NYP-FUL Cardinal/Southwest Chief

[Alice]

That’s quite possible. He gave me his card for the RWU (railroad workers United). Do you know if he’s part of that group?

Yes, an officer. If you make contact with him, tell him you know Alice and ask about visiting him in Weed, it is an incredible place. You'll need a car (or bike from Weed). Black Butte Center for Railroad Culture

 

[Cal]

Woke up at 6, and now just resting enjoying the ride. Will probably have a late breakfast.

 

[20th Century Rider]

Since they've done away with the Veggie Burger ( which was Very Good), the Angus Burger is always good!
( with Bacon and Cheese if you like them)

I'd pass on the Chili or the Caesars Salad since you can get really good versions where you live!

2nd Choice would be the Grilled Cheese which sounds interesting.

Wish they still had the Special Sandwich @ Lunch( it was different on different Routes).

Don't forget to get an early Dinner Rez, you don't want to be told "We're out!" when you order the Steak and your favorite Desert!
( and try the New Lobster Crab Cake, they used to be pretty good on the LD Trains)

This has me really looking forward to three upcoming trips. Mouth is watering for good food and the view! Haven't traveled Amtrak in over two years due to covid... and with all the incentives I may still qualify for Executive Plus for the next year. The best perk will be access to Moynihan Lounge whenever doing side trips out of NYP.

 

[Cal]

Breakfast was excellent, this time we were seated alone. Took a little while for them to come get our orders, but the diner was pretty full and there’s only the LSA and the SA. I believe the crew has occupied four tables (two on each side).

After breakfast I returned to the room and relaxed. Chuck the LSA came by for lunch reservations a few minutes ago and we got the 12:30 PM reservation. Now I’m in the SSL where I plan to stay for quite a while, at least till Raton. Only a few seats left though, with all the Amish and Boy Scouts (I saw 6 of them at a table!)

 

[Cal]

I asked if I could get the grits with the scrambled eggs, the SA said they were out. I assume that if they weren’t out you could have them with the eggs.

 

[20th Century Rider]

Breakfast was excellent, this time we were seated alone. Took a little while for them to come get our orders, but the diner was pretty full and there’s only the LSA and the SA. I believe the crew has occupied four tables (two on each side).

After breakfast I returned to the room and relaxed. Chuck the LSA came by for lunch reservations a few minutes ago and we got the 12:30 PM reservation. Now I’m in the SSL where I plan to stay for quite a while, at least till Raton. Only a few seats left though, with all the Amish and Boy Scouts (I saw 6 of them at a table!)

The pics of those meals look just as good as the promo's. Says a lot for quality of service and passenger commitment! Enjoy your trip ‼

 

[Cal]

The pics of those meals look just as good as the promo's. Says a lot for quality of service and passenger commitment! Enjoy your trip ‼

It was good too! French toast was better than the one my neighbor made a few weeks back. Eggs and potatoes were also good, we both cleaned our plates.

 

[Cal]

Just now leaving Raton. Raton Pass was very pretty, and I was in the SSL for most of it.

Left Raton about 15 minutes late, a lot of scouts came off and on. Now I’m gonna get ready for seeing some semaphores

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Just now leaving Raton. Raton Pass was very pretty, and I was in the SSL for most of it.

Left Raton about 15 minutes late, a lot of scouts came off and on. Now I’m gonna get ready for seeing some semaphores

I think the semaphores are gone.

 

[Cal]

I think the semaphores are gone.

Not all of them, not yet. Soon though. Unless BNSF wiped the last handful out since May

 

[Cal]

Got them! This is at the north end of the siding by Wagon Mound. Unfortunately the other end has new signals.

I think there’s a handful more south of Las Vegas.

 

[Cal]

By the way, BNSF is doing some work on Raton sub. It also looked like some of the tracks on Raton pass were welded.

 

[jis]

Those semaphores must be a maintenance nightmare. No wonder they want to get rid of them.

By the way, BNSF is doing some work on Raton sub. It also looked like some of the tracks on Raton pass were welded.

This is the work you are seeing...

https://www.denverpost.com/2020/09/30/amtrak-southwest-chief-rail-route-colorado-new-mexico/

 

[Cal]

Those semaphores must be a maintenance nightmare. No wonder they want to get rid of them.

This is the work you are seeing...

https://www.denverpost.com/2020/09/30/amtrak-southwest-chief-rail-route-colorado-new-mexico/

But it’s a shame they have to be removed, a great piece of history. I’m glad I got to see them before they are gone forever.


Thanks for the info on the track work.

 

[Cal]

After Raton I continued to hang in the SSL until lunch time was called (a few minutes late). It was good, but I think I liked breakfast and dinner better. There weren’t too many people in the diner so we were seated alone. Unfortunately they are out of the chocolate cake, didn’t get a chance to try it.

During lunch we passed several semaphores, which are the westernmost ones. From a Google search I learned that there are (or at least used to) be) semaphores along the Cardinal route in Indiana, ads they still there?

Now I’m back in the SSL as we cruise through Glorieta Pass, which I think is the scenic highlight of the trip. We’ve been running close to on time the whole way. Kinda hope we are delayed an hour or two tonight so I can wake up leisurely tomorrow.

 

[Rasputin]

I asked if I could get the grits with the scrambled eggs, the SA said they were out. I assume that if they weren’t out you could have them with the eggs.

Thanks for asking. So it appears that grits would normally be available.

