Tell me about the CONO

[cindylou]

Hey everybody! We returned from our train/cruise trip to and from Florida a few weeks ago (sorry, haven't posted a trip report yet!) and are now happily planning another one. This summer we hope to travel to New Orleans and take a cruise from there. We hope to take our sons this time, ages 20 and 23 and turn them on to Amtrak! We would probably drive to Champaign-Urbana (about a 6 hour drive for us) and leave our car and catch the train there. It just seems to make more sense (time and money-wise) than driving 3+ hours to Galesburg,and then to Chicago, when we could drive a few more hours and catch the train a little further south.

Questions:

Anyone familiar with the CHM station...is there safe (free?) parking there?

Tell me everything about the trip south on the CONO...experiences, scenery, etc. It's a Superliner, right?

Never been to NOL before...would probably plan to arrive a day ahead of the cruise with some time to sight-see...what are the "don't miss" things to see and do?

Thanks!

Cindy

 

[rrdude]

Hey everybody! We returned from our train/cruise trip to and from Florida a few weeks ago (sorry, haven't posted a trip report yet!) and are now happily planning another one. This summer we hope to travel to New Orleans and take a cruise from there. We hope to take our sons this time, ages 20 and 23 and turn them on to Amtrak! We would probably drive to Champaign-Urbana (about a 6 hour drive for us) and leave our car and catch the train there. It just seems to make more sense (time and money-wise) than driving 3+ hours to Galesburg,and then to Chicago, when we could drive a few more hours and catch the train a little further south.
Questions:

Anyone familiar with the CHM station...is there safe (free?) parking there?

Tell me everything about the trip south on the CONO...experiences, scenery, etc. It's a Superliner, right?

Never been to NOL before...would probably plan to arrive a day ahead of the cruise with some time to sight-see...what are the "don't miss" things to see and do?

Thanks!

Cindy

Yes, CONO is Superliner, and when I went in January they had the stupendous CCC. (I'm not a fan) The scenery is OK most of the way, especially coming into New Orleans.

Plan on SEVERAL days ahead in New Orleans if you can. You can't even begin to see the city in only a day. The street cars offer a nice diversion if you like that kind of thing, and remember that Bourbon Street is NOT the only part of the French Quarter! In fact, wander the streets of ALL of the French Quarter, and take in a private or shared "buggy ride". Most of the drivers are pretty outgoing, and informative.

If you like Swamp Buggy Rides, a 30-45 minute drive or shuttle will get you several choices there. Not specifically "New Orleans" per say, but fun nonetheless. Cafe de Monde Cafe du Monde is worth a walk/trip if you are staying downtown. Superbowl gives tours if that floats your boat, of course they have casinos, and riverboat casinos, and regular riverboat rides. Wax Museum, and other "types" of touristy stuff abound too.

Music is king, and if you like Jazz, then check out the Preservation Hall Jazz For a grin, you can always check out

he's on Bourbon Street.....hehe
Food is also king, and I fell in love (again) with the Muffaletta sandwich.

One note, if you stay in a hotel ON Bourbon Street, get the highest floor you can. The hotel I was in, Astor Crown Plaza, actually had ear plugs in the room as part of the amenity package. I was lucky, was on the 14th(?) floor, didn't hear much. Compadres I was with, who stayed 4, 5, 6, DID hear it!

Also, if any of the street "entertainers" grab your attention, and inform you that "they can tell you EXACTLY where you got your shoes at..........." Just 'tell 'em that you bet that you can tell them "you know the last thing they take off B4 they go to bed at night........." ANSWERS BELOW

Or just go with the flow, and give them a buck for the entertainment. :lol:

You got your shoes "ON your feet, ON Bourbon Street, IN New Orleans"

The last thing you take off B4 u go to bed is "you take your feet off the floor"

There are many, many more, sometimes worth the buck..........

 

[JayPea]

So far as parking, I believe it's free. Champaign is the jumping-off place for my uncle's Amtrak trips and I've never heard of any problems leaving a vehicle there.

 

[monon81]

Hey everybody! We returned from our train/cruise trip to and from Florida a few weeks ago (sorry, haven't posted a trip report yet!) and are now happily planning another one. This summer we hope to travel to New Orleans and take a cruise from there. We hope to take our sons this time, ages 20 and 23 and turn them on to Amtrak! We would probably drive to Champaign-Urbana (about a 6 hour drive for us) and leave our car and catch the train there. It just seems to make more sense (time and money-wise) than driving 3+ hours to Galesburg,and then to Chicago, when we could drive a few more hours and catch the train a little further south.
Questions:

Anyone familiar with the CHM station...is there safe (free?) parking there?

