Union Station Washington, D.C.

Union Station in Washington, DC is a truly lovely station.

As I walked around the area, I came to a room that was filled with statues. I could not believe it.

The station statues remind me so much of the Capitol Rotunda where the House and Senate make laws. The crown of their building contains many statues of important people who are important to the 50 states of the United States.

A little history of the station itself: Washington Union Station is one of the country’s first great union railroad terminals.

Designed by renowned architect, Daniel Burnham (in the Beaux-Arts style), the station opened on October 27, 1907 and was completed in April 1908.

It has been worked on several times over the years, especially 1983, when the Secretary of Transportation took over the role of overseer.

One of the things the remodel and restoration did was bring the Metro subway system to Union Station. It is a stop on the Red Line, which makes getting around without a car, possible.

Definitely worth a visit.

Which Train Trip Was Better, Amtrak or VIA

This Trip was taken back in 2018.

Our vacation brought us onto new forms of transportation. VIA (Canada) from Windsor to Toronto and then Toronto to Montréal. Amtrak from Montréal to NYC.

The minute we drove through the tunnel under the Detroit River and found ourselves in another Country, we found out that Canadian rail travel is so very different than American rail travel.

They don't have a snack car (or at least we did not have access to one)...but they have a cart like you see on airplanes.

It comes around for breakfast and for lunch.

We brought our own snacks and food, but we did not have anything but water.

That is where having Canadian currency came in handy, as we bought ourselves drinks (in my case, both days).

Appreciated by this traveler, that I did not have to walk through the cars to get the food.

The seats were a leather or vinyl and so when the train stopped, we tended to slip a bit.

Baggage had a very safe place to be kept, which I liked.

Oh and the bathrooms were OUTSTANDING!

On to the Amtrak.

We were on the train for somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 hours, including 2 hours crossing over into the United States.

When that was going on, right about lunchtime, the snack car was closed to us. Great...not.

We finally got our lunch (hamburger and chips) and it was pretty decent. Dinner, we went for the hot dog, it was OK, but the burger was the better of the two.

They had chocolate chip cookies, which ended up being gluten free. Say what?

The seats are more comfortable and roomy, but the baggage area is small. We ended up getting a spot, so we did not have to throw our bags up in the overhead area by our seat.

Now to the truly terrible part. The bathrooms...or should I say bathroom.

It seems that our car had one that was out of service, so the other was used by everyone and it was a mess...give me the bathroom in Canada, please!

So the bottom line. They both had their good and bad points and minus the inconveniences, all three train rides were wonderful.

Tucson?

My Husband and I see the Tucson camera in the evening and that got me thinking.

The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum is right there at the station and we could go visit it one day. It is free and very interesting, per the reviews.

I looked at some prices and for a 10PM to 7:30AM trip, it was $39 for Coach and the Roomette was $187. My only problem is that the trip probably has no meals involved, so you are just paying for the bed and (of course) the Covid 19 safety in the Roomette.

It could be a nice weekend journey sometime in the near future, as the weather cools down in Arizona.

Cool Sites Monday: Jefferson Barracks Memorial Arch Bridge

It's Cool Sites Monday.

This is the Jefferson Barracks Memorial Arch Bridge carrying I-255 traffic, to just below St. Louis, Missouri.

As one would expect, the river is really flowing by this bridge. It is just below where the Missouri River empties into the Mississippi, so the flow is much faster than up above the city.

The train follows the river, on the Missouri side from just past Peverly to downtown St. Louis.

So stunning views are to be expected, if you ever travel the Texas Eagle route to Chicago.

Skykomish

I have been watching several channels on a Virtual Railfan site. My morning begins watching La Plata, MO and then I move to Fort Madison, IA. Somewhere around those 2 stops, I click over to Skykomish, WA. It is not a train stop, but just a tiny town that Amtrak goes by on it's way into or out of a long tunnel.

