printman2000
Engineer
Well, me and two friends were visiting La Junta, Co on Saturday. We were going to get a hotel room but the whole town was booked solid due to several events going on.
I had the crazy idea of spending the night on the train(s). We quickly decided to buy three tickets on SWC #4 from La Junta to Hutchinson, KS. and three on #3 from Hutchinson back to La Junta.
#4 got in to La Junta early around 7:45 pm. She had two P-42's, baggage, 3 sleepers (regular sleeper instead of a transition sleeper), dining, lounge, only two coaches. We were put in the last coach. After getting our seats in coach, we went and hung out in the lounge. Unfortunately, is was dark so not much to see, but the company was good. Both of my friends had heard me go on about train travel and this was their first time. They were excited about getting to experience a little of it. Sometime after 10, we went back to our seats to try and get a little sleep. We each had two seats to ourselves, but none of us slept very good. We were up front so the door was disturbing and the ride seemed really rough.
Now I am a big time planner. I plan every detail of my trips so this last minute things made me nervous. However, we were all understanding that it can be unpredictable and we were all for it. Our layover in Hutchinson was suppose to be 1 hour and 39 minutes. I realized as we were approaching that I did not even know if Hutchinson had a station! I was worried we were going to be sitting by the rails in the cold! Fortunately, it did. It was unmanned and opened. We arrive right on time. 2:21 AM
Julie had told me all night that #3 was on time, however, when 4:00 AM rolled by, she started questioning her information. #3 rolled in to Hutchinson about 45 minutes late. She had 3 P-42's, baggage, trans dorm, 2 sleepers, dining, lounge and 3 coaches. We were put in the first coach right in the middle of the car. Me and one friend were seated right behind the stairwell. We all slept really well until daylight. When I awoke we were stopped in Dodge City. I noticed this was a nicely refurbed coach. There were actually outlets at all the seats!
We ate breakfast in the dining car while rolling through western Kansas. I was worried we might get some surly dining car crew, but they were great. We all ate and loved it. The special was blueberry pancakes (blueberry stuff rolled in the pancakes) which one friend had. The other had the omelet and I had my favorite, French toast. It was great. Looked smaller than before, but tasted excellent.
After breakfast we hung in the lounge for most of the rest of the trip returning to our seats shortly before arriving in La Junta about 9:00 AM, 45 minutes late.
Not sure if anyone has ever used Amtrak like this to replace a hotel room, but it was a blast. Nothing like getting to do an unexpected train trip. My friends referred to me as "giddy" on the train. I cannot deny that. Both said they are now interested in taking trips with their families. Two more converts?
I had the crazy idea of spending the night on the train(s). We quickly decided to buy three tickets on SWC #4 from La Junta to Hutchinson, KS. and three on #3 from Hutchinson back to La Junta.
#4 got in to La Junta early around 7:45 pm. She had two P-42's, baggage, 3 sleepers (regular sleeper instead of a transition sleeper), dining, lounge, only two coaches. We were put in the last coach. After getting our seats in coach, we went and hung out in the lounge. Unfortunately, is was dark so not much to see, but the company was good. Both of my friends had heard me go on about train travel and this was their first time. They were excited about getting to experience a little of it. Sometime after 10, we went back to our seats to try and get a little sleep. We each had two seats to ourselves, but none of us slept very good. We were up front so the door was disturbing and the ride seemed really rough.
Now I am a big time planner. I plan every detail of my trips so this last minute things made me nervous. However, we were all understanding that it can be unpredictable and we were all for it. Our layover in Hutchinson was suppose to be 1 hour and 39 minutes. I realized as we were approaching that I did not even know if Hutchinson had a station! I was worried we were going to be sitting by the rails in the cold! Fortunately, it did. It was unmanned and opened. We arrive right on time. 2:21 AM
Julie had told me all night that #3 was on time, however, when 4:00 AM rolled by, she started questioning her information. #3 rolled in to Hutchinson about 45 minutes late. She had 3 P-42's, baggage, trans dorm, 2 sleepers, dining, lounge and 3 coaches. We were put in the first coach right in the middle of the car. Me and one friend were seated right behind the stairwell. We all slept really well until daylight. When I awoke we were stopped in Dodge City. I noticed this was a nicely refurbed coach. There were actually outlets at all the seats!
We ate breakfast in the dining car while rolling through western Kansas. I was worried we might get some surly dining car crew, but they were great. We all ate and loved it. The special was blueberry pancakes (blueberry stuff rolled in the pancakes) which one friend had. The other had the omelet and I had my favorite, French toast. It was great. Looked smaller than before, but tasted excellent.
After breakfast we hung in the lounge for most of the rest of the trip returning to our seats shortly before arriving in La Junta about 9:00 AM, 45 minutes late.
Not sure if anyone has ever used Amtrak like this to replace a hotel room, but it was a blast. Nothing like getting to do an unexpected train trip. My friends referred to me as "giddy" on the train. I cannot deny that. Both said they are now interested in taking trips with their families. Two more converts?
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