Texas State Railroad/ A Trip back in Time

[Bob Dylan]

Part I: A drive to the Piney Woods of East Texas

Tired of the continously Blow Torch Heat here in Austin, and unwilling to suffer on a Plane ride to California, I booked a Trip on the Texas State Railroad in East Texas.( my 5th such trip)

Leaving Austin Bright and Early ( 10 AM)I rolled through the continous 24/7 Traffic that exists in Central Texas heading ENE for Palestine in East Texas.

Once I got to Taylor( first stop North of Austin on the Texas Eaglete)I headed NE on US 79 which parallels the Route of the Old Mopac Texas Eagle through Rockdale,Hearne,Buffalo and into Palestine on the way to St Louis.

Traffic was light once I got to Rockdale as I cruised through the Farming Areas that are mostly burned up due to the on going draught, except for the Cotton which is irrigated.

Once I got to Hearne where the Dirt turns Red and the Trees ( mostly Oak and Pecan)get Bigger and Thicker, I made a quick pit stop to stretch my legs and visit the Facilities.

I then rolled out heading East ,and noticed lots of Oil Wells that didn't used to be there,including some active Drilling Rigs, looks like an Oil.Boom is on in East Texas!

Crossing the Brazos River( which is considered the start of East Texas) the Trees got bigger, including some Pines, and it was much Greener as this area of Texas gets much more Rain than Central Texas.

There are lots of Horse Ranches along this strip of 79 and some really nice Farms too.( lots of Water available)

I cruised into Buffalo which is where I-45, the Dallas-Houston Highway crosses 79 about 1PM, so decided to stop for Lunch.

Using Google, I looked for Good Places to eat, with only a few Chains listed, so decided to roll.on to Palestine which is much larger and has plenty of Good Eating Joints as well as all the usual National Chains.

Arriving into Palestine about 2PM,( where the Pine Trees are Thick and Tall) I cruised by several of my usual go to places, but some were packed, and some gone out of business or changed hands, so I stopped @ a KFC and got a #15 Fill Up( Breast,Mac N Cheese,Biscuit Drink and Chocolate Chip Cookie). They were out of Original Recipie due to Supply problems, so had Crispy which was Very good!

I then headed to my usual Palestine Motel, the Best Western Inn. It's been there over 25 years but is in excellent shape, well run by a Family and a Real Value for the Money which includes a Full Cooked Breakfast @ the Birds Egg Cafe located @ the Inn.

Checked in with the Friendly lady @ the Desk, ( seamless booking thru Hotels.com) went to my room which was blessedly cold in the Humid 100 degree Heat.

The rooms have been Remodeled with nice Wood Foors,New Furnitire and Big Sceen TVs and new Bathrooms.

The Pool also has been Remodeled but since it was so Hot and Humid, I stayed inside and rested and watched TV till it was Time to go eat Supper..

About 6pm I decided I wanted Texas Comfort Food( East Texas BBQ isn't as good as Centex Q)so headed to the Cotton Patch Cafe for some Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy,Fried Okra, Mashed Taters and Texas Toast. Delicious and more than I could eat, but I forced myself to order some Bourbon Pecan Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream which is my all time Favorite Desert!

I then headed back to the Hotel, showered and watched a Minor League Baseball Game ( Round Rock Express vs the Sugarland Space Cowboys ), and set my alarm and hit the Hay for a Good night's sleep( about 1030pm) before my trip the next Morning on the Texas State Railroad!

 

[Bob Dylan]

PART II: Texas State Raiilroad

For those interested in Info, Equipment and Pictures from the TSRR, please Google
TexasStateRailRoad.net

Waking up Early ( I still ger excited after 70+ years before taking Trips), I went to the Birds Egg Cafe, had a Leisurly Wonderful Breakfast of Eggs,Bacon,Grits and English Muffin washed down with Good, Strong Coffee!( included with the Room)

There was a mix of Locals and Tourists in the Place, including a Table full of " Regulars" solving the Problems of the World!

Tipped my nice Waitress who called Customers " Hon" and returned to the Room to pack, load up and Check out before heading to the State Park where The TSRR operates from.( It's on Park Road 70 a few miles East off US 84 from Palestine to Rusk)

Before I left the Motel, the Morning Desk Clerk had told me to Gas up @ a Station on 79 West of town that was 45cemts a Gsllon Cheaper than in town!

