Well, just got back a few days ago from a few Amtrak trips. Specifically, Hiawatha service from Milwaukee to Chicago; the California Zephyr from Chicago to Richmond, CA; the Coast Starlight from San Jose to Portland; and finally the Empire Builder from Portland to Saint Paul. Some highlights.
Almost all my trains were on time! Even the baggage agent commented on that when she told me that the Starlight was not only on time the day I was leaving but had been the day before, too, “I guess miracles happen”. The one delay-on the way out on the Zephyr, we got stuck behind a WB freight train that was, in tun, waiting for an EB freight to clear the single track section of UP’s Sierra route. Thanks UP… Also, new baggage cars on all my long distance trains.
I usually take a thruway bus from Emeryville but noticed a shiny new station in Richmond that is adjacent to the bart (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station. So, a slightly longer trip to downtown San Francisco but a more interesting journey and a more convenient arrival.
Of course, San Francisco is a buffet line of transportation. PCC streetcars, light rail (surface and subway), bart, and-of course!-the cable cars. I spent four days pigging out. Suggestion: ride the California Street line cable car-fewer tourists. Buy a 1, 3, or 5 day pass for unlimited riding on any Muni bus or streetcar and the cable cars (which are otherwise $7.00/trip).
As to two diners on the Coast Starlight, the Pacific Parlour Car does offer lunch and dinner for first class travelers, though it is not a diner technically.
Crossing the Cascades in Oregon is not as spectacular now as it was in March of 1972; you could see where you would be going as you came down on the west side, but the trees now get in the way of that.
Yes, the trip up the Columbia out of Portland is quite spectacular–and it is just as amazing if you go on up to Seattle, for you follow the river for some distance after leaving Portland. It is sad that we can no longer up on the south bank of the Columbia. Yes, my wife and I went both ways on both banks.
I suspect as much. The last time that happened was 2009 or 2010, when the recession had dropped freight traffic then, too. I noticed that 3 or 4 trains we saw on the UP’s line on the south bank of the Columbia River were pretty short.
The on-time performance of the long distance trains as of the end of April 2016 had improved significantly compared to the same month and year-to-date periods for 2015.
The long distance trains were on-time at their end points an average of 68.8 per cent in April 2016 vs. 57.8 per cent in April 2015. Year-to-date average on-time performance through April 2016 was 67.5 per cent vs. 58.5 per cent in 2015.
The average on-time performance for the long distance trains at all stations was 63.6 per cent for April 2016 vs. 47.5 per cent for April 2015. The year-to-date average was 60.6 per cent for 2016 vs. 46.0 per cent for 2015.
My wife and I just returned from an Inside Passage cruise via the Empire Builder (Seattle section) today- we got off in Winona, MN where our car was waiting for us. I can also attest to the pleasantly-surprising timeliness of the train for our trip. The latest the train got was around 50 minutes for the first couple of stops out of Seattle (slow orders) and maybe 30 minutes at a couple of Montana stops, but otherwise they made up for it. I expected problems in North Dakota, but the reduced oil traffic and the capacity improvements there (new two-track main across much of the state now) pretty much eliminated them.
Kevin, Amtrak’s dining and lounge services have been a lively topic lately. I’d be interested in learning how you found them on your extended western swing. Any important changes from your last time?
Also, did you go sleeper or coach? Any changes there?
NOTE ALL: I’m not son of dakotafred, but the same old, following some IT adventures. Resolution called for a new screen same.