sodium
Train Attendant
I want to pick up a few Amtrak souvenirs for my NY > CA trip, Lake Shore Limited & California Zephyr. Anything to look out for while at the gift shops or buy on board?
Any good souvenirs to look out for at the stations or on the train?
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I think Amtrak souvenirs are hard to come by "in person". The cafe car MAY have some things on board and the only Amtrak Gift shop that I'm aware of is the one that was recently opened in Chicago, but have heard that it's temporarily closed.
You can get souvenirs here: http://store.amtrak.com/ though the shipping (via Staples) can be expensive. I collected the tie tacks/pins for the trains I've ridden so far and bought them from here.
You can get souvenirs here: http://store.amtrak.com/ though the shipping (via Staples) can be expensive. I collected the tie tacks/pins for the trains I've ridden so far and bought them from here.
I bought baseball caps for the CZ and CL last month from the Amtrak online store.
An asst conductor for the CZ on the SLC-GJT leg used to sell polo shirts, pins, and jackets for the CZ in the SSL car, but no more. I bought 6 in 4 different colors back then. Now getting rather threadbare. Also have two of the CZ bottomless coffee cups -- no longer honored in the cafe car
An asst conductor for the CZ on the SLC-GJT leg used to sell polo shirts, pins, and jackets for the CZ in the SSL car, but no more. I bought 6 in 4 different colors back then. Now getting rather threadbare. Also have two of the CZ bottomless coffee cups -- no longer honored in the cafe car
the_traveler
Engineer
There is a gift shop inside the GJC station that you can visit during the long stop. (They announce it during the trip.)
It's a great little shop. I was impressed with how much stuff they managed to pack in there.
I had to resist the urge to grab about 8-10 different souvenirs.I also thought it was smart of them to sell things like ice cream novelties and baggies of ice cubes.
the_traveler
Engineer
I believe that shop is owned by an AU member!
Trainmans daughter
OBS Chief
Dave's Depot, owned by.....um......Dave.
the_traveler
Engineer
Not this Dave! :giggle:
The GJT shop also sells a 3-volume guide to the CZ route authored by Eva Hoffmann, a regular rider. Two photos of the Sacramento River swing bridge -- closed and open -- over which the CZ transits are published in volume 3 from the collection of yours truly
I think you can still buy Amtrak playing cards onboard. Not much else anymore. I remember buying hats on the Pioneer and the Sunset Limited in the cafe.
tim49424
Engineer
Ugh......I'm headed down there tomorrow and shopping at the new store was on my agenda. Hopefully, it's back open. If not, there's always next time.
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National Train Day events in May usually have lots of souvenirs. If the Amtrak Special train is at your site they have a souvenir car. Ebay usually has a supply of pins, posters, etc for sale.
tim49424
Engineer
I am currently at Chicago Union Station and saw a sign that said the Amtrak Store is closed until further notice. I'm guessing when it reopens it'll be where passenger services is currently.
BCL
Engineer
Once you're in the Bay Area, Capitol Corridor has plush Cappy toys for sale in the cafe car. $10.
rtabern
Conductor
As I also write route guides... I got to meet Eva finally last year. We now carry her books on my website for all routes she has written.
www.outsidetherails.com
That way you can order them before you go at a better price than the GCT station.
tim49424
Engineer
I just was informed by the person who operates the Chicago Union Station facebook page that the Amtrak Store is currently being restocked and will reopen tomorrow (March 16)!
tim49424
Engineer
It will be located next to Passenger Services. I still assume it will expand if PS is moved. I'll be there on April 3 and will check it out!
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Acela150
Super Buff
I'll do some asking around about that Chicago store.
Meat Puppet
Lead Service Attendant
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PDX has a good selection of shirts, hats, books, videos etc inside the store in the station
IndyRacingNut
Train Attendant
Aren't the passenger blankets they sell onboard still stamped with the Amtrak logo also?
tim49424
Engineer
I wouldn't assume so. I can't tell if there is a logo on the blanket. This is the entire package that they sell online and I've been told it's identical to onboard.
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Acela150
Super Buff
Confirmed by a member of the Merchandise team.
tim49424
Engineer
I got the confirmation from the person who runs the Union Station facebook page directly (as I stated before). Stock day today, grand re-opening tomorrow.
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The Autumn Excursion had a bunch of different souvenir's for sale the three years it has run. The first two years had unique pins for each trip, as well as a souvenir lunch/tote bag with the trip's route. Last year, they did not, perhaps because the route was chosen at the 'last minute', and they did not have time to make unique souvenirs for it, other than the route guide they handed out...not sure....
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