 

[20th Century Rider]

After Raton I continued to hang in the SSL until lunch time was called (a few minutes late). It was good, but I think I liked breakfast and dinner better. There weren’t too many people in the diner so we were seated alone. Unfortunately they are out of the chocolate cake, didn’t get a chance to try it.

During lunch we passed several semaphores, which are the westernmost ones. From a Google search I learned that there are (or at least used to) be) semaphores along the Cardinal route in Indiana, ads they still there?

Now I’m back in the SSL as we cruise through Glorieta Pass, which I think is the scenic highlight of the trip. We’ve been running close to on time the whole way. Kinda hope we are delayed an hour or two tonight so I can wake up leisurely tomorrow.

BTW... how do you get such great pics? I've had an Iphone12 for about a year and it's way too complicated but it takes good pics. Maybe I'm the only one on the forum who struggles with technology... but want to share with the group when I start doing trans-cons again in October. Any simple tips?

 

[Cal]

BTW... how do you get such great pics? I've had an Iphone12 for about a year and it's way too complicated but it takes good pics. Maybe I'm the only one on the forum who struggles with technology... but want to share with the group when I start doing trans-cons again in October. Any simple tips?

I have the iPhone 12 mini, same camera as the iPhone 12. Usually I zoom out to make it .5 using the wide lens to capture more and it turns out well. No special tricks. Just play with it a bit and I’m sure you can figure it out.

 

[Cal]

After glorieta I continued to stay in the SSL, with the exception of Apache Canyon where I got a video from the railfan window, would’ve been better if the baggage car wasn’t back there but oh well.

Just before Lamy we passed a late train 4, led by P42 #4. It was also carrying a superliner at the back behind the baggage car.

About 20-30 minutes before coming onto the Rail Runner tracks the LSA announced he would be coming around for dinner reservations soon. My traveling partner was asleep so I hung around the doorway until he came by and got a 7 PM reservation. So I should be able to step out at Gallup.

Went back to the SSL and we soon entered the ABQ area. The conductor announced that coach would be full after departing ABQ (the last coach only had the scouts and a handful of passengers, first car pretty full). We arrived a few minutes late and I stepped out from the last coach (I didn’t know some bathroom doors were green) and walked to the front to witness refueling. Stayed outside for most of the stop.

Since departing I’ve been in the roomette relaxing, checking AU, and charging my phone. Might head back to the SSL later. I’m afraid this trip is coming to a close all too soon for me.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I have the iPhone 12 mini, same camera as the iPhone 12. Usually I zoom out to make it .5 using the wide lens to capture more and it turns out well. No special tricks. Just play with it a bit and I’m sure you can figure it out.

As I enjoy your pictures I will also learn from them!

 

[Cal]

I did not last long

 

[Cal]

Alright, one of the last updates (). Relaxed in the SSL and enjoyed watching the scenery. I really feel that the rock formations are some of the best scenery on the route, quite under appreciated.

For dinner, I was intending to step off at Gallup, walk to my sleeper, and then hop back on there to prepare for dinner. Unfortunately we were stopped for 30 minutes for two eastbound freight trains and so I had to go back before Gallup.

Right at 7 the announcement came on an we headed down. The LSA let us know that they DO have chocolate cake, it was just hiding in the freezer. We both had the salad for an appetizer, and before we could properly finish the main course arrived. I got the chicken and my traveling partner got the Tortellini with pesto cream. Both received rave reviews. Since we had both snacked earlier we were very full and split a piece of cake. It was really rich, but good. We didn’t finish it and instead got it wrapped and will snack on it later. Tomorrow I intend to to wake up early and enjoy breakfast.

Now relaxing in my room and watching/listening to the Goldbergs. Will prepare for bed soon. Hopefully I awake to find us late and I can see cajon pass in daylight.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I skipped lunch on one of my trips years ago to make sure I had room for the chocolate lava cake after my steak.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Being an iPhone *****, I only recently discovered that my camera was taking "live" photos, i.e. short little 1 second movie bursts. Perfect on train trips for removing bridge structures and trees from otherwise scenic shots. Once you find a clear frame, you can mark it as the "key" photo. Hit edit and then pick the little target symbol.

 

[Cal]

We set up the beds a bit before Winslow, and relaxed. I stepped off quickly at flagstaff, and went to sleep shortly after departing.

Had a decent nights sleep, my alarm was set for 5 am so I could get breakfast although I awoke a few times between 2 and 5 AM. At 4:40 I just got up, and got dressed. We pulled into Victorville shortly after. As we passed the Hesperia railcam I put my flashlight on, you can see it in the video.

at 5 AM I headed to the diner alone, as my traveling partner was still asleep. Had a great breakfast of French toast with potatoes and bacon. By the time I finished we were about to leave Cajon pass and the sky was becoming lighter. I went to the SSL where I stayed until Yoruba Linda, just savoring the last hour on the train.

A handful of people got off in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Fullerton respectively. I only saw scouts get off in Fullerton but I wasn’t really paying attention to the others.

Once I got back to my room, I found that our SCA was getting the bed sheets, and my traveling partner was across the hall chatting. Before I knew it, we were pulling into Fullerton just a minute or so late. Had to snap a few last pictures before heading to my ride. As we walked over the bridge with a handful of other passengers (including some Amish, which I was surprised to see they came out so far. I heard they transferred to a southbound Surfliner to SAN) the train pulled away.

We went to our ride, and am now home.

Thanks to everyone who followed along, this was a wonderful trip. Can’t wait to get back on board.

For those wondering, old bedding on the cardinal and Chief.