AMTRAK Texas Eagle - Is a TRAIN🚅-CATION on your BUCKET LIST? All you need to know before you go.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
- 🕸Boarding the AMTRAK in Dallas Texas and getting off in Los Angeles, we spent 44 hours on the train. Getting to Dallas or LA is easy so you can choose to go just one way on the train. If you are wondering if the Texas Eagle would make a great vacation- A TRAIN CATION, this video will provide an overview of our experience and let you know what you will expect aboard the Amtrak Texas Eagle. Learn about the food, the view, the room and tips and tricks basically all you need to know before you go.
Bucket List Cruise and Travel www.bucketlistcruiseandtravel.com
Email: robert@bucketlistcruiseandtravel.com
I love the brutal honesty of this review.
Well of course. We want to be honest about our experience to help you decide if this is something you want to add to your bucket list. Thanks for watching and commenting. Thanks for the feedback.
Yep, spot-on assessment. Just went from TX to NY and everything here is relevant (minus Covid protocols as Amtrak has dispensed with those currently).
Best advice I got beforehand was "Lower your expectations".
I won't just bash- there are many positives, you'll have to read the entirety, though it ended up quite lengthy, may be some tips that will help you.
Dispense with any preconceived notions from the black & white era of roomy accommodations and well-togged, dapper fellow travelers. Your roomette is a closet with seats (albeit much larger, more comfortable ones than airlines) and a squeeze for two people. You'll be surrounded by come-as-you-are octogenarians who look like they staggered out of a hotel at 3am after someone pulled the fire alarm.
Most reviews I researched mentioned all rooms were "chilly to downright cold"; obviously, most people haven't traveled on the Texas Eagle in mid-May as our sleeper ranged from uncomfortably hot to sauna. The temp control knob was placebo more than anything and provided no relief. We mentioned our situation to the porter and it cooled to near tolerable for about 30 minutes before heating up again. Lotta old timers on the train- guessing many of them wrote those "chilly" reviews. Kinda like ya granny who would wear a sweater if it was below 85.
Forget bundling up and the extra blankets as many suggested- I sprawled on top of my bunk, sweating in only a pair of shorts, miserable. I'm from Louisiana, we're accustomed to heat. After 32 years in the military I can sleep anywhere, so eventually nodded off regardless.
Food was a half star better than airlines and the dining car quite pleasant. Cavernous compared to our claustrophobic roomette, a swell place to stretch out. I generally stuff my face and found portions were plenty- when they weren't I found that a generously tipped dining car steward was happy to bring more of whatever (with a wink and a nod). This included alcohol (yay!). However, the fine dining is indeed a thing of the past. 😞
Meals were something we looked forward to, our fellow rail rats were friendly and sociable. Ironic you sit next to someone on an airplane and never say a word but on the train you're often chatting with someone two booths away. There were many interesting people and it was fun to connect; we don't do enough of that nowadays. The environment fostered conversation somehow, in spite of me being a bit introverted. At the same time, if you enjoy your own company and solitude, no one will pester you either.
I learned in St Louis the long stops are the times to jump into the shower- no rocking and rolling. Also, utilizing them at night before turning in is optimal- in the morning there's a queue and it will resemble a post-game locker room. At night/evening the shower was tidier and no one else was around.
We were lucky in that our train rolled into Chicago right on time. Note to European friends: Your amazing train system that could be used to set your watch? This ain't that, usually.
Our seven hour Chicago layover allowed plenty of time for myself and daughter to explore (we'd never been) and we had a ball at the Field Museum, riding the "L", and the Magnificent Mile. Underrated town and Union Station with its Metro Lounge was ON POINT! Amazing building, and there's a luggage storage area- drop
your gear and go! And the late spring weather was perfect. Underrated town!
While waiting to board I watched an NHL playoff game on a big screen in the Metro Lounge whilst sprawled comfortably on a massive couch- can't do that at an airport!
The Lake Shore Limited rolled out about 9:30pm; its roomette was similar but more
comfortable somehow- likely owing to a solid a/c system unlike it's predecessor. Was also much quieter with the sleeper configured at the end of the train. The Texas Eagle sleeper was just behind the engine and they blasted the horn all night (every 15 seconds or so, no exaggeration) thru the entire state of Arkansas. The Limited ran almost silently- not even any announcements at station stops.
Segue to the destination stop: Rochester, NY. At many small stations there is boarding on one side only. Also, the train will sometimes stop and let passengers off the front of the train, nudge forward and stop again to let passengers disembark at the back (because the platform is too small for everyone to egress at once).