CHM station is in downtown Champaign, not far from the U of Illinois campus. Might be a good idea to check on the availability of long-term parking there. JayPea, do you recall?

Sounds like you're coming from somewhere west of Galesburg, perhaps Iowa or Missouri. You might also check out Burlington Trailways, which connects with the CONO in Champaign. An abbreviated schedule appears in the CONO timetable, but the company runs further into Iowa than what the Amtrak timetable shows.

www.burlingtontrailways.com

 

[Bob Dylan]

Questions:
Tell me everything about the trip south on the CONO...experiences, scenery, etc. It's a Superliner, right?

Never been to NOL before...would probably plan to arrive a day ahead of the cruise with some time to sight-see...what are the "don't miss" things to see and do?

Thanks!

Cindy

Sounds like a great idea, await the trip report for sure! As to the trip on the CONO: youll get to Memphis as the sun comes up,the River is on your right,,the old station is right next to Beale Street (jazz clubs etc.). If you havent been in Memphis you might want to consider spending a day and night there, catch The Peabody Hotel,Beale Street, Sun Records and yes, Graceland too, eat some of the famous Bar-B-Q there too, all historic and IMO worthwhile seeing once!

The trip South of Memphis is though the Delta of Mississippi, very rural and poverty stricken people still live like they did hundreds of years ago when Cotton was King. Jackson is the state Capital, its undergoing a rehab/rebuilding downtown, not much to see, theres a rest stop there. Then on down the line to the swamps, through the waters around the Lake into New Orleans (the train winds around town,backs into the station by the Superdome and Basketball Arena right downtown.)Cabs here run a flat rate to your hotel, try to get $15 even if its two blocks, the correct rate is $8 but thats another story.

They also try to charge for each person more $$. I wouldnt recommend renting a car, parking is non-existant to budget busting!

You can google all the tourist things,resturants etc. but Id suggest buying a day pass for the three Street Car Lines (Canal Street/St. Charles/WaterFront),

its good for all of them and the busses too, a real deal! The Algiers ferry is a Free ride across the River and back, there are paid cruises of all types also.

The so called plantation and swamp tours are not really worth what they cost in my opinion, however there are tons of city tours/guides etc. for walking tours of the French Quarter that are fairly good if you dont know the City.

As for Hotels all the usual suspects are here (Chains/Old Remodeled Queens (The Roosevelt etc)Id recommend NOT staying in the French Quarter, either stay in the garden District, Central Business District or the Convention/Warehouse District, there are lots of 200-300 year old Hotels here with unbelievable ambience, my favorite is Plas D'Armes(next to Jackson Square behind the Cathedral, two blocks from Cafe Du Monde and the French Market)which is close to the Quarter but far enough away to be an Oasis of beauty and calm.(you can look it up on Orbitz.com, for the money its my favorite hotel ever, its under $100 a night during quiet times!)Food is everywhere, the famous places can be pricey and crowded (wait lines/expensive drinks etc.)The best joints are where the locals eat/drink/listen to music, as the poster said the street entertainers are great. Long as you stick to the tourist areas its pretty safe, night can get a little dicey in some areas, lots of police around, a cab is probably a good idea late. As the other poster said, one day/night is probably not enough for NOL, Id suggest 2 days/2 nights minimum, then when you return spend another night before catching the train north.

(The City leaves after lunch going North allowing a little rest and breakfast before pulling out!)Have fun, lots of info on this sight about NOL, well all have ideas and suggestions, some even true! :lol:

 

[cindylou]

Wow, thanks everybody for the great suggestions! Roomettes are pretty cheap right now, so we hope to finalize the details and get our reservations made. Will let you know how it all turns out.

Thanks again!

Cindy

 

[manchacrr]

As far as the CONO itself goes, it does run the Superliners.

The current consist is as follows:

P42

Trans-Dorm

Sleeper

CCC (Currently used as full diner)

Sightseer Lounge

Coach-Baggage

Coach

Coach

The Sightseer Lounge was added back to the train in late January as the consist is once again turning into the TE in Chicago. This is due to an axle restriction that has been imposed by the CN.

 

[Jonathon]

Hey everybody! We returned from our train/cruise trip to and from Florida a few weeks ago (sorry, haven't posted a trip report yet!) and are now happily planning another one. This summer we hope to travel to New Orleans and take a cruise from there. We hope to take our sons this time, ages 20 and 23 and turn them on to Amtrak! We would probably drive to Champaign-Urbana (about a 6 hour drive for us) and leave our car and catch the train there. It just seems to make more sense (time and money-wise) than driving 3+ hours to Galesburg,and then to Chicago, when we could drive a few more hours and catch the train a little further south.
Questions:

Anyone familiar with the CHM station...is there safe (free?) parking there?

