Went on a trip around the country on Amtrak! Inspired by your videos! I took the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, the Zephyr to Emeryville, a bus to San Francisco, Coast Starlight to Los Angeles, Sunset Limited to San Antonio, Texas Eagle to Chicago, Capitol Limited to DC, and Northeast Regional back to NY. I had so much fun!
Said it before and I'll say it again, Jacob your train videos got me into traveling by train and I absolutely LOVE them. They are some of my favorite videos on all of RUclips. Now you need to do the Empire Builder!!
@@TheElevatorChannel assuming you do go for a ride on the Builder, there may be an opportunity to meet in Seattle since I can easily get down there on the Cascades train depending on what my schedule is like. I make trips down into Seattle using the Amtrak Cascades line a few times a year, so I can help you out with getting around on transit down there.
The Elevator Channel I think you should do a “Great Western Circle”. Take the Empire Builder to Seattle, the Coast Starlight to LA, the Surfliner to San Diego, then you can fly home on Southwest to St. Louis!
Thank you for letting the trip's soundtrack go "natural." Many make the mistake of overlaying music, or excessive narration. We made a round-trip San Luis Obispo, Calif., to Nashville, Tenn., in the early 1990s. Outbound, at Kansas City we switched to a connecting train over to Oildale, Ill., then hooked up to the southbound City of New Orleans into Memphis, Tenn. Memphis was a close to Nashville as we could get. We rented a car for the last leg to Nashville. Interestingly, the train cars eastbound from Kansas City and south to Memphis were all older single-deck rolling stock. We were told the Superliner cars were too tall for some of the tunnels and over crossings east of Kansas City. The trains were rather empty so we explored cars. These old passenger cars brought up imaginings of the 1950s filled with well-dressed travelers cleaning up in the mornings in the group lavatory cars (lots of sinks in one compartment, with toilets in small, separate doored compartments). On the return, we took the northbound City of New Orleans from Memphis up to Chicago. Then, the westbound Southwest Chief to the northbound Coast Starlight back home. Your fine video brought back many good memories.
I miss Kansas City and Union Station... Topeka KS back to the old station on 4th Street and it's not very cozy... no coffee or food unless you bring your own!
The big Sikorsky helicopter at 5:52 is a common sight around Chicago, it's used to move heavy things such as air conditioning units onto the roofs of buildings, jobs that would otherwise require a crane.
Several years ago, I traveled from Detroit to LA. We switched AMTRAK at Union Station in Chicago. The trip was 6 days round trip. Went to LA on coach (will not do that again). Arrived Union Station in LA. Both stations (Chicago and LA are awesome, and are historical landmarks). On the return trip to Detroit, I got into the sleeper car. A bit expensive, but much more comfortable than coach. A great trip. AMTRAK would be absolutely nuts to discontinue the Southwest Chief. That would be dumb beyond belief. Take care, everyone. Stay safe and warm. Dan.
@@shirleybalinski4535 Hello Shirley. It was an awesome trip. The scenery was beautiful. Coach was inexpensive, but a bit uncomfortable. I would definitely suggest the sleeper car. More expensive, but worth it. I am willing to pay more to be comfortable. I hope that you go with AMTRAK. Great staff. Let me know how your trip went. Take care. Dan.
I am going from Troy, MI to LA to Seattle and back home in a few weeks. I can't wait! Being the princess that I think I am :) I am going business class in MI and have a sleeper for the rest of the trip.
@@msspider766 You can pick up the train in Royal Oak. You will hold over in Chicago for a few hours. There is a place that you can rest inside of the station that costs $20-25. They have food, pop, etc...plus nice restrooms. Have a great trip. Be safe in Seattle. Dan.
I took Empire Builder to Portland a few years back. With connecting train, I spent 51 hours in coach. I don’t know why, but I found the seat very comfortable! There is lots of leg room on Superliners and the seats recline nicely. I read a book, looked out the window, and of course walked the train several times. One mistake I made on the first day was eating too many snacks. You’re not expending much energy, so you really have to cut down. Absolutely loved the seated dinners.
I've taken this train almost every year for the last 13 years. I've also traveled on the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. I am hoping to take the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco) later this year or next. Thank for an excellent video. Train travel is something special.
James Thompson , yes it is, I'm a Model Railroder & i have both HO Scale & N Scale of Amtrak Superliners , i love the California Zephyr, i have rode the Zephyr from Chicago to Glennwood Springs & the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff & i have a beautiful HO Scale of Amtrak Veterans locomotive.
Have taken train from Martinez to Seattle in 70s. Train stopped on track near Grant's Pass, OR. Waiting but had my breakfast looking @ snow all around. We had waiters then. Also Coast Starlight from Martinez to L.A. with connection to San Juan Capistrano. Beautiful scenery along the coast. Walked from station to hotel. You meet good people traveling. Glad no smoking on cars now.
I love that train. Some of my Mom's family lived in Chicago, we lived in L.A. We never took an airplane when traveling inside the country until the 70s. I still take the train when possible.
I really enjoyed this presentation. I've watched it twice. I used to ride Santa Fe's Super Chief & El Capitan from L.A.-Chicago in the 50's & 60's. The former was an all 1st class sleeping car train, the latter was a bi-level all coach consist with great service. They once were separate trains travelling the same route until the 60's when ridership was beginning to slip. The 2 trains were conjoined towards the end. Today Amtrak's Southwest Chief takes the same route but makes a sweep once in in So. CA by making stops in Riverside and Orange Counties. It once followed the foothills after the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino Co., then along the 210 Freeway, stopping in Pasadena, and then on to L.A.- a shorter distance. Train travel is enjoyable and I suggest everyone take at least 1 long distance trip before Amtrak cuts more services. I also suggest everyone try and get a room in a sleeping car for a quiet place to enjoy the trip in privacy. Riding in coach next to someone you don't know can become a noisy 2 day nightmare.This mode of travel is not for those who are pressed for time or who get bored easily. Air travel came along with cheaper prices making rail travel a dinosaur.
You review and video most modes of transportation. Very thorough job of doing it I might add. Subbed and thumbs up. And this Amtrak train has the cleanest windows I have ever seen.
I took it about a month before you did. I went in a loop, taking the Southwest Chief to LA, then the Coast Starlight up to Portland, then the Empire Builder back to Chicago.
Well done, another great video! My wife and I have recently gotten into riding Amtrak. I always have wanted to, but vacation time and money didn’t add up with kids around. In Sept 2019 we did a large trip to make up for it, FTW-CHI-SLC-EMY-SLO-SBA-FUL-LAX-CHI-SPI-FTW over 24 days. Definitely the best vacation I have ever taken!! Then a few weeks ago we were able to fly to Vancouver, BC, travel to Seattle and then train from SEA-PDX-MSP, we had to go to PDX to avoid a bustitution due to the inbound 7 having to set out an engine enroute due to flat spots on the wheels. So far for us the Texas Eagle has had the best food, followed by a tie with the Southwest Chief and the Empire Builder, and the California Zephyr definitely came in last for a number of issues, but some were out of the crews control. But we loved train 4 and thank you very much for bringing us the Chief!!
You did some great travelling. From 2001 through 2013 I did 5 weekend to weekend trips riding all the AMTRAK rail west of St. Louis (i.e., connection sometimes in K.C. and Chicago) as a way to see The West. My wife was not in to the long haul and only went once with me. I also enjoyed riding the Surliner between L.A. and San Diego and on one of my trips extended north out of Seattle to Vancouver and indliuded the VIA Rail between Vancouver and Jasper back and forth you might enjoy. I only used a hotel room when needing to make connection on the next day's train and just a few times wanted to see a city for a full day. You had a great rail experience.
