Texas Eagle Discussion 2025

[pennyk]

From January 3, 2025 forward, please post comments discussing the Texas Eagle here. For previous posts regarding the Texas Eagle, please refer to this thread, which is currently locked:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/texas-eagle-discussion-h2-2024.87608/page-11#post-1058334

 

[MarkInAustin]

We are traveling Austin to OKC and returning, Wednesday northbound and Satuday southbound. If anything unusual or interesting on either the Eaglette or the Heartland Flyer occurs I will dutifully report.

I assume the HF comments are welcome here, correct?

 

[Widfara]

Note that train 22 cancelled out of San Antonio this morning. Anticipation of terrible weather up north?

 

[alanh]

Yes, they're expecting an ice storm south of Chicago.

 

[MarkInAustin]

We are traveling Austin to OKC and returning, Wednesday northbound and Satuday southbound. If anything unusual or interesting on either the Eaglette or the Heartland Flyer occurs I will dutifully report.

I assume the HF comments are welcome here, correct?

We have canceled trip in an abundance of caution.

 

[F900ElCapitan]

It appears the 3rd 21/22 coach has been dropped post holiday rush. So the current trains are at 5 cars and 7 on 421/422 days south of STL and the extra coach is still running CHI-STL.

 

[frequentflyer]

21 was canceled last night in STL and today's 22 is canceled at SAT.

 

[Cal]

Is the Eagle running with a transdorm
normally now?

 

[frequentflyer]

Today's 22 out of SAT is apparently cancelled too.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Is the Eagle running with a transdorm
normally now?

No, 2 Sleepers on 421/422 Days , but still No Sightseer Lounge and Flex Meals in the CCC.

 

[Keith1951]

Damn. Sorry for the people in LA. I have a TE trip in a month going to LA to visit Hollywood Hills. Im wondering if I should cancel. Dont know how long this fire will continue. My friend lives next to LAX and he says there is smoke everywhere. I need to start making other plans and see what's up in a week. Just venting.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Damn. Sorry for the people in LA. I have a TE trip in a month going to LA to visit Hollywood Hills. Im wondering if I should cancel. Dont know how long this fire will continue. My friend lives next to LAX and he says there is smoke everywhere. I need to start making other plans and see what's up in a week. Just venting.

You might want to consider visiting San Diego or the Bay Area if you're going for sightseeing.

Lots of LA, including Hollywood and other Tourist attractions,, are like a War Zone right now, and it will take years to rebuild.

And the Fires aren't over yet, a New one started today.

 

[Cal]

No, 2 Sleepers on 421/422 Days , but still No Sightseer Lounge and Flex Meals in the CCC.

Seems like it is now.

 

[Keith1951]

Is the TE still going all the way to LA?

 

[zephyr17]

Is the TE still going all the way to LA?

The 421 coach and sleeper do.

 

[mvermeulen]

I have previously traveled on Amtrak with my bicycle. On those occasions, Amtrak web site gave me an option to reserve a bicycle space at the same time I booked my ticket and pay a $20 fee.

I don't see that anymore. For example, if I try to make a booking from Austin to El Paso on April 2nd, June 2nd, August 4th and none of them show a bicycle choice. I also don't see it with a random check for Albuquerque to Chicago.

What has changed here? Is it no longer possible to bring a bicycle on Texas Eagle trains? Am I just picking dates when none are available? Has something else changed in the interface and I need to reserve elsewhere?

I am most interested in roll-on/roll-off service from stations that support this but am not quite sure where/how to reserve this. This worked for me before in 2023 when I brought my bicycle on Texas Eagle, Capitol Limited, Empire Builder trains. I also brought my bike on board the Downeaster and Wolverine trains in 2023 as well, though that wasn't in a roll-on baggage car.

 

[PaulM]

I have previously traveled on Amtrak with my bicycle. On those occasions, Amtrak web site gave me an option to reserve a bicycle space at the same time I booked my ticket and pay a $20 fee.

I don't see that anymore. For example, if I try to make a booking from Austin to El Paso on April 2nd, June 2nd, August 4th and none of them show a bicycle choice. I also don't see it with a random check for Albuquerque to Chicago.

What has changed here? Is it no longer possible to bring a bicycle on Texas Eagle trains? Am I just picking dates when none are available? Has something else changed in the interface and I need to reserve elsewhere?

I am most interested in roll-on/roll-off service from stations that support this but am not quite sure where/how to reserve this. This worked for me before in 2023 when I brought my bicycle on Texas Eagle, Capitol Limited, Empire Builder trains. I also brought my bike on board the Downeaster and Wolverine trains in 2023 as well, though that wasn't in a roll-on baggage car.

Just for kicks, I checked Dallas to San Antonio and San Antonio to Houston. Each result showed bike space available for $20 each train. I then checked Dallas to Houston and it showed bikes for $40. It it apparently charges $20 for each segment. I suspect you have to detrain at SAS, unload you bike, sit with it until the Sunset Limited arrives, and reload it.

I also checked SAS to El Paso and it showed bikes for $20. However, there was nothing for Austin to El Paso. A bug or a feature? Who knows.

To be complete, I then checked Austin to San Antonio and got the infamous unknown error. So I gave up.