ABQ-LAX-SAN-LAX-CHI-WAS-STP

[Rail Freak]

Started with my post "Weather Alert", I made it to ABQ around (or over) the storms thru Texas. Unfortunately the #3 SWC didn't do as well! The #3 hit a large rock just past Raton & damaged the #1 engine. It arrived in ABQ around 9:30 last night & we got off around 10:05 & BNSF put on an engine in Gallop & took us all the way into LAUS. The next morning, I didn't recognize where we were. At 7:15, I was at breakfast & the conductor announced we were about to make our stop in Kingman,Arizona.(7hrs. & 42 min down)! I could not believe it! Anyways, I got a lot of rare trackage today as I've never seen it in the daylight. I must admit, I really enjoyed it!

I never got my SCA's name but let's just say I've had better, much better! As I boarded, he told me to go ahead & make my bed if I knew how! I did, but I figured he had plenty of time to have made it since they were over 5 hours late! There was no water in the entire car & I never got any. No ice either! He made no effort to go over the details of our rooms! The next morning I told him that I was going to the Sightseer Lounge & then to breakfast & asked if he would make up my room into daytime configuration. When I got back he had done nothing so I rang the bell. At the stop in Needles the SCA actually jumped off the train onto the platform while the train was still moving. This one older fella almost followed him! The rest of the day he was no where to be seen!!!

On a better note, we arrived in LA around 4pm & I'm in the new Metropolitan Lounge, Very Nice!!!

Now I'm watching the weather report about Hurricane Patrica! Looks like it may chase us across Texas!

Well This has not been a dull trip by any means, LOL!!!

I guess I'll try to write part 2 of my adventure when I get to Chi-Town!!! Wish me luck! :hi:

RF

 

[oregon pioneer]

Well, I am sure you did not tip that SCA. I'd be complaining about him as well. I hope I don't get him on my SWC trip in December.

I hope the SCA on your next train is better. Looking forward to the rest or your trip report.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Started with my post "Weather Alert", I made it to ABQ around (or over) the storms thru Texas. Unfortunately the #3 SWC didn't do as well! The #3 hit a large rock just past Raton & damaged the #1 engine. It arrived in ABQ around 9:30 last night & we got off around 10:05 & BNSF put on an engine in Gallop & took us all the way into LAUS. The next morning, I didn't recognize where we were. At 7:15, I was at breakfast & the conductor announced we were about to make our stop in Kingman,Arizona.(7hrs. & 42 min down)! I could not believe it! Anyways, I got a lot of rare trackage today as I've never seen it in the daylight. I must admit, I really enjoyed it!

I never got my SCA's name but let's just say I've had better, much better! As I boarded, he told me to go ahead & make my bed if I knew how! I did, but I figured he had plenty of time to have made it since they were over 5 hours late! There was no water in the entire car & I never got any. No ice either! He made no effort to go over the details of our rooms! The next morning I told him that I was going to the Sightseer Lounge & then to breakfast & asked if he would make up my room into daytime configuration. When I got back he had done nothing so I rang the bell. At the stop in Needles the SCA actually jumped off the train onto the platform while the train was still moving. This one older fella almost followed him! The rest of the day hes was no where to be seen!!!

On a better note, we arrived in LA around 4pm & I'm in the new Metropolitan Lounge, Very Nice!!!

Now I'm watching the weather report about Hurricane Patrica! Looks like it may chase us across Texas!

Well This has not been a dull trip by any means, LOL!!!

I guess I'll try to write part 2 of my adventure when I get to Chi-Town!!! Wish me luck! :hi:

RF

And you left FL to get away from possible hurricanes? :giggle: Hope your trip gets better, not worse.

 

[FormerOBS]

Try as I might, I can't imagine any excuse for ignoring passengers, expecting them to do for themselves, not communicating with them, failing to comply with their reasonable requests, and violating the safety rules of Amtrak and the host railroad. It sounds like this SCA is a menace and a disgrace.

