SWC vs TE

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jtoddander

Train Attendant
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Sep 17, 2014
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Soon will be heading from LA TO Chi. Have taken Southwest Chief before bit not Texas Eagle. Anyone have comments/observations on TE route and sights along the way? Or comments on TE vs SWC?
 
If you have the time and have ridden the SWC before, by all means take the train by way of Texas. It is a slow trip and not many would ride this end to end, but it has its attractive points. I for one enjoy riding across the southern Arizona deserts and through small towns in Texas, away from the Interstates. If the crews are good, then you should enjoy the trip. ( onboard crews will change in San Antonio. ) There is a lady working the dining car on the TE, Miss Polly, who has something of an infamous reputation for her pungent attitude with regards to customer service. She was efficient, and I found her mildly entertaining in a perverse way. Some people would say that this is a long, boring ride. Not in my opinion. Just don't look for spectacular Rocky Mountain views or vistas overlooking the ocean! I've taken this route more than once, back in 2002, New Orleans to Tucson and Los Angeles to San Antonio, and about two years ago Tucson to Chicago and Los Angeles to Tucson. Would I do it again? Sure, if Congress doesn't destroy Amtrak.
 
I've done LA to Temple, TX on the TE a couple of times and enjoyed the ride especially, the Western Texas/New Mexico scenery. Next year, will be doing the TE LA to Chicago and I'm looking forward to experiencing the entire route. As pointed out above, just don't expect the "spectacular" scenery but, its varied and interesting nonetheless.

The return will be via the SWC from Chicago. Thus far, I've only done the LA to ABQ segment so, that will be a lot a new miles especially the Colorado/New Mexico region.

The TE, although a day longer, provided a better (earlier) connection in Chicago to Michigan.
 
The more train time..the better. If you do LA to Chicago with any regularity, it's worth it to take The Eagle. It's nice to wake up in the morning and see the deserts of Arizona. In El Paso, you could see across the border into Mexico. The small towns and vastness of Texas are pleasant. You will see the stunning Dallas skyline and cross the Mississippi on your third morning and see the St. Louis Arch.

It's not a spectacular trip.but it is a good chance to see some very unspoiled territory and one extra day on the train is an added bonus.
 
I liked it. In fact, I loved it. I had taken the northern trains many times and, while the mountains are truly beautiful, the southern route was a surprisingly pleasant change for me. As said above, there is unspoiled territory and extra time on the train. There were many surprises, such as the orchards (was it pecans?), the border fence, the very small, small towns.
 
Hey - just start crossing routes off your bucket list and make up your own mind. ;)

I don't know that I would make it a regular routing for myself, but I do desire to take it some day.

My biggest regret is not riding the Sunset Limited from Orlando to Los Angeles.

You still get nice desert vista views on the Southwest Chief, but you do miss the Mojave as it's in the middle of the night (probably makes for a nicer ride anyway). So, in that regard, I guess the TE has some benefits. Also, there is some cool 'border running' where you can literally see Mexico pass by...
 
Great to read the positive comments on the TE route. We have a round trip booked in March from Chicago to Maricopa and back. Already looking forward to it. :)
 
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Soon will be heading from LA TO Chi. Have taken Southwest Chief before bit not Texas Eagle. Anyone have comments/observations on TE route and sights along the way? Or comments on TE vs SWC?
Check your messages. I sent you a great itineray for the Texas Eagle done for me by our resdient Texas Eagle travel guide, Jim Hudson of Austin, Texas.

Have fun.

NAVYBLUE
 
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I have enjoyed traveling west on both the Eagle and Chief although the Eagle is my train of choice since I just need to hop on the Heartland Flyer and connect with her in FTW, sometimes just in time to run straight to the Diner for last call Lunch!
 
While planning my upcoming trip I considered TE, CZ, and SWC. I ultimately went with the SWC because it was the shortest of the three. I have never taken a LD train before and if I do not enjoy LD train travel or events beyond my control occur then at least I have limited my time, or so I hope, by taking the SWC.
 
One note on the TE, turn off your cell phone or put it in airplane mode when near the Mexican border. You don want to get hit with expensive roaming charges especially with data and SMS.
 
That is one reason I have the unlimited data and roaming plan on my phone.
 
Or, disable international roaming (you can still roam domestically). You can also set the phone to only roam on your home network (vs automatic). My phone will also alert me (if I enable it) if I am roaming domestic and/or international and, voice and/or data.
 
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