Recent content by Southern Belle

Another article in the Virginian-Pilot: Rail chief hopeful for success of Norfolk-to-Richmond line By Debbie Messina The Virginian-Pilot © June 28, 2010 NORFOLK Thelma Drake, state rail chief, is confident that the passenger train set to roll out of Norfolk in three years will rival the...

Amtrak provides bus service that connects the Newport News trains to and from Virginia Beach and Norfolk. The bus stop in Virginia Beach is a block from the ocean at 19th St. and Pacific Ave. (no shelter), Virginia Beach, VA 23451 and the bus stop in Norfolk is in downtown Norfolk at East...

The following was on the front page of the Virginian-Pilot this week: Train to link Norfolk to Richmond in three years By Debbie Messina The Virginian-Pilot © June 17, 2010 In three years, travelers will be able to board an Amtrak train at Harbor Park in Norfolk and ride to Richmond and...

I chose "Southern Belle" because the Southern Belle which was operated by by the Kansas City Southern Railway was the first train I ever rode on. It must have been about 1952 because I was seven years old. My parents and I traveled from Alexandria, LA, to New Orleans.

I was in Roomette 17 in the Transition Dorm Car on the Capitol Limited that departed Chicago on Thursday, September 13. My original reservation was made back in March, but on August 29 I changed my departure date from Wednesday, September 12, to Thursday, September 13. I paid about $150 more...

I traveled from Newport News, VA, to Washington, DC, on August 29 using a Blackberry as a modem with Sprint service, and I was dropped only once the entire trip. From DC to Chicago on the Capitol Limited the service was pretty good when I was awake. Of course I don't know how it was when I was...

I believe $5 per person per night is quite adequate to show appreciation for performing normal duties in a cheerful and efficent manner. Anything more should be reserved for going above and beyond the routine and expected tasks.

My husband and I recently took the Cardinal from Charlottesville, VA, to Chicago and back. We've taken this trip several times over the past two years, but this was our first time since the Cardinal lost the dining car. The so-called "tray meals" were very, very poor substitutions for dining...

I had standard bedroom reservations on the Cardinal from Charlottesville to Chicago, departing April 9 and returning April 13. Just called Amtrak and changed to the Capitol with the same dates. It's not that much more difficult for me to depart from and arrive in D.C. I was pleased that they...

My Garmin Etrex Legend performed very well, both in Viewliner and Superlinler equipment. It does need to be right next to the window to pick up the satellite signals, and of course does not work in tunnels or when there are trees or embankments close by. I used it connected to my laptop with...

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend, a handheld GPS, that I purchased at Amazon.com for $199 with a $50 rebate; it includes a cable to connect it to my laptop. It's a nifty little device used independently--even includes a calculator. I've connected it to the laptop and used it with Microsoft...