Just remember that traveling by train should be done as a leisurely, fun part of travel. Don't expect perfectly working train equipment (most of it is very old), and don't expect to be on-time. But expect beautiful views, a relaxing ride, and [mostly] wonderful interactions with the crew.
While a far cry from the freshly-prepared meals, I didn't think the food was as awful as some folks describe it. I think we'll see traditional dining restored on the remaining eastern routes in the coming years.
Made the trip from Birmingham to Wilmington back in the 1980's a couple of time with wife and son. Did coach to Atlanta and 1st class sleeper to Wilmington. Teen son took the Crescent (2002/2003) a couple of times from Birmingham to college in Clemson, SC. Very convenient.
Having grown up in the Wilmington area, it was pretty cool to travel all the way across the country to Delaware without having to use an airport or other travel infrastructure to arrive in another state.
Too bad you didn’t take it when they actually had a great schedule of the old Crescent. Leaving NOLA at 7:00am you had breakfast on that long bridge over lake P. You arrived in ATL at dinnertime.
Enjoyed the video. Thanks for posting. I've always been a rail fan. We live in the southern part of the state of West Virginia. My wife and I sometimes take the Amtrak Cardinal up to DC for a long weekend. We have ridden the Alaska RR from Anchorage to Fairbanks. That trip spoiled us for all other train journeys as far as scenery.
Good example of Amtrak's economic dependence on freight rail. Note the faster highway traffic. The route north of New Orleans should be owned by Amtrak, and the track upgraded to at least 125 mph.
I was born and raised in Wilmington, so it was fun to see the station again in your video! I left decades ago, to live in CA. I made the trip on the train, leaving from Wilmington. One day I will go back for a visit. Thanks for the great footage of your journey!
Wilmington De is my home stop. I love traveling by train 🚆 maybe this year or next year I plan to ride the California Zephyr to Emeryville Ca. The only problem I’m trying to negotiate the trip because if I take it outta Delaware I’d have to take 3 trains but if I take it outta NY I’ll only have to take 2 trains. 1st train to Chicago to get the California Zephyr. Oh yeah trying to convince someone to do it with me 🤣🤣🤣
Good morning America how are ya ? Dont you know me. Im your native son.Im the train they call The City of New Orleans. Ill be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.
Our car broken down one mile from lake ponchetrain on the Slidell side going to New Orleans. Scary . At night. Good we broken down before the lake because there is no shoulder on the 10 bridge .
No cafe car? so you just had to be in roomette for the whole trip. I enjoy meeting other passengers-at least a cafe car would have allowed that. Never saw your meal choices?
Unfortunately, at the time, there was no dining car available on the Crescent. There is a cafe, but the few tables therein are used mainly by coach passengers and crew members. I did not mind eating in my room, as it was one of the Viewliner II cars. Hopefully the dining car, with traditional dining options, will return to the Crescent soon.
believe it or not this was considered one of the best passenger trains in the country , southern railways combined southerner and crescent , now not even close a couple of years ago i took it up to albany ny they've changed the schedule now it has extra stops north of wdc like a local and after a long wait at ny penn it arrives in albany late at night , we had a viewliner 1 that had seen better days and the last few times I took it i don't think the windows or the cars have been washed in a long while then on top of all that the diner has been removed ,i love to ride the rails but amtrak y'all can do better than that
Passenger rail in the United States is, by its very nature, a political beast. Be sure to vote for people who value passenger rail and will support it.
![Riding a 21st Century Observation Car | Time-lapse on Amtrak's "American View" on the NEC [6/27/23]](/img/1.gif)
I live in New Orleans (born and raised) and I’m going to start traveling by train soon. This gave me more inspiration ❤
Just remember that traveling by train should be done as a leisurely, fun part of travel. Don't expect perfectly working train equipment (most of it is very old), and don't expect to be on-time. But expect beautiful views, a relaxing ride, and [mostly] wonderful interactions with the crew.
Thanks Cary, awesome video. Very enjoyable music soundtrack for your video 😊
Thanks so much!
We tool this trip in September 2023 in a bedroom to Washington and it was a very nice trip ( all but the food)
While a far cry from the freshly-prepared meals, I didn't think the food was as awful as some folks describe it. I think we'll see traditional dining restored on the remaining eastern routes in the coming years.
very nice journey loved it yet again hope u do more in 2024 happy new years
Made the trip from Birmingham to Wilmington back in the 1980's a couple of time with wife and son. Did coach to Atlanta and 1st class sleeper to Wilmington. Teen son took the Crescent (2002/2003) a couple of times from Birmingham to college in Clemson, SC. Very convenient.