The Chief is the only scheduled train that runs on the line between Trinidad, CO and Lamy, NM, so the "freight train" you saw in Las Vegas, NM is actually a maintenance train-looks as if they're laying new rail somewhere in the vicinity. Yes, the Chief is "endangered," as you put it, but Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and the US Senate made it clear to Amtrak leadership in recent years that they want the Chief to keep its current route, and the Senate appropriated millions of dollars to maintain that part of the line. That work train in Las Vegas is a sign those funds are being used to keep the line in shape-good catch! In 2018, in the midst the showdown between Amtrak leadership and the Senators from these states (Amtrak was planning to truncate the Chief and replace the train between Dodge City, KS and Albuquerque with buses), I rode the Chief between Trinidad and Lamy. Two things struck me during that ride: 1. Much northeast New Mexico appears to have been passed by as time marches on, forgotten about by the rest of the world, and 2. Several people rode for only one or two stops. Even though the train isn't very crowded during this stretch of the journey, for the people in these towns it's a vital connection to the rest of the world and even nearby communities. (Whether or not one agrees with these trains' federal subsidies is another matter-but all modes of transportation in this country are subsidized by your tax dollars.)
That description about northeast New Mexico doesn't seem too different, vs. how the Empire Builder services central and eastern Montana smaller towns. Which largely seem forgotten by many, but that the EB is still an important vital link of travel for residents in these smaller towns(i.e. Wolf Point, Glasgow, Malta, etc). I remember seeing some abandoned buildings along the EB route in central and eastern Montana.
Great job, sir! I enjoy your Amtrak train videos. I almost thought about taking a trip to see family in Flagstaff, AZ on the Chief. I also saw the Chief in Flagstaff when I was there at the Amtrak station!
Solid Trip Report, the SWC is my most used/fave route! Coach or Roomette, spend most of daylight time in the Obs lounge. When I taught and coached in Cimarron, NM, encountered the SWC many times between Raton and La Junta...
Oh cool! I'm glad it's the Southwest Chief this time! It goes right through my town, Kansas City. Last time I took a trip on it was about 3 years ago. It was a pleasant ride. Thanks for posting this! I love your trip reports.
Another great video. I will be flying to the States next week for a holiday and have included as said in your previous vid' that we will be going on the Zephyr from Chi - Eme.... Good luck & thanks again
I took this train in July 2019 to LA, and we didn’t even make it out of Illinois before it went awry. Just prior to Mendota, the engine started to smoke. The crew apparently failed to do a safety check before departing Chicago, so we sat in Mendota for hours sans a working locomotive. We had to wait for a replacement to arrive. One did, but it was after many hours of waiting. And to add insult to injury, the new locomotive could only go 60 mph as opposed to the 90 which regular locomotives can hit. We ended up arriving in LA something like 16-17 hours late, so that was fun. Regardless, Amtrak is still my favorite medium of travel. I like flying, but I enjoy the train a lot more.
Made the reverse trip on the SWC recently. A New Mexico local in the sightseer lounge was kind enough to point out that the elk and antelope come out before/around dusk (we were East of Albuquerque). Sure enough saw a big herd of elk cows and another of antelopes.
I sure enjoy re-living my rail experiences from these videos. I have done all the rail west of St. Louis with 5 weekend to weekend trips between 2001 and 2013 to ride all the AMTRAK rail West of St. Louis (i.s. connections in K.S. and Chicago). If you are hoping to take just one long distance rail trip I recommend the Zephyr from Chicago to the Bay area, The Coast Starlight from the Bay area to L.A., and the Southwest Chief back to Chicago or a sequence that works best for you. It's a good variety of scenery. My wife only went once and was not in to the long haul, as I only used a hotel making connection if needed with a train the following day. California people will enjoy the Coast Stralight up to Seattle and taking VIA Rail back and forth between Vancouver and Jasper. There you get 1950s era passenger cars kept in great shape. Passport required.
I took this trip in Jan 1991. From Grand Central Station in NY to Chicago,5 hrs layover then the Southwest Chief to LA. One of the best trips of my life. Very popular then. Only able to get sleeper on the NY to Chicago routes. I hope they don't cut the service.
I’ve got to say Jacob, I’m a huge fan of your channel. You really post some interesting things that really attract my attention. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for another awesome video! I have only recently discovered your channel, but I have already added doing a long haul Amtrak trip to my bucket list thanks to you!
I travel long distance by Amtrak and also travel on the Amtrak Surfliners between San Diego, Los Angeles & Oxnard when I’m home in the San Diego area for visits. I alternate my visits between Los Angeles & Oxnard every other visit home in the San Diego area. I have traveled on Amtrak 53 times from January 31,1974 to December 30,2019. Amtrak is my number one choice for travel.
I remember when I went on the chief, train 4 from LA to CHI, we got to Albuquerque like 30mins early and we risked it by calling an Uber and going to a Walmart and then going back and we had enough time somehow
There was a time until the mid-20th Century when the Chief was known as the Train of the Stars, due to many Hollywood big names using it to travel to LA from the East and the Midwest. It was not unusual to run into people like Clark Gable, John Wayne, Judy Garland, etc while riding the Chief. It would be hard pressed to run into Robert Downey Jr, Brad Pitt, or Scarlett Johansson on the Chief these days, but hey one can dream.
At 32:51, just before Trinidad, Colorado, I think you may be filming the iconic Spanish Peaks. They are kind of off by themselves slightly east of the other Rockies. If memory serves, there are no taller mountains all the way to the Atlantic. (I believe one of them is over 12,000 ft. above sea level, and the taller one over 13,000 ft.) I do know that they are quite striking as you make your way south along I-25. I very much enjoy your films and commentary.
Great video!!! Thank you for letting us ride along on this beautiful journey. This inspires me to got out of the airplane and instead take the train... all the best from the west coast of Florida USA!!!
Thank you for the wonderful video this is your friend from Affton Missouri the one thing you must say about the Southwest cheap this was how our country was built the California Zephyr that's just nasty of about a mountains what are the Southwest Chief is how this country was built and the towns were built I can imagine people coming from Kansas and going through all this desert thanks again for the video
I love this channel! I’ve watched this trip report more than the others.....I’m biased though.....this route passes my son’s university housing in Albuquerque at 43:58! Some day I hope to make the trip out there! My son said he sees the Road Runner State birds running across campus several times a week!
Thanks for this! It's hard to find an actually informative video with someone that doesn't jerk the camera all over the place, making me motion sick, and prattling on in horrific grammar! You're a peach! :) Boarding the SWC at the end of the month and this is a great review!
So cool! I’ve been wanting to take that trip! You had beautiful skies for video, even the thunderstorms! EXCELLENT video⭐️👍🏼⭐️... I watched all of it and just subscribed. Thanks!
When I took the Texas Eagle two years ago the “Coach Lounge” in Chicago was $25 which was nice to have baggage check. Three months ago I arrived in Chicago on the California Zephyr and Coach and Sleeper lounges were combine and I was charged $30 and included a great shower.