So Amtrak Train #7 is part of my life.

Yesterday at around 4PM, the train derailed and people were hurt and some died. I am heartbroken.

I know accidents happen on many things and it will not stop me from taking a train again...but my heart goes out to those hurt and those who are no longer with us.

I will pray for them all tomorrow, when my train does not pass.

A Detour Through Wyoming

We once took the California Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento. The best section of the journey (that many people ride, just for the experience) is from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado.

We were told by the crew on our train, that due to a landslide up ahead, we would be traveling through Wyoming, instead of Colorado. This is something that happens quite often, according to them and the route is actually faster than the Colorado leg.

We left Denver and found the trip brought us to buffalo grazing areas, at the north east corner of Colorado. Shortly thereafter, we crossed into Wyoming. This area of the state was just beautiful and I will have to update my memories of this state. I remember driving through it in 1974 with my family and it was just miles and miles of dead grass. Well, yes, there is grass (which was still alive at this point) but the big thing that made Wyoming so spectacular, were the rock outcropings. I couldn't stop watching the scenery going by our window. Look at this photo of the Table Rock Wyoming area. Doesn't it look like a painting? It was truly so beautiful.

As we found out from the staff, this area was where the original Transcontinental Railroad tracks were laid. There are still some right of way areas where you can see the old track relics. I did not see any, but we were pointed in the direction of a hill just to the south of us and told that is where some relics were. As we got closer to the Nevada area of the journey, we ended up traveling right on it, so I wasn't too upset that I couldn't see what the man was talking about on the loud speaker, the day before.

Speaking of Nevada, we reconnected with the main line in Salt Lake City, Utah and then eventually wandered into Reno, Nevada. This is Reno station, which is down way below street level. After that the train assends up into the Donnor Pass.

So even though we still need to take that section of Colorado, we had some very unusual experiences that you can't book in advance. You just get to live it.

Train travel, an always surprising experience.

Amtrak Adirondack

The Amtrak Adirondack is currently not available to book, but when it does, I highly recommend taking it.

My Husband and I decided to end our journey by rail, with a leisurely ride on the Amtrak Adirondack.

We left Montreal pretty much right on time and quickly lost time at the Canadian/US Border. It must have taken upwards of 2 hours, for the Customs Agents to do their thing in the train.

We were happy that we had taken our official Passport and not just our Passport Card. We felt overdressed, in that regard, but ended up needing it.

My Son, wasn't so lucky.

He got caught at Customs and missed his 5:30AM flight. Why? He only had his Passport Card with him.

He finally cleared and got to the gate, but it was too late. Thankfully his airline booked him onto a flight to LaGuardia Airport and then one to his home.

The train ride down was beautiful and we spent about 80% by water.

Lake Champlain, The Champlain Canal, The Hudson River, we spent time with them all.

We did make up time on the final Albany to Penn leg of the trip and got in almost exactly on time.

Bathrooms were the worst part of this journey (no surprise there).

Thankfully, the food was edible and not overly expensive.

Get yourself a close in hotel and enjoy all NYC has to offer.

Glacier National Park, Montana

As we went through Glacier National Park in Montana, I asked my Husband if this is what Alaska is like. He definitely said that it is as close to Alaska as you will see in the lower 48 states. After having been to Alaska last year, I totally agree with him.

Forests, snow capped mountains and rivers filled with icy cold water.

Definitely a place I want to make a stop at, next time I take the Empire Builder from either Portland, or Seattle.

You Can Get To Chicago From Anywhere

I have mentioned before that all points converge in Chicago.

Transportation is job one in the windy city.

I have spent days in Chicago and I must say, it is a lovely city to visit.

Being a New Yorker, who moved to Los Angeles when she just became an adult, I tended to ignore Fly-over Country. Well, not anymore.

We have taken the Architecture Boat Tour on the Chicago River and it is a one of a kind adventure. Must see if you have any time to spend.

