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  1. Widfara

    Coast Starlight discussion

    What's with the Coast Starlight? It doesn't seem to be running every day but I can't find any details on the Amtrak site. For instance, there was no departure from LA this morning.
  2. Widfara

    Hotels convenient to Amtrak

    I've stayed twice at the Clarion Hotel Airport in Portland ME. It is walking distance to the Amtrak station, and a pleasant walk into Portland, or there is a decent city bus system. Good rates, decent rooms, and there is a laundry room in the building. Ananias Market across Congress has decent...
  3. Widfara

    Hotels convenient to Amtrak

    Last trip, I got off the eastbound California Zephyr at Naperville, backtracked to Aurora, and there is a Holiday Inn Express within easy walking distance of the station. Also, a fine Irish pub within walking distance. Then I Metra-ed in to Union Station on my next train day. I didn't mind the...
  4. Widfara

    Status of Surfliner Service between Oceanside and Irvine

    My pastor and family are taking the Texas Eagle to LA, and then the Surfliner on to San Diego. Because of the bustitution, checked baggage is not available all the way to San Diego. They will have to get their bags in LA, and take them on the train and bus themselves. Five people are...
  5. Widfara

    Washington DC Union Station facilities, convenience and experiences

    In my case, almost always, nail clippers. I will likely die with 50 pairs. I've had two change trains visits to Union Station in the last few years, 1 pre-covid, and it was busy and bustling. During covid it was a tomb. The lounge was okay, but I shifted chairs several times to find a comfy...
  6. Widfara

    Equipment failure on the Texas Eagle

    I live near Austin. Sadly, it's got to be my 1st train where ever I go. So, as it is a service-free shuttle, it makes the following trains look good.
  7. Widfara

    Amtrak dining and cafe service

    Back in October I got the pasta meal and the braised beef meal on the Cardinal - obviously microwaved, or terribly abused by the "cook". both looked like dog food. And, I had no option but to eat in my cell. Of all the current flex meals, I recommend the salmon entree. Had that for both meals on...
  8. Widfara

    Power strips in Roomettes

    Pay a little more and get a 15-foot BRAIDED Cord. Coils easily, for more compact storage, and mine has two sockets, and two USB slots. Other configurations are available.
  9. Widfara

    Sacramento RTD light rail

    Came in on the Coast Starlight, early morning arrival, and I rode the LR out to my hotel in Rancho Cordova last month, and I was able to early check-in for no fee (as a hotel group member). I'll stay at that same place again if I overnight in Scaramento (not an error). Sad how hostile...
  10. Widfara

    Amtrak Cafe service, vending machines etc. discussion

    As long as there is no supervision by adults, children will do what they want.
  11. Widfara

    Viewliner II Sleeper on the Cardinal

    I hope you get a "good crew". Mine was not. The idea of eating in the cafe car was not ever offered as a possibility by the SCA. And, the crew was using all of the tables, either for their work/relaxation, of boxes of "stuff". Of course, these conditions on both the Cardinal and the Crescent...
  12. Widfara

    Viewliner II Sleeper on the Cardinal

    I just was on the Cardinal a few weeks ago. I didn't think the roadbed was as bad as was just mentioned, except on the Buckingham Branch. I do have other issues with it. A train hyped as passing some of the best scenery in the east (New River Gorge), but there is no place to go to enjoy it...
  13. Widfara

    What have you forgotten to bring with you on an Amtrak trip?

    I always forget nail clippers. I will die with 50 pairs.
  14. Widfara

    Amtrak Cafe service, vending machines etc. discussion

    My recent experience on the Cardinal with the various dog-foody-looking entrees (which we were required to consume in our cells) led me to try something I hadn't had before, on the Crescent, the Salmon entree. Very good, looked like human food, and tasted good so I had it for lunch and dinner...
  15. Widfara

    Amtrak features and comfort updates

    For the electricity note. I carry a 15 foot braided extension cord. The braided cords coil nice and compactly. Mine has two USB ports and three plugs. Ample for my needs. There are other configurations available. This is also useful in hotel rooms, some of which were apparently laid out by...
  16. Widfara

    Boarding at an unstaffed station

    I got on the westbound Empire Builder at Sandpoint, Idaho, at midnight, more or less in July 2020, the only one boarding. I was on the manifest, I stood by the station building in the light, and just prayed that this monster looming into sight would stop for me. The train stopped with the door...
  17. Widfara

    Amtrak dining and cafe service

    In a conversation with a coach passenger in the diner on the Eagle years ago, he told me he likes, and can afford breakfast and lunch in the diner, but dinner was ridiculously priced too high.
  18. Widfara

    Texas Eagle vs Southwest Chief

    They were at the end of the eastbound California Zephyr I boarded in Sacramento on October 14th. I took a video from the platform in Naperville, IL.
  19. Widfara

    Amtrak dining and cafe service

    I was on the Eaglet October 5/6, and the prepared meals were served in the dining/cafe car by an attentive attendant. Room service WAS available but not assumed, and although the food was so-so, it was attractively presented within the limitations. My Empire Builder. Coast Starlight, and...
  20. Widfara

    Superliner trains' removal and restoration of cars (2022-2023)

    Yesterday I got on the CZ at Sacramento heading to Chicago. I was booked in room 19 in car 640. Train arrived but 640 is a regular sleeper, so no room 19. I got room 11 downstairs. No notification. Both sleepers are booked solid and I'm told both coaches are pretty full. And someone apparently...
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