Crescent. Train 20 7/23. NOL-NYP

[Steve4031]

The magnolia lounge is apparently not being used. 1 departs at 9 a.m and 20 at 9:15. The station staff is not able to manage this. I came into the station and saw a line. I assumed it was to get tickets scanned for 20. I had forgotten about 1. When I got to the front the guy told me I should have asked. I explained that I did not want to cut the line. I determined that the line is to assign seats on 1.

I went to the ticket line to double check if there was a boarding procedure for 20. The agent just stated it boards at 8:45. No mention of the magnolia lounge.

 

[Steve4031]

Departed on time. The crew on 20 is excellent. Like 59, there is a trainee sca in my car. There have been several freights headed towards New Orleans stopped nose to tail on the other track. Finally got a view of the lake.

 

[Steve4031]

Very slow approach to the bridge crossing the lake. Maybe we are stuck behind a freight.

 

[Steve4031]

Just found out from scanner that the signals are dark.

 

[Steve4031]

We got back up to speed on the bridge. Departed Slidell 19 minutes late.

 

[Cal]

The magnolia lounge is apparently not being used.

Weird, was in use on Monday.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The magnolia lounge is apparently not being used. 1 departs at 9 a.m and 20 at 9:15. The station staff is not able to manage this. I came into the station and saw a line. I assumed it was to get tickets scanned for 20. I had forgotten about 1. When I got to the front the guy told me I should have asked. I explained that I did not want to cut the line. I determined that the line is to assign seats on 1.

I went to the ticket line to double check if there was a boarding procedure for 20. The agent just stated it boards at 8:45. No mention of the magnolia lounge.

Since its not Staffed,they don't advertise or announce the Magnolia Room, you have to ask them for the Code to enter.

Except for sometimes Coffee in the morning and a TV, there's really not much in there ( there's No Magnolias!) except Industrial type Furniture.And it's Small, so it can ger full quickly.

 

[Dakota 400]

Since its not Staffed,they don't advertise or announce the Magnolia Room, you have to ask them for the Code to enter.

Except for sometimes Coffee in the morning and a TV, there's really not much in there ( there's No Magnolias!) except Industrial type Furniture.And it's Small, so it can ger full quickly.

When I was in New Orleans a few years ago, that was my experience as well. When the coffee pot was empty, no staff refilled it. I don't recall any supplies available so that a passenger could have made another pot.

 

[Steve4031]

We were an hour late by the time we got to Tuscaloosa. We are now predicted to arrive on time into Birmingham. Not to shabby.

The crew has been outstanding. When asked about lunch nyc I explained that I was planning to go up and pay for a cheeseburger. They offered to get it for me. I still had to pay. Still excellent service.

 

[cassie225]

Nice to know. I have always thought the staff inside the Amtrak station in NO to be very nice, doing all they can,,each time I have been there to accommodate.Magnolia has never been anything special and being in NO I thought it would be.Keep us posted on your journey

 

[Steve4031]

The staff in NOL was friendly in the long run. They truly desired to be helpful.

This morning there was a train master riding the Crescent to DC. I think she got on in Charlotte.

The scenery was outstanding.

 

[Steve4031]

We arrived in DC at 1:13. Had plenty of time to switch engines.

 

[Steve4031]

I finished up by taking PATH from Newark Penn to exchange place which is across the street from the Hyatt Regency Jersey City.

After a shower and research I took an Uber and ate pizza at Grimaldis in Jersey city. It was perfect.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I finished up by taking PATH from Newark Penn to exchange place which is across the street from the Hyatt Regency Jersey City.

After a shower and research I took an Uber and ate pizza at Grimaldis in Jersey city. It was perfect.

Jersey City has really been gentrified compared to Newark.

I hardly recognized it last time I was there( 2021) compared to the 70s and 80s.

 

[Bonser]

Jersey City has really been gentrified compared to Newark.

I hardly recognized it last time I was there( 2021) compared to the 70s and 80s.

I moved to Jersey City in 1983 and have lived here since. The change is absolutely mind boggling.