We have visited "The Bean" and other public spaces in the Downtown Loop.

Don't waste your time. Get out and explore all that Chicago has to offer.

The Texas Eagle

If Texas attracts you and you would like to potentially stop at several places along the way, you could start in Los Angeles via The Sunset Limited and then transfer in San Antonio, to The Texas Eagle.

Along this route, there are 16 stations in Texas alone.

Coming into the state at El Paso, Texas and ending the Texas leg in Marshall Texas.

The journey ends in Chicago, Illinois, after crossing the Mississippi River at the Merchants Memorial Mississippi Rail Bridge.

Major stations along the route:
El Paso, TX
Alpine, TX
San Antonio, TX
Austin, TX
Taylor, TX
Dallas, TX
Fort Worth, TX
Marshall, TX
FYI: If you want to stop at Houston, TX, you must stay on the Sunset Limited.

Cool Sites Monday: Wingate, New Mexico

It's Cool Sites Monday.

This view is on the Southwest Chief.

This area of the Arizona/New Mexico border is very beautiful.

The Arizona side has the Painted Desert and the New Mexco side has these sandstone cliffs, between the border and Albuquerque, NM.

These particular sandstone cliffs are by Fort Wingate (which was one of the battle areas with the Navajo Indians). From what I read, the fort was moved 3 times, over the years and I believe it does not even exist anymore. FYI, the photo was taken just past Wingate, closer to Jamestown, NM.

In my travels on the Internet I saw that there is a marker in Wingate, to commemorate one of the 3 Fort sites.

A small piece of trivia: The Navajo Code Talkers from WWII were stationed at Fort Wingate.

Just know there is more where that came from.

East Coast Dining Compared To West Coast Dining

I bring back the photo of Railroad French Toast, because it is the best entree on the menu, IMHO.

The East Coast is still stuck with microwave meals brought to your room. It is not the best food, by any means.

The West Coast trains, have all moved on to a modified normal menu with things like angus burger and signature flat iron steaks.

You can see the choices on the Amtrak site, HERE.

If you are having trouble figuring out what to have, sometimes the wait staff can give you a hand. I had a breakfast situation where I was not feeling real good and did not want home fries with green pepper and onion in it. He asked me if I liked grits. I absolutely adore grits and my stomach appreciated the blandness of the grits along with the scrambled eggs. So if you need help, definitely lean on your server, they have probably seen it all.

Besides the different menus on the page, I would like to point out the Special Menus and Dietary Requirments page. Use it if you have a need for something special, like Kosher Meals.

Remember, if you are booked into a bedroom or roomette, those meals are free.

Station Stops Are Brief

This is Gallup, New Mexico. We had a smoke stop here.

Unless the station is a place where the crew changes, your station stop is very brief. Do not exit the car!

You can find out when smoke breaks are going to happen, because they have to change out the crew, maybe add some fuel to the engines and (of course) take out the trash.

It could be upwards of a half hour or so. I remember I walked around Albuquerque once, because it was almost an hour for our stop.

A free stop, totally cool.

If you are getting on a train outside the departure cities, make sure you immediately start to head to the car that has an attendent at the door. If you do not make enough noise, they will leave you behind, since they don't know who is getting onto the train. I have seen that happen multiple times and it is never pretty.

Enjoy the local vibe at whatever small town you are departing from and don't miss the train.

I Want To Remind Travelers That There Are Only 2 Seats In Coach

Another of the good features of the train over airplanes is the fact that there are only 2 seats to a row.

If you are concerned about having someone next to you and you are traveling alone, you can purchase a second seat and put your luggage on it.

Most coach seating is very cheap, so that might be an option if you don't want to pay for a roomette.

Of course you then have to use the bathroom in the coach car, which has many more passengers than the sleeper cars.

The bottom line is that there are lots of options for all budgets.

Thanks NPS For Trails & Rails And Glacier Bay Tour

We have seen Trails and Rails on board trains, but have never used the service.

