If you are looking at doing the Empire builder or the California Zephyr, you have to be aware of where you will be at night on the routes. In my opinion take the empire from west to east and the Zephyr from east west. You will miss some of the best scenery if you don't because you will go through the most scenic areas at night. Just my 2 cents.
I'm 80 and traveled by train often before Amtrak but have never rode an Amtrak train. Now that I live alone since my wife of 56 years passed away in 2021, I don't feel much like traveling anywhere without her. I'd planned for us to take a bedroom roundtrip on the Empire Builder from St Paul to Seattle but we never got around to it. In the early 1960s my future wife and I would each pay 35 cents one way between St Paul & Minneapolis. Back then there were many railroads and we liked to experience each one. The Chicago & Great Western had the oldest coaches, maybe built in the 1940s. They had wood paneling with maroon upholstery to match the maroon exterior. When I was stationed at Minot AFB, I would take the Great Northern Empire Builder or the all day local trains #3 & #4 which made frequent stops between Minot and St Paul. Trains #3 & #4 would stop at Grand Forks & Devils Lake and I recall Amish people often riding that train as they boarded in the small towns of northeastern North Dakota. While living in Minot I once took the Empire Builder roundtrip to Whitefish MT. This was during April and I recall a heavy snowstorm as the westbound train entered higher elevations of the Rockies. The GN Empire Builder had several dome cars which provided views from all sides. My family moved to the Upper Midwest from Silver Spring MD when I was 12 and I would often return by train to the DC area and visit relatives. I would take the Twin Cities Zephyr to Chicago and The General (PRR) from Chicago to DC. Another train trip we took was between St Paul & Kansas City MO which was the Twin Star Rocket (Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific RR). In December 1962 I rode the all night train #11 from St Paul to International Falls and returned on the afternoon train #12 which was the first time I'd ever been in that part of MN. I recall Native Americans from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe riding the train between Bemidji and International Falls. After celebrating New Years Eve 1966 in Billings MT, my wife and I rode the Northern Pacific Mainstreeter to Bismarck and then took a Frontier Airlines flight back to Minot. The only other trains I recall riding were between St Paul & Duluth MN. My first trip to Duluth was in the late 1950s during winter when my mother, little brother and I rode Soo Line trains #62 & #63 roundtrip. A few years later my future wife and I rode the Northern Pacific night trains #65 & #66 to Duluth and back.
My first of many train trips was in 1956, at age 1 month. My grandpa was a conductor with Missouri Pacific out of Kansas City, and my other grandpa, in Albuquerque, worked in the railyards for the Santa Fe. Such a relaxing way to travel and see the US. I'm sorry about your wife. So glad you got to have such great adventures with her.
I'm sorry for your loss. I was also stationed at Minot (why not?) with SAC and my F111. I grew up in New England and the "Budliners" high speed trains into Boston, $29.00! I want to travel with my husband as much as possible. My body is very damaged from active duty injury. My jet lost nose gear upon landing. OUCH! G-d Bless
@@jobellecollie7139 Thanks for your kind reply and I’m sorry about your devastating injury. My father was a Navy pilot and injured his back when he had to land a DC-6 (I think) with no wheels. Regarding Minot, I recall the song, “Why Not Minot, That’s My Wonderful Town”, which was played on the local radio station (KCJB as I recall).
Since they said it was basically trees on both sides for the majority of the trip, is it a good option in Autumn to see the leaves changing color? I know that's usually a Northeast thing, but I was curious.
It's not AMTRAK, but if you want to take the most stunningly beautiful train trip in America, ride the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star between Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Totally agree - I also took that railroad's equally stunning route from Anchorage to Seward. Highly recommend both of these routes as among America's most beautiful railroad journeys.
In June 1967 I drove to Alaska from St Paul MN with my wife and her parents. The distance was about 3,000 miles and back then over a thousand miles of the Alcan Highway was gravel. I recall the many white crosses representing the fatalities since the highway opened in 1948. We were pulling an Apache Tent Camper which would fishtail on the many curves. We first visited Fairbanks and then attempted driving to McKinley Park but the sharp rocks caused a flat tire on the camper. After changing the tire we decided to drive down to Anchorage and ride the Alaska RR to the park. It was a scenic train ride and we spent the night at the McKinley Park Lodge, having a sourdough pancake breakfast in the early morning. Then we took the bus tour hoping to see Mt McKinley but the fog completely obstructed the view. On our trip home we drove down to Haines AK and enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the way to Prince Rupert BC on the Alaska Ferry System. From Prince Rupert we boarded another ferry to Kelsey Bay on Vancouver Island. Then we drove the length of the island and took a ferry to the mainland. We visited my wife’s brother and his family in Puyallup WA before driving home.
As Wisconsinites, my wife and I strongly disagree with your negative rating of the Hiawatha service. It is one of the most successful trains in the country and performs exactly as it is supposed to. It has the best on time performance of all corridor services and with 7 trips a day (and Wisconsin DOT working to add more), it is convenient and a great alternative to driving. It's only a 90 minute trip, so food service is not essential and there are plenty of great places to eat in Milwaukee and Chicago.
I absolutely love you both! Just joined Grounded Life Travel and hope to run into you some day! I am single, retiring at the end of the year (70), after a 41-year career in real estate. I am planning on spending 2024 discovering this country by train, starting in March - Rochester, NY to Savannah, GA to Richmond and Baltimore. Then in June Empire Builder to Portland. After watching this fantastic video, you have convinced me to take the long way home with the Coastal Starlight and the Southwest Chief. Love your Amtrak map!
I loved the Empire Builder. I stayed overnight at Glacier National Park. Slept at the Lodge. Had dinner and breakfast there. The next day, I took the highway to the sun (may have the name wrong). Then, I bordered the Empire Builder again and continued to Tacoma to see my son and his family.
Instead of the Texas Eagle, I’d suggest taking the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Los Angeles. The section crossing the swamps in Louisiana is lovely, and you get the higher level of service that way. You might also want to point out that there are shorter trains that cover some of these same routes. The Empire service, for instance, covers almost all of the “pretty” part of the Maple Leaf, and it runs several times a day. The Lake Shore Limited also crosses upstate New York, and the section through the mountains between Boston and Albany is lovely. The Adirondack also runs along the Hudson, and I personally think the route up to Montreal is prettier than the route to Toronto. On the west coast the Pacific Surfliner and Cascades cover most of the “pretty” part of the Coast Starlight. I also think the Cardinal is an extremely scenic route and deserving to be on this list. I love crossing through the mountains in West Virginia. I’ve never taken the Pere Marquette, but I’d agree that there’s nothing to look at on the Hiawatha. That’s a route where there’s more to see from the highway than from the train.
In September 2021 I booked a one bedroom on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles. I lived in Italy and travelled on the Frecciargento and Frecciarosa high speed trains a lot. I was floored by Amtrak. I met so many interesting people. Breakfast with sunrise over the Great Plains was awesome. I loved being seated with other passengers for dinner. If you can afford it, get a one bedroom. Living in LA. its also really fun to go from LA to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner. Called it on the worst! Although I would've said Detroit to Chicago on the Wolverine. However, fun fact: In Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 film North By Northwest, you can hear the train announcer call out all the stops on that route.
One of my favorites is the Pennsylvanian. Typically fares are pretty low, comfy amfleet 2 coaches, very Scenic views through Dutch Country and Appalachia.
The Hiawatha is great for traveling from Milwaukee to Chigago. It's better than driving, saves on tolls, and you can Uber from Union Station to anywhere downtown for very little. The point isn't the ride, it's the convenience.
Locals pretty much know the Hiawatha is more of a commuter route between Milwaukee + Chicago. It's perfect to use for work, concerts - and avoiding the freeway.
There are two Amtrak routes in the Northeast that, in my opinion, put the Maple Leaf to shame: The Downeaster (Boston to Brunswick ME) and the Vermonter (DC to northern VT). The Vermonter, in particular, is a truly gorgeous ride. It follows the NE Corridor to New Haven, then rides up along the CT river to near the Canadian border. The scenery is very nice, and there are at least two very nice towns to get off and enjoy for a weekend -- Northampton, MA and Brattleboro VT. The Downeaster is great little train that takes you from Boston north through Massachusetts, across southern NH, and then along the Maine coast. It is a beautiful ride the whole way. These trains each run the same equipment as the Maple Leaf -- coaches and Business/Cafe car. Each is very comfortable and very affordable.
Happy to hear you bring up "The Downeaster" I was part of the Operations group that put that back into service... So thanks, made my weekend! Ironically though I have personally never rode on a train in the US, even though I worked for a Railroad there for 10 years!
I ride Downeaster all the time out of Boston. It has its problems (notably it's lackluster on-time percentage that makes it a bad commuter train), but it's still a very fun and comfortable way to get to Maine from the city for both residents and tourists. I also really love the EMD-F40ph "cabbage" control cars, as it's my favorite locomotive. I hope they don't retire them too soon.
You should've added the Adirondack to one of the best routes. The LSL is not the best. Especially if you have one of the old sleepers. We found that train to be the dirtiest.
