Recent content by TaseMeBro

I hear you - value is entirely subjective, and what is "worth it" to one, may be a waste or poor value to another. And that's totally reasonable. In my "review" last year, I mentioned that if it were just me doing the trip, I'd likely go by Amtrak. But with my mom, the RM was a better choice...

Great write up and great pictures (especially, IMHO, the snow scapes). I did very nearly the reverse a bit over a year ago - AS from LA up to SEA, EB to Chicago, then UA back - I went a bit too early to get those great winter views you did, and I'm more than a bit jealous. A room on a train...

As others have mentioned: 1) There is indeed a noticeable amount more legroom 2) You'll get a snackbox in the afternoon and evening, and a pasty/danish/cookie in the morning. Worth mentioning that, while these are sometimes passed out (especially the snackboxes), they're more often available...

It is absolutely possible - likely, in fact - I've used the wrong nomenclature, and the conductor is indeed the person I saw. I've tried to learn the roles of the various onboard crew by context, and have gotten it mixed up before. As far as cafe - just to make sure we're talking in the same...

As New Years wound down, I realized I had very little work to do on the 2nd, and what little I did have could all easily be done from my laptop. I've been wanting to try another Amtrak route, so made plans to ride the length of the Capitol Corridor yesterday (I'm preparing this early morning on...

Here's the menu for the Heartland Flyer cafe: https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/routes/Heartland-Flyer-Cafe-Menu-0723.pdf It's all prepack stuff, similar to what you'd find in a convenience store. You could assemble a simple lunch out of it, but...

I've used it in the past, with the same experiences (delays) you have. I don't see it anymore. It used to be listed in two places, as best as I recall. One was as a tile on the "Ways to Earn" page once logged in. The other was under "Account Overview" and it appeared under the "My Promotions"...

Thanks for a really good read, in all of it's installments, as well as the pictures. Recognized a few spots I've been, and some I see somewhat regularly. I have to admit - as someone who defaults to "rent a car" or "take an Uber" - that bus transport definitely made me think "better him than...

Some more video of the damaged train from the Cyclone:

It's been... several years at least... since I rode the Gold Star southbound. I'm thinking maybe 2016 or so? At the time, they had outdoor tents (like the white poly-canvas "EZ-UPS") they'd set up outside the station. Once baggage started getting unloaded, they used a mix of everything from...

I don't have enough background/knowledge to offer definitive info or clarity for your points, but I know that at certain times of year cars operated by the cruise lines are attached to the train (not this one, though), so there's at least some degree of partnership. I also noticed that while...

I absolutely agree. Not only that, the "Adventure Class", which honestly I thought was just fine, was still quite reasonably priced. My regular adult fare was less than $200, and my mom's senior fare was cheaper still. When I did Goldstar a few years back it was nicer - bi-level cars, meals...

The bacon was regular bacon (both as served in strips with the various breakfasts - which I didn't try), and in crumbles/pieces in the burrito, which I did. As a slight amusement, I'm a huge "spicy food guy" - grew up in Southwest, etc. Over the course of my burrito, I used probably most of a...

First, I'll begin with two quick apologies: 1) If I've put this in the wrong subforum, and mods wish to move, certainly no offense taken 2) I tend to be "of the moment", so my photographs are nothing special, but I've tried to include some of the more interesting ones nonetheless This past...

On the Starlight just a few days ago, I had metal flatware, and a glass wineglass (stemless). Other drinkware (for soft drinks) was plastic. The plates (small and dinner size) were the heavier weight Amtrak branded plastic. On an EB trip a bit less than a year ago, the silverware was metal and...