Recent content by A.J.

After reading about half the posts in this great topic, I have a pretty simple question: are the track problems the reason for the SWC being so late recently? I have a trip on it planned for mid-August and I'm a little concerned about meeting up with my partner in Gallup. Thanks for any help!

thanks guys! :)

I'm going to be taking a trip later this summer, from Plattsburgh, NY to Gallup, NM. As Gallup is a just a couple of hours after ABQ, which is on the border of the zones, I'd rather not use a ton of points just for those last few hours. Would it make sense to book with my rewards from...

This! It can seem big, crowded and even overwhelming, but absolutely do not be afraid to pause for a second and ask someone, "where am I and where should be going?" It's easy to get turned around, easy to confuse the landmarks, etc. Just allow yourself plenty of time and try to relax. Get your...

I have ordered off the children's menu in the past, usually at lunchtime if I don't want something too heavy. I always ask if I may order from that menu out of courtesy and I have never been turned down. This has not just been on the CZ but on other trains as well. I understand that many...

My last trip on the CZ was in January; the meals were tasty and the servers were super nice. The woman in charge seemed a little abrasive at first, but once you got to know her a little she was friendly, funny and went out of her way to make people happy. I forgot that the small pizza offered...

I tangentially know someone (though I wish I didn't) who stole metal from a railroad (CP, I think) and his excuse was that the railroad, onto whose property he was trespassing, was just going to throw it away, so why shouldn't he pick it up? It makes me angry that people are this stupid and...

the thing is, either trip would be amazing. the SWC was the first long-distance train trip I took and I loved it immensely. I did it again this past January and I was not disappointed. the southwest is pretty extraordinary and to see the changing colors of the soil, rocks and mountains is...

haha nosy? that's kind of the point of being a reporter, isn't it? the article was meant, as far as I can see, as a human interest story about the different types of people you might find on any given LD train. without interviewing passengers what would you have? I've encountered plenty of...

hey! i like the hot dogs! :P

a great article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was put out today and the accompanying video is really nicely done, using lovely images from the train with the words of people who ride it and want to keep it. also of note is the continued excuse by certain DOT staff that HAR-PGH doesn't have...

An interesting point that has been touched on here but I think is really important: paying for sleeper accomodation is expensive, it is a travel experience. The amtrak website even says, "Sleeping car passengers are entitled to a range of hotel-like amenities, including fresh linen and towel...

I was in the transdorm on a western train (but golly, I can't remember which one) a few years ago. The biggest benefit was the big difference in foot traffic. It was beautifully quiet and relaxing. However, I did not see the attendant very often and the bathrooms were NOT kept clean. It was...

One of the more enjoyable aspects, for me anyway, is the onboard narration between Reno and Sacramento. This is done by volunteers from California State Railway Museum and is very enjoyable. They provide a lot of fun, historic information about the route and the towns along the way. In the...

you can check recent OTP on amtrak.com, but I can tell you from personal experience that the train is frequently on time, or even early. i've known it to be late, but most often not by much more than half an hour. others might who ride it more frequently might be able to chime in, but i've found...