I was in Washington, D.C. for the week with three students from my school. Since the students were supervised duirng the day, I had the choice of following the agenda for the teachers each day, or doing my own thing. I was good on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednsday. However, when we had dinner in a restaurant that was across the street form Union Station, I took this as a sign that I should go railroading on Thursday. I Book business class in each directon on the Acela Express, leaving at 12:00 p.m., and returning to D.C. at 7:42 P.m.
What a great day it was. The Acela met the accelerated schedule (2hrs 42 minutes for 225 miles) with hardly any effort. The ride was smooth, and the view enjoyable outside of the large windows. The tilting system made curves at speed practically unnoticeable. The sensation of having a smooth ride at high speed with little background noise is exhillerating. In all, a great day of rail fanning.
The only negative, a rude ticket agent in D.C. After approaching the window to spend nearly three hundred dollars on my ticket, I got reprimanded for not waiting to be called. Then she carried on a conversation with her coworker while she prcocessed me. I reported her to the supervisor immediately. I dont know if anything happened, but I did wander back by her window when I saw the Supevisor go there, and then stood there and glowered at her in what I hoped was an intimidating manner. Why assign these creatures to the premium service windows?
On board the Acela, however, service was excellent. When I went to the snack car on the return run, about an hour out of D.C.. she was nearly out of everything. I was dissapponted and started to walk away. The lady seemed concerned about my dissapointment, called me back, and chatted with me for five minutes. Then encouraged me to buy something. I bought M&M's that I wouldn't have because of her interst in me. During the conversationg, I discovered that she new nothing about trains, but she did have a lot of pride in her job which was very important.
In New York, I observered that the people who control access to the waiting area for Amtrak passengers were very helpful to many passengers.
Overall, had a great trip and would do it againg tomorrow!
What a great day it was. The Acela met the accelerated schedule (2hrs 42 minutes for 225 miles) with hardly any effort. The ride was smooth, and the view enjoyable outside of the large windows. The tilting system made curves at speed practically unnoticeable. The sensation of having a smooth ride at high speed with little background noise is exhillerating. In all, a great day of rail fanning.
The only negative, a rude ticket agent in D.C. After approaching the window to spend nearly three hundred dollars on my ticket, I got reprimanded for not waiting to be called. Then she carried on a conversation with her coworker while she prcocessed me. I reported her to the supervisor immediately. I dont know if anything happened, but I did wander back by her window when I saw the Supevisor go there, and then stood there and glowered at her in what I hoped was an intimidating manner. Why assign these creatures to the premium service windows?
On board the Acela, however, service was excellent. When I went to the snack car on the return run, about an hour out of D.C.. she was nearly out of everything. I was dissapponted and started to walk away. The lady seemed concerned about my dissapointment, called me back, and chatted with me for five minutes. Then encouraged me to buy something. I bought M&M's that I wouldn't have because of her interst in me. During the conversationg, I discovered that she new nothing about trains, but she did have a lot of pride in her job which was very important.
In New York, I observered that the people who control access to the waiting area for Amtrak passengers were very helpful to many passengers.
Overall, had a great trip and would do it againg tomorrow!