Returning to DC from New Mexico

[jjsp]

Greetings all - Thank you to everyone for your advice in advance.

We will be doing a driving tour (rental car) of the southwest and will finish in New Mexico.

We are looking to take Amtrak back. We have three route options back. Suggestions as to which we should choose?

1) Southwest Chief from Albequerque to Chicago and then Capital Limited to Washington

2) Texas Chief from El Paso to Chicago and then Capital Limited to Washington

3) Sunset Limited from El Paso to New Orleans and then Crescent to Washington

Time of year will be end of September, if that matters. And we expect to be in a roomette.

Happy riding to all!

 

[Tracktwentynine]

Just a few things to consider:

The Southwest Chief + Capitol Limited will be fastest. From ABQ to WAS will take 46 hours, 30 minutes. You'll spend one night on the Chief and one night on the Cap.

The Texas Eagle + Capitol Limited will give you less flexibility, because the Eagle/Sunset runs only 3 days per week west of San Antonio. You will spend two nights on the Eagle and one night on the Capitol Limited. In fact, from El Paso to Chicago alone is 45 hours, 17 minutes. Almost as long as the whole trip from Albuquerque to Washington via the Chief. All told, the trip is 67 hours, 5 minutes.

The Sunset Limited + Crescent also gives you less flexibility than the the Chief, because the Sunset only runs 3 days per week. Additionally, the connection in New Orleans is not the same day, so you will have to spend the night on your own in the Big Easy. You'll spend one night on the Sunset, one night in New Orleans, and one night on the Crescent. That trip adds up to 64 hours, 18 minutes (of which, 9 hours 20 is spent overnight in New Orleans).

It all depends on what your preferences are. I think you'll find great scenery on whichever train you choose. If you really, really want to see West Texas, rather than the Land of Enchantment, the Sunset or Eagle might be appropriate. If time is of the essence, I'd pick the Chief. If you want to take the opportunity to visit New Orleans on the way home, perhaps staying an extra day or two, then by all means, the Sunset + Crescent is probably the way to go.

EDIT: Added nights by train for Sunset + Crescent.

 

[the_traveler]

Welcome aboard!

Just to let you know that the Texas Eagle (TE) and Sunset Limited (SL) from El Paso run only 3 times a week, All the others run daily. Also with the TE, it takes 2 nights to reach Chicago, while the Southwest Chief only takes one. And the SL will require you to stay overnight in New Orleans - at your expense - before continuing on the following morning!

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

It's really up to yourself, but I would suggest either the SL and Crescent or the SWC and CL. There is no Texas Chief, I think you are talking about the Texas Eagle. The Texas Chief used to run from Chicago to Houston and Galveston, but was renamed to Lone Star in 1974 and cancelled in 1979. I wish it were still here but it is not. If you did not mean Texas Eagle when you wrote Texas Chief, please clarify what you mean.

Note that I had a poor expierience with the Crescent crew, only the SCA was good, the diner attendants were unfriendly. But it is still a good train and great if you want to see Dixieland.

 

[gswager]

I would try to avoid going to New Orleans trip in case of hurricane during its prime season.

 

[Ispolkom]

If you did not mean Texas Eagle when you wrote Texas Chief, please clarify what you mean.

Given the city pair El Paso and Chicago, it wasn't hard to determine that he meant #422.

I'd suggest the Southwest Chief-Capitol Limited pair. #422, whatever you call it, involves too much Texas for me. YMMV, of course.

 

[jjsp]

Thanks for all the quick replies.

Yes, I did mean the Texas Eagle - sorry for my poor typing ksills.

I should have been clearer on my question. I understand the duration and days of the week issues and can work those out. Speed is not of the essence. Having the best experience (scenery, service, etc) is more important. In other words, if money or time were not an object, which would you pick?

Thanks

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

If you did not mean Texas Eagle when you wrote Texas Chief, please clarify what you mean.

Given the city pair El Paso and Chicago, it wasn't hard to determine that he meant #422.

I said that I think he's talking about the Texas Eagle. I still don't recommend it if one's connecting to the CL.

In late September the hurricane threat should have died down a bit.

 

[Tracktwentynine]

In late December the hurricane threat should have died down a bit.

Time of year will be end of September, if that matters. And we expect to be in a roomette.

Swadian, sometimes I wonder if you even read stuff before you reply.

September is very much in the height of hurricane season, and it's a consideration. Though I think they'd probably be okay, you never know with Mother Nature.

 

[The Davy Crockett]

I would choose option #1. Nice scenery (At least if the SWC is running over Raton Pass), it has less of a hurricane threat, and the Cap. Ltd. is a sweet ride, especially from Pittsburgh (as long as you are not too late and end up with a bustitution - see Amtrak's Service Disruptions) as you climb over the Alleghenies and then ride down the Potomac River valley.

The probelm with the SSL to Crescent, besides the hurricane threat, are the connection is times. The SSL is due in later in the day (and sometimes gets to NOL really late) and the Crescent leaves around 7:00 AM, so unless you want a layover in NOL - which can be fun - the connection is not great.