Katrina Tipple It’s up to $35 for coach layover only. It seems Chicago is the only city - it’s a big lounge - two levels - on the men’s side - two shower rooms - key entry and separate dead bolt the door - two hotel towels. SHOWERS SHOULD BE ON BOARD COACH AS WELL. Swipe a credit card $10 for 5 minutes.... like a car wash!
I can't remember the lounge I used twice, but I liked it better than the metropolitan, they had an area for bags, drinks, snacks, and it was not crowded. Next time I get a sleeper I think I'll pay the extra for it again.
This was a great video! I always love watching your Trip Reports and your channel in general. You are one of my favorite RUclipsrs. I’ve always wanted to ride Amtrak, especially the Empire Builder. I also loved seeing many shots of Chicago, my hometown! I miss living there and frequently going railfanning and plane spotting. Again, great work on this video and all of your videos. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thank you for this wonderful video! I rode the Southwest Chief on July 4th, 2019 from LA to Chicago. It was wonderful. We had a great crew and the best weather! I enjoyed seeing the reversed route/opposing side... I didn’t get to see the desert from Flagstaff to California. I guess you slept through Kansas City…Your video really brought back memories. I would do it again (after I take the California Zephyr, the Empire builder, and the Silver Meteor.) You’re a great narrator!
Another fine trip report. BTW, I always carry a roll of gaffer's tape (duct tape will do), excellent for modulating or deflecting the draft from the air duct. Also a couple of those little rubber wedge doorstops, along with a small power strip to handle my charger and computer. And a can of Lysol spray. I'm not a raging germophobe, but soetimes the heads get a little whiffy.
Took Southwest in the 80s when I was living in Santa Fe. ❤ Station was out by itself in country with one station. Loved the old safe in there. Most memorable was the red cliffs near Gallup, N.M. Beautiful, open, country. Train was full from Chicago. Don't really mind sleeping in seat, but I went to eat & came back & my 'seat mate had taken out the arm & was curled up on BOTH seats. Was cold from A/C & they were out of blankets. I used my coat but no room to sleep! I go my small bag & went to dark snack car & slept on the table. Got a couple of hours sleep but in the dark people started to come in & sit down smoking & waiting to have coffee. What to do? Walked around til I could go sit in my seat. I was traveling solo & would b home that day & could sleep. Stuff happens. Next crew came on & I told crew member of my experience. She said "always speak up" they would have changed temp in car & helped you. She was great! U see so much from the train. I highly recommend. The trains DO NOT go to S.F. I am from Sonoma so I always went to the small Martinez station. There was plenty of parking nearby.
Just watched your video and enjoyed the vicarious travel, especially now. I took a train trip from Chicago to San Diego about 30 years ago. Really loved the views of Union Station too.(And thanks for not talking through the entire video which allowed time to enjoy the scenery.)
I’m thinking of an Amtrak rail pass - a 15 day pass is $459. Coach only. I’ve started with Amtrak in 1976 on the NEC plus other local trains. 15 days will go by quick. I’ve done two 84 hour long haul trips in coach which is about half the pass. So I might want another week. I understand ViaRail Canada is expensive but offers deals. Amtrak offers deals too. All in all in 15 days I should be able to go coast to coast and see much of the Atlantic a Pacific coastline AND stay over a couple cities.
Earl Cornett Gee - have a great trip. If I also make a 15 day trip it would be something like Boston to NOLA to Chicago to Vancouver to San Diego to LA to.Chicago (via Albuquerque) and Lakeshore to Boston - I might try ordering takeout in Albany NY and have it delivered, My last time thru Albany the train was running late - so I didn’t try. The Lakeshore had great food now it’s worse than the airlines. I’ll get a shower in Chicago in both directions - plus see the city. The three cities I’d like to overnight in are Vancouver/Seattle, San Diego/LA and New Orleans but only if I can do it in 15 days. For sleeping attire (coach) sweat pants and warm socks. Dining and light sports jacket and wear over sweaters outside. Winter jacket? A good but compact USA Atlas, map of my cell provider coverage areas, Walmart tropical snack trail mix, juice boxes, dollar bills to tip waiters and snack bar dude.
You can always tell the diesels getting their torque on. Our average speeds were above 85 due to track delays. Going through the peaks you find out why walking between cars is easier after a nice drink to keep you from digging in place while grabbing every wall you're next to.
Another wonderful train trip, keep them coming! The ultimate long distance train you should check out eventually is VIA Rail's Canadian, which runs from Toronto all the way to Vancouver.
Alright! A train trip video! I love the Southwest Chief. Next time, I would suggest the Empire Builder or the Sunset Limited. BNSF should start its own passenger trains and make them nice and inviting. They have the money to do it.
Unfortunately, these long-distance passenger trains are all money losers and BNSF needs to make money to survive and grow. They will not be getting into the passenger business. They fought tooth and nail in the 60s and 70s to get out of it because it was bleeding them.
I'm sorry you went through my home state of Arizona at night. That's where you would have seen the beautiful desert scenery you were looking for. Maybe your next trip :D
My Sunset Ltd., #2 out of LA on 2/2 did NOT go thru Louisiana! We were told a boat hit a bridge somewhere east of us, and there were buses waiting at San Antonio on 2/4. A 12-hour bus ride was not appealing, so I took a taxi to the airport and flew home to FL, arriving a day earlier than planned. Three hours in a middle seat beats the hell out of 12 hours on a bus! Also, the Sunset hasn't served FL since Katrina and now terminates in NOLA.
Sunset Ltd. used to run east of New Orleans to Orlando, but sadly hasn't since Hurricane Katrina. Also at one time, Sunset even briefly ran all the way east to Miami! Partial good news that has been announced, is that the Gulf Coast Limited will eventually in a year or 2 be restarting service, between New Orleans and Mobile. I think if I heard correctly this will be a daily train(1 train in each direction a day and 2 such trains daily, overall), from NOLA to Mobile. I only wish Sunset could finally become a daily train, and not just a 3 days a week train.
