had8ley
Engineer
We pulled up to NOUPT on Monday morning about 10:30 a.m.and for the first time in too many years it reminded me of the days when the L & N, the IC, the T&P/MOP, Southern and the Southern Pacific all ran into the common station. There were cabs and SUV's discharging pax everywhere. We actually had to wait to pull in and unload. I walked through the front doors and wished the NOL constables that sit behind the old Southern tix counter Happy Thanksgiving as they continued to watch the crowds go by.
I went to the Amtrak tix counter to acquire the code for the Magnolia Room.(Luckily I had grabbed a roomette at the last minute with my pass. Roomettes were almost $200 from NOL to HOS and bedrooms almost double that! Talk about high buckets!!!) I glanced out at the tracks on the way over and noticed a short train that I was almost certain was going to be that afternoon's City.
After entering the correct code to the Magnolia Room, I opened the door to find quite a crowd. Many had come in on the evening before Crescent and were comparing notes about the service; they all had a common complaint~ the train was late (pretty unusual for the Crescent; especially on a Sunday.)About that time there was a loud banging coming from the door way to the waiting room. A very determined German tourist was determined to get in without a code. One of the many frustrated people finally got up and told him to go get the code at the tix window. He darted off muttering German obscenities I'm most sure. When he returned he entered the code BUTpulled the wrong door. I'm glad that door is solid because this guy gave it numerous heave hoes with all his might. Everyone finally shouted out to use the other door next to the code machine. When he finally got the message, he entered and very boisterously announced, "I know vat I'm doing." I hope he doesn't apply for an engineer's job !!!
When train time arrived the sleeper pax were boarded first. It was more of a Chinese fire drill as the pax in the Magnolia Room were never notified by any OBS or T.& E. I happened to be outside after returning from the trinket shop in the middle of the staion.
Sure enough, the "shortie" was our train~two coaches (one a bag-dorm which seemed a waste of rev seats with a full bag up front) a SSL, full diner, rev sleeper, trans-dorm, bag and the two mules. What was interesting was the newness of the diner and two sleepers. I lost the sheet with the Beech Grove stimulus car re-builts but the diner had brand new sets of trucks (# 38065), the rev sleeper was tagged that stimulus $$$ had gotten it back on track (# 32042) and the trans`dorm had a complete make-over also~ (# 39007). Anybody know if these were on the Beech Grove dead/wreck line at some time? I was very pleased by the beautiful job Beech Grove had accomplished on re-furbing these cars. (I don't know what was done behind the tan toned walls but am probably better off not knowing.)
I was greeted by Steve, our SCA, who I had traveled with many time on the West(left) coast. he bumped to the Sunset because the crew gets three days off in NOL with pay.It's an eight day turn-a-round but three are dead, but paid, days. Our diner LSA was as lost as a goose on his first trip out of LA. He was cheery about it but later told me he had to drive 5 1/2 hours after he got in to get home.Jose was our second SA in the diner and he remembered me from a recent Coast Starlight trip.John was our waiter; he had an excellent attitude and tried to accommodate everyone to a "T".
Lunch was served as soon as we hit the Huey P. Long; one side of the bridge tracks was out of service for track work, which is not unusual,so we proceeded over on the south track against traffic. I did notice the New Orleans Public Belt is building a new yard at the foot of the bridge at Central Avenue; so much for all the problems they're having.I dined with a grand mother who was taking her grand daughter to San Antonio for the Holidays and a gentlemen from Plymouth, Mass. Of course, I had to ask why would he leave Plymouth Rock to do turkey in LA. He said he was invited to the worst meal he had ever eaten at Plymouth Rock last year; turkey ROLL,canned peas and store bought rolls so he wasn't taking any chances this year.I had the salad and asked for the chicken topping. I couldn't tell the croutons from the chicken as I think the chicken was the kids nugget meal.The dessert was delightful and they've added raspberry sorbet to the menu.
Our German door buster was arguing with the LSA about "Vaat,no viernersnitzel ??" I don't know who was more lost.The LSA said he would give him something similar; I think our German friend got a hamburger; he took two bites and threw it on the floor.And the Europeans talk about us !!!
