Im Riding the Eagles after a Year!

[Bob Dylan]

Tuesday Wrap-Up from Dallas:

Sadly was unable to get together with AU friends in Dallas, so bought a $3 Senior Day Pass good for DART/TRE/TEXRAIL and went sightseeing all over the Metroplex. As MARC Rider said, it's one of the Best Transportation Deals there is!( Masks and Social Distancing enforced!)

When I got back to Dallas got off @ the Akard DART Station and walked to Chop House Burger on the corner of Main and Akard, close to the Magnolia Building ( The Flying Red Pegasus on the Roof, now a Hotel) and the Remodeled Adolphus Hotel and the Original Nieman Marcus!

This place had been recommended by several friends and I sat on their nice Patio and people watched as I ate the Best Angus Burger I have ever had, with an order of Outstanding White Truffel Oil Fries with Parmesan ( The Wine Country Burger)and a Delicious Italian Nutmeg Chocolate Milk Shake for a Grand Total of less than $20!!!( This would have been $40-$ 50 in most Cities) Highly recommended when you're in Big D!

I then walked around sightseeing in Downtown Dallas, lots of activity, people out and about, mostly wearing Masks and lots of Businesses Open. Good to see after the past GhostTown Year that was Downtown Austin.

Returning to my hotel, I started watching March Madness with underdog UCLA surprisingly giving # 1 Seed Michigan all they wanted in a tight game.And the Cinderella Bruins pull off the Miracle over Michigan,, they're going to the Final Four!

My Hotel across from Union Staion ( Cindis Deli is in the Building) is now a completely Remodeled La Quinta Inn, it used to be the Hotel Lawrence which had definitely seen better days! Nice Hotel, the Price is right, using points!

I'll skip the Light Hotel provided Breakast in the morning and have a Real Breakfast @ Cindis Deli before heading over to Union Station Station to catch #21/421 and get to meet and have Lunch with an AU Member that is traveling from CHI- LAX on #421!

Hoping the Eagle will be on time, so far so good as far as St. Louis.

Last Chapter tomorrow as I head home from my fun but too brief first Trip in a Year!

 

[Cal]

Tuesday Wrap-Up from Dallas:

Sadly was unable to get together with AI friends in Dallas, so

I will assume you meant AU.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I will assume you meant AU.

yep, I tried to correct typos, small buttons on my phone, arthritic fingers!

 

[caravanman]

Well done old chap!

So good to hear of folks managing to get out and about on the trains again.

After your pilgrims progress and your excellent adventure, I guess it's full steam ahead to the next trip, "Back to the Future"?

Cheers.

 

[IndyLions]

Great trip report! Enjoy the return!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Well done old chap!

So good to hear of folks managing to get out and about on the trains again.

After your pilgrims progress and your excellent adventure, I guess it's full steam ahead to the next trip, "Back to the Future"?

Cheers.

Thanks Eddie, hope you'll be able to start traveling again soonest!

 

[MARC Rider]

the Magnolia Building ( The Flying Red Pegasus on the Roof, now a Hotel)

Yeah, that's the hotel I stayed in during the gathering. It was pretty nice. I managed to snag a suite that was well under $200 a night. It was one of the larger hotel rooms I've stayed in with the original wood paneling on the wall. I suspect it was originally some big-shot executives corner-office suite. I even had a view of the countryside around Dallas. Of course, the countryside around Dallas is kind of flat, but the freeway flyovers are impressive.

 

[tonys96]

Sorry, Jim, did not know you were here yesterday until now, or we would have met up with you for dinner.

 

[frequentflyer]

Wow, 21 went from ontime to almost 5 hours late. Sorry Bob Dylan

 

[Bob Dylan]

Sorry, Jim, did not know you were here yesterday until now, or we would have met up with you for dinner.

No problem, got your message Tony! See my answer I'll be in the Metroplex till around 3pm, #21 5 Hours late out of Little Rock!

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Italian nutmeg chocolate milkshake—sounds yummy!

Oh, yeah, the rest of the trip sounds great, too!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Wow, 21 went from ontime to almost 5 hours late. Sorry Bob Dylan

Hey, it's not just a Train ride, it's an Adventure, it's Amtrak!

 

[tricia]

My understanding is that Mexico allows them to cross for Medical reasons and to visit Fsmily, but I'm not a Lawyer, so not sure of the Legalities?? If I'm not mistaken they dont get Paasports which are required to enter other Countries and return to the US for most of us??? ( I can go to Mexico via Plane but not in a Vehicle)

Anyone have info on this???

I can affirm that at least last fall at Nogales, we were allowed to cross into Mexico for dental appointments. We walked across the border crossing, and didn't need to show a passport to enter Mexico (that's usual there, at least in recent years) but did to return to US.