Some Coast Starlights are running with a TransDorm car (all roomettes, half used for Amtrak staff, half for revenue). This car has a lower level door to the baggage car on one end, and the normal Superliner high level door on the other. I saw one southbound through Emeryville on September 11. Typically this car runs just behind the baggage car with the odd-numbered roomettes on the left and the even-numbered rooms on the right side. I'm not sure if this is a permanent addition to the CS consist or not.
Let me add a plug for the Portland section of the Empire Builder. While you miss the Cascades and Puget Sound, you get a solid three hours of riding thru the gorgeous Columbia River gorge, and with any kind of weather a great view of Mt. Hood.
Honestly, out of the Amtrak trains I’ve ridden, the Capitol Limited was the worst. It’s not because of anything “natural” in the route that would cause this. To the contrary, it goes through some nice scenery, has a pretty convenient schedule (if you’re not going to intermediate stations), and has dining and sleeping cars. It falls flat because Amtrak has stripped the train bare: not enough coaches, not enough sleepers, no dedicated dining car, flex dining, no sightseer lounge, etc. It’s Amtrak’s “sacrifice” train which always takes the cut to help out other Superliner equipped trains (even some that don’t have to be like the Illini and Saluki). It’s kind of like the Texas Eagle in these respects, but without the connection to the Sunset Limited. Not to mention, no courtesy lunch for sleeper passengers when going east is pretty annoying when the train is often a few hours late. It’s an unloved train, and it makes riding it far less nice than it should be.
Have y'all not been on the Cardinal? As far as NYC to Chicago routes are concerned, this one wins hands down over LSL.... granted, it's several hours longer and is an overall slower train (a plus in my opinion), but the views are so much prettier than what you see on the LSL. The Cardinal goes through the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains as well as the Shenandoah Valley. If you haven't done this one, try it!
I'd recommend a couple of things for your videos. Put place holders on the screen indicating which number you are on and which route you are describing. Put indicators in the video progress bar with that information as well. A lot of people are going to be interested in specific routes and not the entire list. They will want to skip some routes while watching others and giving no indication which route you are describing makes that difficult.
Rode the Coast Starlight from San Jose to Los Angeles once, and I agree that it belongs on the ten best list. Through the farmland of the Central Valley was interesting at first but got a little boring for a couple of hours. But THEN you cross the mountains to the coast and as you said, spectacular! The Zephyr is on my list, and I hope to ride it real soon.
I hate the timing for the Pier Marquette, but it's entirely for business travel. It's my only option when visiting family, unfortunately (I don't drive). There is a lovely bartender on that route though who makes a great bloody!
We’re always excited to see a new Grounded Life Travel. To date we’ve ridden three of your top ten and will ride a fourth in October. Allow us to say a word in support of the Cardinal. The views through the New River Gorge are spectacular and make the route a contender for top ten or at least Honorable Mention! Thanks for all you do.
I record the Pere Marquette for my channel to Chicago on most weekends in Porter, IN. I'm sure most of the route is terrible, but from Porter on, it's through the Indiana Dunes National Park. Pretty scenic especially in the fall.
I totally disagree with your review of the Hiawatha. It is so much more convenient to travel from Milwaukee to Chicago or Chicago to Milwaukee than dealing with Chicago traffic. Also great during the summer festival. I'm biased since I live in the Milwaukee area and take the Hiawatha alot.
I used to take that route every other weekend from Mil to Chicago to visit a boyfriend. I loved taking it. I didn’t have to battle Chicago traffic/ rush hour or worry about parking. It took so much stress off of me. And it was a nice, smooth, peaceful ride.
I remember as a kid in the 50's & the 60's. & we would go from St Louis to San Francisco & it was a Pacific railroad & it went thru the Rockies & it was so beautiful, & the train was so long. It actually split in Salt Lake City. The Pullman co had a club car where you could get cocktails or any beverage. You could also get playing cards from the attendant & there were some very comfortable chairs. It probably also had smoking materials. My brother & I would play cards. I was a small person, still am, & I could not open the doors to go between cars so I always had to go where my brother went. When I lived in Chicago, my late hubby commuted by Amtrak to Milwaukee for a while & rode the Hiawatha. I used to go with him sometimes & it was the first Amtrak train I rode & I loved it! My father had been asked to work for Amtrak after the Pullman Co folded, but he declined. I wish he hadn't. I just love riding the train & don't care what I see. It isn't a very long ride anyway. Trains hold such good memories for me.
I'm getting ready to do a round trip from Portland to Chicago on the Empire Builder in about 10 days. Going to see my best friend of 60 years. I'll be traveling in coach but she and I are saving up and are planning on a trip in a sleeper car in a yet determined train and route. We wlll do that in probably2 years. I love your videos and have learned so much!
I'm doing Texas Eagle from LA to MO Nov. 5 and then back again Dec 26. I mostly chose to do train because of yalls videos! I've wanted to do a train ride for a long time, but watching your stuff pushed me to do it. Thanks! I'm excited and you all have offered so many great tips!
Just yesterday I watched another review of the Cascades. Now, I love the Cascades trains, both in Oregon, Washington, and up to BC. That reviewer called it a “prison train” mostly because of the consist; I think they were expecting the attractive Talgo cars and instead got basic steel and gray Amtrak. Also, he/she was critical of the exposed algae at low tide along the Puget Sound, “so dirty”, the conductor “yelled” when they merely hopped off to take pictures at one of the last station platforms before the Canadian border, and they were 24 minutes late! Ah well, we each have our own expectations when we travel.
Yeah, it depends what you're used to, for sure. I was perfectly happy with the Cascades having come from the NJIT and the Acela. I'm sure if I was used to Europe I'd be disappointed.
In my opinion, the worst Amtrak route would have to be the section of track between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. - First, the track condition is terrible. Of course, I was on the Talgo, where you feel every little bump and gap between rails. Then, you stop at the border for immigration to check you out (U.S. Customs will have dogs and everything). Then, once you are in Canada, you crawl through Vancouver at around 25mph and you start thinking you will never arrive. Nearing the station in Vancouver, the train is surrounded by fences and barbed wire so you can’t sneak off the train, making you feel like you are on some type of prison train. Then, when you finally get to the station, you get to be checked out by customs/immigration a second time! No thanks!
We rode this route just last month from Seattle to Vancouver on Horizon equipment and it was fine. Great scenery. They now do customs upon arrival in Vancouver at the station and it was pretty quick.
The only train with a sleeper car that I’m aware of in New England is the Lake Shore Limited that goes east and west. Most of our bridges and overpasses in New England are too short!
I love the Hiawatha. It’s my favorite way to travel between Milwaukee and Chicago. The scenery is mostly wooded, but I like that. It’s a great commuter route and you have the option of sitting in the quiet car.
We just completed our first complete train ride. Guess which routes we took? The California Zephyr and (wait for it) the Pere Marquette! We didn't mind the early start time for the trip from Holland (MI) to Chicago because we were so excited we couldn't sleep anyhow! And there was a cafe car on the return trip from Chicago to Holland. We had such a great time thanks in part to your vlogs. We knew what to expect, what to tip, and what to look for. Loved it, loved it loved it. Thanks for the hints and tips.
The Hiawatha is strictly for practical purposes for the locals. I grew up in Wisconsin and it was such a relief not to battle Chicago traffic or worry about parking when visiting the city. I loved making that little commute.
Kind of silly to throw the Hiawatha into this mix in the first place. The Hiawatha is, in essence, a commuter train. If Metra could work out an arrangement with WisDOT to run all the way to Milwaukee via the Hiawatha route or on Metra's UP-North Service line, the Hiawatha might just disappear as a Chicago-Milwaukee Amtrak service and become part of Metra. To compare, when the new route between Chicago and Rockford starts, which is nearly the same distance from Chicago as Milwaukee, it will be operated by Metra, and they will be using standard Metra rolling stock, whether those will be the current gallery cars or the new Coradia MultiLevels (first deliveries are expected in 2024) remains to be seen. Now, if the day comes when the Hiawatha Service is extended to Madison and Green Bay, as is planned, the level of amenities will certainly get better. As far as the view is concerned...oh, well. Again, it's not really a tourist train, just a way to draw Chicago and Milwaukee closer together via rail. If you really need amenities that badly for an 86-mile trip, take the Empire Builder to Milwaukee, or, in 2024, take The Great River, the new service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago, which will stop in Milwaukee. As far as the Pere Marquette goes, MDOT does plan to increase the frequency on all three Michigan Service routes, once a faster way to get from Chicago to Porter, IN is found. It's my understanding Amtrak is negotiating with the South Shore to use their tracks once South Shore's double tracking project between Gary and Michigan City is complete AND if the feds ever sign off on funding the St. Charles Air Line Connection, allowing trains heading south out of Chicago Union Station to connect to MED/South Shore tracks without a time-consuming backup maneuver.
To get from Grand Rapids to Chicago considering taking a taxi to Muskegon and the Lake Express ferry to Milwaukee. Yes, then you're back on the Hiawatha, so take snacks. If the ferry tempts you to bring your own car, I have heard bad things about parking at the Intermodal in Milwaukee (cars have been broken into) so be aware of that.
