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While aboard the Silver Meteor in '23, the crew member working the dining car offered to get me the Starbucks blend he brewed there anytime I needed a cup. It was the first time I tasted an example of the Pike Place Blend that I found to be palatable. :) He could also give Flex meals a fantastic...

Living in metro MSP I'd really prefer a morning trip at 6am prior to the Builder's slot, the midday/late morning train could move an hour earlier or later - that matters less to me as that train has only one good connection in Chicago (Lake Shore Ltd.).

I prefer 7/27 to 1333 to maximize my time spent in CHI, and for the dining & sightseer lounge cars.

The LCA seemed stressed out, others were performing well enough I didn't notice.

7(2) is departing on time!

We have been called to board via the south gate lounge, anticipating an on-time departure for 7/27(2).

I'm booked on 27(2) out of CHI. I will update later.

Were they ever able to utilize Metra's wash rack south of CUS?

I thought as much when I got to the description of Acela as "Amtrak's bullet train".

In January 2023 a limited lunch was indeed served around Springfield.

Indeed, if you know CUS' layout and comprehend the boarding gate timeframes there's plenty of alternate waiting spots. On the day I departed CHI half of coach were ticketed to Hiawatha destinations and it was a busy day for those stops. Presently the old metropolitan lounge near the coach...

My impression among ridership MSP-MKE on the seventh & eighth days of initial operation was a noticeable contingent of those new to Amtrak that were unaware of cafe car seating policies. Crew announcements were notable for how frequently riders were told the cafe attendant couldn't store nor...

I wear button-up shirts on my trips and my best jeans/least worn shorts depending on the climate of my destination. I would entertain the idea of bringing a blazer, dress shirt and tie with slacks - but I most often don't because I don't like extra luggage for clothing at my destination (I...

Trying to provide Borealis with a marketably amicable departure time from MSP has its pitfalls. This past week's delays were as I suspected would persist through challenging seasons, but less so in Summer. I understand and appreciate the states and Amtrak cooking up a new service, but I felt...

21 & 421 were displayed today in CUS as terminating in St. Louis with no alternate transportation provided.

Today's 1333 is about half full to MKE, crew announcement states many are alighting there today and few are getting on there. BC leaves CUS with only 4 unsold seats.

Update approaching MKE, 111 boarding there today, according to the crew with whom I am sharing the cafe end of the BC car. Their statement suggested the train's passenger count would double at that point. Based on the relatively short length of station work in MKE, I doubt the number alighting...

I'll keep an eye on the coaches and report back departing MKE. Currently dwelling at Winona for a smoke stop. About a dozen off here and a couple on. Coach 2 remains 70% full, 3 less than half, 4 a third and 1 has only a handful. BC still has only 5 open seats, none having yet departed that got...

Onboard 1340 in BC now. Only four empty seats out of MSP. Coach was at least a third full, too. It's worth mentioning BC fares include lounge access in St. Paul.

Nice work, Thom. I'm glad I'll be able to use a lounge passon Tuesday for my return trip. I would always gladly pay the price of a pass to avoid CUS queues.