 

[mikeaintx]

Just saw your departure from Ft Worth...EXTREMELY envious!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Just saw your departure from Ft Worth...EXTREMELY envious!

Better Late than Never! Waiting on a 7:15PM Diner Call where I'll get to try the Shrimp with Lobster Sauce.

Rolling down the Tracks towards Cleburne through the Mesquite Fields, and all the New Houses built in Crowley, on this now Sunny, 68 degree day!

 

[mcropod]

I saw 21 was four-plus hours down in my morning check of the asm site and didn't know that was yours until I had a squizz at this thread. I enjoyed my time on the TE a couple of years ago and I'm taking a vicarious trip with you on this occasion if that's OK

 

[F900ElCapitan]

Sounds like a great time! I’ve got two trips booked fairly soon. 7/18 LAX-DAL in a roomette and 9/10 ESM-PDX-LAX-DAL. During all the mess I did SAN-LAX-DAL twice and felt very comfortable, although I’ll admit, it was in sleepers both times. With the fairly natural 6ft distancing and heavy air flow in the cars I felt the risk/chance of transmission was very low.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The Final Chapter: The Long and Winding Road Home!

Redacted: Duplicate Post

 

[Bob Dylan]

The Final Chapter: The Long and Winding Road Home!

Woke up @5am after a Nice Sleep( I always Wake-up Early when Traveling) to Discover #21/#421 was 5+ Hours Late in Arkansas! When I went to sleep, it was on time out PBF!

Well, I watched the Weather and discovered it was in the 50s with a Strong North Wind and Cloudy, so went back to sleep.

Got up about 830am, Showered and packed and went down to get my Take out Breakfast in a Bag in the Lobby.( COVID Protocols) Naturally it Sucked, ( hello Trash)so went next Door to CINDIs Deli for a Real American Breakfast! Was glad to see the place following CDC Guidelines and only serving 50% of the Tables, which made for a Line but who's in a hurry eh?!

I then checked out of the Hotel, went to Union Station which is only Open to ticketed Amtrak Passengers, a Security Guard controls the Doors.(Hours 9am-7PM Friday-Wed, Closed Thursdays, when there's No Trains) and Checked my bag, kept my day pack and bought another $3 Day Pass for DART/TRE/ TexRail.

Rode out to DFW on the Orange Line, came back to town and got off @ Ekard Station, walked around downtown Dallas which was surprisingly Busy on this Cool,Windy Day.

Went over to CINDIs Deli again for Lunch and had a Very good Hsm and Turkey on Rye with Russian Dressing, Sprouts and Tomatoes.
Served with tasty Potato Salad, Only $10 which is a Deal for such Quality Deli Food.( Lots of us ate there during the Dallas Gathering in 2019)

By this time the Sun was out, the Wind died down and it warmed up into the 60s so I walked over to Dealey Plaza to observe the Tourists visiting the JFK Book Depository Museum and the Plaza.

Its Spring Bresk, lots of Families around. The Museum is only taking on-line Reaervations in advance and are following Strict COVID Guidelines, Masks, Social Distancing and only so many allowed in @ a time to ride the Elevator to the 6th Floor.( Wed-Sun/ Closed Mon& Tues)and was SOLD OUT till Sunday!

I talked with lots of folks from all over, Locals and people from other States and Countries, Amazing how 60 years Later this tragedy still Gets Peoples Attention!


By this time it was 3:30 with the Eagle due @ 430pm, so I walked over to Union Station( 2 blocks), was let in and waited on the uncomfortable Wooden Park type Benches in the Lobby.

I had been communicating with the AU Member on #21/#421 going to Chicago so when they told mr they were in East Dallas I went out to the Platforms and here came #21/#421 Chugging around the Bend on Track #5, its usual Track.

Since it was Rush Hour, the Platforms and Tracks were extremely busy with DART and TRE Trains and a Very Long UP Freight was passing by headed East.

I already knew the #421 Sleeper was on the Front behind the Transdorm so was waiting right where the Sleepers stopped, saw the Luggage Cart Stop @ the Coach/ Bag Car behind the Diner and my Bag go on the Train.

When the SCA opened the Door, folks started getting off and I finally got to meet the AUer and their Traveling Companion.

They told me that they'd made 715pm Dinner Reservations in the CCC,the SCA said shed tell the LSA to put me on the List with them.

We boarded, I put my stuff in my Roomette( #3) and went to their Bedroom to talk as we rolled out for Ft Worth.

The consist was 2 P-42s!!,Transdorm ( #21 Sleeper), #421 Sleeper( a Rehab Superliner I), CCC and 3 Coaches.

