Howdy!

Hello all. I'm likely the newest member and appreciate the chance to be involved. I look forward to meeting many of you.

I took my first Amtrak trip in decades a couple weeks ago traveling the Illini, Saluki and both directions on the Lakeshore Limited. Did coach on all and was a fun adventure for this old guy.

My first experience on rails was getting an occasional steam engine ride on the old Nickel Plate Road. My grandfather, Pete Hill, was an engineer back in the 40s, 50s and 60s as the railroad became a part of the Norfolk and Western. He ran between Cleveland and Buffalo so it was cool to ride the same rails and see the back of the house I lived in over 60 years ago.

Next upcoming trip is to DC. Checking business class and roomettes this time. I'm expecting a big difference from coach???

Thanks everyone!

Welcome to AU! Sounds like you have lots of great stories and experiences to share with us!

And yep, an overnight trip on a LD train in a Sleeper is as night is to day when compared to Coach!

Thanks! Can't wait for the next overnight trip.

Yeah almost 60 years after the fact I still remember a cold, snowy December night with the squalls blowing in off Lake Erie. But I was hot and loving every second as a kid in the cab of the old steam locomotive. The heat flowing out of the firebox as the fireman shoveled in the coal made the night downright balmy. Great memories. Thanks to grandpa!

If your trip was less than 21 days ago, and you did not register for Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR), do so ASAP! Then as soon as you have your AGR #, file for missing credit. You can receive retroactive credit up to 21 days prior to registering!

Welcome aboard, Jack.

73, Rick, ag1b

Welcome to AU and your return to Amtrak riding. You are going to enjoy the ride..

The traveler...thanks for the AGR info. I registered a week ago but so far haven't had the points added to my account. Sounds like I need to follow up.

Rick...tnx es 73! Good to meet you online and hope to catch you on the air.

Jack

My grandpa, my brother and me in 1959. He was working as an engineer on the Nickel Plate out of Conneaut at the time. Believe he ran between Buffalo and the Collinsville yard in Cleveland if my memory serves. But I was almost 60 years younger then!

And a note. That picture was taken in the back yard of the house I lived in back then. The yard backs up next to the Amtrak tracks heading into town. I saw the same yard and my old house for the first time since the 60s when I took the LSL from Chicago to Syracuse last month. Pretty cool.