Texas Eagle with two units

[west point]

In the past the Sunset's P-40s have run thru NOL <> LAX. They refuel also east of SAS at UP's fueling facility. Do not know other refueling locations

 

[Way2Kewl]

In the past the Sunset's P-40s have run thru NOL <> LAX. They refuel also east of SAS at UP's fueling facility. Do not know other refueling locations

Pre Katrina Sunset ran LAX>ORD. It now terminates in NOL

 

[railiner]

Pre Katrina Sunset ran LAX>ORD. It now terminates in NOL

ORD? As in Chicago-O'Hare?
Guess you mean ORL, Amtrak's code for Orlando...

 

[frequentflyer]

In the past the Sunset's P-40s have run thru NOL <> LAX. They refuel also east of SAS at UP's fueling facility. Do not know other refueling locations

Tucson

 

[Way2Kewl]

ORD? As in Chicago-O'Hare?
Guess you mean ORL, Amtrak's code for Orlando...

Yep... "ORL", thanks!
-MM on AA will do that.

 

[user 14106]

Interesting info. Where is that from? It shows the train running to Dallas when actually it runs to Ft. Worth. That causes me to question the accuracy of other info.

Another possible explanation might be that if the train is running with two engines, it may do in San Antonio what the Lake Shore Limited does at Albany where two trains combine into one: the two engines pull the very short 4-car #449 to Albany, then continue to pull the entire #49 to Chicago. OTOH the Lake Shore runs daily, and the Sunset Limited does not, so to me the whole thing is puzzling.

Funny thing is the sections are closer to equal right now. Boston section running with sleeper cafe coach coach - and New York running coach coach diner sleeper sleeper baggage. Same amount of coaches.

 

[saxman]

Sometimes they exchange engines in FTW for the HF to use.

 

[Cal]

Sometimes they exchange engines in FTW for the HF to use.

That's what happened on my train, dropped off an engine in FTw.

 

[frequentflyer]

Usually means that one of the units is deemed unreliable enough that a spare is needed (or that the host railroad requires the spare for some other, usually-weather-related, reason: late in a previous millennium, UP required the Pioneer to run with 2 units in winter.)

Well, just checked today and yes both units are running. 8500 HP to pull four cars. To the Amtrak accountant who may accidently wander into reading this thread. What is more likely on paper to bring the Texas Eagle closer to break even? A single Genesis pulling 7 cars ( more pax) ? Or two Genesis pulling 4 cars (less pax)?

 

[frequentflyer]

Sometimes they exchange engines in FTW for the HF to use.

The units have been going all the way to San Antonio.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The units have been going all the way to San Antonio.

That's the good News, Long needed for the 8-9 Car consist, but why with the 4 Car Consist running now?( 1 Sleeper even on 422/421 Days,CCC,2 Coaches)

 

[frequentflyer]

That's the good News, Long needed for the 8-9 Car consist, but why with the 4 Car Consist running now?( 1 Sleeper even on 422/421 Days,CCC,2 Coaches)

The only reason I can think of is that they are rehabbing the Superliners and so have less in the fleet to use. But that leads to another question, why rehab the Superliner fleet during peak Summer season (who's making these decisions)?

 

[zephyr17]

I honestly think they didn't do inspections and maintenance on the cars laid up during tri-weekly service, and are still catching up to get the full fleet roadworthy.

 

[ScottR]

What happens in San Antonio…Err stays in San Antonio? I’m on the Eagle in a roomette right now from Chicago to LA. One engine, currently getting refueled, a Sleeper behind that (looks about 75% full), a cafe car (flex meatballs for dinner…at least the took the plastic off and sealed it with foil) and 4 coach cars, although they are dropping 2 here in Saint Louis.

My question is what happens in San Antonio As they combine the Sunset? Does this car I’m in get tacked onto the back of that train? And I think we get a real diner with traditional dining?

Ive seen somewhere that people get off the train in San Antonio and go to eat or even to the a river Walk?

BTW this experience has been fine. It’s clean, the SCA and LSA are friendly, the Metropolitan Lounge and the food courts were open in Chicago, the flex food is prepared with a little care, we are on time.

 

[Cal]

What happens in San Antonio…Err stays in San Antonio? I’m on the Eagle in a roomette right now from Chicago to LA. One engine, currently getting refueled, a Sleeper behind that (looks about 75% full), a cafe car (flex meatballs for dinner…at least the took the plastic off and sealed it with foil) and 4 coach cars, although they are dropping 2 here in Saint Louis.

My question is what happens in San Antonio As they combine the Sunset? Does this car I’m in get tacked onto the back of that train? And I think we get a real diner with traditional dining?

Ive seen somewhere that people get off the train in San Antonio and go to eat or even to the a river Walk?

BTW this experience has been fine. It’s clean, the SCA and LSA are friendly, the Metropolitan Lounge and the food courts were open in Chicago, the flex food is prepared with a little care, we are on time.

Nice photos, I'm glad the staff are good.

By the way, the cafe car is actual a diner as well, it can serve traditional dining meals.

Yes, you will be the very last car on the Sunset, and the diner will have traditional dining (PLEASE send pictures and your thoughts!). You will have to walk through 3 coaches and the SSL to get to the diner.