@@BoratWanksta If anything becomes daily, it will be the Texas Eagle between Chicago and Los Angeles, and the Sunset will become a stub train between San Antonio and NOL. Amtrak tried to do this a few years back, but the Union Pacific demanded 700 million. So it did not happen
Below are the BNSF subdivisions that you were on when you rode the Chief. I have compiled them from Open Railway Map, and the Federal Railroad Administration Safety Map. I hope everyone that reads these will enjoy them. From Chicago Illinois to Los Angeles California. The three (3) train is westbound, the four (4) train is eastbound. *Note, [BNSF] is the AAR reporting mark for the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad headquartered in Fort Worth Texas. [BNSF Chicago Subdivision] Chicago Union Station to Aurora Illinois [BNSF Mendota Subdivision] Aurora Illinois to Galesburg Illinois [BNSF Ottumwa Subdivision] Galesburg Illinois to east of Cameron Illinois [BNSF Cameron Connection] This is a 1.20 mile connector track, connecting the [BNSF Ottumwa Subdivision] and the [BNSF Chillicothe Subdivision] east of Cameron Illinois. [BNSF Chillicothe Subdivision] Cameron Illinois to Fort Madison Iowa [BNSF Marceline Subdivision] Fort Madison Iowa to Kansas City Missouri [Kansas City Terminal Railway] This provides trackage for BNSF, Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific, and Amtrak through the Kansas City Metro Region.[BNSF Emporia Subdivision] Kansas City Kansas through [BNSF Argentine Yard] to Shawnee Kansas [BNSF Topeka Subdivision] Shawnee Kansas to Emporia Kansas [BNSF Emporia Subdivision] From Peyton Street in Emporia Kansas to Saffordville Kansas [BNSF La Junta Subdivision] Saffordville Kansas to Purgatoire River east of Las Animas Colorado [BNSF Boise City Subdivision] Purgatoire River east of Las Animas Colorado to La Junta Colorado [BNSF Raton Subdivision] La Junta Colorado to Las Vegas New Mexico [BNSF Glorieta Subdivision] Las Vegas New Mexico to Belen Junction near Los Lunas New Mexico From the below subdivisions, Amtrak's Southwest Chief will be on the [BNSF Southern Transcon] [BNSF Gallup Subdivision] Belen Junction near Los Lunas New Mexico to Winslow Arizona [BNSF Seligman Subdivision] Winslow Arizona to Needles California [BNSF Needles Subdivision] Needles California to Barstow California [BNSF Barstow Rail Yard] is located on the north side of Barstow California [BNSF Cajon Subdivision] Barstow California to San Bernardino California [BNSF San Bernardino Subdivision] San Bernardino California to Soto Street southeast of downtown Los Angeles California From the above subdivision, the Southwest Chief will depart the [BNSF Southern Transcon] and begin its entrance into downtown Los Angeles. The [BNSF Southern Transcon] will turn south into the [Alameda Corridor] used by both BNSF and Union Pacific to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. [BNSF River Subdivision] Soto Street, southeast of downtown Los Angeles California to Los Angeles California Union Station *Note, The Southwest Chief will travel over the Redondo Flyover when transitioning to this subdivision. This will take the Southwest Chief over the Los Angeles River east of downtown Los Angeles, and provide views of downtown Los Angeles California. [Illinois] Chicago's Union Station, Naperville, Mendota, Princeton, Galesburg [Iowa] Fort Madison [Missouri] La Plata, Kansas City [Kansas] Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, Garden City [Colorado] Lamar, La Junta, Trinidad [New Mexico] Raton, Las Vegas, Lamy, Albuquerque, Gallup [Arizona] Winslow, Flagstaff, Kingman [California] Needles, Barstow, Victorville, San Bernardino, Riverside, Fullerton, Los Angeles
In this connection, you should also know, in contrast to what you said in your narration at Las Vegas NM, you didn't actually rejoin the BNSF transcon until about a half hour after you left ABQ...The cars at Las Vegas were for local industries...there are still no other trains between La Junta and somewhere just north of Las Vegas.
Yes I know that. The Raton and Glorieta subs are used by BNSF as emergency routes if something happens on the transcon. Now while you were in western Kansas into eastern Colorado, the La Junta sub is going through some upgrades from jointed rail to continuous rail. They still get freight loads from Pueblo and the Denver region.
@@newwomyn That was aimed at the content creator, not you, who said something to the effect that they had rejoined the main line at Las Vegas because he saw some freight cars parked there.
Doing a birthday trip next Feb, 2021 using the SW Chief from LA to Chicago. So, Amtrak tours will be aware of any service cuts...ie eliminations, of which I hope there are none.
Another Elevator Channel classic !!! Well done sir ! I think you California Zephyr video is your best ! and Empire Builder Video was pretty good to !!! Thank your for sharing and all the best to you ! P.S. you should check out Via's Canadian some time when it gets running again, probably not till next year and snag a "sleeper plus" deal on there website or look for a "Black Friday sale" is what we got !!! :):):)
Nice video. I took a video of this trip at the end of my walk across America (you can see it on my channel). I rode it in January, so some of the places you showed I was unable to because of the darkness.
You should go to Reno, Nevada on the California Zephyr! I took that route last September-October. Also, check out the elevators at Meadowood Mall and the elevator at 5270 Neil Road, which houses the Truckee Meadows Community College. My recommendation for hotels is definitely the Silver Legacy! Also, try to meet up with Jowevator3219!
Just for your info. The track through western Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, is no longer used by freight trains in certain sections. There is some talk about using buses from La Junta to Albuquerque and eliminating that section. The three states are trying to get an agreement for financing the repair and upkeep of this section, but nothing has been agreed to at the present time. It would be a crime to eliminate this portion of the original Super Chief of Santa Fe.
Jacob, I'm a susbcriber and an ardent supporter of your videos. Your Zepher vid is one of my favs. That said, I was disappointed with ths video. Take away the first 17 minutes of your hotel, CTA ride, Union Station and Chicago burbs, you covered the 2.5 day SW Chief in 39 minutes. That's pretty skimpy in my world. I love watching these train videos to enjoy the relaxation that riders get on the journery. 39 minutes? My other fav Amtrak vid guy, youtuuba, did nearly 3 hours. And with my deepest apologies to you Jacob, I enjoyed that one much more. I get you ran into crummy weather during the best part. But still...39 minutes? Honestly, I expected much better from you. Once again Jacob, I apologize for my less than glowing review. I call them like I see them.
Went on a trip around the country on Amtrak! Inspired by your videos!
I took the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, the Zephyr to Emeryville, a bus to San Francisco, Coast Starlight to Los Angeles, Sunset Limited to San Antonio, Texas Eagle to Chicago, Capitol Limited to DC, and Northeast Regional back to NY. I had so much fun!
Thank you so much. I love your videos. Because of you Amtrak will get my business.
Said it before and I'll say it again, Jacob your train videos got me into traveling by train and I absolutely LOVE them. They are some of my favorite videos on all of RUclips.
Now you need to do the Empire Builder!!
TheMM1215 Thanks so much! As for the Builder... stay tuned 😉
@@TheElevatorChannel assuming you do go for a ride on the Builder, there may be an opportunity to meet in Seattle since I can easily get down there on the Cascades train depending on what my schedule is like. I make trips down into Seattle using the Amtrak Cascades line a few times a year, so I can help you out with getting around on transit down there.
The Elevator Channel I think you should do a “Great Western Circle”. Take the Empire Builder to Seattle, the Coast Starlight to LA, the Surfliner to San Diego, then you can fly home on Southwest to St. Louis!
Rod Buster
What’s Endless summer?
Cost return trip
Thank you for letting the trip's soundtrack go "natural." Many make the mistake of overlaying music, or excessive narration. We made a round-trip San Luis Obispo, Calif., to Nashville, Tenn., in the early 1990s. Outbound, at Kansas City we switched to a connecting train over to Oildale, Ill., then hooked up to the southbound City of New Orleans into Memphis, Tenn. Memphis was a close to Nashville as we could get. We rented a car for the last leg to Nashville.
Interestingly, the train cars eastbound from Kansas City and south to Memphis were all older single-deck rolling stock. We were told the Superliner cars were too tall for some of the tunnels and over crossings east of Kansas City. The trains were rather empty so we explored cars. These old passenger cars brought up imaginings of the 1950s filled with well-dressed travelers cleaning up in the mornings in the group lavatory cars (lots of sinks in one compartment, with toilets in small, separate doored compartments).
On the return, we took the northbound City of New Orleans from Memphis up to Chicago. Then, the westbound Southwest Chief to the northbound Coast Starlight back home. Your fine video brought back many good memories.
agreed. too much music, or constant talking.
I miss Kansas City and Union Station... Topeka KS back to the old station on 4th Street and it's not very cozy... no coffee or food unless you bring your own!
I have really enjoyed watching your Amtrak videos. Thanks for being there for us RUclips travelers.
