A Winter Trek in 24 hours

[Railroad Bill]

Last weekend after enduring some very cold (-12 F) and snowy days, I checked to see if I could fit a short trip from Cleveland that would offer some running new Amtrak routes with limited time and $$$. So with that in mind, I booked a five-train journey in 26 hours with stops in Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee and back home to CLE. So here's how it went and like many Amtrak trips, it was an adventure.
Drove to CLE after an hour drive from home. Arrived at 2am. My first leg was to take the LSL 449 to Toledo and then an Ambus up to Detroit. Watching the progress of both the Floridian 40 and LSL, it looked good to meet either of those trains in good time.
But as an omen of ill will, I saw the LSL was now stopped in Erie PA under Service Disruption. OK, so it was time to seek out my trusty CLE agents for an update. No specific report, but he suggested I consider changing to Floridian which was on-time and would arrive at around 3:15am. Looked like my only alternative if I wanted to reach Toledo in time to catch the bus to Detroit. He issued me a ticket and time to wait on #40.
With great fanfare, Siemens locos #326 and #359 rolled in at 3:22 and I lined up for my first coach ride in a while. The conductor saw my Amtrak hat and sweatshirt and decided I needed a good ride. Gave me a set of seats on north side with no seatmate. At 3:26 I was off.
As I continued to monitor the progress of #49, it seemed apparent that if the Toledo bus would wait until both trains arrived in TOL, my dilemma to reach Detroit in time for a trip on Wolverine #353 was still in jeopardy.
Decided I would just book my trip on #40 to continue on to Chicago and adjust my daily scheduled events. Since conductors change in TOL, thought I should find her and let her know my plan. But they were all in the dining car several cars away. I started the journey through 3 coaches and a cafe lounge by passing over and around sleeping bodies spanning the narrow halls. Conductor Angeline listened to my story and immediately when into action. She called TOL station and agents informed her that I was the only passenger formerly on LSL 49 that had a ticket for the Toledo bus and that would assure the bus would leave at 6:30. Smiles all around. Angeline said to cancel my ticket to Chicago and I would be fine in TOL. Such a helpful Amtrak employee and thanked her for her assistance.
Back to my seat in the coach to await debarkation. We arrived in Toledo at 5:20am and I had a nice conversation with the two agents who were aware of my morning sojourn. Said it was fortunate for all the bus passengers and the driver that I changed trains in CLE. Smiles. They saw my pin collection on my Amtrak hat and rounded up some souvenirs as a gift. More great Amtrak people. Sorry I did not get their names, but they were very helpful.
Our TOL-DET bus driver arrived around 6am and our merry band of travelers boarded at 6:15. A nice one hour drive to the Detroit Amtrak station, which is a small, but modern building with adequate seating and clean restrooms. The agent reminded me that the train was to be lacking a business car or cafe car due to mechanical issues. OK. So needed to find a place to grab a sandwich for the 4.5 hours ride to Chicago.
A good opportunity to ride the Q-Line streetcars down Woodward Avenue to explore. A free service for Detroit residents going the 3 miles down to the center city. Took a ride down to Wayne State University stop and was going to walk around, but the wind and cold cut that short. Returned to Amsterdam stop and found a Subway to grab a sandwich. Just missed my return car, so decided to walk the quarter mile back to the station. Needed to get my steps in anyway..smiles. A large crowd had now lined up for the Wolverine trip westbound. It was time to begin Part 2 of my Winter Trek. Pics below..

 

[BlackDiamond]