This should be reported. Include the train number, car number, and room number, date and location of boarding, date and location of detraining, and as many specific details as possible. Don't forget to mention the premature detraining from a moving train at Needles, and the fact that a passenger almost made the mistake of following his poor example. Because of the safety implications, this is probably the most serious charge. Even if you don't know the SCA's name, Amtrak can find out. If disciplinary action is taken, the SCA will have an opportunity to defend himself, which is appropriate. It sounds like he will probably have a hard time justifying this. If he can't justify his actions, or lack of actions, then that's his problem.

You, as a passenger, don't need this; and Amtrak, as an employer, doesn't need this behavior either. Conscientious Amtrak employees see this behavior as a potential reflection on them, and most do not want to be associated with it.

Tom

 

[Ronbo]

As for the behavior of the SCA, does it do any good to try and track down the Conductor and have a little chat about how he is behaving, or does that not make any difference? My understanding is that the Conductor is in charge of the entire train and all the OBS, correct? It seems like he/she should be able to do something!

 

[MikefromCrete]

As for the behavior of the SCA, does it do any good to try and track down the Conductor and have a little chat about how he is behaving, or does that not make any difference? My understanding is that the Conductor is in charge of the entire train and all the OBS, correct? It seems like he/she should be able to do something!

Of course, once the conductor leaves the train at the next crew change, that "little chat" just goes away. The conductor is in charge of the train, but he's not management. He can't fire the guy or even discipline him. The best he can do is report the SCA to management, but I would think a conductor has a lot more responsibilities (i.e. getting the train safely to its destination) than keeping tabs over the OBS crew.

 

[FormerOBS]

For the reasons Mike has mentioned above, the conductor may or may not be willing or able to address the situation. It's understood that it's too late to involve the conductor in this particular case, so Customer Relations is the logical department to contact. The number of failures on the part of this SCA seems to warrant involvement at a higher level than the conductor.

Tom

 

[NW cannonball]

Started with my post "Weather Alert", I made it to ABQ around (or over) the storms thru Texas. Unfortunately the #3 SWC didn't do as well! The #3 hit a large rock just past Raton & damaged the #1 engine. It arrived in ABQ around 9:30 last night & we got off around 10:05 & BNSF put on an engine in Gallop & took us all the way into LAUS. The next morning, I didn't recognize where we were. At 7:15, I was at breakfast & the conductor announced we were about to make our stop in Kingman,Arizona.(7hrs. & 42 min down)! I could not believe it! Anyways, I got a lot of rare trackage today as I've never seen it in the daylight. I must admit, I really enjoyed it!

I never got my SCA's name but let's just say I've had better, much better! As I boarded, he told me to go ahead & make my bed if I knew how! I did, but I figured he had plenty of time to have made it since they were over 5 hours late! There was no water in the entire car & I never got any. No ice either! He made no effort to go over the details of our rooms! The next morning I told him that I was going to the Sightseer Lounge & then to breakfast & asked if he would make up my room into daytime configuration. When I got back he had done nothing so I rang the bell. At the stop in Needles the SCA actually jumped off the train onto the platform while the train was still moving. This one older fella almost followed him! The rest of the day hes was no where to be seen!!!

On a better note, we arrived in LA around 4pm & I'm in the new Metropolitan Lounge, Very Nice!!!

Now I'm watching the weather report about Hurricane Patrica! Looks like it may chase us across Texas!

Well This has not been a dull trip by any means, LOL!!!

I guess I'll try to write part 2 of my adventure when I get to Chi-Town!!! Wish me luck! :hi:

RF

Wish you luck! So far the weather hasn't been the problem, for you -- boulders on the tracks, the derailment you just missed, the Texas flash floods you just missed out on.

Looking forward to your report from CHI -- the flood waters north from SAS are receding.

Best wishes.

 

[Rail Freak]

PART 2

I'm impressed with the Metropolitan Lounge in LAUS, 1st Class all the way!!!

The Red Cap came for us about 30 minutes before departure & dropped me off at the exact spot on the platform where my car ( 2230) stopped!