 

[ScottR]

Oh that is excellent. It’s going to be so much fun to eat a Steak and a breakfast in the diner again. I’ve only done the Eagle once before and slept through the whole thing in San Antonio…and may well do so again, but we had this view out the back after…mesmerizing!

 

[KeepItGoing]

We have tickets on the Eagle in a couple of weeks, headed north to Chicago. We're in cars 2231 (then 2131 returning). What do those numbers mean, please?

We've been on this route four times now (one round-trip and two one-ways from Chicago) and although I'm sure there is better scenery on other routes, the Texas Eagle is good enough to make us fall in love with trains. (And also the friends that accepted our recommendation!) Some day I hope to try a new route, but this will do for now.

But I am very sad that we won't have an SSL. Being able to move around and sit different places was my favorite part of being on a train.

 

[Bob Dylan]

We have tickets on the Eagle in a couple of weeks, headed north to Chicago. We're in cars 2231 (then 2131 returning). What do those numbers mean, please?

We've been on this route four times now (one round-trip and two one-ways from Chicago) and although I'm sure there is better scenery on other routes, the Texas Eagle is good enough to make us fall in love with trains. (And also the friends that accepted our recommendation!) Some day I hope to try a new route, but this will do for now.

But I am very sad that we won't have an SSL. Being able to move around and sit different places was my favorite part of being on a train.

2231 is the Sleeper on Train 22 between San Antonio and Chicago, the Eagle is currently running with only 4 Cars, the Sleeper,the Diner/Cafe and 2 Coaches.

2131 is the same thing on Train 21 from Chicago to San Antonio.

Remember the Eagle is still serving Flex Meals to the Sleeping Car Passengers only, you can eat in the Diner or have Meals delivered to your Room.

 

[F900ElCapitan]

Funny, I am riding the Eagle from LA to Dallas on July 18th an again on Sept 12th and both reservations show we are in car 2230. I wonder if they are having the same issues here as they did with the 530/630 cars as the Eagle hasn’t had a 31 car in some time.
Actually now that I think about it, maybe they are using the 31 number on days the car does not go on to LA instead of using the 20 car as they were pre-Covid.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Funny, I am riding the Eagle from LA to Dallas on July 18th an again on Sept 12th and both reservations show we are in car 2230. I wonder if they are having the same issues here as they did with the 530/630 cars as the Eagle hasn’t had a 31 car in some time.
Actually now that I think about it, maybe they are using the 31 number on days the car does not go on to LA instead of using the 20 car as they were pre-Covid.

Excellent question!

Be nice if Amtrak could explain this, I tried to call to ask, but with the Busy Holiday Travel Weekend and the Shortage of Staff, heeded the " ..We are experiencing extremely heavy Call Volume, Your Estimated Wait Time is 1 Hour..." Message and hung up.

 

[enviro5609]

Excellent question!

Be nice if Amtrak could explain this, I tried to call to ask, but with the Busy Holiday Travel Weekend and the Shortage of Staff, heeded the " ..We are experiencing extremely heavy Call Volume, Your Estimated Wait Time is 1 Hour..." Message and hung up.

If you waited a little bit longer before hanging up, you would have been told you could sign up for a call back instead of waiting on hold.

 

[ScottR]

Oh that is excellent. It’s going to be so much fun to eat a Steak and a breakfast in the diner again. I’ve only done the Eagle once before and slept through the whole thing in San Antonio…and may well do so again, but we had this view out the back after…mesmerizing!

Breakfast was great. The SCA (his name is Roman and our car is the “Roman Empire”) is funny and kind. The grilled cheese is a good addition, the dining car is well spaced with real flowers. We are 3 hours late just now in Alpine due to some “smoldering material caught up in the engine wheels” that the Marathon fire department came and put out after about a 10 minute stop. And right now in a good old West Texas gully washer. I’m having a ball.

 

[jis]

Pre Katrina Sunset ran LAX>ORD. It now terminates in NOL

Well The Sunset was originally extended all the way to Miami in 1993 (Apr 4). Then it was cut back to Sanford in 1996 (Oct 9). It was then extended to Orlando in 1997 (Oct 26). Then it was cut back to San Antonio on Aug 29, 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina. Service was extended back to New Orleans in late October 2005, and that is the way it is currently. All in all it ran to Florida for a little over 12 years, all under the auspices of Amtrak. It is unlikely to be extended to Florida again for several reasons that have been extensively discussed elsewhere. For a preponderance of its existence its Eastern terminus has been New Orleans.

 

[PVD]

Well, just checked today and yes both units are running. 8500 HP to pull four cars. To the Amtrak accountant who may accidently wander into reading this thread. What is more likely on paper to bring the Texas Eagle closer to break even? A single Genesis pulling 7 cars ( more pax) ? Or two Genesis pulling 4 cars (less pax)?

Sometimes, both units are running, but one unit is only providing HEP, not traction.

 

[jis]

Sometimes, both units are running, but one unit is only providing HEP, not traction.

That happens from time to time even on the Lake Shore Limited even though it is usually a much longer train. But its route profile is essentially flat.