Tell me everything about the trip south on the CONO...experiences, scenery, etc. It's a Superliner, right?

Never been to NOL before...would probably plan to arrive a day ahead of the cruise with some time to sight-see...what are the "don't miss" things to see and do?

Thanks!

Cindy

Cindy...don't know if you've booked a hotel in N.O. yet for your future trip....FYI...my daughter and I went down for Christmas. We found a DELIGHTFUL historic hotel one block(across Canal St.) from the French Quarter AND just a half block to the streetcars.

We paid $63/night and when I booked it on line I was a bit skeptical because of the fairly low price for N.O. GREAT place...the rooms were clean, the old four poster beds with a step stool to get on them were flufffy and comfortable, the front desk folks very personable We stayed at the Pelham Hotel 444 Common St. 888-856-4486. Unless you absolutely require a 5 star $300+/nite hotel...the Pelham Hotel should fill the bill and NOT break your wallet.

 

[had8ley]

Check out Le Pavillon hotel on Poydras Street...it's about 6 blocks from NOUPT and NOT in the Quarters but is close to everything if you are a walker. I've never had anyone call me to say that they didn't enjoy it immensely.

 

[Guest]

As far as the CONO itself goes, it does run the Superliners.
The current consist is as follows:

P42

Trans-Dorm

Sleeper

CCC (Currently used as full diner)

Sightseer Lounge

Coach-Baggage

Coach

Coach

The Sightseer Lounge was added back to the train in late January as the consist is once again turning into the TE in Chicago. This is due to an axle restriction that has been imposed by the CN.

Great to hear the Sightseer is back! We really missed it and will have a bedroom booked CHI-NOL, Mar, 15th.

So many things to do in NOLA, so little time...

-do get the RTA pass and take take a streetcar ride on St. Charles to Riverbend, have a slice of fried pecan pie at the Camellia Grill

-go for a cruise on the steam paddlewheeler, Natchez

-have an amazing muffletta at Napolean House

-cafe & beignets at Cafe du Monde

-courtyard tour

-roast beef po boy (with debris) at Mothers

-explore the shops of Magazine St., Royal St...

-Audubon Park and Zoo

-live music everywhere, the Quarter, Frenchmen St., Oak St.

-walking tour of the Garden District

-Po boy at Johnny's on Conti

-breakfast at Duffy's on Canal

-observe the "zoo" on Bourbon St at night at least once

We like to stay at Le Provincial on Chartres, like most hotels in the Quarter, prices get jacked up for special events, especially on weekends and New Orleans has lots of festivals and special events.

Gord

 

[GAT]

I like staying in the French Quarter, but at the quiet end, to the east. My favorite hotel is Le Richelieu, on Chartres. It's very comfortable, quiet and reasonably priced. You can walk anywhere in the Quarter from there.

As for eating, you simply MUST try KPaul's if you have the money and the empty stomach for it. Th AcmeOyster Bar and Restaurant is also a must if you're up for oysters.

 

[NEW RIVER GEORGE]

A heavy summer thundershower will flood the lower portions of the parking lot at Champaign. Don't know how often it happens, but it did when we were there last time. Be careful where you park. I don't remember if the upper portion of the lot is pay or not, but I think the spaces were numbered, and that is a sign that they might be.

As a previous post pointed out, the sightseer loung is running right now so that Chicago doesn't have to clean the train outside in cold weather. It runs through both ways in Chicago from New Orleans to San Antonio and back again. The train gets a little rank on the trip back. But that is supposedly just temporary until the weather warms up. And yes, the axle restriction had something to do with it, but it was a deadhead car that was running to meet the length requirement. The inservice lounge is just an extra perk due to the aforementioned cold weather in Chicago that always seems to come as such a surprise every winter.

CN about ready to fix those speed restrictions on short trains due to signal gates not coming down properly in Illinois???

 

[9900]

A heavy summer thundershower will flood the lower portions of the parking lot at Champaign. Don't know how often it happens, but it did when we were there last time. Be careful where you park. I don't remember if the upper portion of the lot is pay or not, but I think the spaces were numbered, and that is a sign that they might be.
As a previous post pointed out, the sightseer loung is running right now so that Chicago doesn't have to clean the train outside in cold weather. It runs through both ways in Chicago from New Orleans to San Antonio and back again. The train gets a little rank on the trip back. But that is supposedly just temporary until the weather warms up. And yes, the axle restriction had something to do with it, but it was a deadhead car that was running to meet the length requirement. The inservice lounge is just an extra perk due to the aforementioned cold weather in Chicago that always seems to come as such a surprise every winter.

CN about ready to fix those speed restrictions on short trains due to signal gates not coming down properly in Illinois???

