An Englishman in America

[Shinkansen1966]

In April, I'm flying from London, UK to New York for a two week holiday in the US. Once in the US, I'll be travelling from NYC to LA and back. Out via New Orleans and the Sunset Limited. Return via the South West Chief and Chicago. Bought a US Rail Pass (for non-americans only) and upgraded to viewliner roomettes from NYC to New Orleans and bedroom (deluxe) on the Sunset Limited. We're doing the whole trip NYC-NOL-LA-CHI-NYC in 15 days. Does that sound a tall order?

Travelled on Amtrak before. As an Englishman, I was impressed with comfort, customer service and onboard catering but unimpressed with time keeping.

I noticed from the Amtrak websit that the Sunset generally arrives LA 3-6 hrs late. I also notice that Amtrak may change the schedule on this train. Does anyone have news.

Nevertheless, very much looking forward to my first transcontinental rail trip!

 

[sutton]

Hi Cuz,

Hope you have a great trip! You'll be on trains for about half the trip, so as long as you don't mind, cool. Sunset can be a nice ride or otherwise; I did Three Rivers last summer and had a great time. Nice scenery! I don't think you can go wrong, since you have the bedroom. Coach would be nasty for that long of a time, though.

Have fun!

 

[Shinkansen1966]

Thanks for the travel tip. I'm actally looking forward to spending nearly half my holiday in the US aboard Amtrak. From Chicago to NYC, we're taking the Lake Shore Ltd, rather than the 3 Rivers.

Compared with British trains, American ones are more spacious, have better customer service and you can eat a proper meal in a dining car.

Here in the UK, I'm afraid it's a trolley service up and down the aisles with food in plastic boxes. Plus the sleeping compartments in British trains are cramped.

When last in the US, I did have a sneak of the deluxe/bedroom compartments on the Coast Starlight and was impressed. That time, I was in standard room/roomette and that was ok, too.