Having grown up in the Wilmington area, it was pretty cool to travel all the way across the country to Delaware without having to use an airport or other travel infrastructure to arrive in another state.
I enjoyed the trip! Great editing work!
Too bad you didn’t take it when they actually had a great schedule of the old Crescent. Leaving NOLA at 7:00am you had breakfast on that long bridge over lake P. You arrived in ATL at dinnertime.
Enjoyed the video. Thanks for posting. I've always been a rail fan. We live in the southern part of the state of West Virginia. My wife and I sometimes take the Amtrak Cardinal up to DC for a long weekend. We have ridden the Alaska RR from Anchorage to Fairbanks. That trip spoiled us for all other train journeys as far as scenery.
I would love to take a trip on the Alaska Railroad!
Good example of Amtrak's economic dependence on freight rail. Note the faster highway traffic. The route north of New Orleans should be owned by Amtrak, and the track upgraded to at least 125 mph.
That lake was something else and I can not swim
I was born and raised in Wilmington, so it was fun to see the station again in your video! I left decades ago, to live in CA. I made the trip on the train, leaving from Wilmington. One day I will go back for a visit. Thanks for the great footage of your journey!
Thank you for the kind words! I, too, grew up in northern Delaware. I go back periodically to visit family.
Nice video 😊
Way back when, the Crescent was famous for its superb Breakfast dining car. Circa 1970-80.... Elegant!
Wilmington De is my home stop. I love traveling by train 🚆 maybe this year or next year I plan to ride the California Zephyr to Emeryville Ca. The only problem I’m trying to negotiate the trip because if I take it outta Delaware I’d have to take 3 trains but if I take it outta NY I’ll only have to take 2 trains. 1st train to Chicago to get the California Zephyr. Oh yeah trying to convince someone to do it with me 🤣🤣🤣
You can take the Cardinal out of Wilmington directly to Chicago!
@@carytodd7211 that’s good to know I’ll check on that 👍🏾
That's a ridiculously low number of cars on I-10. Where was everyone??? And why video so much nothing along the interstate?
The original Crescent was a premier offering of the Southern Railway System. Today's Crescent besmirches the name and image of that great train.
Amtrak does the best it can with what it has.
"Leaving Louisiana in the broad daylight!" I've watched two of your train videos, Cary, and I thought the first was of documentary quality.
Good morning America how are ya ?
Dont you know me. Im your native son.Im the train they call The City of New Orleans. Ill be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.
Our car broken down one mile from lake ponchetrain on the Slidell side going to New Orleans. Scary . At night. Good we broken down before the lake because there is no shoulder on the 10 bridge .
No cafe car? so you just had to be in roomette for the whole trip. I enjoy meeting other passengers-at least a cafe car would have allowed that. Never saw your meal choices?
Unfortunately, at the time, there was no dining car available on the Crescent. There is a cafe, but the few tables therein are used mainly by coach passengers and crew members. I did not mind eating in my room, as it was one of the Viewliner II cars. Hopefully the dining car, with traditional dining options, will return to the Crescent soon.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Tell me when we get to Wilmington.
Music still too loud but fun trip
believe it or not this was considered one of the best passenger trains in the country , southern railways combined southerner and crescent , now not even close a couple of years ago i took it up to albany ny they've changed the schedule now it has extra stops north of wdc like a local and after a long wait at ny penn it arrives in albany late at night , we had a viewliner 1 that had seen better days and the last few times I took it i don't think the windows or the cars have been washed in a long while then on top of all that the diner has been removed ,i love to ride the rails but amtrak y'all can do better than that
Passenger rail in the United States is, by its very nature, a political beast. Be sure to vote for people who value passenger rail and will support it.
you're so right
Love Amtrak.. ROLL TIDE!!!
Hey it's vi from your 8th grade math class what's sup hru doing
Doing well. And you?
@@carytodd7211 very well thank you
Your video was fine. Too bad you took the Snail train. Three days to go 1500 miles, traveling day and night?....... That is embarrassing.
Would've taken me just as long driving. Plus, if tike is of the essence, I would have flown.
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