Good afternoon Allie and Rob. I agree that the Coast Starlight is a beautiful ride. But the Pacific Starlight is not as thrilling for me as I was born and raised in Anacortes (north of Seattle by 70 miles). So I lived on the water. But you are correct about the beauty of the run.
Just so I understand correctly, the Texas Eagle only has the traditional dining and observation cars on the western half, but the Sunset Limited has both throughout the journey?
Maybe it's just because I like mountains, but picking the Lake Shore above either the Cardinal (best eastbound) or the Capitol Limited is, to me, a mistake. I have ridden everything overnight (except the portion of the Texas Eagle between St Louis and San Antonio) and I have not done the Seattle split on the Empire Builder or the Boston split on the Lake Shore. I don't find enough difference between the Acela in Business vs. the NE Regional in Business to matter except what time and cost fits your plans. I fully agree with your thumbs down on the Amtrak Midwest services that lack a cafe car, but they are intended as short-haul regional service that involves a lot of folks on less than full route rides -- still ought to have a cafe though.
I just wrote about the Cardinal on here a few minutes ago. I don't understand why this one is never discussed much or talked about?! It's so much nicer in terms of view (and crew, too!) compared to the LSL. I just wish they'd get traditional dining back... for a route that long, it's needed..
The Hiawatha is pretty much the only way to get to Chicago by train (and thus other trains in the system) from Milwaukee besides the one time the Empire Builder comes from the west. I need to use it to take any other train out besides the Empire Builder heading west to Seattle/Portland.
Returning to Syracuse from Chicago I enjoyed seeing the shore of Lake Eire from the Lake Shore Limited. Going out it was dark and we missed it. Chicago to DC was also fine, following the Potomac on the Capitol Limited (I think it's called.)
Great informative video as always, especially for people not in the US and have never taken Amtrak. Planning on a trip between New York and Chicago, trying to decide between the lake shore limited and the Cardinal. My main gripe with the lake shore limited is westward travel means passing by the lakes area at night meaning I won’t see much. So wanted to know where do you guys rank the cardinal?
Going along the south shore of Lake Erie is no great shakes. You can see it if you go west to east. The really good scenery on this trip is going up the Hudson, going east to west. Have an early dinner and watch it all go by. You won't be disappointed. I've never taken it from Boston, so I can't comment.
Thank for all the info. I took the Texas Eagle from Ft. Worth to Los Angeles and the the coast starlight from Los Angeles to Portland. I'm 6'6 and got a roomette. It was perfect for me on the bottom bed. I don't think I would fit on the top bed. I also don't recommend anyone taller than me to get a roomette because I don't believe they could fit in the bottom bunk. I had a great time and look forward to doing it again.
My worst Amtrak train ride was the Crescent, I got on in DC to Atlanta. I could not wait to get off that train. I rode coach and regretted every second of this trip. The train was packed and it was rowdy from the time I got on the train until I got off. Loud talking, partying, foul language all night long. It was so loud I don't know if the quiet time announcement was even made. I waited for a conductor to come through and stop the chaos...never saw a conductor until @ 8:30 the next morning and they would not make eye contact with anyone. The gentleman next to me had his noise dampening earphones. I paid for an airplane ticket for retutn home. I couldn't do it. The Capital Limited from Chicago to D.C. was normal.
The Pere Marquette would be much better if it left Grand Rapids even an hour later. The scenery is nothing special, but it's better than flying from GR to Chicago. I usually sleep the whole ride.
The California Zephyr between Sacramento and Denver scared me so much I won’t do it again. The mountains in Colorado are 9000 feet with a plummet to oblivion on one side and house size boulders above the car on the other side. For someone who has an issue with heights this route and the coast starlight between Salem and Sacramento through the cascades is off my list forever.
We're taking our first overnight train trip next month from AZ to TX and your vids are one reason. Thanks for all the tips. We first planned to take the coast train to Portland but wanted to stay in America instead.
Hello Allie and Rob. When you talked about the Texas Eagle, I have been on that route several times. Most of the time it had an observation car. I have only rode it between Chicago and San Antonio. May on the days it connects with the Sunset Limited there won't be an observation car. Since the Sunset Limited only run 3 days a week while the Texas Eagle runs everyday (between Chicago and San Antonio). My worst route is the Cardinal (which runs from New York to Chicago). I say that because, even before COVID-19, there never was an actual dining car. The route is long, although scenic. Also, only runs 3 days week. Being from Philadelphia, I miss the Broadway Limited route (which ran from New York to Chicago). It was a shorter route and it left Philadelphia later than the Cardinal. Also it had a full service dining car.
Amtrak should revive the Broadway Limited. Horseshoe Curve; the big bridge over the Susquehanna at Harrisburg; going through the mountains; passing the Amish farms; and NYC to Philly on the NE Corridor. I rode it in 1993, loved it!
@@PaulMackSomers I remember riding that line as well. In 1993 & 1994. As for me living in Philadelphia, that would be a shorter option to get to Chicago as oppose to the Cardinal
Lake Shore Limited is my worst. It’s boring and not much to see but abandoned heavy industry. Towards NYC you do parallel the Hudson River which isn’t bad.
With the introduction of the Borealis route..... Perhaps taking that from Chicago/Milwaukee would provide a train with better services(but only runs once a day)
You came close to pronouncing Pere Marquette correctly. Pere rhymes with Pair. It's French for Father. The Hiawatha used to have a food trolley. I guess it hasn't returned since COVID. But you're absolutely right, the view along nearly the whole route is trees and backyards until you approach Kenosha where you'll see a few cornfields before zipping past the end of the runway for Milwaukee's airport. Then it's backyards and urban blight into downtown Milwaukee.
Was booked in the Cardinal last week to Chicago from WV. They CANCELLED the train the day before. So disappointed with Amtrak 😢 Ruined my Bday weekend UNCOOL. Then there customer service never contacted me back after 3 separate attempts.
The service from Los Angeles CA to Central valley, CA... It's the worst in summer. You take the NICE bus to Bakersfield CA then get on the San Joaquins train... The issue is LA traffic and having to wait for the train.... The wait is AWFUL and smelly year around but summer is the worst. Then the train goes thru endless farmland, you can smell the cows, chicken and processing plants.... Its just not nice
My favorite Amtrak route is by far the Southwest Chief. Its views of the great open desert and the plains and the Raton and Glorieta passes are so cool and they're nothing else like it. I'm not as big a fan on the mountains. I've never been a big fan of the Empire Builder because it is beautiful and spectacular, for only about third of its route much of which is traversed in darkness. You mostly just get the cascade mountains at sunset and then west glacier the next morning but after that, it's mostly just flat green farmland.
The Hiawatha is defiinitely a commuter route so no food would be necessary. It's perfect to avoid the traffic around these 2 major cities...which can be horrible. I live smack dab in between CHI and MKE, if we drive to CHI, we leave at 3AM!
The redeeming feature of your 2 worst routes is visiting Union Station in Chicago! While your there, hop on the BNSF Metra to Aurora, then hop on the PACE bus to Geneva and take the UP Metra back to the city or rent a city bike, take it on the train and ride the Fox River trail up to Geneva or Elgin and take the bike on Metra back to the city.
Wow! Guys not sure when the last time you traveled to Grandrapids Michigan on the Pier Marquette. Let me just say it was a beautiful couch buiness class handicap bathrooms 🚻. A grill for Strombolis or great food just lots of people having a wonderful ride. Beautiful brand new train. My wife and I took the California Zephyr from Denver to Chicago and then the Pier Marquette to Saint Joseph Michigan in June it was a beautiful brand new state of the art 🚆. .
Grabs Rapids, MI I also was born and raised there. Amtrak Pier Marquette does have a section that is worth seeing and that is the southern end of Michigan into Ohio/Illinois along Lake Michigan (I think that is the Lake) before you hit the swamp. The train does leave at around 6:00am from Grand Rapids and leaves Chicago around 7:00pm. There is none thing like stop in swamp at night while waiting for the freight trains to clear the tracks "Scary". Ok for now I will agree with you, until I start riding the trains. I really enjoy your adventures.❤
I took it for the first time from DC to Chicago a few months ago because the limited's rooms were sold out and that was easily one of the beautiful routes I've ever been on. Loved the viewliner room too!
On the Texas Eagle, just south of St. Louis the train runs right along the Mississippi River, very close to the water, for a few minutes. Very scenic. Best seen when sitting on the east side of the train.
I guess if you don't like early departures, you wouldn't like any of the departures on the overnight routes on any of these trains. I would LOVE a 6:30 am departure (like the Pere Marquette) when I catch the Lakeshore Limited from Cleveland. Especially since it's 1 1/2 hours away from my house. I need to leave at 4:00 in the morning to make the 5:35 train. The good news is, the highways are empty at that time and I go to my roomette and sleep as soon as I'm on the train.
Hi Allie and Rob, after watching your videos a few years ago. We have been on several trains, and we love the Amtrak routes that we have chosen so far. The Cascades from Seattle to Portland, Pacific Surfrider in California, The Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle. Our most recent trip was on the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago, so far this is our longest trip on Amtrak. We look forward to making other plans in the future, especially to ride the California Zephyr from Los Angeles to Chicago.