 

[FunNut]

Definitely another vote for the SWC connecting to the CL. The scenery all the way through New Mexico is really wonderful, well, maybe I'm partial because it's my home. You will still be in daylight through Raton Pass, very special. There's much talk of this routing "going away" and the SWC being re-routed through Amarillo within a few years. So, another reason to take the SWC this year.

Like the others, I would avoid New Orleans in September, your trip could really get ruined by weather. If you just want more time on trains, the Eagle and CL would provide that. I still recommend the SWC, my favorite train.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I agree with the SWC and CL from ABQ-CHI-WAS and my home Train is the Texas Eagle! ^_^

All the reasons Pro and Con mentioned by the other Posters is True! Youll be in a Roomette so youll get to ride in a Superliner,Great Scenery,Experienced Friendly OBS, Good Connection Times and Great Food in Real Diners! And use of the Metro Lounge in CHI while connecting from the Chief to the Cap! I have taken all Three Routes many Times and Totally Agree about not riding the Sunset/Eagle thru Miles and Miles of Miles in Texas and I live here! :lol:

 

[user 1215]

My preferred route isn't on your list, but it would be to take the SWC from ABQ to CHI and then take the Cardinal from CHI to WAS.

Pros:

- ABQ is a great station. With their new train station in the Alvarado Transporation Center and the many platform vendors selling their Native American wares, the atmosphere is a destination in itself.

- You may not have an opportunity to enjoy the scenery between ABQ through Raton Pass and West Kansas if the line is rerouted in the future.

- The Cardinal, though only 3 days a week, is a beautiful ride and you may get to experience some changing foliage (though it is a bit early for all the Fall colors).

Cons:

- The Cardinal has a lousy diner. You are already planning a roomette which is great. If you go coach on the Cardinal, you can almost go hungry.

- Because of the popularity of the Cardinal, and them only having one sleeper car, you may find availability limited. This could also result in a higher cost than taking the Capital.

- The Cardinal only operates three days a week, so you would have to take some extra care in your planning. This may be why you didn't see it as an option. Fiddle with your departure by +/- 1 day and see if it is available.

Note: I just tried a sample booking departing 9/26, and the total price for the Cardinal was only $150 more. Well worth it in my opinion.

My second choice would be your option 1. Following the rivers for hours in Pennsylvania, Maryland and a touch of West Virginia can be mesmorizing.

 

[C&O RR]

How much time do you want to spend on the train?

You could go ABQ to LAX on the SWC

LAX to CHI on TE 422

CHI to WAS on Cardinal

The layover in LAX would give you the day (or longer) to spend touring LA.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I would choose option #1. Nice scenery (At least if the SWC is running over Raton Pass), it has less of a hurricane threat, and the Cap. Ltd. is a sweet ride, especially from Pittsburgh (as long as you are not too late and end up with a bustitution - see Amtrak's Service Disruptions) as you climb over the Alleghenies and then ride down the Potomac River valley.

The probelm with the SSL to Crescent, besides the hurricane threat, are the connection is times. The SSL is due in later in the day (and sometimes gets to NOL really late) and the Crescent leaves around 7:00 AM, so unless you want a layover in NOL - which can be fun - the connection is not great.

Actually, one of the reasons I suggested SL/Crescent is because of the NOL layover.

My preferred route isn't on your list, but it would be to take the SWC from ABQ to CHI and then take the Cardinal from CHI to WAS.

Pros:

- ABQ is a great station. With their new train station in the Alvarado Transporation Center and the many platform vendors selling their Native American wares, the atmosphere is a destination in itself.

- You may not have an opportunity to enjoy the scenery between ABQ through Raton Pass and West Kansas if the line is rerouted in the future.

- The Cardinal, though only 3 days a week, is a beautiful ride and you may get to experience some changing foliage (though it is a bit early for all the Fall colors).

Cons:

- The Cardinal has a lousy diner. You are already planning a roomette which is great. If you go coach on the Cardinal, you can almost go hungry.

- Because of the popularity of the Cardinal, and them only having one sleeper car, you may find availability limited. This could also result in a higher cost than taking the Capital.

- The Cardinal only operates three days a week, so you would have to take some extra care in your planning. This may be why you didn't see it as an option. Fiddle with your departure by +/- 1 day and see if it is available.

Note: I just tried a sample booking departing 9/26, and the total price for the Cardinal was only $150 more. Well worth it in my opinion.

My second choice would be your option 1. Following the rivers for hours in Pennsylvania, Maryland and a touch of West Virginia can be mesmorizing.

I would like that option, too. The OP probably missed it because the Cardinal only runs thrice-a-week. The diner on the Cardinal is not lousy, it simply does not have a diner. Instead it uses a combined Diner/Lounge (Dinette) which serves decent meals for sleeper pax, not as bad as some think.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

In late December the hurricane threat should have died down a bit.

Time of year will be end of September, if that matters. And we expect to be in a roomette.

Swadian, sometimes I wonder if you even read stuff before you reply.

September is very much in the height of hurricane season, and it's a consideration. Though I think they'd probably be okay, you never know with Mother Nature.

Now that is just a slap in the face! Please forgive my ignorence!