All that to say we had no idea when we were supposed to hop off as our side of the train was opposite the platform.
Remember tipping? Goes for porters, too. Ours actually sought us out at our stop and ensured we were off; otherwise, we'd liked to have overshot and been stuck until the next stop. Lesson: Take care of them, they'll take care of you!
Return trip found the Lake Shore Limited about 1.5 hrs behind schedule but the 3.5 hour layover in Chicago accommodated and we made the connection with time to spare. Personally, think if you leave yourself 3+ hours- especially with regards to northeast trains which seem to run a tighter schedule- you got a better than even shot of making your connection. Down south and out west, however...
The Eagle wasn't as stifling on the return, likely due to cooler Chicago weather at the outset and traveling mostly thru the night. Still warmer than I like it but comfortable enough.
Pulled into Marshall, TX right on time! 🍀
End of the day, a very low stress, pleasant way to travel. A train journey- generally- is an enjoyable part of your whole trip vs the wasted day flying where you're treated like an animal by menacing, intrusive TSA thugs, snarky gate agents, and eye-rolling, short-tempered flight attendants while surfing the crowd of humanity's flotsam within the airport. Bonus: No lost luggage on the train and you can truck your own booze!
Even better than that, the trip is now a memory my daughter and I will share forever. Lot of distractions these days, so many that meaningful exchanges with family is difficult day to day. The conversation between my daughter and I went on for hours; when we weren't saying anything we enjoyed the views together. It was the definition of "quality time" and was the most pleasant (and most unexpected) part of the journey. We're far closer now.
I'd do it again in a second!
Very cool and good to know!
Nice video. But not a fan of any background music in train videos. Rather hear ambient noise.
I think you are correct. Next time, let the sound of the train be part of the video. Thanks much for the feedback.
My best tip is to book your train trip to get to your destination at least one day early, if not more. With connecting trains, plan on spending a night or two at that city's station as train do run late. Similar to airlines weather can cancel a train. Unlike airlines the next train may be a few days away...
Yes. We call this as being on train time. And the probability of delays is why we almost always book first class so that our meals are included.
I took this train from Chicago to Tucson a number of years ago. I had a roomette and enjoyed it a lot. It was a business trip and I enjoyed bit better the the airline.
Totally agree. Sometimes it is more about the journey than the destination. Thank you for commenting. Glad to have you aboard.
I too love train travel! A lot more people are going to be taking trains if the airline shenanigans continue!!!
This review is hilarious. I love it.
So happy that you have a sense of humor thst matches mine! Thanks for watching.
Amtrak has started a two year refresh of its Superliner fleet and the new/ updated equipment looks nice. Get a scanner to keep you updated on the train.
Yes they have. This is great news.
6:40 started the funnest blunt shad iv heard this week 😂
Nice vlog! Great presentation. Greetings from Plano, Texas, United States.
Thanks for watching. Love hearing from you.
I took the train in a roomette from los
Angeles to Seattle and it was great. Especially the food sitting at a table with people from all over the world was nice. Food was delicious. We ate everything in the menu. Steak, chicken, salmon or pasta fir dinner. Always with salad and soda snd dessert. I was greatly disappointed to hear about the box lunches. The dining car was the highlight of every day. I am rethinking
If you are in a roomette, the dining car will again be offering chef meals again on June 23. We are planning another trip to check out the new menu. Stay tuned for more updates.
@@BucketListCruiseandTravel I canceled previous trips due to this, with the meals, being eliminated in Florida. If they come back, I would like to do some more trips.
Taking the Texas Eagle from Maricopa to St Louis next week. Your comments and particularly tips are most appreciated. I have taken Acela from Boston to DC and back several times... but this is something completely different. I think this may be a good one to cut my teeth on. Thank you for your honest and heartfelt tips. Don't have the cooler, I'll have to pick one up. Off to the sporting goods store! Thank you again...
It is always nice to hear that someone benefited from our review. Best of luck on your trip and thank you for taking the time to comment. Oh.. the burritos are 2 dollars if I remember right.
I have a suggestion since you work with the travel industry.
Ft. Madison, Iowa Amtrak station is now next door to a river cruise port... rail and sail packages to and from St. Louis or Memphis, perhaps.
Riding the train is a real experience, round trip Little Rock to Phoenix in coach class.
Thanks for sharing, a sleeper trip is on my list, at least, lol.
I enjoy seeing others experience.