We made our first stop at Schreiver,(SHREE-VER) (not SCHIEVER, (SHRI-VER) as Julie and all the res agents call it and picked up the first rev sleeping pax that I can ever remember. We ran along at a fair clip and made a brief stop in New Iberia to pick up the and on to Lafayette for a smoke stop. Word of warning; don't wander far from the train at Lafayette as there is only one way to get back on the train'~ you must walk through the waiting room unless you have wings !!!I almost wound up hitch hiking to Houston!#$%
The LSA had come through taking dinner res. About 5 p.m. he came on the PA and announced "Due to technical difficulties it would be a while before dinner was served". I had visions of the AU gathering return trip on the City where the CCC went bad ordered and all we got to eat was blow 'n go food. Fortunately, The LSA started calling for diners at 5:30 and acted as if everything was OK in the diner.
I went in for the 7 p.m. seating and was seated across from the couple who got on the sleeper in Scheiver. There was another lady trying to pay her bill as she had finished her meal. The LSA took her money (she was in coach) when John was serving my steak which was well done but ordered rare.The couple across from me were on their 14th anniversary trip and the gentleman couldn't get service fast enough. I asked him where he was going and he said "Tucson" to which I replied, "Say, this is the only show in town so enjoy and savor every minute. Forget about all your worries and cherish your time on board. " With that, I ordered them a bottle of wine and everything seemed to calm down. He gave me his card, "Roadrunner Notary Service"~ now I see why he was such a jack rabbit.I walked through the two coaches that were literally packed; some kids had climbed up to the luggage racks above the seats and fell asleep. The two packed coaches were in less than acceptable condition and I'm glad I grabbed a sleeeper tix at the last minute.
Well,after hitting the rocks at Beaumont, along with a crew change, we found out that we would have to take the old MOP route into Houston and all the signals were out. Even with 20 mph max and having to back up to get to the HOS station we arrived at 9:15 p.m. Two minutes off the TT arrival time.
The following day I had an appointment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital. After three hours of consultation is was determined that I do not have cancer again but that a nerve had re-grown and needs to be removed. believe me, the pain was almost unbearable and was almost as bad at the AU gathering. To anyone who took offense to anything I did or said I am heartfully sorry but I refused to take any medicine through this ordeal for pain. In hind sight it was a major blunder; one I'll have to live with until they operate.
Happy Thanskgiving to all; I, of all, should be most grateful that the "beast'(cancer) didn't strike me again. :hi:
I went to the Amtrak tix counter to acquire the code for the Magnolia Room.(Luckily I had grabbed a roomette at the last minute with my pass. Roomettes were almost $200 from NOL to HOS and bedrooms almost double that! Talk about high buckets!!!) I glanced out at the tracks on the way over and noticed a short train that I was almost certain was going to be that afternoon's City.
After entering the correct code to the Magnolia Room, I opened the door to find quite a crowd. Many had come in on the evening before Crescent and were comparing notes about the service; they all had a common complaint~ the train was late (pretty unusual for the Crescent; especially on a Sunday.)About that time there was a loud banging coming from the door way to the waiting room. A very determined German tourist was determined to get in without a code. One of the many frustrated people finally got up and told him to go get the code at the tix window. He darted off muttering German obscenities I'm most sure. When he returned he entered the code BUTpulled the wrong door. I'm glad that door is solid because this guy gave it numerous heave hoes with all his might. Everyone finally shouted out to use the other door next to the code machine. When he finally got the message, he entered and very boisterously announced, "I know vat I'm doing." I hope he doesn't apply for an engineer's job !!!
When train time arrived the sleeper pax were boarded first. It was more of a Chinese fire drill as the pax in the Magnolia Room were never notified by any OBS or T.& E. I happened to be outside after returning from the trinket shop in the middle of the staion.
Sure enough, the "shortie" was our train~two coaches (one a bag-dorm which seemed a waste of rev seats with a full bag up front) a SSL, full diner, rev sleeper, trans-dorm, bag and the two mules. What was interesting was the newness of the diner and two sleepers. I lost the sheet with the Beech Grove stimulus car re-builts but the diner had brand new sets of trucks (# 38065), the rev sleeper was tagged that stimulus $$$ had gotten it back on track (# 32042) and the trans`dorm had a complete make-over also~ (# 39007). Anybody know if these were on the Beech Grove dead/wreck line at some time? I was very pleased by the beautiful job Beech Grove had accomplished on re-furbing these cars. (I don't know what was done behind the tan toned walls but am probably better off not knowing.)
