My wife and I just completed a caoch roundtrip from Shreveport to Chicago on Amtrak (Thruway to/from Shreveport connecting with the Texas Eagle at Longview, TX). The thruway operator said that his passenger loads were at or near full capacity recently compared to pre-high gas price times when few used the service.
Northbound (Amtrak east) the Eagle, No.22, was 4 hours late departing Longview and arrived in Chicago almost 4 hours to the minute late proving that the scheduled running time between the two points is doable. I had expected it would lose more time northbound from Longview and was surprised that the UP dispatchers apparently made a concerted effort to prevent that from happening. The delay was due to a freight derailment blocking the line in or around Austin so southbound No. 21 had been annulled south of Ft. Worth where its consist was turned around and ran north as No. 22 that day.
About 40 passengers boarded at Longview which included those of us from Shreveport and a number who came on the Thruway connection from Houston. The waiting room in the old T&P station in Longview has seats for only about 25 and needs to be enlarged to handle current passenger volumes. Since the weather was nice a number of us chose to sit at the several wrought iron patio tables located on the outside platform. Had it been cold or raining it would have been SRO inside and a miserable wait for the train. Because of the delay Amtrak had pizzas brought in for all the passengers which was an unexpected but nice touch.
The Superliner consist was transition sleeper, sleeper, two coaches, diner, sightseer lounge and two more coaches; eight cars in all. I understand the sleepers were completely full and would estimate coach occupancy at about 70% both ways.
All cars and restrooms were surprisingly clean, well stocked and comfortable. The ride was smooth and heading southbound two of our tablemates in the diner commented how much better the Eagle rode than did the train they had taken from Albany, NY to Chicago. There were decals on the vestibule walls in our coaches stating that the cars had been "Prodly rebuilt by Amtrak Beech Grove" and if I hadn't known their age I would have thought they were brand new. The sightseer lounge (upper level) was the only car in the train that looked like it needed a little refurburshing. But the lower level lounge was in good shape, well patronized and offered a good variety of drinks and snacks dispensed by an affable and smiling attendant.
Without exception the train crews and dining car, lounge and coach attendants were friendly, courteous and professional. One smiling conductor even picked up a crying baby passenger and walked him up and down the aisle until he quited down. On our northbound leg the conductor held the train an extra 5 minutes in Poplar Bluff so us smokers could catch an early morning cigarette. Except in the dead of night a PA annoncement was made explaining and apologizing for every delay enroute. Quite a contrast from last February when I was waiting for my wife coming from Chicago on a very late Eagle at Marshall and chatting with the new T&E crew who told me "they never tell even us why we're delayed". Fellow passengers were sociable and seemed to be enjoying the trip in spite of the trains lateness.
As we were approaching St. Louis an announcement was made asking passengers connecting with the Capitol Ltd and Cardinal in Chicago to detrain there and board a bus that Amtrak had chartered to take them non-stop to Chicago in time to make their connections. Quite a number of passengers were going to points in Michigan and could not be gotten to Chicago in time to catch their connecting train. They were told that Amtrak would either arrange for their bus transportation from Chicago that evening or provide overnight hotel accommodations and have them catch the morning train to Michigan. I was impressed with the arrangements made for those who were traveling beyond Chicago and much surprised that Amtrak would incur this additional expense.
The station area in St. Louis is a construction zone. It was formerly just an oversized Amshack but is being enlarged and modernized to handle the increased number of riders and added Lincoln Service trains that run between there and Chicago.
The Cross Country Cafe diner was a bit of a let down. Plastic plates, cups and glasses, a pretty limited menu and of course everything over priced. I recommend the French toast for breakfast and the Caesar Salad with grilled chicken *** that I had for lunch was quite generous and tasty. For dinner on our southbound leg both of us had the barbecued brisket with mashed potatoes and steamed mixed vegetables. It was surprisingly good considering it was pre-prepared and just warmed on board. Any shortcomings were more than made up by interesting table mates one of whom was a college exchange student from Finland.
Going south the Eagle was about 2 hours late arriving in Longview. Most of this delay ocurred between Bloomington and Springfield where there were 15 mph slow orders at each grade crossing due so some problem in the signal circutry that actived the crossing lights and arms.
Overall our round trip was much better than I had expected. True, the Eagle is chronically late and its pace is leisurely but except for that I'd give the service an "A" grade. If time enroute and probable lateness are not a major concern don't hesitate to ride this train. My wife and I will certainly be taking the Texas Eagle on our next trip north.
Mark
In sorrow I copy Mark's old post to Classic Trains thread "Mark."
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