Never ridden the Crescent but I've heard it's a great service even though it doesn't get the attention the Empire Builder or the California Zephyr get. Hope you had a lovely time in New Orleans, it's a beautiful city with a rich culture. It's so cool that you can get there on the train.
The 'wooden' coach is newer than the one you were in. THe Crescent is one of the few lon distance trains that I have NOT taken. I went to New Orleans on the City of New Orleans from Chicago Good vid; calming voice! ! !
Awesome video, glad you rode the train that I see everyday and I ride it a lot, I see it in Bessemer AL a small town near Birmingham AL but glad you enjoyed being on the rails🛤️🛤️
I'll be traveling on the Crescent in a few months I was wondering what transportation options were available from the station in New Orlenas that late. Thanks for posting the video
Hope this helped! Do note, even though the Canal Street line is 24/7, the time I arrived on the Canal Street just happened to coincide with a musical right across the street. Streets may be far more empty depending on the timing!
@@SoloTravelSolTube I've had some back pain so I've spent most of the last three days following your travels😄. I Love travel and this is the closest I get without RIPing MY wallet😆. So fun seeing you simply enjoying your journey--i once wrote a song called "The Journey Is All Part of the Gift"(based on a part of a 'Tim the tool man Taylor' show). Your journeys are a piece of knowledge, entertainment and Peace. 😍
Since the sleeping attendent forgot to bring you dinner you should call 1800 USA rail and ask for customer relations department and tell them what happened and they will give you a partial voucher for A future Amtrak trip. Call that number for any problem on any Amtrak train,
Just a little tidbit; toilets being weird while trains are stopped is no longer a thing! All toilets in passenger trains in the US now legally have to be retention toilets, meaning no ejection onto the tracks ever
While the locomotive is being changed (like in DC, where the electric locomotive used between NYC and DC is changed to a diesel for points south), there is a period where the train is not powered. The toilet still works and doesn't pollute the right-of-way, but there won't be power to flush it until train power is restored.
Took this trip a year ago. Arrived 8 hours late in New Orleans. Train was stopped for hours at a time waiting for freight trains to clear the tracks. The ride was horribly rough and noisy. We were in a bedroom. Prior passengers had attempted to stuff paper in the door cracks (adjoining room) to stop the rattling. It did not work. The train car we were in was ancient and dirty. NEVER AGAIN.
Heh -- as a very experienced bedroom rider, the trick is to: 1. Fold up one of the stiff cardboard guides. 2. Pay very close attention to the specific location of the squeak. 3. Stuff the CARDBOARD into the door. It nearly always works, though sometimes there are 3-4 places needing attention. Once you get the noise stopped, the bedroom is, at least for me, reasonably comfortable. The Crescent REALLY needs traditional dining, though. Amtrak promises this will be restored by the end of 2024. They need equipment (diners need to be refurbished) and staff (all laid off before the pandemic in a catastrophic cost-cutting measure).
Any interest in going from DC to Orlando? Hitting a theme park or two and then take a Brightline to Miami. Assuming funds will allow that. if they do you could even try a cruise from Miami.
I have indeed been eyeing a few cruise options, but funds will play a large role in the decision making😭 I do plan on eventually trying out all of long-distance trains when the opportunity comes tho!
One Amtrak employee told me that some tunnels near New York city is so old that in order for trains to fit they can only be single level like the one shown here (Viewliner trains) And single level train = not enough space to put a full-size kitchen (or a lounge car) is what I know based on word of mouth!
@@SoloTravelSolTube : There are single-level dining cars that use the same shell as the sleeper. They have a kitchen at one end and very nice tables at the other. These were mothballed prior to the pandemic by extreme budget-slashing of the prior administration. The equipment needs to be refurbished (underway for several years now) and new staff needs to be hired and trained. Amtrak promises this by the end of 2024. FWIW, the same "flexible dining" canard is also provided on trains that use double-level Superliner equipment like the the Capitol Limited (between Chicago and Washington DC), the Texas Eagle (between Chicago and San Antonio) and the "City of New Orleans" (between Chicago and New Orleans). While it is true that only single-level equipment can pass through the ancient tunnel just south of NY, that is unrelated to the absence of traditional dining.
Nice video, I’ve wanted to go to New Orleans for many years now and the crescent train would be the direct route for me. I’ve only been as far as Atlanta on it, have heard it’s slow going beyond Atlanta, did you find that to be the case?
Trains have free wifi but expect it to be spotty (or nonexistent where there's no cell service/towers). Fare depends on when you book. Further out your trip is, the cheaper (usually).
The Crescent is one of few long-distance trains with wifi! However, as happyburger23 pointed out, it is very spotty and slow (I simply assume there is no wifi on any Amtrak trains; that way I'm prepared ahead) As far as fares go, I was able to book this roomette for $453 last year, but now it seems the lowest fare I can find is $539. Each Amtrak fare depends on how high demand it is, so less seat left = more expensive!
Never ridden the Crescent but I've heard it's a great service even though it doesn't get the attention the Empire Builder or the California Zephyr get. Hope you had a lovely time in New Orleans, it's a beautiful city with a rich culture. It's so cool that you can get there on the train.
Right, no line is comparable to the Empire Builder or Zephyr! Nevertheless it was a good experience 😁
9:02 “I said my thank you the American way” Haha!
The 'wooden' coach is newer than the one you were in. THe Crescent is one of the few lon distance trains that I have NOT taken. I went to New Orleans on the City of New Orleans from Chicago Good vid; calming voice! ! !