I really liked this video, but I am located in California and I noticed that you did not mention Amtrak's Pacific Surfrider. My spouse and I have traveled on this train a couple of times and it has fantastic views along the Pacific Ocean shoreline. It travels back and forth from LA to San Diego. Sometimes they put a sightseer car on and it makes it even more special for viewing the countryside.
You thought those other routes were near to the beach? At one point (just north of Camp Pendleton) this route gets close enough to the water that breakers were literally hitting the car and leaving spray on the windows.
@@deb7518 Yes, that's a problem. About a year and a half ago (a short time after I took the train and saw the spray hitting the windows) they suspended passenger service south of San Clemente for a few months while they shored up the tracks.
Yeah my worst was the Texas Eagle! I was on from Chicago to Arizona. Now the scenery was Awesome!!! But the actual ride, horrible! And that was partly my fault as I didn’t get a room. And the trip was something like 57hours 🤦🏾♀️ but yea that was mine.
Does anyone know if it's allowed to lock your bags in the overhead compartment to the bar? We will be doing an overnight on Amtrak and want to be able to sleep without worrying about someone moving or taking our bags. We bought some of the thin locks with retractable wiring that aren't super obnoxious to set up and remove easily. Thank you for any answers!
The Pere Marquette isn't so bad. It follows the lakeshore from just north of St. Joe, so as long as you're seated on the right, you get some good views. Yeah, the early part sucks, but to your point there are quite a few people who commute from St. Joe and New Buffalo to Chicago, and I don't blame them one bit for not wanting to live in that city. I've ridden the Texas Eagle both ways between Chicago and Texas (Dallas/Austin) and that's what I'd put last. Save for some views of the Mississippi, there isn't much redeeming about that route. What really does it for me is that there was no observation car, and the menu choices are awful.
I have been on the Cardinal and to be fair , the best parts are east of Ohio- the rest is rather old, wobbly industrial freight segments from Chi-Cincy. I was surprised the Texas Eagle made this list because I've heard the segment from Texas-Chicago is some of the least appealing industrial stretch of track in the US. If the shared section with the Sunset Limited is enough to make up for it, perhaps the Sunset Limited / Texas Eagle deserve the honorable mention.
Pre-Amtrak, the Hiawatha was the Milwaukee Road train from the Twin Cities to Chicago. Its route was the same as the current Amtrak route. The Empire Builder (and other trains) followed the Burlington Route down the Mississippi for about 300 miles - a really beautiful ride - and then across Illinois into Chicago.
The new train, named "Borealis" is running now and has a cafe car. It follows the Empire Builder route between St. Paul and Chicago and makes two additional stops that are otherwise served by the Hiawathas.
I took the Empire Builder and the scenery was amazing, but when we reached Glacier, it was getting dark so there wasn't much to see. Unfortunately, I think the engineer was trying to get into Seattle early, because I was literally bounced out of bed and was so disoriented waking up this way that I thought we were derailing! Otherwise, it was a great trip!
I used to take the Silver Star up to DC a lot, it was a fairly quick trip ~6 hours. After getting tired of people not knowing how to lock bathroom doors, I started booking a room. So much nicer, unimpeded views outside, no one bugging me for outlet access, no walking in on people doing their bathroom thing, etc... Cost for a room now is incredibly expensive, ~$1450 for a return trip compared to flying first class into DCA for ~$350. I love trains, and I love Amtrak, but that's too much.
My experience from Miami to DC was not super pleasant because almost all the bathrooms got clogged and urinated all over and then one of the train cars had the AC freak out and made it like a freezer box. I was very happy to not be in the freezer and I like the cold.
I took the Hiawatha earlier this week and its only an hour and 20 minute ride. You don't need a cafe car. BTW not a fan of the Siemen venture coach seats. How can you miss the mark on the outlet placement twice? The lack of legroom and the small pitch recline doesn't help matters either. Give me an Amfleet coach any day
I agree with your top four. I introduced my wife to rain travel and she loved it even more than I do. We could barely get back from one trip before she was asking when we could go again. The only major routes we didn't get to go on were the Crescent and the City of New Orleans. I promised myself I would take one more trip in her memory so I'm taking a grand tour involving three of those top four lines next month. On a couple of other points: We took the Texas Eagle. We found the Texas portion kinda boring, frankly. The Sunset Limited portion, we liked, but we had been on that before; in fact, the first time was before Katrina and we went all the way from LA to I think it was Jacksonville where it ended. Re the Coast Starlight, I think you should have mentioned that while the northern part is quite pretty, the really spectacular ocean view part is south of Emeryville. Finally, I think in fairness to the Hiawatha you should have mentioned that the whole trip is 80-something miles and takes about 90 minutes. It's not something you ride for the experience. Oh, an edit to add one more thing: We generally didn't worry which side of the train we were on because we tended to live in the observation car. 🙂
Uhh, well, camping all day in the Sightseer Lounge is really selfish. Enforcement is weak and rare, but still you should have some courtesy for others who’d like to spend a slice of their time there. They paid as much or more than you did. Limit yourselves to 90 minutes, and be nice about vacating.
@@dock_yard1149 I will say this calmly: You have taken one off-hand remark and made a whole string of assumptions ("really selfish ... have some courtesy") punctuated with a condescending crack about "be nice." What, you think that was literal, as if we ate, read, took naps, checked email, and all the rest there, all the while paying no attention to if there was room for others? I suggest that if you don't know it, you look up the word "hyperbole" - never mind, Ill save you the time: It means "A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect." And then next time, "have the courtesy" to confirm what you imagine is true before offering any advice on etiquette.
😳 What kind of meal accommodations are there for people paying the extra for roomettes or bedrooms that are traveling Texas to Chicago as part of their journey?!? That’s a long ride!!!
From watching other reviews, sleeper car passengers get the flexible dining meals until the trains join together, and then it's traditional dining until the trip ends in LA.
While I agree with your review of the Hiawatha with what it as to offer, to review it with a long-haul trains is being unfair. Of course it doesn’t have a café car, it’s a 90 mile ride from Milwaukee to Chicago. But you are correct in that there’s nothing to see.
Hello. Hi. Question…. If a delay on (example) the Empire Builder causes me to miss a same day connecting Coast Starlight, does Amtrak accommodate me with a hotel etc? Also what were your roomette numbers when you got the good views on the routes? Thank you. Also there is very little on RUclips about Emeryville station, the inside or how to get there from surrounding airports. I have a trip coming in December flying from Vegas then taking the California Zephyr to Chicago.
If you are looking at doing the Empire builder or the California Zephyr, you have to be aware of where you will be at night on the routes. In my opinion take the empire from west to east and the Zephyr from east west. You will miss some of the best scenery if you don't because you will go through the most scenic areas at night. Just my 2 cents.
Good point!
I'm 80 and traveled by train often before Amtrak but have never rode an Amtrak train. Now that I live alone since my wife of 56 years passed away in 2021, I don't feel much like traveling anywhere without her. I'd planned for us to take a bedroom roundtrip on the Empire Builder from St Paul to Seattle but we never got around to it.
In the early 1960s my future wife and I would each pay 35 cents one way between St Paul & Minneapolis. Back then there were many railroads and we liked to experience each one. The Chicago & Great Western had the oldest coaches, maybe built in the 1940s. They had wood paneling with maroon upholstery to match the maroon exterior.
When I was stationed at Minot AFB, I would take the Great Northern Empire Builder or the all day local trains #3 & #4 which made frequent stops between Minot and St Paul. Trains #3 & #4 would stop at Grand Forks & Devils Lake and I recall Amish people often riding that train as they boarded in the small towns of northeastern North Dakota.
While living in Minot I once took the Empire Builder roundtrip to Whitefish MT. This was during April and I recall a heavy snowstorm as the westbound train entered higher elevations of the Rockies. The GN Empire Builder had several dome cars which provided views from all sides.
My family moved to the Upper Midwest from Silver Spring MD when I was 12 and I would often return by train to the DC area and visit relatives. I would take the Twin Cities Zephyr to Chicago and The General (PRR) from Chicago to DC.
Another train trip we took was between St Paul & Kansas City MO which was the Twin Star Rocket (Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific RR).
In December 1962 I rode the all night train #11 from St Paul to International Falls and returned on the afternoon train #12 which was the first time I'd ever been in that part of MN. I recall Native Americans from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe riding the train between Bemidji and International Falls.
After celebrating New Years Eve 1966 in Billings MT, my wife and I rode the Northern Pacific Mainstreeter to Bismarck and then took a Frontier Airlines flight back to Minot.
The only other trains I recall riding were between St Paul & Duluth MN. My first trip to Duluth was in the late 1950s during winter when my mother, little brother and I rode Soo Line trains #62 & #63 roundtrip. A few years later my future wife and I rode the Northern Pacific night trains #65 & #66 to Duluth and back.
My first of many train trips was in 1956, at age 1 month. My grandpa was a conductor with Missouri Pacific out of Kansas City, and my other grandpa, in Albuquerque, worked in the railyards for the Santa Fe.