Trains pass through National Parks and the guides can tell you more about what you are seeing.

Typically, they sit in the Lounge Car, since it has the best windows on the train.

I can find a 20th Anniversary post celebrating the service, as of October of 2020. So I guess there are still some going on today.

I would assume masking is required and all that.

My Alaska Cruise had NPS guides on it, too. The photo is a map of Glacier Bay. Also a good thing that I hope comes back, toward the end of the Pandemic.

The Amish And Train Travel

One of the things that make rail travel different, especially around Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Indiana are the large population of Amish.

Back in 2014, we rode the California Zephyr and we got to see some Amish in Elkhart, Indiana. They happened to be getting on the train and at that time, I was not aware that they prefer not to have photos taken of them. I won't make that same mistake again.

I spend time at the La Plata, MO Virtual Railfan Camera and there always seem to be Amish people getting on or off the train. I am not the only one who notices this, one person explored the community to the west of the Amtrak Station. You can read about some of the things learned, HERE.

It ends up that busses and trains are both modes of transportation that are approved by most Amish.

The one thing to watch out for. Many Amish do not believe in vaccinations, so be careful to mask up, if you are traveling with some.

Rail Road French Toast: A Classic

If there is one meal you must have on a train, it is railroad french toast.

We are talking history here. The history of dining on a train.

You can read about it (with an original recipe), HERE.

French Toast a la Santa Fe

You’ll need: small mixing bowl, whisk, 12-inch cast iron skillet, paper towels, baking sheet

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

2 slices white bread, cut 3/4-inch thick

1/2 cup light cream

2 eggs

pinch, salt (optional)

1/2 cup cooking oil

Place cooking oil in skillet, heat to hot. Meanwhile, cut each bread slice diagonally to form four triangles, and set aside. In a small bowl, combine eggs, cream and salt and beat well. Soak bread thoroughly in egg/cream mixture. Fry soaked bread in hot oil to a golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Lift from skillet to clean paper towel and allow to absorb excess cooking oil. Transfer to baking sheet and place in oven. Bake 4-6 minutes, until bread slices have puffed up. Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon and apple sauce, currant jelly, maple syrup, honey or preserves, and bacon, ham, or sausage if desired.

Cool Sites Monday: The Raton Pass Area

It's Cool Sites Monday!

On our way to the Raton Pass on the Southwest Chief, we passed a very noticible mountain peak. Being it could be seen for miles in each direction, I assumed it was the directional marker for the passengers who were traveling (via wagon train) on the Santa Fe Trail, back in the 1800's.

It was pretty impressive on our way north, but it was even more stunning as we approached it from Colorado, traveling south.

It is called Fishers Peak and Colorado is where it is located.

Of all the Country we traversed, The Raton Pass area is the best.

I am sure there will be more on that, another time.

In Everyone's Life, A Little Rain Must Fall

I honestly don't think we have traveled long distance by rail and not had a journey interrupted by a rain storm.

Being I am an L.A. person, I don't see rain very often, so when a train hits bad weather, it means something to me.

Mostly I am happy that I don't have to drive in it.

For some reason, we always seem to hit bad lightning storms along the way, so that makes me even happier that I am not doing the driving.

Many a time the train will halt for a bit and so you end up losing time.

You will have to ask train people why they do that, but it has been my experience that it happens more times than not.

It is beautiful in its own way and then you get things like rainbows and incredible cloud formations.

As long as I don't get tornadoes I am happy.

How Do You Get To A Station?

Every station has it's problems, in regard to getting to and from them.

My Husband and I used to go via Metrolink train to Union Station, but during this Pandemic, we decided to drive our car to Union Station and park it in their underground parking. It was not overly expensive and it was safe for the 10 days it stayed there.

