Hi everyone! I came across these forums accidently and was excited to find other people who enjoy train travel as much as I do. I have been reading, Travelogues / Trip Reports, for the past several days and enjoying every bit of it and decided to join here.
My first train trip ever aboard Amtrak was in 1979 from Dallas to Ft. Worth and back in one day. Luckily we got to make a connection back home on the same day and trains ran on time.
In the early 90’s my mother, my 2 children and I took a long distant train trip on the Texas Eagle from Dallas to San Antonio then transferred on the Sunset Limited to Orlando Florida so we could visit Disney World. Does the Sunset Limited travel to Florida anymore? I tried to do sample pricing online and it did not show straight connection from San Antonio. When we went we did travel on a sleeping car there and back. I think we got 2 roomettes one way and a deluxe bedroom the other (I think they just call it a "bedroom" now). They allowed the 4 of us to travel in the deluxe bedroom since it was 2 adults and 2 small children. We all slept very comfortable in the bedroom. After that trip I WAS HOOKED!
We started travelling often by train and have also taken the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville and the Coast Starlight down to Los Angeles. Also we have taken the Texas Eagle from Dallas to Los Angeles and back a couple of times. While there we went to Disneyland. San Joaquin is another train we travelled a short distance on. We have taken a trip from Dallas to San Antonio and back too.
On different trips we have booked various rooms, the deluxe bedroom, roomette and family room. I noticed now if you try to get a deluxe bedroom online with 2 adults and 2 children it doesn’t allow it. We called for our reservations at that time and had no issues getting one for the 4 of us. If we ever get 2 roomettes we always requested for the rooms to be across from each other so we can chat across the hall.
I do not like to fly and I have been on a cruise before. The cruise was nice but I will take train travel any day over a cruise! The last train trip I went on was in 2001 and I have missed it so much. My husband has never travelled by train and we just booked a trip July 4th weekend for just us 2 on the Texas Eagle from Dallas to Chicago, stay one night there, and ride the train back. We a roomette there and back. It’s the only way I like to travel. I cannot wait! My kids are grown so it’s time for he and I to travel alone. Let's hope my husband becomes hooked on trains as well! I also hear they remodeled the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago since I have been. I am looking forward to visiting it.
My favorite trip was on the California Zephyr! I want to go back on that train really bad and hope to soon! I now have 3 grandchildren and hope sometime soon to take them on a train trip. My 2 older grandsons want to go really bad!
My experience overall has been pleasant with very friendly attendants and dining car waiters/waitresses. We only had one attendant that was not very attenative in taking care of the sleeping car and sometimes hard to find but was friendly when we finally found him!
Another time the air conditioner was out and we were sweating all night. I felt sorry for our attendant, she tried hard to get the air conditioner working all night. We did get a voucher for future travel for the inconvenience. It still did not ruin my train experience. My only complaint like any others would complain about is on time performance but I am patient and it never stops me from enjoying a nice train trip! Once on the train and in my roomette I don’t mind a bit the train running late. I like to stay on it as long as possible!
I hope you all don’t mind my lengthy introduction. I look forward to being a part of these forums and share great stories with one another.
My first train trip ever aboard Amtrak was in 1979 from Dallas to Ft. Worth and back in one day. Luckily we got to make a connection back home on the same day and trains ran on time.
In the early 90’s my mother, my 2 children and I took a long distant train trip on the Texas Eagle from Dallas to San Antonio then transferred on the Sunset Limited to Orlando Florida so we could visit Disney World. Does the Sunset Limited travel to Florida anymore? I tried to do sample pricing online and it did not show straight connection from San Antonio. When we went we did travel on a sleeping car there and back. I think we got 2 roomettes one way and a deluxe bedroom the other (I think they just call it a "bedroom" now). They allowed the 4 of us to travel in the deluxe bedroom since it was 2 adults and 2 small children. We all slept very comfortable in the bedroom. After that trip I WAS HOOKED!
We started travelling often by train and have also taken the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville and the Coast Starlight down to Los Angeles. Also we have taken the Texas Eagle from Dallas to Los Angeles and back a couple of times. While there we went to Disneyland. San Joaquin is another train we travelled a short distance on. We have taken a trip from Dallas to San Antonio and back too.
On different trips we have booked various rooms, the deluxe bedroom, roomette and family room. I noticed now if you try to get a deluxe bedroom online with 2 adults and 2 children it doesn’t allow it. We called for our reservations at that time and had no issues getting one for the 4 of us. If we ever get 2 roomettes we always requested for the rooms to be across from each other so we can chat across the hall.
I do not like to fly and I have been on a cruise before. The cruise was nice but I will take train travel any day over a cruise! The last train trip I went on was in 2001 and I have missed it so much. My husband has never travelled by train and we just booked a trip July 4th weekend for just us 2 on the Texas Eagle from Dallas to Chicago, stay one night there, and ride the train back. We a roomette there and back. It’s the only way I like to travel. I cannot wait! My kids are grown so it’s time for he and I to travel alone. Let's hope my husband becomes hooked on trains as well! I also hear they remodeled the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago since I have been. I am looking forward to visiting it.
My favorite trip was on the California Zephyr! I want to go back on that train really bad and hope to soon! I now have 3 grandchildren and hope sometime soon to take them on a train trip. My 2 older grandsons want to go really bad!
My experience overall has been pleasant with very friendly attendants and dining car waiters/waitresses. We only had one attendant that was not very attenative in taking care of the sleeping car and sometimes hard to find but was friendly when we finally found him!
Another time the air conditioner was out and we were sweating all night. I felt sorry for our attendant, she tried hard to get the air conditioner working all night. We did get a voucher for future travel for the inconvenience. It still did not ruin my train experience. My only complaint like any others would complain about is on time performance but I am patient and it never stops me from enjoying a nice train trip! Once on the train and in my roomette I don’t mind a bit the train running late. I like to stay on it as long as possible!I hope you all don’t mind my lengthy introduction. I look forward to being a part of these forums and share great stories with one another.