Such a relaxing way to travel and see the US.
I'm sorry about your wife. So glad you got to have such great adventures with her.
I liked the Sunset Limited
Very sorry for your wife's loss. My prayers are with you and your family. Take the trip. She would have wanted you to do it.
I'm sorry for your loss. I was also stationed at Minot (why not?) with SAC and my F111.
I grew up in New England and the "Budliners" high speed trains into Boston, $29.00!
I want to travel with my husband as much as possible. My body is very damaged from active duty injury. My jet lost nose gear upon landing. OUCH!
G-d Bless
@@jobellecollie7139 Thanks for your kind reply and I’m sorry about your devastating injury. My father was a Navy pilot and injured his back when he had to land a DC-6 (I think) with no wheels. Regarding Minot, I recall the song, “Why Not Minot, That’s My Wonderful Town”, which was played on the local radio station (KCJB as I recall).
WE had a kid in college in Chicago and another in Milwaukee, and we love The Hiawatha. That car route is sooo busy that the train is usually faster.
Since they said it was basically trees on both sides for the majority of the trip, is it a good option in Autumn to see the leaves changing color? I know that's usually a Northeast thing, but I was curious.
It's not AMTRAK, but if you want to take the most stunningly beautiful train trip in America, ride the Alaska Railroad's Denali Star between Fairbanks and Anchorage.
I took the scary ride on The Yukon/ Skagway route.
Totally agree - I also took that railroad's equally stunning route from Anchorage to Seward. Highly recommend both of these routes as among America's most beautiful railroad journeys.
But,this is about Amtrak ! Lol
@spark_6710 I consider this a related topic for those that like trains.
In June 1967 I drove to Alaska from St Paul MN with my wife and her parents. The distance was about 3,000 miles and back then over a thousand miles of the Alcan Highway was gravel. I recall the many white crosses representing the fatalities since the highway opened in 1948. We were pulling an Apache Tent Camper which would fishtail on the many curves. We first visited Fairbanks and then attempted driving to McKinley Park but the sharp rocks caused a flat tire on the camper. After changing the tire we decided to drive down to Anchorage and ride the Alaska RR to the park. It was a scenic train ride and we spent the night at the McKinley Park Lodge, having a sourdough pancake breakfast in the early morning. Then we took the bus tour hoping to see Mt McKinley but the fog completely obstructed the view. On our trip home we drove down to Haines AK and enjoyed the beautiful scenery on the way to Prince Rupert BC on the Alaska Ferry System. From Prince Rupert we boarded another ferry to Kelsey Bay on Vancouver Island. Then we drove the length of the island and took a ferry to the mainland. We visited my wife’s brother and his family in Puyallup WA before driving home.
As Wisconsinites, my wife and I strongly disagree with your negative rating of the Hiawatha service. It is one of the most successful trains in the country and performs exactly as it is supposed to. It has the best on time performance of all corridor services and with 7 trips a day (and Wisconsin DOT working to add more), it is convenient and a great alternative to driving. It's only a 90 minute trip, so food service is not essential and there are plenty of great places to eat in Milwaukee and Chicago.
Hiawata, Historicly went alle way west ! Montana, Idaho..
I absolutely love you both! Just joined Grounded Life Travel and hope to run into you some day! I am single, retiring at the end of the year (70), after a 41-year career in real estate. I am planning on spending 2024 discovering this country by train, starting in March - Rochester, NY to Savannah, GA to Richmond and Baltimore. Then in June Empire Builder to Portland. After watching this fantastic video, you have convinced me to take the long way home with the Coastal Starlight and the Southwest Chief. Love your Amtrak map!
Thanks so much! It sounds like a wonderful trip! The long way back on the Coast Starlight will be so beautiful!
I loved the Empire Builder. I stayed overnight at Glacier National Park. Slept at the Lodge. Had dinner and breakfast there. The next day, I took the highway to the sun (may have the name wrong). Then, I bordered the Empire Builder again and continued to Tacoma to see my son and his family.
Going-to-the Sun Road. YES! Know it well! I've been on the Empire Builder a few times.
Instead of the Texas Eagle, I’d suggest taking the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Los Angeles. The section crossing the swamps in Louisiana is lovely, and you get the higher level of service that way.
You might also want to point out that there are shorter trains that cover some of these same routes. The Empire service, for instance, covers almost all of the “pretty” part of the Maple Leaf, and it runs several times a day. The Lake Shore Limited also crosses upstate New York, and the section through the mountains between Boston and Albany is lovely. The Adirondack also runs along the Hudson, and I personally think the route up to Montreal is prettier than the route to Toronto. On the west coast the Pacific Surfliner and Cascades cover most of the “pretty” part of the Coast Starlight.
I also think the Cardinal is an extremely scenic route and deserving to be on this list. I love crossing through the mountains in West Virginia. I’ve never taken the Pere Marquette, but I’d agree that there’s nothing to look at on the Hiawatha. That’s a route where there’s more to see from the highway than from the train.
Very helpful insights, thanks!
The Hiawatha is the best way to get to Chicago in a hurry from Milwaukee.
In September 2021 I booked a one bedroom on the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles. I lived in Italy and travelled on the Frecciargento and Frecciarosa high speed trains a lot. I was floored by Amtrak. I met so many interesting people. Breakfast with sunrise over the Great Plains was awesome. I loved being seated with other passengers for dinner. If you can afford it, get a one bedroom.
Living in LA. its also really fun to go from LA to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner.
Called it on the worst! Although I would've said Detroit to Chicago on the Wolverine. However, fun fact: In Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 film North By Northwest, you can hear the train announcer call out all the stops on that route.
One of my favorites is the Pennsylvanian. Typically fares are pretty low, comfy amfleet 2 coaches, very Scenic views through Dutch Country and Appalachia.
The Hiawatha is great for traveling from Milwaukee to Chigago. It's better than driving, saves on tolls, and you can Uber from Union Station to anywhere downtown for very little. The point isn't the ride, it's the convenience.
Locals pretty much know the Hiawatha is more of a commuter route between Milwaukee + Chicago. It's perfect to use for work, concerts - and avoiding the freeway.
Exactly,! The Hiawatha is not a scenic vacation. It is sorta like a share a ride type of thing. You don't have to put up with traffic and parking.
There are two Amtrak routes in the Northeast that, in my opinion, put the Maple Leaf to shame: The Downeaster (Boston to Brunswick ME) and the Vermonter (DC to northern VT).
The Vermonter, in particular, is a truly gorgeous ride. It follows the NE Corridor to New Haven, then rides up along the CT river to near the Canadian border. The scenery is very nice, and there are at least two very nice towns to get off and enjoy for a weekend -- Northampton, MA and Brattleboro VT.
The Downeaster is great little train that takes you from Boston north through Massachusetts, across southern NH, and then along the Maine coast. It is a beautiful ride the whole way.
These trains each run the same equipment as the Maple Leaf -- coaches and Business/Cafe car. Each is very comfortable and very affordable.
Happy to hear you bring up "The Downeaster" I was part of the Operations group that put that back into service... So thanks, made my weekend! Ironically though I have personally never rode on a train in the US, even though I worked for a Railroad there for 10 years!
I ride Downeaster all the time out of Boston. It has its problems (notably it's lackluster on-time percentage that makes it a bad commuter train), but it's still a very fun and comfortable way to get to Maine from the city for both residents and tourists. I also really love the EMD-F40ph "cabbage" control cars, as it's my favorite locomotive. I hope they don't retire them too soon.
You should've added the Adirondack to one of the best routes. The LSL is not the best. Especially if you have one of the old sleepers. We found that train to be the dirtiest.
Some Coast Starlights are running with a TransDorm car (all roomettes, half used for Amtrak staff, half for revenue). This car has a lower level door to the baggage car on one end, and the normal Superliner high level door on the other. I saw one southbound through Emeryville on September 11. Typically this car runs just behind the baggage car with the odd-numbered roomettes on the left and the even-numbered rooms on the right side. I'm not sure if this is a permanent addition to the CS consist or not.
Let me add a plug for the Portland section of the Empire Builder. While you miss the Cascades and Puget Sound, you get a solid three hours of riding thru the gorgeous Columbia River gorge, and with any kind of weather a great view of Mt. Hood.
Honestly, out of the Amtrak trains I’ve ridden, the Capitol Limited was the worst. It’s not because of anything “natural” in the route that would cause this. To the contrary, it goes through some nice scenery, has a pretty convenient schedule (if you’re not going to intermediate stations), and has dining and sleeping cars. It falls flat because Amtrak has stripped the train bare: not enough coaches, not enough sleepers, no dedicated dining car, flex dining, no sightseer lounge, etc. It’s Amtrak’s “sacrifice” train which always takes the cut to help out other Superliner equipped trains (even some that don’t have to be like the Illini and Saluki). It’s kind of like the Texas Eagle in these respects, but without the connection to the Sunset Limited. Not to mention, no courtesy lunch for sleeper passengers when going east is pretty annoying when the train is often a few hours late. It’s an unloved train, and it makes riding it far less nice than it should be.
