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recent postings. I really do want to ride this train if I can schedule a trip on it next year.

Haven't seen Chicago Union Station since 1964. I do remember killing several hours of time there, between taking the NYC James Whitcomb Riley (Indianapolis-Chicago) and the UP City of Los Angeles (Chicago-Los Angeles). My family went to Central Station to do some trainwatching and I will never forget the sight of the Panama Limited, sparkling clean, all loaded up with passengers, mail and express and ready to head south. The most beautiful passenger train I ever saw!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recent postings. I really do want to ride this train if I can schedule a trip on it next year.

Haven't seen Chicago Union Station since 1964. I do remember killing several hours of time there, between taking the NYC James Whitcomb Riley (Indianapolis-Chicago) and the UP City of Los Angeles (Chicago-Los Angeles). My family went to Central Station to do some trainwatching and I will never forget the sight of the Panama Limited, sparkling clean, all loaded up with passengers, mail and express and ready to head south. The most beautiful passenger train I ever saw!