Once we got to Ft Worth we got off for a Fresh Air Break, watched 1 of the P-42s cut out ( #22) and the Heartland Flyer( #822) roll out for OKC.

It was now almost 6pm, so we boarded and I went to my room to rest and wait for the 715pm Dinner Call.

As we rolled down the Tracks headed for Austin and points South, I walked the Train to see how full it was, the Revenue Sleeper had the Family Room and 2 Roomettes Open Downstairs, All Upstairs rooms were occupied.

In the Coaches, the 2 #21 Coaches were about half full with most people having Seats to themselves except for a few Families and Couples traveling together.

The #421 Cutout Coach only had about 10 people but the attendant told me there would be people getting on at several of the stops between Temple and San Antonio, so it would fill up to 50% which is they were selling.

Masks were strictly enforced, the Conductors made several announcements about those not wearing them would be getting off early!

The LSA in the Diner came by, introduced himself and we talked a little.

His name is Mark, a 19 year OBS who usually worked the Zephyr and Lake Shore out of Chicago in Normal times. A really nice guy, and very good @ his job in spite of doing the work of 3 with 16 Hour days!

When 7pm came, he made the Dinner call so we headed to the Diner, there were only 5 os us eating in the Diner, everyone else had chosen to eat in their Rooms earlier.

I ordered the Shrimp with Lobster Sauce to try it, and it was absolutely Good!, served with a Hot Roll with Butter, I passed on the Salad, got a Diet Coke ( Pepsi is not Missed!).

When it was Desert time, they had Blondies, which I'd never had, it was OK but I thought yesterday's Brownie was Better!

We talked for about and hour, and once everyone else was through I asked the Crew members in the Diner about what's happening to the Eagles in May when most of the Daily LD Trains return.

The Good News is the Eagles will go back to Daily Service CHI-SAS, with a Full Diner Crew,2 LSAs with the # of SCA( s) and Coach Attendants based on the Ridership.

The Bad News is that the Sightseer Lounge will NOT return to the Eagle Route, the CCC will serve as the Diner and the Cafe, sort of like on the Cardinal with its Diner Lite.

In other News, the Transdorm will be replaced with a Regular Sleeper with the Bedrooms Sold to Paying Passengers and the Crew in the Roomettes. The Bag Car will not return.

After leaving Temple, we went to our rooms to rest, I got a Diet Coke for the Road.

We made good time, made the Taylor stop about 9:45pm, rolled into Austin down Mopac, saw the Only UP Freight we saw after Ft Worth headed North, but it was rolling fast and we didnt have to go into the Hole and stop which is usual when this happens in Austin.

We rolled around the Bend,stopped about 10:30PM, I hopped off, Claimed my Checked Bag @ Trainside, waived to my New Friends Upstairs,and headed for my Car.

There was about 10 people boarding lined up under the Shed which is the policy here!

The Engineers changed out, the Horn toothed and the Eagle rolled out as I headed towards home.

Luckily I caught mostly Green Lights, the Traffic was Light tonight, and I was home by 11:00PM.

Home Sweet Home! I'm tired, But I'd do it again in a New York Minute! My next get away will be to Alpine on the Eagle and Sunset Ltd.

Thanks for riding along, sorry its so Long and theres no pics, hope all of yall get to take a Train trip soon!

OUT!!!

 

[OBS]

Great report. Thanks for taking us along!

 

[railiner]

Yes....always like these kind of reports...it is both entertaining and educational when 'insider' tips are given for good places to sleep, dine, and best places to ride on the train itself, as well as other useful information for future rider's...thanks for posting!

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Wonderful report, Jim!

The joys of being back on the train, eating lunch out, and staying in a favorite hotel come through clearly!

It is obvious you enjoyed and appreciated all of it, and I’m so glad you had such a good time!

 

[frequentflyer]

So the the thru cars were separated from each other? Why does Amtrak make simple switching moves so complicated?

Glad you had a good time and hope your source is wrong about the Sightseer lounge, I think I met you years ago in Temple.

 

[Bob Dylan]

So the the thru cars were separated from each other? Why does Amtrak make simple switching moves so complicated?

Glad you had a good time and hope your source is wrong about the Sightseer lounge, I think I met you years ago in Temple.

My source says the Route Manager told the Crews about this in Chicago after the Daily Train funding was obtained by Amtrak and the Suits made their Plans.

No Sightseer Lounge really sucks, I think the same thing will probably happen on the CONO since it's sort of a Twin of the Eagles!

 

[frequentflyer]

That stinks, the most picturesque part of the TE is between Temple and FTW, south of STL running along the Mississippi River and just for kicks watching the traffic glide backwards along I-55 from Springfield to Joliet. Not the same without a Sightseer car.