Capitol Limited also has some rather rough tracks IMO... makes sleeping difficult. But I agree, they have really let that train go downhill. Sad!
Have y'all not been on the Cardinal? As far as NYC to Chicago routes are concerned, this one wins hands down over LSL.... granted, it's several hours longer and is an overall slower train (a plus in my opinion), but the views are so much prettier than what you see on the LSL. The Cardinal goes through the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains as well as the Shenandoah Valley. If you haven't done this one, try it!
It is beautiful! I rode it once.
I'd recommend a couple of things for your videos. Put place holders on the screen indicating which number you are on and which route you are describing. Put indicators in the video progress bar with that information as well. A lot of people are going to be interested in specific routes and not the entire list. They will want to skip some routes while watching others and giving no indication which route you are describing makes that difficult.
Rode the Coast Starlight from San Jose to Los Angeles once, and I agree that it belongs on the ten best list. Through the farmland of the Central Valley was interesting at first but got a little boring for a couple of hours. But THEN you cross the mountains to the coast and as you said, spectacular! The Zephyr is on my list, and I hope to ride it real soon.
The farm land that the Coast Starlight goes through is the Salinas Valley and not the Central Valley.
I hate the timing for the Pier Marquette, but it's entirely for business travel. It's my only option when visiting family, unfortunately (I don't drive). There is a lovely bartender on that route though who makes a great bloody!
Have to say I was not disappointed in the Southwest Chief route at all.
Amtrak far exceeded my expectations.
We’re always excited to see a new Grounded Life Travel. To date we’ve ridden three of your top ten and will ride a fourth in October. Allow us to say a word in support of the Cardinal. The views through the New River Gorge are spectacular and make the route a contender for top ten or at least Honorable Mention! Thanks for all you do.
I was going to write the same thing. The Cardinal is one of our favorites, just for the scenery. We rode it between D.C. and Cincinnati.
I record the Pere Marquette for my channel to Chicago on most weekends in Porter, IN. I'm sure most of the route is terrible, but from Porter on, it's through the Indiana Dunes National Park. Pretty scenic especially in the fall.
No mention of the Adirondack or the Cardinal. ☹️
Best or worst?
I totally disagree with your review of the Hiawatha. It is so much more convenient to travel from Milwaukee to Chicago or Chicago to Milwaukee than dealing with Chicago traffic. Also great during the summer festival. I'm biased since I live in the Milwaukee area and take the Hiawatha alot.
Hiawatha is more like a commuter rail.
The Hiawatha is really a commuter train, I have taken it a lot when visiting friends in Milwaukee
Same. It’s not meant to be anything special because it’s function is to accommodate commuters.
I used to take that route every other weekend from Mil to Chicago to visit a boyfriend.
I loved taking it. I didn’t have to battle Chicago traffic/ rush hour or worry about parking.
It took so much stress off of me. And it was a nice, smooth, peaceful ride.
I remember as a kid in the 50's & the 60's. & we would go from St Louis to San Francisco & it was a Pacific railroad & it went thru the Rockies & it was so beautiful, & the train was so long. It actually split in Salt Lake City. The Pullman co had a club car where you could get cocktails or any beverage. You could also get playing cards from the attendant & there were some very comfortable chairs. It probably also had smoking materials. My brother & I would play cards. I was a small person, still am, & I could not open the doors to go between cars so I always had to go where my brother went. When I lived in Chicago, my late hubby commuted by Amtrak to Milwaukee for a while & rode the Hiawatha. I used to go with him sometimes & it was the first Amtrak train I rode & I loved it! My father had been asked to work for Amtrak after the Pullman Co folded, but he declined. I wish he hadn't. I just love riding the train & don't care what I see. It isn't a very long ride anyway. Trains hold such good memories for me.
I'm getting ready to do a round trip from Portland to Chicago on the Empire Builder in about 10 days. Going to see my best friend of 60 years. I'll be traveling in coach but she and I are saving up and are planning on a trip in a sleeper car in a yet determined train and route. We wlll do that in probably2 years. I love your videos and have learned so much!
I hope you will do a video on the Amtrak Cardinal.
I live in Indianapolis. This interests me.
I'm doing Texas Eagle from LA to MO Nov. 5 and then back again Dec 26. I mostly chose to do train because of yalls videos! I've wanted to do a train ride for a long time, but watching your stuff pushed me to do it. Thanks! I'm excited and you all have offered so many great tips!
Just yesterday I watched another review of the Cascades. Now, I love the Cascades trains, both in Oregon, Washington, and up to BC. That reviewer called it a “prison train” mostly because of the consist; I think they were expecting the attractive Talgo cars and instead got basic steel and gray Amtrak. Also, he/she was critical of the exposed algae at low tide along the Puget Sound, “so dirty”, the conductor “yelled” when they merely hopped off to take pictures at one of the last station platforms before the Canadian border, and they were 24 minutes late! Ah well, we each have our own expectations when we travel.
Yeah, it depends what you're used to, for sure. I was perfectly happy with the Cascades having come from the NJIT and the Acela. I'm sure if I was used to Europe I'd be disappointed.
In my opinion, the worst Amtrak route would have to be the section of track between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. - First, the track condition is terrible. Of course, I was on the Talgo, where you feel every little bump and gap between rails. Then, you stop at the border for immigration to check you out (U.S. Customs will have dogs and everything). Then, once you are in Canada, you crawl through Vancouver at around 25mph and you start thinking you will never arrive. Nearing the station in Vancouver, the train is surrounded by fences and barbed wire so you can’t sneak off the train, making you feel like you are on some type of prison train. Then, when you finally get to the station, you get to be checked out by customs/immigration a second time! No thanks!
We rode this route just last month from Seattle to Vancouver on Horizon equipment and it was fine. Great scenery. They now do customs upon arrival in Vancouver at the station and it was pretty quick.
I was really hoping for more information on some of the routes going up the East Coast into the New England area.
The only train with a sleeper car that I’m aware of in New England is the Lake Shore Limited that goes east and west. Most of our bridges and overpasses in New England are too short!
Another way to tell the Viewliner 1 from the Viewliner II: On the outside, the Viewliner I has narrow stripes, and the Viewliner II has wide stripes.
I love the Hiawatha. It’s my favorite way to travel between Milwaukee and Chicago. The scenery is mostly wooded, but I like that. It’s a great commuter route and you have the option of sitting in the quiet car.
We just completed our first complete train ride. Guess which routes we took? The California Zephyr and (wait for it) the Pere Marquette! We didn't mind the early start time for the trip from Holland (MI) to Chicago because we were so excited we couldn't sleep anyhow! And there was a cafe car on the return trip from Chicago to Holland. We had such a great time thanks in part to your vlogs. We knew what to expect, what to tip, and what to look for. Loved it, loved it loved it. Thanks for the hints and tips.
The Maple Leaf is also not a sleeper train. It's configuration is normally 4 coaches and a cafe/business class car.
I rode the PM once, and I enjoyed the fact that by the time it reaches St. Joseph, MI. We were right by the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
The Hiawatha is strictly for practical purposes for the locals. I grew up in Wisconsin and it was such a relief not to battle Chicago traffic or worry about parking when visiting the city. I loved making that little commute.
Kind of silly to throw the Hiawatha into this mix in the first place. The Hiawatha is, in essence, a commuter train. If Metra could work out an arrangement with WisDOT to run all the way to Milwaukee via the Hiawatha route or on Metra's UP-North Service line, the Hiawatha might just disappear as a Chicago-Milwaukee Amtrak service and become part of Metra.
To compare, when the new route between Chicago and Rockford starts, which is nearly the same distance from Chicago as Milwaukee, it will be operated by Metra, and they will be using standard Metra rolling stock, whether those will be the current gallery cars or the new Coradia MultiLevels (first deliveries are expected in 2024) remains to be seen.
Now, if the day comes when the Hiawatha Service is extended to Madison and Green Bay, as is planned, the level of amenities will certainly get better. As far as the view is concerned...oh, well. Again, it's not really a tourist train, just a way to draw Chicago and Milwaukee closer together via rail. If you really need amenities that badly for an 86-mile trip, take the Empire Builder to Milwaukee, or, in 2024, take The Great River, the new service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago, which will stop in Milwaukee.
As far as the Pere Marquette goes, MDOT does plan to increase the frequency on all three Michigan Service routes, once a faster way to get from Chicago to Porter, IN is found. It's my understanding Amtrak is negotiating with the South Shore to use their tracks once South Shore's double tracking project between Gary and Michigan City is complete AND if the feds ever sign off on funding the St. Charles Air Line Connection, allowing trains heading south out of Chicago Union Station to connect to MED/South Shore tracks without a time-consuming backup maneuver.
To get from Grand Rapids to Chicago considering taking a taxi to Muskegon and the Lake Express ferry to Milwaukee. Yes, then you're back on the Hiawatha, so take snacks. If the ferry tempts you to bring your own car, I have heard bad things about parking at the Intermodal in Milwaukee (cars have been broken into) so be aware of that.
Good afternoon Allie and Rob. I agree that the Coast Starlight is a beautiful ride. But the Pacific Starlight is not as thrilling for me as I was born and raised in Anacortes (north of Seattle by 70 miles). So I lived on the water. But you are correct about the beauty of the run.
