Texas Eagle discussion H2 2024

[MrsRedlegTexian]

We were on the train headed north Tuesday before thanksgiving and south Monday after Thanksgiving. We had a bedroom and I totally agree with what is written above. The food is microwaveable crap. There were 5 coach cars headed north and had we been in coach I would have been even more frustrated. The lounge car and dining cars are where we go to meet people, strike up conversations, and have a little different view/setting. It’s nice to sit at a table and play a game with others in the lounge car. It was nice getting on the SSL Tuesday morning and having a real breakfast in the dining car. If/when we travel on the train again it will not be on TE. I would rather drive than be on the Eagle again.

 

[Cal]

When I questioned this, I got a really snotty attitude and an "I dunno" from the SCA. This was the beginning of a pretty crappy trip from the standpoint of on board service.

SCA's (and all OBS) rarely know about the operational standpoint of anything. But saddening (unfortunately not surprising) to see attitude from them.

 

[Cal]

It's the Southbound Eagle, train 21, that parks so far down the track. They do that because they share the platform with local commuter trains, which unload on it and then use a crossover just behind the parked Eagle to get on the track leading to the end-of-line TRE station. Since 21 and 22 are often in the station simultaneously, train 22 uses a different track and pulls down to the pedestrian crosswalk.

I thought Amtrak and TRE used different platforms at all times? With Amtrak using the island and TRE using the platform closest to the station building.

 

[zephyr17]

SCA's (and all OBS) rarely know about the operational standpoint of anything. But saddening (unfortunately not surprising) to see attitude from them.

My SCAs sometimes ask me because they know I have a scanner.

 

[Cal]

My SCAs sometimes ask me because they know I have a scanner.

Not to stray off topic, but I wonder if any OBS have gotten scanners of their own.

 

[railiner]

Not to stray off topic, but I wonder if any OBS have gotten scanners of their own.

I have not seen any. If they do, they may keep them hidden. I am not sure whether Amtrak’s OBS Rules allow them, or not…

 

[zephyr17]

Not to stray off topic, but I wonder if any OBS have gotten scanners of their own.

Probably against policy.

 

[railiner]

Probably against policy.

Probably. I don’t have a current copy of their rulebook, but in general, I believe employees are prohibited from using any communications equipment (even just receivers), in the performance of their duties, unless said equipment is supplied and authorized by the Company.
Whether they can have them to use while off duty, may or not be allowed, but then cell phones adds complications to the subject…

 

[Cal]

Probably. I don’t have a current copy of their rulebook, but in general, I believe employees are prohibited from using any communications equipment (even just receivers), in the performance of their duties, unless said equipment is supplied and authorized by the Company.
Whether they can have them to use while off duty, may or not be allowed, but then cell phones adds complications to the subject…

This makes sense in words, but in the real-world of trains less so IMO. But I don't doubt that it's against policy, I just think OBS should be able to carry scanners.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I thought Amtrak and TRE used different platforms at all times? With Amtrak using the island and TRE using the platform closest to the station building.

This is correct.

 

[Bob Dylan]

This makes sense in words, but in the real-world of trains less so IMO. But I don't doubt that it's against policy, I just think OBS should be able to carry scanners.

Radios would make even more sense!

 

[Cal]

Radios would make even more sense!

Probably would help communication a lot, since OBS usually need to go on the PA if they need to get a conductor. I know having non-operational talk on the frequency would probably not be allowed or advised, however.

 

[zephyr17]

Probably would help communication a lot, since OBS usually need to go on the PA if they need to get a conductor. I know having non-operational talk on the frequency would probably not be allowed or advised, however.

VIA OBS have radios and communicate using them between themselves, the SM and the diner. It is also used by the SM to communicate with the engineer. The use of the PA is really limited, especially in comparison to Amtrak.

However, VIA has its own frequency that is used for OBS communication and calls to the head end. OBS, the SM, and ASM are not on the road channel ("train stand by" up there) or dispatcher ("RTC Call In") frequencies. Only the engineers on the head end communicate with both the railroad and the OBS and have a radio that is capable of it. I am pretty sure the OBS radios are locked down.

VIA OBS are pretty disciplined in their use of the radio. Though it is useful, as in "We are almost out of ice in the Skyline" "we have some back here (Park) you can have".