Nice report, thanks for sharing. That's great that you had helpful Amtrak people to deal with the situation.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Part 2. Winter Trek 2025. A long freight went by the Detroit Amtrak station at around 9:20am and shortly after we were called to board Wolverine 353. The agent unlocked the access door and passengers could take the stairway or elevator to the platform level above. Most of us waited outside in the cold hoping our train would soon arrive. At 9:35 the Siemens Charger locomotive 4611 arrived with a surprise Amfleet cafe car #48181 and four Midwest Venture coaches. Since the agent and notifications from Amtrak stated there would be no cafe car on this train, an obvious change had occurred. I boarded the second coach and found a forward-facing seat on the north side of the car. Did not have to share a seat for the entire trip as the coaches had only a limited number of passengers this trip.
The criticisms of the seats in these Venture coaches have been widespread and I must say I agree. The upper shoulder braces are uncomfortable for an extra tall person like myself (6'6) and the seat padding is a bit lacking. Not the end of the world, but glad this trip was not a long distance coach ride. Conductors came by quickly to scan our tickets and we were off to Dearborn, the first stop.
Dearborn station is quite impressive from the outside and there were many additional passengers boarding there. Decided I needed an Amcheeseburger from the cafe car so worked my way to the front of the train. Cafe attendant was friendly and efficient and I soon had a burger and cranberry juice to enjoy as we moved toward Ann Arbor. Passed a large auto racks loading facility with a nice NS 4 axle diesel 5669 Operation Lifesaver loco hooked to an old Ann Arbor cabboose.
Being a loyal alumnus of The Ohio State University, I was able to tolerate our stop in Ann Arbor. smiles. This station seemed small for a major college town but with only 6 trains each day, it was probably adequate. One of the new passengers across the aisle from me was a gentleman who looked like a professor, with a hardback copy of War & Peace in his hands. Quite an endeavor for this short rail trip..smile.
Our next stop was Jackson, Michigan at 11:05. Nice old station built in 1873. Jackson has a state prison and was also a station on the Underground Railroad network. A quick ride through Albion where my golfing friend once served as administrator at Albion College. We passed another classic rail station near Battle Creek, I suspect the original depot was Grand Trunk RR built in 1906 and operated until Amtrak took over in 1971. Great they were able to save this historic depot. At noon we arrived in Battle Creek's Amtrak station and Transportation Center. This was a crew change point and several new workers joined our train. A wrought iron fence surrounds the building with security protection. But one homeless man made it to the door with his shopping cart and possessions before being hustled outside. A sad story of our growing homeless problem.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived in Kalamazoo, the halfway point between Detroit and Chicago. Wife & I stopped here on a road trip and enjoyed looking at the old depot and the interesting town. Built in 1887 for the Michigan Central RR and later owned by the city and used for Wolverine and Blue Water Amtrak trains. We saw the large campus of Western Michigan University as we left town and headed southwest to Niles Michigan and its classic rail station around 1pm. This former Michigan Central & NYC station was built in 1892 and has some impressive brownstone architecture. Our train was traveling over 100 mph on these tracks and the smooth ride made the uncomfortable seats more bearable.
A few minutes later we arrived in New Buffalo and a view of Lake Michigan. Our Amtrak Unlimited Gathering group took an excursion from Chicago to New Buffalo in 2021. Had dinner at the Brentwood Tavern and enjoyed a nice afternoon. Today, there were several mini buses at the depot taking casino travelers to their hotel rooms nearby. Lots of boats in the harbor ready for a spring yet to come.
By 2 pm we had reached Porter Junction and ready to join the Norfolk Southern mainline to Chicago. Never bored by the old steel mills and rail yards along this stretch as a part of a great Amercan industrial history. Lots of CN units and NS yard activities as we get closer to the Windy City. Hammond Whiting was our last stop. A modern structure designed to give a suburban station for NW Indiana travelers. We crossed into Illinois and gained an extra hour in life. At 1:30CDT we headed into the city. Always good to sit on the right side to see the Chicago skyline, Willis Tower and the Amtrak yards before entering the CUS caves. Several Siemens ALC's and P42s along with the nice #301 50th anniversary logo (on my N Scale layout) and many Amtrak Midwest coaches. We arrived in Chicago 15 minutes early and ready for a brief stop in the Lounge before my afternoon ride to Milwaukee. Lots of construction and new routes to navigate throughout the station. A few pics of the Michigan Wolverine trip to follow and Part 3 (Hiawatha 337 & Borealis 1340 and my trip home on 48 will be next.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Part 3 Winter Trek 2025.
Knowing I only had an hour before my next train.Hiawatha 337, it was a short stop in the Lounge; grab some cookies and a bottle of cranberry juice and off through the maze that is now Chicago Union Station. I had not been in here in a year or so and now the new temp walls and plastic sheathing dominates the old halls. Directions from some Amtrak people was conflicting at times. (Go to end of hall and turn left, then right, then left again and you will find the north gate lounge} This was the former Metro Lounge and now a waiting room for those needing Red Caps, BC passengers, and old people like me. The Lounge agents were very nice and liked my Amtrak attire and we talked a bit. Then they said I could go ahead if I didn't need assistance and head to the north gates. OK. But then another agent pair guarding the north gate line said wait there. Another lady who seemed to know her way around the Hiawatha Riders Assoc. said follow her and get to the head of the line not yet formed.