The axle restriction has been lifted between Chicago and South Carbondale (MP 308.8), but remains in effect for the rest of the route to New Orleans.

The Texas Eagle and CONO started running through chicago back in January due to a shortage of Superliners because of a coffee pot fire in Oakland. Previously the consist substituted a baggage car instead of the SSL. Supposedly the run through is only in effect until may,...we'll see what happens then.

 

[NEW RIVER GEORGE]

That is good to know. The speed restriction was really slowing down the Illini and Saluki trains.

I hear mixed comments about the sightseer lounge and before that the deadhead baggage car being used as an idler for the CNO. Apparently even though the lounge is in the consist, passengers are not allowed to actually sit in it en-route south of Chicago?

It was also odd to see a bag in the consist that couldn't be used. Anyway, the bag will probably return once the spring thaw hits Chicago. I would have thought an extra coach would have been more appropriate since seats could actually be sold in it, but apparently building revenue is not a priority with Amtrak. They would rather have a short stubby train that shows sold out every day with a non-rev car in the consist than have extra pax capacity that might require more crew hours?

 

[had8ley]

That is good to know. The speed restriction was really slowing down the Illini and Saluki trains.
I hear mixed comments about the sightseer lounge and before that the deadhead baggage car being used as an idler for the CNO. Apparently even though the lounge is in the consist, passengers are not allowed to actually sit in it en-route south of Chicago?

It was also odd to see a bag in the consist that couldn't be used. Anyway, the bag will probably return once the spring thaw hits Chicago. I would have thought an extra coach would have been more appropriate since seats could actually be sold in it, but apparently building revenue is not a priority with Amtrak. They would rather have a short stubby train that shows sold out every day with a non-rev car in the consist than have extra pax capacity that might require more crew hours?

Good points; only would like to add that I'd like to know how often rooms are sold in the Transistion Dorm as every time I've rode it was a crew only car. Add another deadhead car...

 

[manchacrr]

That is good to know. The speed restriction was really slowing down the Illini and Saluki trains.
I hear mixed comments about the sightseer lounge and before that the deadhead baggage car being used as an idler for the CNO. Apparently even though the lounge is in the consist, passengers are not allowed to actually sit in it en-route south of Chicago?

It was also odd to see a bag in the consist that couldn't be used. Anyway, the bag will probably return once the spring thaw hits Chicago. I would have thought an extra coach would have been more appropriate since seats could actually be sold in it, but apparently building revenue is not a priority with Amtrak. They would rather have a short stubby train that shows sold out every day with a non-rev car in the consist than have extra pax capacity that might require more crew hours?

Good points; only would like to add that I'd like to know how often rooms are sold in the Transistion Dorm as every time I've rode it was a crew only car. Add another deadhead car...

I have tickets for Roomette 19, car 5909, in the transdorm for March 31 from CHI-HMD. However, this is the first time I have ever been housed in the trans-dorm on the CONO. Previously, I did not think they were used for guests either.

Also, in response to a previous post, guests are allowed to ride in the Sightseer Lounge on the CONO. They have even opened the lower level as the lounge. They are currently using the CCC as a regular diner.

 

[9900]

That is good to know. The speed restriction was really slowing down the Illini and Saluki trains.
I hear mixed comments about the sightseer lounge and before that the deadhead baggage car being used as an idler for the CNO. Apparently even though the lounge is in the consist, passengers are not allowed to actually sit in it en-route south of Chicago?

It was also odd to see a bag in the consist that couldn't be used. Anyway, the bag will probably return once the spring thaw hits Chicago. I would have thought an extra coach would have been more appropriate since seats could actually be sold in it, but apparently building revenue is not a priority with Amtrak. They would rather have a short stubby train that shows sold out every day with a non-rev car in the consist than have extra pax capacity that might require more crew hours?

The passengers are not allowed to sit in the Cross Country Cafe, since that is now being used as a full diner....

The Baggage car was not idle, it was used as a baggage car and according to the crew it was a godsend during the holidays, many were sad to see it go....

 

[NEW RIVER GEORGE]

Interesting, I had wondered. My personal opinion is that the baggage car, sightseer lounge, extra sleeper coach and diner never should have been removed from CNO. It is a good trip, and there is no need to artificially try to dampen demand by reducing capacity and/or amenities.

 

[AlanB]

Interesting, I had wondered. My personal opinion is that the baggage car, sightseer lounge, extra sleeper coach and diner never should have been removed from CNO. It is a good trip, and there is no need to artificially try to dampen demand by reducing capacity and/or amenities.

Amtrak wasn't trying to dampen demand or reduce capacity/amenities, they were trying to cut costs in large part because of the silly Congressional mandate that they reduce the food service losses.