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My observation from recent road trips, the latest April-May to Virginia from Texas, and return by another route is that distracted driving is hugely increased. I saw numerous people driving with the characteristic Text wiggle (i.e, trying to control the vehicle with the knee while texting with...

A Conductor on the Eaglet once told me that when you see "Service disruption" in Arkansas or Missouri, it almost invariably relates to someone with a long trailer trying to get across a private grade crossing, getting stuck, then a lot of time trying to get free without calling it in.

Have you noticed that they don't usually bother with an alert when the eaglet is late? 22 today left San Antonio on time, lost an hour and a half before San Marcos, lost another hour before Cleburne.

I have stayed at a lot of hotels for multiple days, and have (usually in cities) had an 'incidentals' (read 'damage') deposit put on my card. This is the first time I've seen a daily deposit, as if they think that in three days I could do significantly more damage.

I have heard they sometimes add a coach between Chicago and St Louis.

My Doubletree Newark stay was disturbed by the total failure of PATH due to a switch problem on Thursday morning, April 26th, necessitating a ride into the city on New Jersey Transit, which did cross-honor my ticket (Don't see how anyone could've got through to check, as the train was jammed. I...

I am staying at the DoubleTree in Newark, New Jersey, and yes, it is convenient, with the option of PATH, New Jersey Transit, or Amtrak to get into NY City. It's a bit pricey, at $644 for three nights, but what the heck. One odd thing: They take an 'incidentals' deposit of $75 for each day, so...

It is available, not behind a paywall, but you have to fight repeated attempts to subscribe.

My last trip on the Crescent I had a bedroom, and when the non-attendant made up my bed, she did not get the mattress down, just put the sheets on the seat cushions. Had I seen it when she was doing it, I'd've said something, but in the event, I got the mattress down and made it up right...

New passenger facilities, same old tracks, running at near-maximum capacity. Dispatchers constantly juggling trains and tracks to get them in and out.

Everybody but the people who operate MSG want them gone.

My pastor and family went by Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle to Los Angeles, with a connection to San Diego (via the bustitution). The SL/TE got in way early, so without them asking, they were put on an earlier train, no extra charge. Amtrak ticket folk there seemed to be right on top of things.

But you might think "Hey! it's right by a light rail station; maybe a path through the hedge?

Stayed there last fall. Rooms are small (I'm 6' 6") and kinda dated, but clean, and the beds are comfy. Easy walking distance to Onion Station, decent, but pricy restaurants nearby. Drugstore a block away to buy things you've forgotten, like nail clippers. They also sell wine!

I've stayed there twice, and was not distressed. I felt that it was acceptable, if not marvelous. But since I no longer wish to stay over in the bay area, and can do my transfers in Sacramento, it is moot. But I do miss ButtercuP.

I see that the Eaglet has been cancelled today. Ice storms. It is pretty frightful out here right now. Since we don't get this weather too often it doesn't make fiscal sense to have tons of equipment. Glad I can stay home, and so far my electric cooperative (Bluebonnet) has done a good job...

Also, the Jack London Inn, right on the Embarcadero, cheaper than Hyatt, two blocks to the Oakland Station.

I just got an email promoting me to Select Plus for 2023. Nice. Was facing being dropped to Select Minus.

Do not count on same day connections. The week before I did a seven hour connect from the Texas Eaglet to the Lake Shore Limited (which went fine for me), the Texas Eagle was 11 hours late into Chicago. And, yes, it is probably a guaranteed connection, but they don't guarantee the sleeper.

Any future train trips will be bedrooms for me, myself, and I. Especially on the Viewliners. The roomette's bed is so ridiculously narrow, and gets narrower still down by the foot.