Texas Eagle Discussion 2025

[fillyjonk]

Just called guest rewards. She checked for me based on my reservation number and said she saw no scheduled trackwork and that I would receive a text and an e-mail if anything changed.

So for now I'm assuming everything is OK but of course now I am going to worry I'll be up there and find out that SURPRISE I will be in St. Louis and will have to rent a car from there to get to Mineola. Which I GUESS I could do but which I would not like

 

[drdumont]

Just called guest rewards. She checked for me based on my reservation number and said she saw no scheduled trackwork and that I would receive a text and an e-mail if anything changed.

So for now I'm assuming everything is OK but of course now I am going to worry I'll be up there and find out that SURPRISE I will be in St. Louis and will have to rent a car from there to get to Mineola. Which I GUESS I could do but which I would not like

They are pretty good about giving people a heads up. Absent some calamity, I really don't think you need fear being dumped in STL or wherever with no notice.
Another alternative might be to take the City of New Orleans to Meridian or thereabouts. Would be a shorter ride to Meridian.
I would check with AGR every couple of days, watch here and even the chatter on the YouTube cameras such as Marshall and St Louis. There are folks on there who appear to have inside knowledge.
I'm toying with the idea f a weekend DAL-CHI for Spring Break. Just in the daydream stages right now. Keep in touch. If you reply I generally pick up the alerts. Retired and do watch cameras when I can, Feel free to DM me any time.

 

[Keith1951]

Everyone who says the train is canceled on this thread have only been speculating thus far. Amtrak themselves have not confirmed not denied a cancelation yet. In fact, as of the time of writing this post, Amtrak's site says the TE is scheduled to run on 3/21 between STL and MIN.


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However, the train is "sold out" on many dates, which is making people worry. I would recommend re-reading these posts for more information regarding that:

Had the same problem. I was going Chicago to LA. I got tired of not being sure of what was going to happen for my April 6th trip. I changed from the TE and switched to the Southwest Chief just to be sure I have a trip.

 

[fillyjonk]

Also mid-March is spring break for like a thousand colleges and even more K-12 schools, could it be the trains just got booked up? I reserved really early

 

[Cal]

Also mid-March is spring break for like a thousand colleges and even more K-12 schools, could it be the trains just got booked up? I reserved really early

Very, very unlikely.

So for now I'm assuming everything is OK but of course now I am going to worry I'll be up there and find out that SURPRISE I will be in St. Louis and will have to rent a car from there to get to Mineola. Which I GUESS I could do but which I would not like

They always give notice, even if it's not a super long time, you will know before your trip.

 

[Cal]

I don't recall if the OKC-FTW train is a connection.

It is, the Heartland Flyer's schedule is made to connect with the Eagle both ways (resulting in a bit of bad schedule).

 

[trimetbusfan]

In other news, the lounge car is officially back on the Eagle as of today's departure of 21 out of Chicago (as scheduled).

 

[George Harris]

Another alternative might be to take the City of New Orleans to Meridian or thereabouts. Would be a shorter ride to Meridian.
I would check with AGR every couple of days, watch here and even the chatter on the YouTube cameras such as Marshall and St Louis. There are folks on there who appear to have inside knowledge.

Huh? The City of New Orleans does not go to Meridian. As close as it gets is Jackson MS. Are you confusing Meridian MS with Mineola TX? Whatever, this does not compute with anything having to do with the Texas Eagle's route.

 

[GariYaMoshi]

The National Museum of Transportation is pretty good but you'll need to get a ride to/from there; there's no transit that goes anywhere near there. The Missouri Botanical Gardens are also rather nice for an afternoon, but transit to get there is poor.

I will second the National Museum of Transportation - worth a whole day. Next to the Botanical Gardens is the Missouri History Museum. They had a great exhibit on Route 66 when we visited some years ago.

Don't miss Imo's Pizza!

 

[Tom C]

I'd even be happy if the "Eaglette" were to adopt "free Cafe Car food" for sleeper passengers, which apparently is how the City of New Orleans handles meal service.

Not anymore. The CONO got a diner back in the consist when the Floridian started. It got the CCC cars from the Capitol Limited. It’s back to full flexible dining and with the return of the lounge car to the Eagle those two trains are basically equivalent now. I had the “plus” version of flexible dining back in January on the Lake Shore. I’d say a couple of the newer entrees are halfway decent. The breakfast apple crepe one is far better than the pancakes or French toast options they had before. My opinion of course so take it for what it is.

 

[fillyjonk]

It is, the Heartland Flyer's schedule is made to connect with the Eagle both ways (resulting in a bit of bad schedule).

the problem for me would be getting from St. Louis to OKC. WOuld be easier to either rent a car in St. Louis and try to drive to Mineola or else see if I could hire a driver.

If I know in advance I guess I cancel my trip which REALLY sucks but