The big Sikorsky helicopter at 5:52 is a common sight around Chicago, it's used to move heavy things such as air conditioning units onto the roofs of buildings, jobs that would otherwise require a crane.
Several years ago, I traveled from Detroit to LA. We switched AMTRAK at Union Station in Chicago. The trip was 6 days round trip. Went to LA on coach (will not do that again). Arrived Union Station in LA. Both stations (Chicago and LA are awesome, and are historical landmarks). On the return trip to Detroit, I got into the sleeper car. A bit expensive, but much more comfortable than coach. A great trip. AMTRAK would be absolutely nuts to discontinue the Southwest Chief. That would be dumb beyond belief. Take care, everyone. Stay safe and warm. Dan.
How did you find trip? Wanting to do this..senior citizen. Sleeper car a must?
@@shirleybalinski4535 Hello Shirley. It was an awesome trip. The scenery was beautiful. Coach was inexpensive, but a bit uncomfortable. I would definitely suggest the sleeper car. More expensive, but worth it. I am willing to pay more to be comfortable. I hope that you go with AMTRAK. Great staff. Let me know how your trip went. Take care. Dan.
I am going from Troy, MI to LA to Seattle and back home in a few weeks. I can't wait! Being the princess that I think I am :) I am going business class in MI and have a sleeper for the rest of the trip.
@@msspider766 You can pick up the train in Royal Oak. You will hold over in Chicago for a few hours. There is a place that you can rest inside of the station that costs $20-25. They have food, pop, etc...plus nice restrooms. Have a great trip. Be safe in Seattle. Dan.
I took Empire Builder to Portland a few years back. With connecting train, I spent 51 hours in coach. I don’t know why, but I found the seat very comfortable! There is lots of leg room on Superliners and the seats recline nicely. I read a book, looked out the window, and of course walked the train several times. One mistake I made on the first day was eating too many snacks. You’re not expending much energy, so you really have to cut down. Absolutely loved the seated dinners.
Best way to see America is on Amtrak. Thank you so much for these travel videos! Especially during these times of "quarantine."
These videos are so relaxing. You deserve those RUclips dollars.
I've taken this train almost every year for the last 13 years. I've also traveled on the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. I am hoping to take the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco) later this year or next. Thank for an excellent video. Train travel is something special.
James Thompson , yes it is, I'm a Model Railroder & i have both HO Scale & N Scale of Amtrak Superliners , i love the California Zephyr, i have rode the Zephyr from Chicago to Glennwood Springs & the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff & i have a beautiful HO Scale of Amtrak Veterans locomotive.
Thank you Thelevatorchannel for showing a guy from the UK how possible train travel in the US can be.
Have taken train from Martinez to Seattle in 70s. Train stopped on track near Grant's Pass, OR. Waiting but had my breakfast looking @ snow all around. We had waiters then. Also Coast Starlight from Martinez to L.A. with connection to San Juan Capistrano. Beautiful scenery along the coast. Walked from station to hotel. You meet good people traveling. Glad no smoking on cars now.
Yeeees a great souvenir for me, i took this train in 1978 from Chicago to LA. I travelled all around USA with an Amtrak pass.
I love that train. Some of my Mom's family lived in Chicago, we lived in L.A. We never took an airplane when traveling inside the country until the 70s. I still take the train when possible.
I really enjoyed this presentation. I've watched it twice. I used to ride Santa Fe's Super Chief & El Capitan from L.A.-Chicago in the 50's & 60's. The former was an all 1st class sleeping car train, the latter was a bi-level all coach consist with great service. They once were separate trains travelling the same route until the 60's when ridership was beginning to slip. The 2 trains were conjoined towards the end. Today Amtrak's Southwest Chief takes the same route but makes a sweep once in in So. CA by making stops in Riverside and Orange Counties. It once followed the foothills after the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino Co., then along the 210 Freeway, stopping in Pasadena, and then on to L.A.- a shorter distance. Train travel is enjoyable and I suggest everyone take at least 1 long distance trip before Amtrak cuts more services. I also suggest everyone try and get a room in a sleeping car for a quiet place to enjoy the trip in privacy. Riding in coach next to someone you don't know can become a noisy 2 day nightmare.This mode of travel is not for those who are pressed for time or who get bored easily. Air travel came along with cheaper prices making rail travel a dinosaur.
It's awesome a new Amtrak long-distance episode and my favorite route the Southwest Chief thank you for posting!!!
More so than just about any other city Chicago always look so wonderful on a pretty day!
You review and video most modes of transportation. Very thorough job of doing it I might add. Subbed and thumbs up.
And this Amtrak train has the cleanest windows I have ever seen.
23.29 double stackers.
I took it about a month before you did. I went in a loop, taking the Southwest Chief to LA, then the Coast Starlight up to Portland, then the Empire Builder back to Chicago.
ebob1967 that’s what youtuuba did!
@@RobertKrebill Yep, his videos inspired me to do the same thing.
Love your way of videoing these trips!
I did California Zepher twice. once in autumn, and winter. loved both trips.
Well done, another great video! My wife and I have recently gotten into riding Amtrak. I always have wanted to, but vacation time and money didn’t add up with kids around. In Sept 2019 we did a large trip to make up for it, FTW-CHI-SLC-EMY-SLO-SBA-FUL-LAX-CHI-SPI-FTW over 24 days. Definitely the best vacation I have ever taken!! Then a few weeks ago we were able to fly to Vancouver, BC, travel to Seattle and then train from SEA-PDX-MSP, we had to go to PDX to avoid a bustitution due to the inbound 7 having to set out an engine enroute due to flat spots on the wheels. So far for us the Texas Eagle has had the best food, followed by a tie with the Southwest Chief and the Empire Builder, and the California Zephyr definitely came in last for a number of issues, but some were out of the crews control. But we loved train 4 and thank you very much for bringing us the Chief!!
You did some great travelling. From 2001 through 2013 I did 5 weekend to weekend trips riding all the AMTRAK rail west of St. Louis (i.e., connection sometimes in K.C. and Chicago) as a way to see The West. My wife was not in to the long haul and only went once with me. I also enjoyed riding the Surliner between L.A. and San Diego and on one of my trips extended north out of Seattle to Vancouver and indliuded the VIA Rail between Vancouver and Jasper back and forth you might enjoy. I only used a hotel room when needing to make connection on the next day's train and just a few times wanted to see a city for a full day. You had a great rail experience.
Thanks so much for sharing. I live just a few miles from Lamy, NM, and always love catching the train coming through.
Thanks for sharing your trip. Excellent video.
I’ll be on this train in 6 days!!! So excited.
Jk Chicago just placed quarantine orders rip
Finally going on the SW Chief one year later (today)
The Chief is the only scheduled train that runs on the line between Trinidad, CO and Lamy, NM, so the "freight train" you saw in Las Vegas, NM is actually a maintenance train-looks as if they're laying new rail somewhere in the vicinity. Yes, the Chief is "endangered," as you put it, but Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and the US Senate made it clear to Amtrak leadership in recent years that they want the Chief to keep its current route, and the Senate appropriated millions of dollars to maintain that part of the line. That work train in Las Vegas is a sign those funds are being used to keep the line in shape-good catch!
