Did anyone see the train on travel station?

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Guest_Gingee

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Did anyone see the show on the travel station this past weekend on the train the goes to the Grand Canyon and such? It showed the areas that it ran through and the inside of the train. It may have been a special train but it had Amtrak on the front of it.
 
It was probably the American Orient Express, a dedicated, definate crusie or escorted tour train. It offers a series of entirely different itineraries, making maybe ten or twelve or more trips a year. (just guessing.)

It is powered by Amtrak locomotives, so this can cause confusion. A lot of Amtrak railfans, if they travel around often enough eventually usually get a glimpse of the AOE sitting in a station or something somewhere or another.

Again, it has many itineraries. For example, there is a route which goes deep into the beautiful mountainous area of Mexico. I would like to do that one day .

It is quite expensive, but virtually everything is included. Sort of like riding Amtrak deluxe bedroom, except that everyone on the whole train is doing the same sort of thing, going the same places, without people getting or and off local stops, etc.

As wonderful as it sounds, I can think of at least one drawback---you are stuck with the same people the whole time, what if you do not necessarily "connect" with any of them? Guess that is a chance you would have to take. Doesn't matter on Amtrak, because there you can be as sociable or otherwise as you wish.
 
As wonderful as it sounds, I can think of at least one drawback---you are stuck with the same people the whole time, what if you do not necessarily "connect" with any of them? Guess that is a chance you would have to take. Doesn't matter on Amtrak, because there you can be as sociable or otherwise as you wish.
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Bill - while I've not been on the AOE, I just recently went across Canada on VIA and the Rocky Mountaineer with a group of 40 of us, all together for 12 days. We hadn't met any of them before we left. While we didn't hit it off with all 40, by the end of the trip we had made a number of new friends we still stay in touch with.

We have also done tours to Europe and other places, and still, after 3-4 years keep in touch with and sometimes visit with friends we made.

Of course, you get some people on the tour who try to "ruin" it for everyone else, but where isn't that going to happen?
 
This was the first time I saw it. We were out of town and saw it on tv. We don't have the travel station at home.
 
I saw the AOE last August while traveling through Glacier National Park on the Empire Builder.

Gingee, if I may make a suggestion, you might buy a DVD of the Empire Builder. I have one and it is very good. There are a few out there and can be ordered on the internet.
 
Good idea on the Empire Builder DVD. I will do a search and see what comes up. Someone at work mentioned that today. We were talking about trains and the one woman said she would love to go on one like we are looking at for next year.
 
Thanks for the idea of the video/dvd. I just put a bid in on ebay. Will find out in four days if I am accepted.
 
Do you know what DVD on which you bid? I have a DVD called The Empire Builder, Discovering the Great Northwest that I really like. However, it is about 14 years old. It is a Green Frog Production.
 
Here is the description of the dvd.

Over six months in the making, this extraordinary documentary is devoted to the legendary 2200-mile track across the Great Northwest. The route was finished in 1893 by Great Northern Railway Founder James J. Hill. Produced by emmy-award winning producer and feature reporter John Yeager for ABC affiliate KXLY-TV of Spokane, Washington, this 48 minute documentary chronicles the life and times of people who now work on the train and those whose lives it touches. You will see grand views of Amtrak's Empire Builder as it wends it's way from Chicago to Seattle. Spectacular aerial views, in the cab and on the train shots, as well as beautiful runbys make this a MUST DVD! What makes The Empire Builder: Discovering the Great Northwest different from other rail documentaries' It tells a story of America and how it found its way...across prairies and through the mountains. Breathtaking scenery, a behind-the-scenes look at Amtrak's passenger service, the Great Northern's original Empire Builder, classic footage of electric action as well as a look at the Great Northern Railway Historical Society's 1991 Convention are just some of the featured stories. BONUS Material- (Extra Footage) Empire Builder 2-Special Edition-Railfan’s View... Off Train, from the air, from the cab, no interviews, just great railroad action. Approx. 88 Minutes...Total Time Includes Bonus Material
 
The same show was on tv? Gad, maybe we should get the travel channel!!!!!!!!!!
 
Gingee, yes that is the same one I have. It's old but the only difference basically is the type of locomotives used. The route it shows is the same.
 
Just an interesting thought: the AOE uses Amtrak locomotives and operating crews. Many people claim that Amtrak does not serve the wealthy--I'm concerned that if Amtrak goes out of business, some routes will be saved by contracting with private operators, who will then jack the prices WAY UP so that ONLY the very wealthy will still be able to ride the trains. In my mind, only the very wealthy can afford to ride AOE.

Suppose Amtrak does go out of business, who and what locomotives will operate AOE trains?

CEOs of various railroads have said they do not want different entities operating passenger trains; they don't want just anybody operating trains on their systems, people who "don't know what they hell they are doing." (Taken from a quote in TRAINS Magazine) They prefer dealing with ONE entity: Amtrak.
 

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