C
Crewdawg
Guest
Just took the 59 from Chicago to New Orleans with family for a first time experience and was disappointed after reading the many good reviews. The trip started and the lounge was nice in Chicago. Ticket desk was shocked when I asked to check in but then moved ahead after finding out I was a sleeper car passenger. Boarded the train which was good and fast but there was a lot of confusion between the different car attendants standing outside. Got to sleeper car and found it dated and dirty. Asked car attendant about making a dinner resv which I read on the Amtrak site and web was the thing to do. He told me it would be ok and don't worry about it. Also read that you can even eat 1 hr. prior to train leaving which is not true. Made way to dinner car and was told we don't open till 8:30. Downloaded menu off Amtrak site for my trip and was looking fwd to eating the NY steak. No good, as the menu was diff than what the company site stated and had a hamburger and veggie pasta on it instead. Hamburger bun was hard and meat was overcooked. Got back to room and found beds not prepped as stated on web site. Had to figure out how to set up the 3 beds myself having never done so before. Once car attendant showed up, I asked him how to adjust temp according to sign on the wall which was vague at best, no clue. Overall, very rough ride as trained was flying. Woke up at 6:30 and tried to eat breakfast but was told its first come first serve. Gave our name and waited in dome car. After about 55 mins, dinner car made announcement that dinner car was still open with open seats and to come on down. When asked, they stated they thought we had been seated already. Menu was the one I saw the night before and wanted the French toast I saw on it. Nope, menu was the one that was on the web site which had no French toast but rather pancakes and the NY Steak listed for dinner. ?? Returned to car and found beds still not put away. Went to lunch and had to ask what the special on menu was as no one seem to care to say anything about it. While eating dinner and train flying again, it was hard to eat. At one point, the entire car slammed to the side hard causing many people hit the windows with their shoulders and heads and launch food dishes to the floor. I assume the train switched lanes but it was going way to fast. Train seemed to go slower after that and was 48 mins ahead of schedule still. Also, dinner car never really got cleaned as I saw the same stuff on the floor over the two day trip and 3 seating’s. Pulled into New Orleans very slow, 12 mins ahead of schedule. PROS: Dome car has awesome seating and great views. Our sleeper car was put as the last car which was great as we never hear the train horn. However, a fun walk to dinner car when train is flying! CONS: no attendant help or room prep, low care factor, safety concerns. Overall, disappointed with trip and have serious concerns over safety.