However, OBS still does not have direct access to operational information, though the SM will call up to the head end for arrival estimates. They still will occasionally ask me if I know something because they can see I am carrying a scanner.

 

[railiner]

The Amtrak PA's, if working properly, can be used three ways...announcements within the same car, announcements throughout the train, and "party line" intercom. If any OBS needs to speak to another crew member, he can page them to pickup the IC, and then they can have a conversation without the whole train hearing them.

 

[zephyr17]

The Amtrak PA's, if working properly, can be used three ways...announcements within the same car, announcements throughout the train, and "party line" intercom. If any OBS needs to speak to another crew member, he can page them to pickup the IC, and then they can have a conversation without the whole train hearing them.

"conductor to the IC. conductor to the IC" is a call i have heard more times than I can count. I really do not care about the whole train hearing. I care about the PA being overused beyond reason.

 

[Cal]

VIA OBS have radios and communicate using them between themselves, the SM and the diner. It is also used by the SM to communicate with the engineer. The use of the PA is really limited, especially in comparison to Amtrak.

However, VIA has its own frequency that is used for OBS communication and calls to the head end. OBS, the SM, and ASM are not on the road channel ("train stand by" up there) or dispatcher ("RTC Call In") frequencies. Only the engineers on the head end communicate with both the railroad and the OBS and have a radio that is capable of it. I am pretty sure the OBS radios are locked down.

VIA OBS are pretty disciplined in their use of the radio. Though it is useful, as in "We are almost out of ice in the Skyline" "we have some back here (Park) you can have".

However, OBS still does not have direct access to operational information, though the SM will call up to the head end for arrival estimates. They still will occasionally ask me if I know something because they can see I am carrying a scanner.

Surprised they contact the engineer and not the conductor.

 

[Rasputin]

Surprised they contact the engineer and not the conductor.

On VIA there are no conductors. Those jobs were abolished years ago. The only exception were the Sudbury - White River trains which still had the only conductors in the VIA system. I think those have now been eliminated.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Surprised they contact the engineer and not the conductor.

The Conductor rides in the Engine on VIA Trains like on Freights!( back up Engineer)

 

[Rasputin]

The Conductor rides in the Engine on VIA Trains like on Freights!( back up Engineer)

There is no conductor on VIA trains. There is an engineer and an assistant engineer but no conductor.

 

[railiner]

There is no conductor on VIA trains. There is an engineer and an assistant engineer but no conductor.

And the Assistant Engineer does double duty as the Train Baggageman.

I wonder what union’s from 50 years ago would think about the elimination of “crafts and class”” in jobs…

 

[zephyr17]

Surprised they contact the engineer and not the conductor.

VIA has no conductors, except maybe on the White River-Sudbury RDC run on CP where they still used CP operating crews for a long time. They abolished the position back in the 90s. VIA has two engineers in the cab, the only T&E positions VIA has.

 

[barskin]

I'm excited! There's a new menu for my next trip (Jan 3, Chicago to San Antonio)!! This is the first time I've seen a change in about forever. Oh, yeah, and I'm going SA to CHI on Jan 11!
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...ts/menus/routes/Flexible-Dining-Menu-0924.pdf

 

[Bob Dylan]

I'm excited! There's a new menu for my next trip (Jan 3, Chicago to San Antonio)!! This is the first time I've seen a change in about forever. Oh, yeah, and I'm going SA to CHI on Jan 11!
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...ts/menus/routes/Flexible-Dining-Menu-0924.pdf

Let us know how the Meals and Service are!

Most reviews I've read on Train sites don't care for any of those entrees,but the way they are prepared and served supposedly makes a big difference.

There are some good Crews on this Route and some real bad ones! Hopefully you get one of the Good ones!

The Eaglete desperately needs Traditional Dinning back and the return of its Sight Seer Lounge!

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

I'm excited! There's a new menu for my next trip (Jan 3, Chicago to San Antonio)!! This is the first time I've seen a change in about forever. Oh, yeah, and I'm going SA to CHI on Jan 11!
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/...ts/menus/routes/Flexible-Dining-Menu-0924.pdf

This is the menu that was just being introduced when the hubby and I rode the Texas Eagle to Fort Worth in October. You could tell it was a brand-new menu then, because the previous Flex Dining menu was still on the Amtrak website.

 

[Steve4031]

Flex meal crap version, whatever. It would help if they just had two simple sandwiches.