How fun is that? We love thst idea! We will definitely have to look at that as an option for a real bucket list worthy experience.
@@BucketListCruiseandTravel
The City of New Orleans would be a good combo for a lower MS river tour package from Memphis to New Orleans.
Texas Eagle and MO River Runner in St. Louis with access to the Southwest Chief in Kansas City.
You may see a package for an upper river cruise to Minnesota from Iowa. Happy travels.
I Love your voice!
Thanks!
In some of their own videos, Amtrak has talked about having "improved" wifi on most of their routes with the train upgrades they are making. Granted, the kinds of upgrades they are talking about will mostly happen in the consecutive years, but they are upgrading coach seats and bedrooms, totally removing Acela to replace with the new Avelia trains; (which so everyone knows are being manufactured by Alstom, and so first-class on there will be looking more like our European counterparts), and adding more service and routes in various areas of the country. I only hope it means that there will be MORE services in NW Ohio so you don't need to try and catch the train to NY at 3 am.
Hi Teresa. Yes. It sounds like you are well informed about Amtrak and the changes that they are planning over the next several years. We are with you on the adding of routes and services. Thank you so much for your comments and we hope to hear from you again soon as we continue to add updates. Thanks again.
@@BucketListCruiseandTravel Amtrak is planning to extend the Heartland Flyer to Wichita. Unfortunately Wichita will see 3 am services. Greyhound has daytime services.
Epic video!
I will ALWAYS take the train if time and circus permit!! I hate...HAVE to fly!
I have this on my bucket list
Awesome. Us too! It's a great way to see the country. It will be even better when dining gets back to normal.
@@BucketListCruiseandTravel that is planned for my 2023 vacation
Leaving the station and immediately passing by Dealey Plaza is always a photo op. That X in the middle lane is exactly where the limousine was when the first shot rang out.
We had a great time in Dallas. So much history. Have you been to the Oswald Boarding house? Worth a visit.
@@BucketListCruiseandTravel ... I grew up in Ft. Worth. Was in the parking lot across from the Hotel Texas in FTW with my grandfather where JFK gave his last public speech before he spoke to the FTW Chamber of Commerce and then later in my 5th grade classroom that afternoon when the news came that he had been shot. Been through a lot of those historical places. Oswald went to elementary school and Arlington Heights High School in FTW. Later in life as a funeral director I was involved in Oswald's exhumation in 1981.
Wow! Hey check out the video we did in Dallas. I bet as an insider you may have even more ideas. Great place.
Top notch editing! I enjoyed the wife’s POV!
Hi Gabi,
Thanks so much for your kind comments and feedback. We hope you will join us for more video trip reports. Thanks again.
Did 2017 in coach class from el Paso to Chicago
Things have changed a lot since then. Thanks for watching.
Check the station - my home station, Salt Lake City, does not have checked baggage available.
Marilyn. We have been through Salt Lake City on Amrak..boy the arrival and departure times are rough. Thanks for helping others with your tip.
Hope one day i can
Kerry..you can!
START IN SATX TO LOS ANGELES CA. MUCH GRATITUDE ANNOUNCER SIR... QUESTION TIMEFRAME OF SUCH INFO GIVE DATE UPON RECORDING.
I’m hoping to ride the Texas Eagle to Chicago with my grandfather in December.
Excellent video! Enjoyed watching it. Liked and subscribed. Thanks a lot
🎈👌🎇🎉🎊
Trailerman.. stay with us! We have some cruise content going right now but more train videos will be posted after the holidays! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Wow Bob. Were 70+ and WAS looking forward to the trip from Cleburne to LA. NOW it seems more of a hastle than an enjoyable getaway. Off to Dollae tree to pick up some goodies for the trip
Haha.. your will enjoy your joyrney.. but with snacks you will enjoy it even more! Its a great experience but don't expect too much luxury or customer service. Let me know if my experience matches yours.
Thinking of Getting the Rail Pass and taking this trip (We live in Dallas). Does the Coach have power outlets???
Yes. Most seats have their own power outlet. You can almost be certain that you will have a seat with power either in the area.next to the window. Let us know how your trip goes!
yes
also on the Heartland Flyer to OKC
I've had her burritos and they are delicious I purchased me four of them
So cool. Glad to hear your story. We did too but we were starving because they had not started real meals yet. Thanks for sharing. See you soon.
How much are they?.. (so I can prepare to have cash and a tip)
The Texas Eagle does NOT go to LA. It connects with the Sunset Limited in San Antonio. All travel west of San Antonio is on the Sunset Limited.