Thank you very much!😁
Awesome video, glad you rode the train that I see everyday and I ride it a lot, I see it in Bessemer AL a small town near Birmingham AL but glad you enjoyed being on the rails🛤️🛤️
Excellent video. You have a very even keeled presentation.
Thank you! I'll keep it up!
How much is the trip
I'll be traveling on the Crescent in a few months I was wondering what transportation options were available from the station in New Orlenas that late. Thanks for posting the video
Hope this helped!
Do note, even though the Canal Street line is 24/7, the time I arrived on the Canal Street just happened to coincide with a musical right across the street. Streets may be far more empty depending on the timing!
LOvE your train vids!!...and your sense of humor! :D...and thank you for the reviews and tours of the trains and food and places you get to visit :)
Glad you enjoyed them!! Thank you for the kind words😁😁
@@SoloTravelSolTube I've had some back pain so I've spent most of the last three days following your travels😄. I Love travel and this is the closest I get without RIPing MY wallet😆. So fun seeing you simply enjoying your journey--i once wrote a song called "The Journey Is All Part of the Gift"(based on a part of a 'Tim the tool man Taylor' show). Your journeys are a piece of knowledge, entertainment and Peace. 😍
❤ I enjoyed your video.
Glad you enjoyed it!😁😁
Since the sleeping attendent forgot to bring you dinner you should call 1800 USA rail and ask for customer relations department and tell them what happened and they will give you a partial voucher for A future Amtrak trip. Call that number for any problem on any Amtrak train,
Good point! Though I let this one slide😉, Amtrak's usually very good with making up mistakes.
@@SoloTravelSolTubenah still report it
Just a little tidbit; toilets being weird while trains are stopped is no longer a thing! All toilets in passenger trains in the US now legally have to be retention toilets, meaning no ejection onto the tracks ever
Aha good to know! I thought it smelled a little funky while engine was out and stopped, but maybe it was more a psychological thing then.
While the locomotive is being changed (like in DC, where the electric locomotive used between NYC and DC is changed to a diesel for points south), there is a period where the train is not powered. The toilet still works and doesn't pollute the right-of-way, but there won't be power to flush it until train power is restored.
Took this trip a year ago. Arrived 8 hours late in New Orleans. Train was stopped for hours at a time waiting for freight trains to clear the tracks. The ride was horribly rough and noisy. We were in a bedroom. Prior passengers had attempted to stuff paper in the door cracks (adjoining room) to stop the rattling. It did not work. The train car we were in was ancient and dirty. NEVER AGAIN.
I feel you. Amtrak trains can be hit or miss at times as freight trains have priority on most of rails.
Heh -- as a very experienced bedroom rider, the trick is to: 1. Fold up one of the stiff cardboard guides. 2. Pay very close attention to the specific location of the squeak. 3. Stuff the CARDBOARD into the door. It nearly always works, though sometimes there are 3-4 places needing attention. Once you get the noise stopped, the bedroom is, at least for me, reasonably comfortable.
The Crescent REALLY needs traditional dining, though. Amtrak promises this will be restored by the end of 2024. They need equipment (diners need to be refurbished) and staff (all laid off before the pandemic in a catastrophic cost-cutting measure).
Any interest in going from DC to Orlando? Hitting a theme park or two and then take a Brightline to Miami. Assuming funds will allow that. if they do you could even try a cruise from Miami.
I have indeed been eyeing a few cruise options, but funds will play a large role in the decision making😭
I do plan on eventually trying out all of long-distance trains when the opportunity comes tho!
Do you know why some trains only offer flexible dining?
One Amtrak employee told me that some tunnels near New York city is so old that in order for trains to fit they can only be single level like the one shown here (Viewliner trains)
And single level train = not enough space to put a full-size kitchen (or a lounge car) is what I know based on word of mouth!
@@SoloTravelSolTube : There are single-level dining cars that use the same shell as the sleeper. They have a kitchen at one end and very nice tables at the other. These were mothballed prior to the pandemic by extreme budget-slashing of the prior administration. The equipment needs to be refurbished (underway for several years now) and new staff needs to be hired and trained. Amtrak promises this by the end of 2024.
FWIW, the same "flexible dining" canard is also provided on trains that use double-level Superliner equipment like the the Capitol Limited (between Chicago and Washington DC), the Texas Eagle (between Chicago and San Antonio) and the "City of New Orleans" (between Chicago and New Orleans).
While it is true that only single-level equipment can pass through the ancient tunnel just south of NY, that is unrelated to the absence of traditional dining.
I'd like to see more videos "Coach" "How too" make the best of a seat.
Noted. I'll try when I get a chance.
Nice video, I’ve wanted to go to New Orleans for many years now and the crescent train would be the direct route for me. I’ve only been as far as Atlanta on it, have heard it’s slow going beyond Atlanta, did you find that to be the case?
That is correct! the train takes nearly double the time than driving, but I'd say the train offers much more comfort and experience 😁
any wifi on the train? paid or free? what was the fare? tks...
Trains have free wifi but expect it to be spotty (or nonexistent where there's no cell service/towers). Fare depends on when you book. Further out your trip is, the cheaper (usually).
The Crescent is one of few long-distance trains with wifi! However, as happyburger23 pointed out, it is very spotty and slow (I simply assume there is no wifi on any Amtrak trains; that way I'm prepared ahead)
As far as fares go, I was able to book this roomette for $453 last year, but now it seems the lowest fare I can find is $539. Each Amtrak fare depends on how high demand it is, so less seat left = more expensive!
Bring the full diner back. 👍🏽😎🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃
High food court life sancks little room one person beggars kitchen because