The Cardinal in October is spectacular
I'm reading through the swampy details of the Amtrak Credit Cards before booking my next (first and only was 1978) trip. I want those POINTS!
I've noticed that there is one route that is not mentioned at all and that is the Michigan services between Chicago and Pontiac
The worst trip I had on Amtrak was Chicago to Detroit. It took twice as long as scheduled and we spent most of the trip just sitting in sidings.
We’ve done the Zephyr from Grand Junction to Illinois quite a few times. Both summer and Winter. We want to do the West someday.
Just so I understand correctly, the Texas Eagle only has the traditional dining and observation cars on the western half, but the Sunset Limited has both throughout the journey?
Yes that is correct since the sunset limited attaches to the Texas eagle in San Antonio going west to la.
Maybe it's just because I like mountains, but picking the Lake Shore above either the Cardinal (best eastbound) or the Capitol Limited is, to me, a mistake. I have ridden everything overnight (except the portion of the Texas Eagle between St Louis and San Antonio) and I have not done the Seattle split on the Empire Builder or the Boston split on the Lake Shore. I don't find enough difference between the Acela in Business vs. the NE Regional in Business to matter except what time and cost fits your plans. I fully agree with your thumbs down on the Amtrak Midwest services that lack a cafe car, but they are intended as short-haul regional service that involves a lot of folks on less than full route rides -- still ought to have a cafe though.
Maybe they could add a couple of vending machines and a microwave to at least offer something
I just wrote about the Cardinal on here a few minutes ago. I don't understand why this one is never discussed much or talked about?! It's so much nicer in terms of view (and crew, too!) compared to the LSL. I just wish they'd get traditional dining back... for a route that long, it's needed..
The Hiawatha is pretty much the only way to get to Chicago by train (and thus other trains in the system) from Milwaukee besides the one time the Empire Builder comes from the west. I need to use it to take any other train out besides the Empire Builder heading west to Seattle/Portland.
Have you ever ridden from Atlanta to Washington, DC? We are curious about this route?
Returning to Syracuse from Chicago I enjoyed seeing the shore of Lake Eire from the Lake Shore Limited. Going out it was dark and we missed it. Chicago to DC was also fine, following the Potomac on the Capitol Limited (I think it's called.)
It's Potomac
Great informative video as always, especially for people not in the US and have never taken Amtrak. Planning on a trip between New York and Chicago, trying to decide between the lake shore limited and the Cardinal. My main gripe with the lake shore limited is westward travel means passing by the lakes area at night meaning I won’t see much.
So wanted to know where do you guys rank the cardinal?
Going along the south shore of Lake Erie is no great shakes. You can see it if you go west to east. The really good scenery on this trip is going up the Hudson, going east to west. Have an early dinner and watch it all go by. You won't be disappointed. I've never taken it from Boston, so I can't comment.
Thank for all the info. I took the Texas Eagle from Ft. Worth to Los Angeles and the the coast starlight from Los Angeles to Portland. I'm 6'6 and got a roomette. It was perfect for me on the bottom bed. I don't think I would fit on the top bed. I also don't recommend anyone taller than me to get a roomette because I don't believe they could fit in the bottom bunk. I had a great time and look forward to doing it again.
My worst Amtrak train ride was the Crescent, I got on in DC to Atlanta. I could not wait to get off that train. I rode coach and regretted every second of this trip. The train was packed and it was rowdy from the time I got on the train until I got off. Loud talking, partying, foul language all night long. It was so loud I don't know if the quiet time announcement was even made. I waited for a conductor to come through and stop the chaos...never saw a conductor until @ 8:30 the next morning and they would not make eye contact with anyone. The gentleman next to me had his noise dampening earphones. I paid for an airplane ticket for retutn home. I couldn't do it. The Capital Limited from Chicago to D.C. was normal.
The Pere Marquette would be much better if it left Grand Rapids even an hour later. The scenery is nothing special, but it's better than flying from GR to Chicago. I usually sleep the whole ride.
The California Zephyr between Sacramento and Denver scared me so much I won’t do it again. The mountains in Colorado are 9000 feet with a plummet to oblivion on one side and house size boulders above the car on the other side. For someone who has an issue with heights this route and the coast starlight between Salem and Sacramento through the cascades is off my list forever.
Thanks for the warning. That sounds terrifying to me.
@@MichelleK.B. I've always had an issue with heights so for me anything through mountains at high altitude induces fear.
Much safer than driving.
Better skip The Yukon/Skagway AK route then, too.
We're taking our first overnight train trip next month from AZ to TX and your vids are one reason. Thanks for all the tips. We first planned to take the coast train to Portland but wanted to stay in America instead.
What??? The Coast Starlight IS in America
The Hiawatha is essentially a Milwaukee-Chicago commuter train. The run is -- what? -- 90 minutes? Why should Amtrak staff a cafe car?
Hello Allie and Rob. When you talked about the Texas Eagle, I have been on that route several times. Most of the time it had an observation car. I have only rode it between Chicago and San Antonio. May on the days it connects with the Sunset Limited there won't be an observation car. Since the Sunset Limited only run 3 days a week while the Texas Eagle runs everyday (between Chicago and San Antonio). My worst route is the Cardinal (which runs from New York to Chicago). I say that because, even before COVID-19, there never was an actual dining car. The route is long, although scenic. Also, only runs 3 days week. Being from Philadelphia, I miss the Broadway Limited route (which ran from New York to Chicago). It was a shorter route and it left Philadelphia later than the Cardinal. Also it had a full service dining car.
Amtrak should revive the Broadway Limited. Horseshoe Curve; the big bridge over the Susquehanna at Harrisburg; going through the mountains; passing the Amish farms; and NYC to Philly on the NE Corridor. I rode it in 1993, loved it!
@@PaulMackSomers I remember riding that line as well. In 1993 & 1994. As for me living in Philadelphia, that would be a shorter option to get to Chicago as oppose to the Cardinal
Lake Shore Limited is my worst. It’s boring and not much to see but abandoned heavy industry. Towards NYC you do parallel the Hudson River which isn’t bad.
With the introduction of the Borealis route..... Perhaps taking that from Chicago/Milwaukee would provide a train with better services(but only runs once a day)
Leaving Sunday from Tampa to NYC, hoping for Viewliner 2
You came close to pronouncing Pere Marquette correctly. Pere rhymes with Pair. It's French for Father.
The Hiawatha used to have a food trolley. I guess it hasn't returned since COVID. But you're absolutely right, the view along nearly the whole route is trees and backyards until you approach Kenosha where you'll see a few cornfields before zipping past the end of the runway for Milwaukee's airport. Then it's backyards and urban blight into downtown Milwaukee.
Was booked in the Cardinal last week to Chicago from WV. They CANCELLED the train the day before. So disappointed with Amtrak 😢 Ruined my Bday weekend UNCOOL. Then there customer service never contacted me back after 3 separate attempts.
The service from Los Angeles CA to Central valley, CA...
It's the worst in summer. You take the NICE bus to Bakersfield CA then get on the San Joaquins train... The issue is LA traffic and having to wait for the train.... The wait is AWFUL and smelly year around but summer is the worst. Then the train goes thru endless farmland, you can smell the cows, chicken and processing plants.... Its just not nice
My favorite Amtrak route is by far the Southwest Chief. Its views of the great open desert and the plains and the Raton and Glorieta passes are so cool and they're nothing else like it. I'm not as big a fan on the mountains. I've never been a big fan of the Empire Builder because it is beautiful and spectacular, for only about third of its route much of which is traversed in darkness. You mostly just get the cascade mountains at sunset and then west glacier the next morning but after that, it's mostly just flat green farmland.
The Southwest Chief is Enchanting 😉
California Zephyr here I come---- Wednesday!!!! Thanks for all your tips! Fantastic videos.
The Hiawatha is defiinitely a commuter route so no food would be necessary. It's perfect to avoid the traffic around these 2 major cities...which can be horrible. I live smack dab in between CHI and MKE, if we drive to CHI, we leave at 3AM!
Great video! We've been planning a trip and your channel has just been amazing in helping us do that. Thanks so much!
The redeeming feature of your 2 worst routes is visiting Union Station in Chicago! While your there, hop on the BNSF Metra to Aurora, then hop on the PACE bus to Geneva and take the UP Metra back to the city or rent a city bike, take it on the train and ride the Fox River trail up to Geneva or Elgin and take the bike on Metra back to the city.
Nice 👍🙂
Wow! Guys not sure when the last time you traveled to Grandrapids Michigan on the Pier Marquette. Let me just say it was a beautiful couch buiness class handicap bathrooms 🚻. A grill for Strombolis or great food just lots of people having a wonderful ride. Beautiful brand new train. My wife and I took the California Zephyr from Denver to Chicago and then the Pier Marquette to Saint Joseph Michigan in June it was a beautiful brand new state of the art 🚆. .