But
Great tips. What's the purpose of the collapse ice chest? Is ice offered on the train? Can the steward microwave a dish (one that we bring onboard)? Is there a main lounge area on the train that is available? What are the major stops you recommend getting off at?
Hi Catherine.. thanks for your questions. The ice chest is for drinks or storing burritos etc. Yes we were able to get ice to refill ours from the room steward. As for stops, most stops are only to pick up passengers so unless you are catching the next train, you can't explore except in San Antonio.
This video did a good job talking me out of it.....
Haha....well that was not the intention but at least if you decide to go you will know what you are paying for. If you are looking for where to go this summer, we are creating lots of content for California, Oregon and Washington travel. Hope to catch you on a video again. Thanks.
Do you think Amtrak will ever make it possible to travel from Los Angeles to Birmingham via train? Last time I checked there was a 16-hour layover in New Orleans!
They are looking to add routes and make existing routes more customer friendly. We haven't heard about that route in particular as being on the list for improvements. But, hey stay tuned, we are hearing that they are looking to make a great deal of changes.
Unfortunately New Orleans does not provide a shorter layover in New Orleans as well as Chicago does. Frankly, with Amtrak, I plan on spending the night at connecting cities. All of these connecting cities are worth spending a night. I even plan laying over in small towns as well and pick up the next train the next day. Many of these small towns have wonderful bed and breakfasts. Nothing wrong with a romantic night in a turn of the last century Victorian or Queen Ann home...
Howdy! Hoping to take this route late this year. Wondering what the current state of things is concerning masking? Will the employees badger you if you go from the room to the bathroom without a mask? From your room to the viewing car? I have resperitory issues that make it difficult for me to wear a mask for very long at all. Thanks! Great video!
Isaac, in our experience you will be constantly reminded to wear your mask. I would not go without planning to wear your mask at all times when not in your room. I believe it is still Federal law not just an Amtrak rule.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly! That's good to know. I'll need to get a room with a bathroom in it then! See you on the rails maybe! ;)
btw mask mandates are by state, it isn't on the federal level even though Amtrak says it is.
I love in the future I want to get a ride
Absolutely! Where would you like to go? So many great destinations to choose from.
Yes I'm going from Martinez to la to Dallas Texas how many stop are thar
Wow..what a great journey. You will have plenty of stops. Bring snacks and your patience. Have a great time.
I have taking the empire builder panessger train to Seattle to was fun
Awesome. Were you in a room? We love to take a room.
What do I need to travel from texas to California.? And how do I book a ticket for this trian
Contact Amtrak.com for tickets and travel information. Have a great trip.
If you spring for the room or roomette, is food from the club car free as well or is there a charge for that.
Mary, food outside of the dining car in not included in first class accommodations. So any snacks or beverages outside of he dining car and the dining car hours are not included in your fare.
Hey I want to take a train ride from Dallas or San Antonio Tx to New York NY can you give me advice on who I contact to set all the arrangements up thank you and thank you for your info in the video
Hi Rhonda.. good to hear from you. We book Amtrak vacation packages..meaning if you are looking for train and hotel packages, we can help you. If you are looking for train only tickets, you can book that with Amtrak directly. Just let us know.. our number if you need us is 5597373144. Thanks!
MY FATHER GOD OF ISRAEL 🌋 IN JESUS HOLY COVENANT NAME BY HOLY GHOST COVENANT POWERS OF RESURRECTION SERVICES: AKA F.AVOR
A.NNOUNCES I.NTEGRITIES T.OUCHING
HEAVENS.GATE 🙏 🇺🇸 🌻 💖 🙏
Interesting review. Does this train have the sight seeing area/ lounge? I read it was taken out. Thanks in advance.
It did have the observation car when we traveled but the meal service for both first class and coach has not been updated yet east of San Antonio. Thanks for your question.
Presently during 2021 the Sightseeing Lounge is not on the Texas Eagle north of San Antonio. Nor has traditional dining resumed with the cook to order diner food.
@@ronclark9724 thanks 😊
@@BucketListCruiseandTravel thanks for responding 🤗
@@waakaaboutgyal Amtrak Joe's infrastructure spending included refurbishing all of the Superliner cars. Presently the Sightseeing Lounges are underway, and the five shared with the Capitol Limited will be shorted until all have been done. Then the Sightseeing Lounges will return to the Texas Eagle and Capitol Limited...
how much was it?
Turn your music down. We cannot hear what you say.
Sorry. Thanks for the feedback.