SFbrkmn wrote:Hello all. Took my trip on Thursday the 10th. Weather was good, ride was good, everything was good. At FTW did the Sundance Sq. Very impressed. Decided to pick the Chop House for lunch. Big plate of TX sized meatloaf. It was worth it. The Amtrak/ITC Center is a very nice terminal building. The scenes from the train were interesting. This became a good way to see the southern half of the Sooner state--an area which I rarely get to see anyway. All total we passed by 14 trains enroute. This is the main BNSF route to the Gulf and several of these were grain trains. In fact I saw the same train twice--going south at Noble on 821 and later on 822 at Ponder. The industrial sites in Saginawwere interesting tio briefly observe. This town has received lots of coverage in Trains over the yrs. Thanks to everyone that provided tips on what to do while in FTW. Texas is a great state w/good people. I like the state--just don't like the Longhorns and am hoping for another Sooner football victory over the Longhorns this October!
Actually, those "grain" trains you saw were actually filled with little plastic BB's that are shipped daily from the gulf coast to Kansas. I thought they were filled with grain also until I paid a visit to BNSF's Flynn Yard where the tour guide explained the booming plastic industry going from the gulf coast to Arkansas City, Kansas. It turns out they make the plastic on the gulf coast and ship it to companies up north to with the unmolded plastic what they wish. Although Oklahoma probably could support the grain industry as I am sure it does already!
I've taken that same trip a number of times. What we always do is when we arrive into FTW ITC, go and by a trolley pass inside the station and catch a trolley to the stockyards. Once you arrive there, there is about a block of restaurants and shops. I recommend "Billy Bob's BBQ." You have around 3-4 hours to spend in the stockyards before you catch the trolley back and arrive into the ITC at 5:00, just when 822 starts to board. If you have any more questions about the Heartland Flyer or its route, feel free to send me an email or post another message. I'm an expert on this train. Plus, it's crew is like another family, especially the LSA "Lila."
-HF1001
On a one day turn around to Fort Worth your time will be limited. The train arrives at 12:39 p.m. and departs at 5:25 p.m. It has a decent on-time record, so you should have about 4.5 hours of free time in Cow Town.
Sun Dance Square, as one writer has suggested, is close to the Intermodal Transit Center (ITC), which serves Amtrak, TRE, ‘T', and Greyhound. To get there walk out the front door of the ITC and proceed straight ahead for two blocks. Turn right and walk one block to the next intersection. Turn left and walk past the front entrance of the hotel to Main Street. Turn right again and walk for several blocks to Sun Dance Square. It will take you about ten minutes to get to the square. There are numerous restaurants near the square. I like Billy Miners for a beer and sandwich or UNO for pizza. There is a Starbucks on the square as well as a good barbeque restaurant nearby. And there is a great Chocolate shop on the south end of the square to satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you are a little more adventurous, you could probably make it out to the Stockyards for lunch and still get back in time for the train. If you are planning to do your trip on a Saturday, there is a trolley (dressed like a bus or a bus dressed like a trolley) that runs from the ITC to the Stockyards. It takes between 27 and 33 minutes. The trolley only runs on Saturdays. There is regular bus service from the ITC to the Stockyards on weekdays. The run time should be about the same as the run time for the trolley. Check at the 'T' information booth that is inside the station.
Fort Worth is a neat city. If you can stay overnight or for several days, a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo is worthwhile. It is one of the best small city zoos in the United States. In addition, the Amon Carter Museum, which features western art and photography, is really worthwhile. Even folks who don't normally go to art museums like the Amon Carter.
Have a nice trip.
al-in-chgo wrote: As far as any sightseeing goes, you might try http://www.fortworthgov.org/ . Also, I don't know if you could squeeze in a Trinity Rail Express round-trip, but here's a link to their schedule. I honestly don't know which if any of the Fort Worth stops is for the Amtrak station. Someone here will know, I have a feeling. The link: http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/newweekeb.html . Good luck!Allen S. ("al-in-chgo")
As far as any sightseeing goes, you might try http://www.fortworthgov.org/ .
Also, I don't know if you could squeeze in a Trinity Rail Express round-trip, but here's a link to their schedule.
I honestly don't know which if any of the Fort Worth stops is for the Amtrak station. Someone here will know, I have a feeling.
The link: http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/newweekeb.html .
Good luck!
Allen S. ("al-in-chgo")
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