Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited Consist from Los Angeles to Chicago

[Dakota 400]

Please correct me if my thinking is wrong about the position of the train's cars that would expected to be.

The Texas Eagle Sleeper and Coach would be at the end of the Sunset Limited at LAX.

In order to get to the Dining Car on the Sunset Limited if I am in the Sleeper, I would walk through the TE Coach, two or more Sunset Limited Sleepers before arriving at the Dining Car.  To get to the Sightseer Lounge, I would then need to proceed through the Diner.

Once the TE cars have been separated and attached to the Chicago bound train, where would the Sleeper be in relation to the other TE cars?

 

[cpotisch]

Between LAX and SAS, you are at the rear of the train, and have to walk through the TE coach, two Sunset coaches, and SSL to get to the diner. Between SAS and CHI, you are right between the Trans-Dorm and the diner (technically a CCC). The SSL and coaches are behind that.

 

[TinCan782]

Between LAX and SAS, if you are in the TE sleeper atthe rear of the train, you have to walk through the TE coach, several SL coaches, the Sightseer Lounge to get to the diner. The SL sleepers are forward of the diner.

Several trips beyond SAS from LAX, our sleeper was on the rear of the TE until St. Louis when a coach was added to the rear of the consist.

 

[Rasputin]

Several trips beyond SAS from LAX, our sleeper was on the rear of the TE until St. Louis when a coach was added to the rear of the consist.

That was the case on my one and only trip (so far) in the Texas Eagle sleeper from LA to Chicago in May 2015.

The consist of the train at El Paso, front to back, was:

locomotives, baggage, transition sleeper, sleeper, diner, lounge, coach, coach, Texas Eagle sleeper.

The consist of No. 22 the next day was:

locomotive, baggage, transition sleeper, diner, lounge, coach, coach, coach, Texas Eagle sleeper.  

At St. Louis a coach, in service, was added to the rear and an additional locomotive was added to the head of the train.  

 

[cpotisch]

At St. Louis a coach, in service, was added to the rear and an additional locomotive was added to the head of the train.  

It's not normal at all for them to add a second loco east of St. Louis. Sounds like they just needed to get it to Chicago.

 

[TinCan782]

It's not normal at all for them to add a second loco east of St. Louis. Sounds like they just needed to get it to Chicago.

On my LA to Chicago trip several years ago that was the case, only a coach was added in St. Louis,  no loco was added.

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

Out of LAX the sleeper is the last car on train, diner is 4 or 5 cars up. Out of SAS the sleeper was moved to directly next to the CCC/diner. As per my trip in January.

 

[Rasputin]

It's not normal at all for them to add a second loco east of St. Louis. Sounds like they just needed to get it to Chicago.

I can't recall If 22 was on time or delayed.  Locomotive 69 was added at St. Louis as the lead locomotive.  

According to my notes we met 21 at Dwight, Illinois if that reveals anything. 

 

[frequentflyer]

Add a coach? Remember back in the 80s summers Amtrak would have a second section CHI-STL depart CHI in front of the LD 21. It was an F40 and a couple of Amfleets. The Local seemed to always leave on time while the LD 21 did not.

.

 

[Maglev]

When I rode the Eagle from LA to Chicago in January, we were late arriving at San Antonio so the through sleeper and coach were just added to the end of the originating train.  The sleeper was at the end of the train all the way to St. Louis, where two other coaches were added.

 

[Bob Dylan]

When I rode the Eagle from LA to Chicago in January, we were late arriving at San Antonio so the through sleeper and coach were just added to the end of the originating train.  The sleeper was at then end of the train all the way to St. Louis, where two other coaches were added.

The Yard  Switching Crews in SAS seem to pretty much do whatever they want when it comes to switching with the Sunset and Eagle.

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

I’m sure it probably has to do with how much time they have. The 3 hour layover of an ontime train might be different than a 2 plus hour late train.

 

[cpotisch]

I’m sure it probably has to do with how much time they have. The 3 hour layover of an ontime train might be different than a 2 plus hour late train.

That’s the sense I’ve gotten as well. It takes much more time to splice that sleeper in between the Trans-Dorm and diner than to just attach it to the back, but it’s also not an ideal location at all. Having it at the back means that sleeper passengers are in two totally different parts of the train (remember that the Trans-Dorm gets its SCA from 2230), making it much more difficult for the diner staff to determine who is in a sleeper and who’s in coach, and requires pax in the #322 coach to walk through the sleeper if they want to access the rest of the train. But if there isn’t much time in San Antonio, that is the configuration they likely have to go with.