In 2018, in the midst the showdown between Amtrak leadership and the Senators from these states (Amtrak was planning to truncate the Chief and replace the train between Dodge City, KS and Albuquerque with buses), I rode the Chief between Trinidad and Lamy. Two things struck me during that ride: 1. Much northeast New Mexico appears to have been passed by as time marches on, forgotten about by the rest of the world, and 2. Several people rode for only one or two stops. Even though the train isn't very crowded during this stretch of the journey, for the people in these towns it's a vital connection to the rest of the world and even nearby communities. (Whether or not one agrees with these trains' federal subsidies is another matter-but all modes of transportation in this country are subsidized by your tax dollars.)
That description about northeast New Mexico doesn't seem too different, vs. how the Empire Builder services central and eastern Montana smaller towns. Which largely seem forgotten by many, but that the EB is still an important vital link of travel for residents in these smaller towns(i.e. Wolf Point, Glasgow, Malta, etc). I remember seeing some abandoned buildings along the EB route in central and eastern Montana.
Great job, sir! I enjoy your Amtrak train videos. I almost thought about taking a trip to see family in Flagstaff, AZ on the Chief. I also saw the Chief in Flagstaff when I was there at the Amtrak station!
Another great Amtrak vdo! Thanks!
Solid Trip Report, the SWC is my most used/fave route! Coach or Roomette, spend most of daylight time in the Obs lounge. When I taught and coached in Cimarron, NM, encountered the SWC many times between Raton and La Junta...
Oh cool! I'm glad it's the Southwest Chief this time! It goes right through my town, Kansas City. Last time I took a trip on it was about 3 years ago. It was a pleasant ride. Thanks for posting this! I love your trip reports.
That raton pass was so beautiful
Another Awesome video "Elevator Channel" I have been wanting to make this trip my whole life! Thank you for sharing
Well the things that you do for the sunset view made the view marvellous and spectacular. A very nice video. That last dinner looked delish.
Another great video. I will be flying to the States next week for a holiday and have included as said in your previous vid' that we will be going on the Zephyr from Chi - Eme.... Good luck & thanks again
I took this train in July 2019 to LA, and we didn’t even make it out of Illinois before it went awry. Just prior to Mendota, the engine started to smoke. The crew apparently failed to do a safety check before departing Chicago, so we sat in Mendota for hours sans a working locomotive. We had to wait for a replacement to arrive. One did, but it was after many hours of waiting. And to add insult to injury, the new locomotive could only go 60 mph as opposed to the 90 which regular locomotives can hit. We ended up arriving in LA something like 16-17 hours late, so that was fun. Regardless, Amtrak is still my favorite medium of travel. I like flying, but I enjoy the train a lot more.
Made the reverse trip on the SWC recently. A New Mexico local in the sightseer lounge was kind enough to point out that the elk and antelope come out before/around dusk (we were East of Albuquerque). Sure enough saw a big herd of elk cows and another of antelopes.
Very entertaining and informational be video! I believe I may ride Amtrak now!
I sure enjoy re-living my rail experiences from these videos. I have done all the rail west of St. Louis with 5 weekend to weekend trips between 2001 and 2013 to ride all the AMTRAK rail West of St. Louis (i.s. connections in K.S. and Chicago). If you are hoping to take just one long distance rail trip I recommend the Zephyr from Chicago to the Bay area, The Coast Starlight from the Bay area to L.A., and the Southwest Chief back to Chicago or a sequence that works best for you. It's a good variety of scenery. My wife only went once and was not in to the long haul, as I only used a hotel making connection if needed with a train the following day. California people will enjoy the Coast Stralight up to Seattle and taking VIA Rail back and forth between Vancouver and Jasper. There you get 1950s era passenger cars kept in great shape. Passport required.
I took this trip in Jan 1991. From Grand Central Station in NY to Chicago,5 hrs layover then the Southwest Chief to LA. One of the best trips of my life. Very popular then. Only able to get sleeper on the NY to Chicago routes. I hope they don't cut the service.
I Just Subscribed To Your Channel. I LOVE Your Amtrak Room Video’s. I Am Very Much Looking Forward To A Lot More. 😁✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼
I’ve got to say Jacob, I’m a huge fan of your channel. You really post some interesting things that really attract my attention. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for another awesome video! I have only recently discovered your channel, but I have already added doing a long haul Amtrak trip to my bucket list thanks to you!
I’m taking the Southwest Chief to LA. Leaving from NY!
I travel long distance by Amtrak and also travel on the Amtrak Surfliners between San Diego, Los Angeles & Oxnard when I’m home in the San Diego area for visits. I alternate my visits between Los Angeles & Oxnard every other visit home in the San Diego area. I have traveled on Amtrak 53 times from January 31,1974 to December 30,2019. Amtrak is my number one choice for travel.
I remember when I went on the chief, train 4 from LA to CHI, we got to Albuquerque like 30mins early and we risked it by calling an Uber and going to a Walmart and then going back and we had enough time somehow
There's a supermarket 2 minutes walk from Albuquerque station
There was a time until the mid-20th Century when the Chief was known as the Train of the Stars, due to many Hollywood big names using it to travel to LA from the East and the Midwest. It was not unusual to run into people like Clark Gable, John Wayne, Judy Garland, etc while riding the Chief. It would be hard pressed to run into Robert Downey Jr, Brad Pitt, or Scarlett Johansson on the Chief these days, but hey one can dream.
Do as I say, as I climb onto my private plane.
Very enjoyable video. Thanks for the ride.
Awesome trip report!
Okay from Chicago to Los Angeles on the amtrack southwest chief express
At 32:51, just before Trinidad, Colorado, I think you may be filming the iconic Spanish Peaks. They are kind of off by themselves slightly east of the other Rockies. If memory serves, there are no taller mountains all the way to the Atlantic. (I believe one of them is over 12,000 ft. above sea level, and the taller one over 13,000 ft.) I do know that they are quite striking as you make your way south along I-25. I very much enjoy your films and commentary.
A very very good journey!
Great job man..
Thanks man. Really enjoying your videos. I live on Empire Builder line. Libby Mt. Hope to do Zephyr and Texas Eagle.
Great video!!! Thank you for letting us ride along on this beautiful journey. This inspires me to got out of the airplane and instead take the train... all the best from the west coast of Florida USA!!!
Another great video! Can’t wait for the next Carwash video!
Those canyons look amazing! Love ur videos.
4:45 the turns do look pretty awesome. Sadly, I’ve never been on one or thought of that even!
Your train trip reviews are the best! I wish you had time to do more of them. Aloha from Hawai'i.
Thank you for the wonderful video this is your friend from Affton Missouri the one thing you must say about the Southwest cheap this was how our country was built the California Zephyr that's just nasty of about a mountains what are the Southwest Chief is how this country was built and the towns were built I can imagine people coming from Kansas and going through all this desert thanks again for the video
Great video...I think I'm going by rail on my next vacation this summer
I love this channel! I’ve watched this trip report more than the others.....I’m biased though.....this route passes my son’s university housing in Albuquerque at 43:58! Some day I hope to make the trip out there! My son said he sees the Road Runner State birds running across campus several times a week!
Your videos are going to get real popular (armchair travelers/cabin fever #COVID19 )
Today, Mar 25, 2021.. covid19 pandemic now a year!
Wow Excellent video I’ve taken the Amtrak Southwest Chief Before the ride was amazing
Thanks for this! It's hard to find an actually informative video with someone that doesn't jerk the camera all over the place, making me motion sick, and prattling on in horrific grammar! You're a peach! :) Boarding the SWC at the end of the month and this is a great review!