Grabs Rapids, MI I also was born and raised there. Amtrak Pier Marquette does have a section that is worth seeing and that is the southern end of Michigan into Ohio/Illinois along Lake Michigan (I think that is the Lake) before you hit the swamp. The train does leave at around 6:00am from Grand Rapids and leaves Chicago around 7:00pm. There is none thing like stop in swamp at night while waiting for the freight trains to clear the tracks "Scary". Ok for now I will agree with you, until I start riding the trains. I really enjoy your adventures.❤
the cardinal is almost always included in the top five on every site and you leave it completely out? unbelievable.
I took it for the first time from DC to Chicago a few months ago because the limited's rooms were sold out and that was easily one of the beautiful routes I've ever been on. Loved the viewliner room too!
On the Texas Eagle, just south of St. Louis the train runs right along the Mississippi River, very close to the water, for a few minutes. Very scenic. Best seen when sitting on the east side of the train.
The Calif Zephry has one of the most beautiful routes.
I guess if you don't like early departures, you wouldn't like any of the departures on the overnight routes on any of these trains. I would LOVE a 6:30 am departure (like the Pere Marquette) when I catch the Lakeshore Limited from Cleveland. Especially since it's 1 1/2 hours away from my house. I need to leave at 4:00 in the morning to make the 5:35 train. The good news is, the highways are empty at that time and I go to my roomette and sleep as soon as I'm on the train.
Hi Allie and Rob, after watching your videos a few years ago. We have been on several trains, and we love the Amtrak routes that we have chosen so far. The Cascades from Seattle to Portland, Pacific Surfrider in California, The Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Seattle. Our most recent trip was on the Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago, so far this is our longest trip on Amtrak. We look forward to making other plans in the future, especially to ride the California Zephyr from Los Angeles to Chicago.
I really liked this video, but I am located in California and I noticed that you did not mention Amtrak's Pacific Surfrider. My spouse and I have traveled on this train a couple of times and it has fantastic views along the Pacific Ocean shoreline. It travels back and forth from LA to San Diego. Sometimes they put a sightseer car on and it makes it even more special for viewing the countryside.
You thought those other routes were near to the beach? At one point (just north of Camp Pendleton) this route gets close enough to the water that breakers were literally hitting the car and leaving spray on the windows.
A few Pacific Surfrider trains each day run as far north as San Luis Obispo; the ocean views around Santa Barbara can be very fine.
@@ptorq?Wonder how they can keep the track in good shape, with all that water hitting them? Seems like the track would wash out there pretty often.
@@deb7518 Yes, that's a problem. About a year and a half ago (a short time after I took the train and saw the spray hitting the windows) they suspended passenger service south of San Clemente for a few months while they shored up the tracks.
Can you see both sides from the handicapped room? on the double level trains??
The Late Shore Limited? Really? Must have improved since I took it years ago. Although I love having the overnight sleep.
Yeah my worst was the Texas Eagle! I was on from Chicago to Arizona. Now the scenery was Awesome!!! But the actual ride, horrible! And that was partly my fault as I didn’t get a room. And the trip was something like 57hours 🤦🏾♀️ but yea that was mine.
Does anyone know if it's allowed to lock your bags in the overhead compartment to the bar? We will be doing an overnight on Amtrak and want to be able to sleep without worrying about someone moving or taking our bags. We bought some of the thin locks with retractable wiring that aren't super obnoxious to set up and remove easily. Thank you for any answers!
Go for it,no problem w/Amtrak personel, don't travel that much but I do lock my bags w/ bike cable and medium sz padlock.
The crescent from New Orleans to Charlotte was the worst. Have you done that one?
The Pere Marquette isn't so bad. It follows the lakeshore from just north of St. Joe, so as long as you're seated on the right, you get some good views. Yeah, the early part sucks, but to your point there are quite a few people who commute from St. Joe and New Buffalo to Chicago, and I don't blame them one bit for not wanting to live in that city.
I've ridden the Texas Eagle both ways between Chicago and Texas (Dallas/Austin) and that's what I'd put last. Save for some views of the Mississippi, there isn't much redeeming about that route. What really does it for me is that there was no observation car, and the menu choices are awful.
I have been on the Cardinal and to be fair , the best parts are east of Ohio- the rest is rather old, wobbly industrial freight segments from Chi-Cincy. I was surprised the Texas Eagle made this list because I've heard the segment from Texas-Chicago is some of the least appealing industrial stretch of track in the US. If the shared section with the Sunset Limited is enough to make up for it, perhaps the Sunset Limited / Texas Eagle deserve the honorable mention.
The Hiawatha is planning on going all the way to Minneapolis someday to make a second train. Hopefully they will add a snack car once they do that.
Pre-Amtrak, the Hiawatha was the Milwaukee Road train from the Twin Cities to Chicago. Its route was the same as the current Amtrak route. The Empire Builder (and other trains) followed the Burlington Route down the Mississippi for about 300 miles - a really beautiful ride - and then across Illinois into Chicago.
The new train, named "Borealis" is running now and has a cafe car. It follows the Empire Builder route between St. Paul and Chicago and makes two additional stops that are otherwise served by the Hiawathas.
not "Go West Ground Live Travel"?
Have you done the auto train from Lorton, Va to Sanford, Florida?
I took the Empire Builder and the scenery was amazing, but when we reached Glacier, it was getting dark so there wasn't much to see. Unfortunately, I think the engineer was trying to get into Seattle early, because I was literally bounced out of bed and was so disoriented waking up this way that I thought we were derailing! Otherwise, it was a great trip!
I used to take the Silver Star up to DC a lot, it was a fairly quick trip ~6 hours. After getting tired of people not knowing how to lock bathroom doors, I started booking a room. So much nicer, unimpeded views outside, no one bugging me for outlet access, no walking in on people doing their bathroom thing, etc... Cost for a room now is incredibly expensive, ~$1450 for a return trip compared to flying first class into DCA for ~$350. I love trains, and I love Amtrak, but that's too much.
My experience from Miami to DC was not super pleasant because almost all the bathrooms got clogged and urinated all over and then one of the train cars had the AC freak out and made it like a freezer box. I was very happy to not be in the freezer and I like the cold.
I took the Hiawatha earlier this week and its only an hour and 20 minute ride. You don't need a cafe car. BTW not a fan of the Siemen venture coach seats. How can you miss the mark on the outlet placement twice? The lack of legroom and the small pitch recline doesn't help matters either. Give me an Amfleet coach any day
I agree with your top four. I introduced my wife to rain travel and she loved it even more than I do. We could barely get back from one trip before she was asking when we could go again. The only major routes we didn't get to go on were the Crescent and the City of New Orleans. I promised myself I would take one more trip in her memory so I'm taking a grand tour involving three of those top four lines next month.
On a couple of other points: We took the Texas Eagle. We found the Texas portion kinda boring, frankly. The Sunset Limited portion, we liked, but we had been on that before; in fact, the first time was before Katrina and we went all the way from LA to I think it was Jacksonville where it ended. Re the Coast Starlight, I think you should have mentioned that while the northern part is quite pretty, the really spectacular ocean view part is south of Emeryville. Finally, I think in fairness to the Hiawatha you should have mentioned that the whole trip is 80-something miles and takes about 90 minutes. It's not something you ride for the experience.
Oh, an edit to add one more thing: We generally didn't worry which side of the train we were on because we tended to live in the observation car. 🙂
Uhh, well, camping all day in the Sightseer Lounge is really selfish. Enforcement is weak and rare, but still you should have some courtesy for others who’d like to spend a slice of their time there. They paid as much or more than you did. Limit yourselves to 90 minutes, and be nice about vacating.
@@dock_yard1149 I will say this calmly: You have taken one off-hand remark and made a whole string of assumptions ("really selfish ... have some courtesy") punctuated with a condescending crack about "be nice." What, you think that was literal, as if we ate, read, took naps, checked email, and all the rest there, all the while paying no attention to if there was room for others? I suggest that if you don't know it, you look up the word "hyperbole" - never mind, Ill save you the time: It means "A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect." And then next time, "have the courtesy" to confirm what you imagine is true before offering any advice on etiquette.
Cascade trains don't have sleeper cars.
😳 What kind of meal accommodations are there for people paying the extra for roomettes or bedrooms that are traveling Texas to Chicago as part of their journey?!? That’s a long ride!!!
From watching other reviews, sleeper car passengers get the flexible dining meals until the trains join together, and then it's traditional dining until the trip ends in LA.
While I agree with your review of the Hiawatha with what it as to offer, to review it with a long-haul trains is being unfair. Of course it doesn’t have a café car, it’s a 90 mile ride from Milwaukee to Chicago. But you are correct in that there’s nothing to see.
Good afternoon Allie and Rob. We plan on taking the Mapleleaf in December 2026. We will be taking the Cascades Seattle to Vancouver in 2026.
Hello. Hi. Question…. If a delay on (example) the Empire Builder causes me to miss a same day connecting Coast Starlight, does Amtrak accommodate me with a hotel etc? Also what were your roomette numbers when you got the good views on the routes? Thank you. Also there is very little on RUclips about Emeryville station, the inside or how to get there from surrounding airports. I have a trip coming in December flying from Vegas then taking the California Zephyr to Chicago.
Fly to Oakland, not SF.