 

[Grandpa D]

In the 4 or 5 trips I've had on the TE the consist makeup varied each time.  Last trip LVW to CHI the sleeper (me) was at the rear, except STL to CHI.  That stretch had the 322 coach coupled on the back.  Most other times the Sleeper was right behind the transdorm.  Remember, the TE only gets an LA sleeper and coach 3 times a week. (Fri, Sun & Tues)

 

[Dakota 400]

Thanks to all who replied to my post.  I had a feeling that the TE Sleeper would be at the end of the train out of LAX and that it would be a walk through at least two coaches in order to get to the Lounge  Car and the Diner.

Two more question:  With such a late departure from LAX, are Sleeper passengers allowed to board earlier than when general boarding starts?

At SAS, checked baggage from LAX to CHI are off-loaded and then re-loaded into the baggage car going to CHI?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Generally you won't be allowed to board #2/#422 Early but if you use a Redcap from the Lounge they'll take you on their carts to Trainside while the Herd takes the Long Walk through the Lobby and  Tunnel to the Platform.

Most times I've caught it when on  it's Regular Schedule 10pm was when boarding commenced.

Your Checked Luggsge to Chicago will be transferred in SAS.

 

[Rasputin]

As far as I am concerned, the thru LA to Chicago Texas Eagle sleeper on the rear of the Sunset AND on the rear of the Texas Eagle is just right.  (Same goes for the Portland sleeper on the rear of the Empire Builder).

 

[Dakota 400]

As far as I am concerned, the thru LA to Chicago Texas Eagle sleeper on the rear of the Sunset AND on the rear of the Texas Eagle is just right.  (Same goes for the Portland sleeper on the rear of the Empire Builder).

May I ask why you think this?

 

[cpotisch]

May I ask why you think this?

Probably the rail fan window, lack of foot traffic, and reduced noise due to being far from the engine.

 

[Dakota 400]

Generally you won't be allowed to board #2/#422 Early but if you use a Redcap from the Lounge they'll take you on their carts to Trainside while the Herd takes the Long Walk through the Lobby and  Tunnel to the Platform.

Thank you for your response to my questions.  I did use the Red Cap service that you mentioned when I boarded the SWC and really don't understand why other passengers available for such service would not do so.  

 

[chakk]

Question of $$$?

 

[Rasputin]

May I ask why you think this?

I enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the rear sleeper.  There is little traffic in the car and it is far from the horn noise.  I don't mind a walk through the coaches to reach the lounge car and the dining car. It is not that far and I enjoy it.  I also enjoy looking out the rear window from time to time although that is not a big consideration. 

 

[cpotisch]

Question of $$$?

Also not wanting to bother an employee who is likely needed much more by other passengers.

 

[Dakota 400]

I enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the rear sleeper.  There is little traffic in the car and it is far from the horn noise.  I don't mind a walk through the coaches to reach the lounge car and the dining car. It is not that far and I enjoy it.  I also enjoy looking out the rear window from time to time although that is not a big consideration. 

Thanks.  Your reasons are excellent.  Having the "rail fan window" available at the end of the train is a plus.  Once, I had that opportunity on the Desert Wind after we left LAX and going through the mountains en route to Las Vegas.  Wonderful sightseeing!
 

 

[Rasputin]

Thanks.  Your reasons are excellent.  Having the "rail fan window" available at the end of the train is a plus.  Once, I had that opportunity on the Desert Wind after we left LAX and going through the mountains en route to Las Vegas.  Wonderful sightseeing!
 

I want to make it clear that I am not real fanatic about this.  I have been on a sleeper on the Sunset near the front of the train and in the transition sleeper on the Texas Eagle also near the front of the train (on separate trips) and have enjoyed those trips very much.  But all things being equal, especially price, I will be in the Texas Eagle sleeper on the rear.  Might even be willing to pay a slight premium to get space in the Texas Eagle sleeper at times but I wouldn't go to extremes.

Anytime you can ride on the Sunset or the Texas Eagle, is a great time.  I have also ridden on the Sunset overnight in coach and had a nice time.