Love these travel videos please keep doing more I really enjoy them.
So cool! I’ve been wanting to take that trip! You had beautiful skies for video, even the thunderstorms! EXCELLENT video⭐️👍🏼⭐️... I watched all of it and just subscribed.
Thanks!
When I took the Texas Eagle two years ago the “Coach Lounge” in Chicago was $25 which was nice to have baggage check. Three months ago I arrived in Chicago on the California Zephyr and Coach and Sleeper lounges were combine and I was charged $30 and included a great shower.
That is cheap I think a lot better price
Katrina Tipple It’s up to $35 for coach layover only. It seems Chicago is the only city - it’s a big lounge - two levels - on the men’s side - two shower rooms - key entry and separate dead bolt the door - two hotel towels.
SHOWERS SHOULD BE ON BOARD COACH AS WELL. Swipe a credit card $10 for 5 minutes.... like a car wash!
I can't remember the lounge I used twice, but I liked it better than the metropolitan, they had an area for bags, drinks, snacks, and it was not crowded. Next time I get a sleeper I think I'll pay the extra for it again.
This was a great video! I always love watching your Trip Reports and your channel in general. You are one of my favorite RUclipsrs. I’ve always wanted to ride Amtrak, especially the Empire Builder. I also loved seeing many shots of Chicago, my hometown! I miss living there and frequently going railfanning and plane spotting. Again, great work on this video and all of your videos. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thanks for posting this video! In August for my birthday, I’ll be taking the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff!
Robert Krebill happy early birthday!
Love these trip reports!
Thank you for this wonderful video! I rode the Southwest Chief on July 4th, 2019 from LA to Chicago. It was wonderful. We had a great crew and the best weather! I enjoyed seeing the reversed route/opposing side... I didn’t get to see the desert from Flagstaff to California. I guess you slept through Kansas City…Your video really brought back memories. I would do it again (after I take the California Zephyr, the Empire builder, and the Silver Meteor.) You’re a great narrator!
Another fine trip report.
BTW, I always carry a roll of gaffer's tape (duct tape will do), excellent for modulating or deflecting the draft from the air duct. Also a couple of those little rubber wedge doorstops, along with a small power strip to handle my charger and computer. And a can of Lysol spray. I'm not a raging germophobe, but soetimes the heads get a little whiffy.
Yes, some sections of jointed rail and even some semaphores for signals.
You can catch the SWC on a live cam at La Plata, Mo. by going to Virtual Railfan on RUclips
Cynthia! Just watched you board...I rode this train last month, and Cynthia was great!
I rode the SW Chief to LA in May 2017 and Cynthia was my car attendant. I recognized her from the video. Great to see her again.
Took Southwest in the 80s when I was living in Santa Fe. ❤ Station was out by itself in country with one station. Loved the old safe in there. Most memorable was the red cliffs near Gallup, N.M. Beautiful, open, country. Train was full from Chicago. Don't really mind sleeping in seat, but I went to eat & came back & my 'seat mate had taken out the arm & was curled up on BOTH seats. Was cold from A/C & they were out of blankets. I used my coat but no room to sleep! I go my small bag & went to dark snack car & slept on the table. Got a couple of hours sleep but in the dark people started to come in & sit down smoking & waiting to have coffee. What to do? Walked around til I could go sit in my seat. I was traveling solo & would b home that day & could sleep. Stuff happens. Next crew came on & I told crew member of my experience. She said "always speak up" they would have changed temp in car & helped you. She was great! U see so much from the train. I highly recommend. The trains DO NOT go to S.F. I am from Sonoma so I always went to the small Martinez station. There was plenty of parking nearby.
49:15 Lupton, AZ, my hometown 💙
Just watched your video and enjoyed the vicarious travel, especially now. I took a train trip from Chicago to San Diego about 30 years ago.
Really loved the views of Union Station too.(And thanks for not talking through the entire video which allowed time to enjoy the scenery.)
I’m thinking of an Amtrak rail pass - a 15 day pass is $459. Coach only. I’ve started with Amtrak in 1976 on the NEC plus other local trains. 15 days will go by quick. I’ve done two 84 hour long haul trips in coach which is about half the pass. So I might want another week. I understand ViaRail Canada is expensive but offers deals. Amtrak offers deals too. All in all in 15 days I should be able to go coast to coast and see much of the Atlantic a Pacific coastline AND stay over a couple cities.
Cant wait to use my 15 day pass in August 2020 but did pay extra to upgrade to a sleeper car. Half of trip will be coach and half in sleeper
Earl Cornett Gee - have a great trip. If I also make a 15 day trip it would be something like Boston to NOLA to Chicago to Vancouver to San Diego to LA to.Chicago (via Albuquerque) and Lakeshore to Boston - I might try ordering takeout in Albany NY and have it delivered, My last time thru Albany the train was running late - so I didn’t try. The Lakeshore had great food now it’s worse than the airlines.
I’ll get a shower in Chicago in both directions - plus see the city. The three cities I’d like to overnight in are Vancouver/Seattle, San Diego/LA and New Orleans but only if I can do it in 15 days.
For sleeping attire (coach) sweat pants and warm socks. Dining and light sports jacket and wear over sweaters outside. Winter jacket? A good but compact USA Atlas, map of my cell provider coverage areas, Walmart tropical snack trail mix, juice boxes, dollar bills to tip waiters and snack bar dude.
Great filming as always rate your work
We did the Empire Builder, Coastal Starlight, and California Zephyr back in June 2019.
Dude, this is awesome! I’m hoping one day I’ll be able to take a trip on The Chief to LA.. Bucket list goals.. but very well put together as always!
You can always tell the diesels getting their torque on. Our average speeds were above 85 due to track delays. Going through the peaks you find out why walking between cars is easier after a nice drink to keep you from digging in place while grabbing every wall you're next to.
Another wonderful train trip, keep them coming! The ultimate long distance train you should check out eventually is VIA Rail's Canadian, which runs from Toronto all the way to Vancouver.
Alright! A train trip video! I love the Southwest Chief.
Next time, I would suggest the Empire Builder or the Sunset Limited.
BNSF should start its own passenger trains and make them nice and inviting. They have the money to do it.
Unfortunately, these long-distance passenger trains are all money losers and BNSF needs to make money to survive and grow. They will not be getting into the passenger business. They fought tooth and nail in the 60s and 70s to get out of it because it was bleeding them.
I'm sorry you went through my home state of Arizona at night. That's where you would have seen the beautiful desert scenery you were looking for. Maybe your next trip :D
Really enjoyed your video..... Ta....!
Great overview of Amtrak travel.I'm taking the Southwest Chief this May because it might be my last chance.
Awesome. I'd love to see you take the silver meteor or empire builder. Keep up the good work Jacob! 👍
Check out the sunset limited train of Amtrak that goes from California to Florida and it passes through Louisiana
My Sunset Ltd., #2 out of LA on 2/2 did NOT go thru Louisiana! We were told a boat hit a bridge somewhere east of us, and there were buses waiting at San Antonio on 2/4. A 12-hour bus ride was not appealing, so I took a taxi to the airport and flew home to FL, arriving a day earlier than planned. Three hours in a middle seat beats the hell out of 12 hours on a bus! Also, the Sunset hasn't served FL since Katrina and now terminates in NOLA.
