A quick newbie question

[minstrel]

Hello,

I have taken a couple of long distance trains with the family over the last decade....Sunset Limited from LA to Houston in 2006 and Auto Train to Florida in 2013. Everyone had a great time both time. I am now back in Houston and am considering taking the Sunset from Houston to New Orleans (and back) over Christmas with the wife and my now teenage daughters. Alternatively we could drive. I am familiar with the "Amshack" in Houston and the general woes of Sunset Limited service and the quirks of Amtrak. We are fine with all that. However, do have bunch of other questions...

1. Is the New Orleans station safe ? The train - if on time - gets there around 10 PM. If late, it gets worse. Is it easy to get a short cab ride from there?

2. Does the Sunset on this section usually run on time? I understand that there are always things that can and do happen, but in general, does this train get to NOL before midnight?

3. The two times we used the train before, we had a family room (first ride) and a couple roomettes (second time around). Should we consider just doing this one on coach or get couple roomettes again? If the train is on time, it is mostly a daytime ride but I am concerned about how clean the coach area is after the train has already been going for 30+ hours from LA.

We do not need a car once in New Orleans.

Sorry to jump in like this but would appreciate any input from people who have had this experience before. Thanks in advance.

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

Hi minstrel ~

The only part of your post I can address is:

"I am concerned about how clean the coach area is after the train has already been going for 30+ hours from LA."

A couple years ago I rode coach on the Southwest Chief from Albuquerque to Los Angeles (ABQ~LAX). The coach was full, and had started in Chicago about 26 hours earlier.

The car and rest rooms were extremely clean and well stocked with supplies.

That said, I suspect more knowledgeable posters here will tell you it depends upon the attendants and how motivated they are to do their job.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Since New Orleans is a Night Time City ( "Let the Good Times Roll!")and the Sunset arrives @ night, getting a cab to your hotel isn't a problem, they line up in front of the Station waiting and the standard Fare to the Quarter and Central City is $$12( no meter used), some will try to ask for more!

I would just ride Coach, as you say its mostly a day trip. There is a really good Roach Coach that serves excellent Burritos and Tortas @ the Houston Station, and you can eat Dinner in the Diner on your way through the swamps. I would say take some snacks and drinks with you when you board, the Cafe stuff is fast food junk @ airport prices.

When you return the Street Car will take you right to the Station or you can even walk in daylight, this area of New Orleans is generally very safe!

And you can have an excellent breakfadt/ brunch before boarding the train @ many places in the Quarter.Please Google up threads here on AU for New Orleans and Sunset info as well as Trip Advisor and other Travel sights.

 

[acelafan]

2. Does the Sunset on this section usually run on time? I understand that there are always things that can and do happen, but in general, does this train get to NOL before midnight?

Hi,

The "ASMAD" website can tell you about historical on-time performance.

Looking since November 1, 2015 for train #2 Houston (HOS) to New Orleans (NOL), it's generally good but there are some bad days. It averages 10 minutes late and the median arrival is 9 minutes early. (link to chart)

For train #1 New Orleans to Houston it's about the same. Average 5 minutes late and median arrival 5 minutes early but some bad days here and there. (link to chart)

Of course, anything can happen with Amtrak (or buses or planes) and it's best to plan for some lateness on your trip.

Hope that info gives you something to consider.

 

[minstrel]

WOW!!! You guys are awesome. The responses are both quick and to the point. Now, if only the photography geeks at my other favorite forum could do the same.

The on-time performance site is great and gives me exactly what I needed. What did catch my eye is in the last month or so....the scheduled arrival in NOL seems to be around 4:30 PM. Is this a short-term thing or will this become the permanent regular time? My apologies if this has been discussed and I cannot seem to find it.

Thanks again folks. This is great and much appreciated.

 

[CCC1007]

The six hour shift is temporary to accommodate track work on Union Pacific tracks.

 

[minstrel]

The six hour shift is temporary to accommodate track work on Union Pacific tracks.

Thank you.

 

[me_little_me]

On the return of our trip to El Paso, we just caught the streetcar (great price for seniors but don't count on the driver telling you that you are eligible for senior rates). If you miss the last streetcar or it will be a long wait for the next, there are cabs out front. On one trip to NOL, the driver took the freeway to get to the Hampton Inn which would have been shorter going straight south but it only was a little more.

While I never felt it would be uncomfortable to walk at night, I'd suggest streetcar or cab (or Uber? - well, maybe not) to the hotel. We walked back to the station in the AM when arriving both on the SL and the Crescent. Perfectly safe in the AM. We would have taken the streetcar but we had just missed it and we'd be there walking well before the next one arrived.

We are seniors and not in shape. We stayed at the Quality Inn near the French Quarter.

 

[niemi24s]

The current 430pm arrival time in NOL for the Sunset Limited is indeed temporary and is scheduled to revert to the "normal" 940pm arrival time on 18 March 2016. But your trip is 9 months distant. I don't think there's any way of knowing whether or not another such change due to track work (or anything else, for that matter) might impact your trip in December. And if another changes comes up, I don't know how much advance notice Amtrak gets from the host railroad or how much advance notice we get from Amtrak.

 

[Sauve850]

Ive spent a fair amount of time in New Orleans. Have been in and out (not on Sunset) many times. Always found the station safe no matter what time and taxis ready with their set rate for short distances.

I'm not a coach rider so would be in roomettes if its in the budget. Much better way to travel in my opinion even for a day trip. Have a good time!

 

[andersone]

when in NO,,,if you can find time to go to Willa Mae's Scotch House,,,, if that's not the best pan fried chicken in the Western World