A few varied stares, but I guess no one wanted to confront the official Amtrak person (ME } Finally the masses started forming a new line and I decided I better get with the program. A boarding call then was made and the line rushed to the door including a half dozen others who avoided all the lines and ran for the door. Oklahoma Land Rush. I then decided to get out of the way and move slowly up the platform. Managed to get another seat by myself on the right side of the car and relaxed for a quick ride to MKE.
Our Siemens Charger loco was 4632 and again I "enjoyed" the Venture Car seating. It was now 3:15pmCDT and have officially been riding trains for 12 hours since I left Cleveland. Yes, this 72 year old guy is getting tired, but having a fun time on the train.
We moved out of center city and passed the Metro Yard on the north side. In a short time we reached Glenview on a sunny afternoon. Lot of people exited the train here and then we headed for Sturtevant as we crossed into Wisconsin. A very modern station and we lost more people here. Next stop was Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport and several people with suitcases left for their evening flight somewhere.
At 4:45 we rolled into MKE and then found a seat in the nice and airy station. Remembered our Amtrak Gathering trip here in 2021 and the grand tour of the city. Today, I only had a short time before my Amtrak Borealis arrival at 5:45 so I found that Subway sandwich acquired back in Detroit and had supper..
At 5:30 a conductor dressed in a classic early 20th century garb called for boarding line to begin. Of course, two lines started and he commented about how he appreciated everyone following directions. . He scanned the long lines and then we were permitted to walk out and take the escalator to cross the tracks on the bridge. The young generation decided to take the stairs so they could get to the south platform first. (Not sure why but it made them feel better . TheMKE platform is quite impressive architecture with towering industrial metal, colorful blue contrasting with the new Vintage Amtrak Midwest cars and a few private varnish on a side track. A good place when the weather is less than pleasant.
We all were waiting and the conductor said those of us in Business Class could move up the platform. OK. So at 5:58pm CST here comes the train. Loco was #824 P40 on the front. Did not get the rear engine info. So those of us in Business soon learned that the BC car was not at the front but at the rear and thus we had to walk the entire train to get to BC. No problem. I needed to get more steps in today..
The BC car is an Amfleet combo BC/Cafe 2-1 seating with very comfortable leather seats. There were still 6 seats left in the 17 passenger BC section. Some would question why spend the money for BC from MKE, but I had some upgrade coupons to burn before March 1 so hey it was a good deal. Nice to have those comfortable seats and another cranberry juice to drink along the way. It was now dark outside and scenery between here and CHI was the same so just sat back and rested. Quite a few desert the train at the airport and a short stop to wait for a late Empire Builder ahead. But we arrived back in Chicago at 7:15 and after manipulating the construction, found my way back to the lounge. By this time most had abandoned the Lounge for earlier trains, but the snacks had been refilled so I grabbed a couple packs of those Famous Amos chocolate cookies and a water and settled down to watch Jeopardy reruns on the TV. At 8:50 a call to board LSL 48/448 so thought I would be happy to get into my bedroom early.
But not so. We were directed to the new/old waiting lounge near the south gates. The coach passengers were corralled in another room while the dozen or so of us sleeper people were waiting for another 20 minutes until we were released. Then there was a mad dash by the Red Caps in their vehicles and we sleeper people following, then the coach mob behind us. Another Oklahoma Land Rush. A fun end to a long day.. And of course, I thought my 4812 car would be at the rear of the train, but tonite we had 3 deadhead coaches behind the baggage car and the walk was a little longer. Met my SCA Tim who had turned down the bed in Bedroom B and an exhausted traveler was glad to say hi and goodnight. This was a Viewliner 1, a bit beat up but clean, plenty of soap, towels and amenities. No one in Bedroom A so thought it would be a quiet trip back to CLE. Not so! A whining generator noise was coming from the upper air vent and continued for the entire trip. Nothing Tim could do. "Mechanics need to work on it"
Luckily I had brought my large headphones and it killed much of the noise. At 9:30 Central we pulled out of the station and had no delays that I remember. There was a cheese plate available in the diner for those in sleeper, but I passed this time and tried to get some sleep.
We made it to Elyria Ohio when I awoke and got ready for the entry into Cleveland. Other than the noise, it was a good ride and we came into Cleveland 10 minutes early. Off to my car and onto I-71 for the hour ride back home. Said hi to my wife, and landed in the bed by 7:30 and slept until 1pm. I have learned that my Cpap machine is a life saver!
I felt a sense of accomplishment since I traveled on 5 trains, 1 AmBus, 2 streetcars, rode the Borealis train and full route of the Wolverine and enjoyed some awesome Amtrak employees who assisted when I needed some help. All in 26 hours! I even got up today to walk 3 miles with my golf buddies at the school field house. Not ready to pull off that trip again next week, but hey, maybe in a few weeks if the opportunity arises!. Put in a few photos below of the MKE trip.
Amtrak! Always An Adventure.