Sunset Ltd. used to run east of New Orleans to Orlando, but sadly hasn't since Hurricane Katrina. Also at one time, Sunset even briefly ran all the way east to Miami! Partial good news that has been announced, is that the Gulf Coast Limited will eventually in a year or 2 be restarting service, between New Orleans and Mobile. I think if I heard correctly this will be a daily train(1 train in each direction a day and 2 such trains daily, overall), from NOLA to Mobile. I only wish Sunset could finally become a daily train, and not just a 3 days a week train.
Well I live west of new orleans in lake charles so I'm guessing one of those trains will pass through that city and go to California
@@BoratWanksta If anything becomes daily, it will be the Texas Eagle between Chicago and Los Angeles, and the Sunset will become a stub train between San Antonio and NOL.
Amtrak tried to do this a few years back, but the Union Pacific demanded 700 million. So it did not happen
Awesome video Jacob!😸
Below are the BNSF subdivisions that you were on when you rode the Chief. I have compiled them from Open Railway Map, and the Federal Railroad Administration Safety Map. I hope everyone that reads these will enjoy them.
From Chicago Illinois to Los Angeles California. The three (3) train
is westbound, the four (4) train is eastbound. *Note, [BNSF] is the AAR
reporting mark for the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad
headquartered in Fort Worth Texas.
[BNSF Chicago Subdivision] Chicago Union Station to Aurora Illinois
[BNSF Mendota Subdivision] Aurora Illinois to Galesburg Illinois
[BNSF Ottumwa Subdivision] Galesburg Illinois to east of Cameron Illinois
[BNSF Cameron Connection] This is a 1.20 mile connector track, connecting the [BNSF Ottumwa Subdivision] and the [BNSF Chillicothe Subdivision] east of Cameron Illinois.
[BNSF Chillicothe Subdivision] Cameron Illinois to Fort Madison Iowa
[BNSF Marceline Subdivision] Fort Madison Iowa to Kansas City Missouri
[Kansas City Terminal Railway] This provides trackage for BNSF, Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific, and Amtrak through the Kansas City
Metro Region.[BNSF Emporia Subdivision] Kansas City Kansas through [BNSF Argentine Yard] to Shawnee Kansas
[BNSF Topeka Subdivision] Shawnee Kansas to Emporia Kansas
[BNSF Emporia Subdivision] From Peyton Street in Emporia Kansas to Saffordville Kansas
[BNSF La Junta Subdivision] Saffordville Kansas to Purgatoire River east of Las Animas Colorado
[BNSF Boise City Subdivision] Purgatoire River east of Las Animas Colorado to La Junta Colorado
[BNSF Raton Subdivision] La Junta Colorado to Las Vegas New Mexico
[BNSF Glorieta Subdivision] Las Vegas New Mexico to Belen Junction near Los Lunas New Mexico
From the below subdivisions, Amtrak's Southwest Chief will be on the [BNSF Southern Transcon]
[BNSF Gallup Subdivision] Belen Junction near Los Lunas New Mexico to Winslow Arizona
[BNSF Seligman Subdivision] Winslow Arizona to Needles California
[BNSF Needles Subdivision] Needles California to Barstow California
[BNSF Barstow Rail Yard] is located on the north side of Barstow California
[BNSF Cajon Subdivision] Barstow California to San Bernardino California
[BNSF San Bernardino Subdivision] San Bernardino California to Soto Street southeast of downtown Los Angeles California
From the above subdivision, the Southwest Chief will depart the [BNSF
Southern Transcon] and begin its entrance into downtown Los Angeles.
The [BNSF Southern Transcon] will turn south into the [Alameda Corridor]
used by both BNSF and Union Pacific to the Ports of Long Beach and Los
Angeles.
[BNSF River Subdivision] Soto Street, southeast of downtown Los
Angeles California to Los Angeles California Union Station *Note, The
Southwest Chief will travel over the Redondo Flyover when transitioning
to this subdivision. This will take the Southwest Chief over the Los
Angeles River east of downtown Los Angeles, and provide views of
downtown Los Angeles California.
[Illinois] Chicago's Union Station, Naperville, Mendota, Princeton, Galesburg
[Iowa] Fort Madison
[Missouri] La Plata, Kansas City
[Kansas] Lawrence, Topeka, Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, Garden City
[Colorado] Lamar, La Junta, Trinidad
[New Mexico] Raton, Las Vegas, Lamy, Albuquerque, Gallup
[Arizona] Winslow, Flagstaff, Kingman
[California] Needles, Barstow, Victorville, San Bernardino, Riverside, Fullerton, Los Angeles
In this connection, you should also know, in contrast to what you said in your narration at Las Vegas NM, you didn't actually rejoin the BNSF transcon until about a half hour after you left ABQ...The cars at Las Vegas were for local industries...there are still no other trains between La Junta and somewhere just north of Las Vegas.
Yes I know that. The Raton and Glorieta subs are used by BNSF as emergency routes if something happens on the transcon. Now while you were in western Kansas into eastern Colorado, the La Junta sub is going through some upgrades from jointed rail to continuous rail. They still get freight loads from Pueblo and the Denver region.
@@newwomyn That was aimed at the content creator, not you, who said something to the effect that they had rejoined the main line at Las Vegas because he saw some freight cars parked there.
Got it, sorry for the confusion. Thank you for the clarification.
Doing a birthday trip next Feb, 2021 using the SW Chief from LA to Chicago. So, Amtrak tours will be aware of any service cuts...ie eliminations, of which I hope there are none.
Another Elevator Channel classic !!! Well done sir ! I think you California Zephyr video is your best ! and Empire Builder Video was pretty good to !!! Thank your for sharing and all the best to you !
P.S. you should check out Via's Canadian some time when it gets running again, probably not till next year and snag a "sleeper plus" deal on there website or look for a "Black Friday sale" is what we got !!! :):):)
Nice video. I took a video of this trip at the end of my walk across America (you can see it on my channel). I rode it in January, so some of the places you showed I was unable to because of the darkness.
You should go to Reno, Nevada on the California Zephyr! I took that route last September-October. Also, check out the elevators at Meadowood Mall and the elevator at 5270 Neil Road, which houses the Truckee Meadows Community College. My recommendation for hotels is definitely the Silver Legacy! Also, try to meet up with Jowevator3219!
This was awesome Jacob. I miss ur Amtrack train trips
Just for your info. The track through western Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, is no longer used by freight trains in certain sections. There is some talk about using buses from La Junta to Albuquerque and eliminating that section. The three states are trying to get an agreement for financing the repair and upkeep of this section, but nothing
has been agreed to at the present time. It would be a crime to eliminate this portion of the original Super Chief of Santa Fe.
You need to do the costal starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle
Jacob, I'm a susbcriber and an ardent supporter of your videos. Your Zepher vid is one of my favs. That said, I was disappointed with ths video.
Take away the first 17 minutes of your hotel, CTA ride, Union Station and Chicago burbs, you covered the 2.5 day SW Chief in 39 minutes. That's pretty skimpy in my world. I love watching these train videos to enjoy the relaxation that riders get on the journery. 39 minutes? My other fav Amtrak vid guy, youtuuba, did nearly 3 hours. And with my deepest apologies to you Jacob, I enjoyed that one much more. I get you ran into crummy weather during the best part. But still...39 minutes? Honestly, I expected much better from you.
Once again Jacob, I apologize for my less than glowing review. I call them like I see them.
nice video love Amtrak. Have you heard of the Amtrak silver star?
because its a good Amtrak train. The silver star goes from Miami to newyork