I was greeted by Steve, our SCA, who I had traveled with many time on the West(left) coast. he bumped to the Sunset because the crew gets three days off in NOL with pay.It's an eight day turn-a-round but three are dead, but paid, days. Our diner LSA was as lost as a goose on his first trip out of LA. He was cheery about it but later told me he had to drive 5 1/2 hours after he got in to get home.Jose was our second SA in the diner and he remembered me from a recent Coast Starlight trip.John was our waiter; he had an excellent attitude and tried to accommodate everyone to a "T".
Lunch was served as soon as we hit the Huey P. Long; one side of the bridge tracks was out of service for track work, which is not unusual,so we proceeded over on the south track against traffic. I did notice the New Orleans Public Belt is building a new yard at the foot of the bridge at Central Avenue; so much for all the problems they're having.I dined with a grand mother who was taking her grand daughter to San Antonio for the Holidays and a gentlemen from Plymouth, Mass. Of course, I had to ask why would he leave Plymouth Rock to do turkey in LA. He said he was invited to the worst meal he had ever eaten at Plymouth Rock last year; turkey ROLL,canned peas and store bought rolls so he wasn't taking any chances this year.I had the salad and asked for the chicken topping. I couldn't tell the croutons from the chicken as I think the chicken was the kids nugget meal.The dessert was delightful and they've added raspberry sorbet to the menu.
Our German door buster was arguing with the LSA about "Vaat,no viernersnitzel ??" I don't know who was more lost.The LSA said he would give him something similar; I think our German friend got a hamburger; he took two bites and threw it on the floor.And the Europeans talk about us !!!
We made our first stop at Schreiver,(SHREE-VER) (not SCHIEVER, (SHRI-VER) as Julie and all the res agents call it and picked up the first rev sleeping pax that I can ever remember. We ran along at a fair clip and made a brief stop in New Iberia to pick up the and on to Lafayette for a smoke stop. Word of warning; don't wander far from the train at Lafayette as there is only one way to get back on the train'~ you must walk through the waiting room unless you have wings !!!I almost wound up hitch hiking to Houston!#$%
The LSA had come through taking dinner res. About 5 p.m. he came on the PA and announced "Due to technical difficulties it would be a while before dinner was served". I had visions of the AU gathering return trip on the City where the CCC went bad ordered and all we got to eat was blow 'n go food. Fortunately, The LSA started calling for diners at 5:30 and acted as if everything was OK in the diner.
I went in for the 7 p.m. seating and was seated across from the couple who got on the sleeper in Scheiver. There was another lady trying to pay her bill as she had finished her meal. The LSA took her money (she was in coach) when John was serving my steak which was well done but ordered rare.The couple across from me were on their 14th anniversary trip and the gentleman couldn't get service fast enough. I asked him where he was going and he said "Tucson" to which I replied, "Say, this is the only show in town so enjoy and savor every minute. Forget about all your worries and cherish your time on board. " With that, I ordered them a bottle of wine and everything seemed to calm down. He gave me his card, "Roadrunner Notary Service"~ now I see why he was such a jack rabbit.I walked through the two coaches that were literally packed; some kids had climbed up to the luggage racks above the seats and fell asleep. The two packed coaches were in less than acceptable condition and I'm glad I grabbed a sleeeper tix at the last minute.
Well,after hitting the rocks at Beaumont, along with a crew change, we found out that we would have to take the old MOP route into Houston and all the signals were out. Even with 20 mph max and having to back up to get to the HOS station we arrived at 9:15 p.m. Two minutes off the TT arrival time.
The following day I had an appointment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital. After three hours of consultation is was determined that I do not have cancer again but that a nerve had re-grown and needs to be removed. believe me, the pain was almost unbearable and was almost as bad at the AU gathering. To anyone who took offense to anything I did or said I am heartfully sorry but I refused to take any medicine through this ordeal for pain. In hind sight it was a major blunder; one I'll have to live with until they operate.
Happy Thanskgiving to all; I, of all, should be most grateful that the "beast'(cancer) didn't strike me again. :hi:
(Eagles and Sunsets!)Great news also about the no cancer thing, if that calls for lifting an adult beverage to you, include me in! Hope to see you here in Austin or along the way, Ill be on the Eagle/Sunset from AUS-ELP Monday/Tuesday, hope we get the good equipment and OBS also! 
