Northbound trip (Dec 23-24th):
1. Amtrak still having issues with the PA system on Superliner Sleepers. Seems to me they need to have the system upgraded or standardized between different Sleeper versions on the same train (Superliner I and Superliner II). The Texas Eagle had two sleepers on version I built in the 1979ish period and one II built in the 1990ish period. Seems the Superliner I the in compartment speaker would only work if the radio control was set on position #1. Superliner II on the same train, didn't seem to work in the compartment at all which makes me suspect on the later Superliner perhaps where it broadcasts is controlled at the mike? Not sure. Standardization of the PA system is in order here though so it works the same in both Superliner I and Superliner II.
2. Service much improved in the Dining Car, faster table service check in and check out. Wasn't stuck in a booth for 1.5 hours while the wait staff went off and served other tables. Additionally, the head food service person offered to have food delivered to my room after the Dining Car was closed as a TO GO item which was nice service which I never heard about before.
3 Train was between 20-30 minutes early into Chicago Union Station and it is becomming noticeable that schedule padding on the Texas Eagle is in the too much category. Look for a schedule change soon (even the latest timetable implies one is comming). Also had several station stops prolonged Northbound to get back on schedule because we were early. I think lack of Frieght trains has to do with date of travel if I had to guess.
4. Slight sewer smell every so often in the sleeping car compartment as two of the retention tanks were full leaving Dallas and somehow it was intersecting with the ventilation system. Not too strong and liveable (minor). Smell went away after St. Louis stop, my guess is they pumped it there while the locomotives were refueling.
5. Train was sold out.
6. They collected all the pillow cases before arrival in Chicago. I suspect for quicker turn but might be the sticky fingers on those Illinois residents.
Southbound Trip (Jan 1 - Jan 2nd):
1. Only waited for a frieght once in a siding, the rest of the waits were for opposing Amtrak trains (St. Louis - Chicago and once south of St. Louis).
2. Timekeeping again above average approx 1 hour early into Marshall, TX (just sat there and waited). Approx 20 min early into Dallas, TX. Also, several prolonged station stops South to artificially delay the train back onto the milk run schedule. I think the good time keeping had to do with most UPRR crews on Holiday.......just a guess though.
3. Alas finally a dining car crew serving like a private restaurant. All dinner entress on a platter for one table and all delivered at once with one trip. Thought I would never see the day......there might be hope here. We did not have a sightseer lounge car only a Cafe Car and Dining Car coupled together. Dining Car seatings were numerous for Dinner starting at 5:00 p.m. in 15 minute increments until 8:45 p.m. Heaviest use of the Diner / Cafe combo I have seen in my travels. Servers really moved and hustled.
4. Sleeping car attendent made my compartment into a bed during the short time I was at dinner. First time that has ever happened in my lifetime of traveling Amtrak. So I was impressed here as well.....very attentive and fast, especially with a sold out sleeper. He got a $30 tip just for that high level of service.
Things do seem to be looking up for this train.
I rode from Los Angeles to Chicago on the Eagle this past October, and found it to be a good trip--except that I had no sound in my bedroom; I could barely hear the announcements in the aisle.
The attendants in both diners (LA-NO &SA-Chicago) were good, and provided good service. My sleeper attendant LA-SA quickly turned the mattress around before we left (I have to sleep with my right side on the outside, and A ,C, and E are ordinarily made up with the passenger's left side on the outside.
It was nice having to go by Tower 55 only once, though a TRE train coming in to Fort Worth delayed us a few minutes.
We arrived in St. Louis two hours early, and I was not at first sure we were there since I had last been in St. Louis in 1989, and did not recognize the new station. Because of mobility difficulties (I use a walker) I did not go into the station.
Bcause of the work being done on the former Alton, we were detoured over the former C&EI route, and were delayed by two freights, arriving two hours late.
We did have a Sightseer Lounge from San Antonio, and only half of the tables in the diner were in use.
Johnny
Encouraging reports, guys! Thanks. I will say, appropos of Milw's comment, I have always found, wherever I rode Amtrak, my bedroom made down when I returned from dinner. (I do always eat late, whenever there is a slot.)
DeggestyIt was nice having to go by Tower 55 only once, though a TRE train coming in to Fort Worth delayed us a few minutes.
It took 5 years to negotiate that move to the TRE line with Amtrak and the cities of Fort Worth and Dallas. You would think it would have been a no-brainer but finally I believe the City of Fort Worth decided to assume the limited liability if there was ever an accident involving an Amtrak train on that line with TRE.
The Amtrak speed and performance will improve even better on that line once it is fully double tracked. They are working on that slowly but surely. Still Amtrak moves a lot faster across the TRE line than it ever did on the UPRR routing.
Likewise Texas Eagle time will improve once they start up and upgrade the tracks between Austin and San Antonio, which they plan to do if ever the comutter rail service proposal gets off the ground.
Here is a link to an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram that highlights the challenges and motives of switching the Texas Eagle to the TRE:
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/traffic/your-commute/article4480770.html
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
Has Amtrak ever used the UP route since starting to use TRE ? There were unconfirmed posts that stated Amtrak could remain qualified on UP. Anyone know ?
blue streak 1 Has Amtrak ever used the UP route since starting to use TRE ? There were unconfirmed posts that stated Amtrak could remain qualified on UP. Anyone know ?
I know it remains open as a potential detour route but I think in that case it might be a UP crew up front......have no idea what the details of that arrangement are.
Further not mentioned in the article and another potential irritant to UP was Dallas was considering the length of the UP in addition to TRE as a second commute route.........then I heard no it would be a HSR route. So no idea what is going on there with the plans. Pipe dreams in smokey rooms.
On a Saturday in November or December, I don't remember the exact date, the TRE bridge that crosses Stemmons Freeway (I-35) was closed to repair the damaged caused by an 18 wheeler that hit it in March 2015. TRE service was suspended for most of the day.
The 18 wheeler came off second best, but the hit moved the bridge alignment ever so little, so that trains had to slow to a crawl to cross the bridge.
I don't know for sure, but I believe Amtrak operated 21 and 22 on the UP between Dallas and Fort Worth while the bridge was being repaired.
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