The SCA (Chris) greeted me & informed me that my room (#4) was made up for sleeping, which I appreciated as it was the second long day!!! Chris came on the IC to tell everyone at the same time of all the information needed for 1st timers. Then came around introducing himself, personally! This time, we had 2 bottles of water in each room. Still no ice though! In ABQ I got my small soft cooler filled by the cafe in the station, in LAUS the Lounge attendant filled it from a machine she had access to, down the hall!!!

The next morning, I slept in till 5:05, which is quite late for me but I was really exhausted from the first 2 days. During breakfast I was pleasantly surprised by the sight of 4 Hot Air Balloons crossing over the mountains as we approached Tucson! I flew Balloons professionally as a younger man & still enjoy watching them, although I'd much rather be flying them than watching them!!!

After breakfast, we were stopped in Tucson, so I walked outside back to my #422 Sleeper Car. I was talking with(or rather listening to) our SCA Chris complaining about how dumb all Amtrak employees, with more seniority than him,were! My entire 1st impression of him was destroyed by his negative/arrogant BS! He knew it all!!!!

Any ways, while he was Ranting & Raving, the Conductor noticed a couple of passengers smoking their Wacky Tobaccy over by the fence. He approached them & told them to get their bags off the train, as their train trip was over!!! Then at the very next stop, Benson, 3 cop cars pull up & they escorted this fellow off the train for smoking cigarettes in the bathroom!!! :hi:

(backing up a bit) When I boarded in LAUS, I thought I would explain to my SCA (Chris) that I had booked ABQ to ELP (AGR) & a seperate AGR reservation ELP to STP & why I did it (more train time), not thinking it would be an issue just because I couldn't get the same room,WELL!!!! I'm sure Chris went to the new Conductor coming on board in ELP! As soon as I sat in my new room the new conductor poked his head in the door,asking questions why I booked it that way. Obviously he didn't believe me & wanted to see my ticket. He told me he was going to make some calls to verify my story. As he walked away, I heard him tell Chris, who must have been just a room or two away, he was gonna get to the bottom of it & would let him know!!! Well, I spent the next 2 hours wondering where my good ole SCA had disappeared to, not to mention the Conductor. I couldn't enjoy my trip, thinking I may be the 3rd eviction that day!!! So I set out looking for them! After walking thru 3 Coaches, an observation car & diner, I found them in the back half of the diner laughing it up. The Conductor laughingly told me that I was good to go & he was just about to come tell me! I didn't tell him that I thought he was full of it!!! :angry2:

The storm,Patricia, beat us to SAS! There was rain every where & a lot of it! But we actually arrived early I was able to shower before the power was cut for the #422 switching!

 

[Rail Freak]

PART 3 Finally I met a very curteous & pleasant SCA(Pat)! I swear, all the way to CHI, if she wasn't catering to the passengers, she was cleaning the bath rooms ,wiping down the coffee area, etc. She was great the whole way back & with a sincere pleasant attitude!!!

I had forgotten that we were taking a reroute from St Louis to CHI! Without boring you, somehow we missed my connection to the CL & am scheduled tomorrow on the CL connecting to the SM, both in Sleepers!!!! Speaking of SLEEP, I hear the bed calling my name!!!

What a trip & to think I have 2 more legs to go!?!?!???

GOOD Night & Have Fun

RF

 

[Rail Freak]

Just crawled out of bed! I feel like a new man (well, that is an exaggeration), but I'm a little rested. Gonna get a shower & go down for breakfast. BTW, they have put me up in a hotel called the Oaks, some distance from CUS!!! I wish I could take the bed home with me,WOW!!! LOL!

I have all day to kill, so I think maybe I'll track down Lou Mitchel's. Am I correct in thinking that it's cash only? I'll pass on spending $20 on the Legacy Lounge! The $10 food voucher they gave us probably won't get me much, it is only good in CUS! BTW, the menus on the SWC & TE were the same, so it will be nice to have something different today!!!

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Sounds like most of the stormy weather you encountered was on the trains, rather than a hurricane outside ! Wishing you a nice, relaxing day today and good SCAs like Pat the rest of the way!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Lou's takes Credit Cards now!