We stayed in a hotel in Downtown Chicago, that was within walking distance of the station. It was late when we arrived and so we decided to take a taxi, those 4 blocks. It costs $3.25 plus tip and was very convenient. I won't worry so much next time I travel to that city, because any downtown Loop hotel is in that $3.25 zone.

When we stayed in St. Paul, MN we made sure the hotel would pick us up from the train station. We also got it to bring us to a laundromat (win us!). So definitely check in advance, for transportation if you are making stops along the way on a journey. I felt pretty safe in the cabs I took this past summer, but I did not feel as safe in a bus I also had to take, but we were all masked, so I guess it was safer than it could have been.

I have stayed in NYC many times and I always would make sure the hotel had a way to get to a subway stop, or directly to the train station. There are several near NY Penn Station, though now that the new station has opened across the street, it is not as convenient. A taxi might work, in that case.

The best option is (of course) having family who are in your bubble drop you off or pick you up. The next best option is having family outside your bubble, (but you know their status), pick you up or drop you off.

As to elevators in hotels, make sure you are the only ones in the elevator. If that is not possible, you might be able to get a room where you are near the first or second floor. It can't hurt to ask.

Good luck, whatever you do.

Metrolink Train Cars On The Southwest Chief!

Watching the Fort Madison, Iowa webcam at dinner and what do I see?

2 Metrolink cars (which are Southern California's commuter rail system) on the very front of the train.

Refurbished original cars, if I am not mistaken.

They were making quite an impression whatever group of rail fans saw them.

One of the perks of traveling by rail, is that you never know what is going to be attached to your train set.

Definitely try to get a view of the entire train, to see what might be hitching a ride. Sometimes after the engines and other times after the baggage car.

As a frequent rider of Metrolink, I was so proud.

Should You Spend The Extra Money To Ride The Acela?

You are an East Coast person who wonders if taking the Acela is worth the money. I have a few things I can tell you about the journey.

I took the Acela back in 2008. We decided to go to Washington, DC via the Acela and then go back to NYC via the Northeast Regional.

There is a difference in time, but I believe it is the lack of stops for the Acela that cause that to happen. The train itself can't go faster than the track is rated, so if you think the train is going to go over 150 mph (which is what the train is rated to go) you will find out that this is incorrect. Here is what I found online, which matched my experience.
"The top speed of Amtrak's current Acela trains is 150 miles per hour (on stretches of track in New England) but they're often bound to travel slower due to the congested and outdated nature of the tracks along the Northeast Corridor." You can read more, HERE.

It is more expensive, but not overly so. The seating is a bit more comfortable and you can book business class on the Acela and a room on the Northeast Regional.

Prices on 9/8/21.

Northeast Regional (3 Hours 40 Minutes)

$28 (non refundable)
$69 (no change fee and refundability options)
$196 (flexable)
Business Class is $124
Room is $257

Acela Business Class Only (3 Hours 1 Minute)

$60 (non refundable)
$119 (no change fee and refundability options)
$321 (flexable)

It is your choice, is it worth 39 minutes (at best) to get where you are going.

Though the WOW factor might make it worth it. :-)

Sometimes Things Go Wrong

There are times when things outside AMTRAK'S control happen.

We had that occur earlier this year when there was a freight train derailment in Marcelene, MO.

We were informed that the train was stuck in Kansas City and we would have to board a bus for a 7 hour ride.

During COVID-19, it felt not very safe, but we were all masked for the entire trip.

In the way of food, a small snack box was all they gave us, along with water.

2 bathroom breaks and no dinner for a 9 hour trip.

It was grim.

It took me 10 days to realize that I should complain to them, for multiple reasons. Lack of communication being one of them. I heard later that many passengers changed their train to the next day. Who knew that was an option? I certainly didn't.

I wrote an email and didn't hear anything for weeks. Crickets...

The call came through, finally, when my Husband was showering. So we had to call back.

We did and then found ourselves waiting for a connection for 2 hours. We finally got through when it was after they go home for the day, so we had to call back the next day and again wait another hour to be connected.

