I was curious about the new, changed Empire Service schedule and looked it up on the Amtrak Web site. I can't see how any non-railfan or non-computer person could get through what I had to get through to get the hard-to-understand, and I don't think entirely accurate, mess I got. By the way, as of yesterday, the RPA Empire Service timetable hadn't been updated yet.
I have avoided taking the City of New Orleans fo exactly that reason! I fly to Chicago and then take the Empire Builder. I'm NOT going to pay for a bedroom on a train that serves Flex meals. I ‘ll fly every time before doing that. Hell, we don't even get traditional dining going from New Orleans to Washington DC. Flying every time.
I think they will, but I am an optimist.
Good question. I hope Amtrak is serious that one day, they want to bring traditional dining back to all trains that are still flex dining.
If Paul Thereoux had that attitude back in 1973 when he rode the Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul, NO food service), he would never have written the Great Railway Bazaar and would probably not become the well-known writer he is today.
No idea. But they brought it back to the Silvers (and now the Floridian) willingly. And have made some plating improvements on the SSL, which gives me hope.
Even today it is not uncommon for there to be no food service to speak of on many European overnight trains. At best you might get a cup of coffee and a roll from the SCA. Of course for Europeans (outside of the UK and Ireland) that is what they call a full breakfastIf Paul Thereoux had that attitude back in 1973 when he rode the Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul, NO food service), he would never have written the Great Railway Bazaar and would probably not become the well-known writer he is today.
I don't know how they survive until lunchtime.I agree. My funnest trips have been jumping on trains in Europe with my back pack, a bottle of beer or wine, a French bread, some cheese and cold cuts. Best train meal ever.If Paul Thereoux had that attitude back in 1973 when he rode the Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul, NO food service), he would never have written the Great Railway Bazaar and would probably not become the well-known writer he is today.