And check out Gold Coast Dogs and the Cajun place (that's actually a Chinese Joint) upstairs in the food court! (some of us dined there regularly during the CHI Gathering) Tasty, Filling and Inexpensive!

 

[Rail Freak]

Too Rainy, Cloudy & Windy for this Florida Boy, LOL! Although I did take a walk to get a few outdoor pics. I had no problem filling the 7 hour wait for the CL. Dropped my bags in the Metropolitan Lounge, explored the Station, including a little tour of the Legacy Lounge (no $20 though)! Had lunch at the Corner Bakery (pretty good) & found a sports bar, where I watched a replay of the Redskins/Bucs Game. I was able to fill my cooler with ice at the Lounge Pepsi machine. There was something different about the CHI Metro Lounge this time. The attendants were polite & entertainingly humorous!!! Took a Red Cap to Car #3001 Rm. #7. ( i had Car #3000 on my original reservation) Anyways, Lou was my SCA & what an SCA he was, probably the best I've ever had!!!!!! He even offered me a wake up call, so I wouldn't miss any scenery!!!! Excellent the whole way!!! So now my SCA score card = 2 BAD/2 VERY GOOD!!!

 

[Rail Freak]

Arrived on time into WAS. Red Cap to the Acela Lounge to put down my bags & off to see the progress they were making in the Main Hall! They have come a long way but the scaffolding was still up in some parts!!! Took a short tour of the changes they've made since my last visit & noticed several store changes! I spent the greater part of the afternoon in the Lounge watching TV & people, in between figuring out my Fantasy Line Up for this weekend! ( For those familiar with Fantasy Football, I scored 150 points last week!!!!)

Well it was time to board the last leg of my trip & I had a Red Cap . As we were headed down the platform to make our way to our tracks, My Red Cap caught a message that our #97 was on a track that workers had mistakenly started Track Work too early & our train would have to pull back out & back back in on a different track! Here we go again!!! We finally departed @8:30!!! The SCA's name was William in Car #9712 (original res. was #9710). The conductor was "Johnny on the spot" to lift my ticket & told me to head to the diner if I wanted dinner. I asked him if I could get a Red Cap & we both had a chuckle! Well, William broke the SCA Score Card tie, he was FANTASTIC!!!!!

Some how we made up time during the night & arrived in Orlando on time! I opted out of my last meal(lunch), as the menu never changed the whole week . I grabbed a hot dog at the ORL Station ( with mustard & raw onions). As I sat down in the second row of the bus, the lady in front of me turned around & gave me a very strange look! :blink: ?????? Then it hit me , as I was taking my 2nd bite of my hot dog,LOL!!! Those were some mighty good onions, or at least I thought so!!!! Anyways , by the time we arrived in STP, we were on speaking terms & she said it was nice talking to me!!! My brother was there to pick me up & another trip logged in the history books!!!

 

[Rail Freak]

This trip was probably my last LD Train Adventure!!! I just want all you folks here, on Amtrak Unlimited, to know that without you, it wouldn't have been the same!!!!! After all, the planning has always been a major part of the adventure!!!

THANK YOU & HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

RF

 

[FormerOBS]

I believe Lou started working for Amtrak in late 1986. He was in the training class before mine, so he & I were on the WAS OBS extra board together in the months shortly after I started working for Amtrak. He and I both loved the Capitol Limited, in spite of its popular Amtrak nickname, "Capitol Punishment". It's no surprise at all that he is continuing to provide the high quality service for which he has been known for many years. After I transferred to the Auto Train, I was pleased to serve him and his wonderful family on their many trips to visit his in-laws in Florida.

He's one of Amtrak's truly Good Guys, and has been for many years, through thick and thin. (And Management knows it)

Tom

 

[Rail Freak]

Once I saw his Amtrak Card on the table (asking to call & let Management know what I thought of his service), I figured he might be pretty good! I also told him about my 1st SCA & his reaction was the same as Tom's!!!!