In good news for us, we got money for future travel for the both of us and a couple of upgrades to their lounge area (even if you are traveling in coach). Win!

So if you feel that something was mishandled, let them know. If something was handled well (the AMTRAK representative on the bus went above and beyond to make the situation better for us), let them know that, too.

You Must Be Masked On All Trains

Just a friendly reminder that you must be masked on all trains.

You can remove the mask if you are in a private Bedroom or Roomette (Thank Goodness).

I did find the long distances (over 8 hours) become a hardship, but for the most part it was not too bad.

This was taken in Chicago's Union Station, btw.

Cool Sites Monday: Chicago Union Station

It's Cool Sites Monday!

There are some really beautiful stations around the United States, but this is one of the best.

Chicago, Illinois, the place where almost all trains end up.

There are several large rooms with incredible art around them. Statues, columns cut-outs and plaster flowers on ceilings.

I love spending time sitting there and admiring it all.

It is a look back at what was important to our Country over 100 years ago.

A Credit Card That Earns Points For Train Travel

It is not my thing, since I have so many credit cards, but if you are early in your credit life, this "might" be a good deal for you.

Check it out on AMTRAK's home page.

Watch out for High Interest Rates and always pay your card off promptly every month.

Don't let them make money off of you.

It is the only way to use them that works.

Adding On To The 3 "P's"

A few posts ago I mentioned the 3 "P's", suggested by another AMTRAK rider (you can see the post HERE). I wanted to point out that in addition to a pillow, you might want to bring along a comfy blanket or throw.

I lost my blanket at Chicago Union Station and so when I saw this beautiful blanket in a store in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I had to have it.

It actually packed well in my luggage and it was super comfy at night.

As mentioned in other articles, it can get cold in the rooms on AMTRAK.

Best money I spent and a great souvenir of my trip. Just make sure you wash whatever you bring on the journey.

Next Time, Two Roomettes

Welcome to Alpine, Texas.

I don't have many photos of the rooms we have stayed in and most of them have us in them, so you get the outside today.

I have never done this, but I have some thoughts about what room to book next time I travel.

No room on the train has two lower beds for adults. The most you can do is an adult and a child on the lower bunk. Everyone else has to climb into the upper bunk. It is not easy and as the years pass it gets harder and harder for my Husband to make that climb.

What I am thinking of doing is booking 2 roomettes for us, hopefully right across from one another.

The other option is the Room with the toilet and shower in the room.

I am not sure which is cheaper. I assume it might be close to the same price.

It Is Not Yet Time To Eat Dinner In The Dining Car With Strangers

My Husband and I were lucky. AMTRAK restored their Dining Car menu (at least part of it). The food was better than they had during the Pandemic, which was microwave food brought to your room.

We were allowed to eat in the Dining room just the two of us at the table and we could take off our masks when we ate. We were fine with this and felt safe.

On the way home that changed half way through.

One night we were told that we had to eat with another set of two people. No idea of their vacination status or anything. I refused and the waiter did seat us at another table.

The next morning he was ready for us, no excuses, you have to sit with someone. So we went back to our room and ordered breakfast and lunch in our room.

It was not as nice as eating in the Dining Car and I really missed the views, but safety first.

Fritz's Journey Around The Country

I came across THIS story on Amtrak's Facebook page.

This route is the exact one we took, to go around the Country. In our case, it took us 7 years. In addition, we did some extra things, along the way. Like going up the center of the Country, from San Antonio, to Chicago and several times riding The Lake Shore Limited, across the Northern part of the East Coast.

I found the things the writer mentioned, very real and true to the experience. He definitely kept better notes on his dining companions, then I did.

If you want to see my diary of the many trips (with the amount of stops attached to each one), you can view it HERE.

Lots of good information on Fritz's blog. I highly recommend spending some time there. The Retirement Manifesto.