Heading out the By-Pass around town @ 9AM ( Loop 256) facing into the Rising Sun, it was already warming up to 90 with 75% Humidity, going to be a Scorcher today according to the Natives!

I soon got to the cutoff for 84 to Rusk, cruised out through the Pine Trees along both sides of the Road, took the Park Road Cutoff and drove past Private Property and then the Park Campgrounds and parked @ the Palestine Depot in the Large Parking Lot,luckily under a Large Shade Tree.

I has already received the Bad News via Text that due to the Draught Conditions in the Area, and the Burn Ban in effect in the Surronding Counties, that the Steam Engine for our would be replaced by one of their F-9P Diesels. ( with a $10 Rebate on our Fares)

The Consist for today's Trip was parked on the siding between the Depot and the Shops, along with all the Spare Equipment and the 5 Steam Engines the TSRR owns!

Lots of Folks already taking pictures and talking about the Trip, including lots of kids!

I walked up and down past the Consist and it was as follows:
F-9P. #125 ( 1 OF 2 and Beautifully Restored)
Caboose( Rented to Groups)
Open Air Bench Coach
Concession/ ADA Boarding Car( AC)
1st Class Car(AC)
1st Class Car ( AC)
President Car #42 ( Couches/AC)
Presidential Car #1511( My Car/AC)
Full Dome/ Diner Car ( AC)

It was now 930AM and the Depot Store and Ticket Office Opened, so everyone headed inside for the nice AC, Bathrooms, to pick up their Tickets and use the Facilities!

People who had Tickets for the Dome Car were being told that due to the AC going out, they would be moved to the Presidential Cars or receive a Full Refund.

I received my Ticket and Lunch Voucher ( Pre-Booked), Assigned Easy Chair #3 in the Presidential #1511 Car.

I went into the Store and bought a T-Shirt, then headed out to the Platform as the Announcement was made Boarding would begin in 15 minutes.

On the Boarding side of the Depot along the Platform,there are Gates by each Car where you board with the Attendants for each car available to assist folks and answer questions.

There is a High Levrl Boarding Platform where the Concessiins/ADA Car is located, all other Cars are Low Level with Steps below the Traps, like all Heritage Cars.

I intoduced myself to the folks riding in my Car, and to the nice attendant Joesy.

We boarded, got settled ( the AC was really nice in the Beautiful Restored old Cafe/ Observation Car with a Rear Platform) and our Attendant made some announcements before we Highballed to Rusk.

Soon the All Aboard call sounded, the Horn Tooted Twice, and we slowly rolled out heading to our Stop in Rusk31 Mike's to the East.

As we cruised through the Trees and Swamps on both sides of the Tracks, past Private Homes and Farms( only the Tracks and Depot Grounds in Palestine and Rusk are State owned) about 25mph the Train was swaying and bouncing on the Single Track that was built in the early 20th Century.

Our attendant served us our choice of Champagne or Cider and a Dish of Fresh Fruit, Meats and Cheeses with Crackers, Gold Fish and Chocolate for Snacks.

We then toasted the TSRR and some folks went to the Snack Car though Joesy would serve us anything we wanted from Adult Drinks to Ice Cream from the Concessions Car.

I walked the Train all the way to the Caboose on the Front, then returned and went out on the Platform with several other Passengers in my Car to watch the Crossing of the Neches River on the now Concrete Bridge.( all of the 12 Old Wooden Trestles have been replaced by Concrete )

Once we crossed the Neches, most of us went back inside the Car for the AC as it was very Warm and Humid as we rolled past the Swampy areas shaded by the Big Trees.

We saw lots of Water Birds, a couple of Snakes ,,( Cotton Mouths) but no other Wildlife as it was too late in the day.

Soon we came to the Small Village of Maydell, the only surviving settlement of the many that used to be located along this route when it was owned by the State Prison System andPassengers,Freight and Lumber were hauled between Palestine and Rusk.

There is an old Engine Turntable located here from when Steam ruled the Rails, as well as a Wye where Trains can be turned, and Sidings for storage of RR Equipment .

We stopped briefly for passengers to take pictures( I stayed in the AC Car!)then the Horn Sounded and we headed to Rusk where we pulled into the Depot right on time for our Schedule Hour and a Half Lunch Stop.

Our attendant told us to pick up our Pre-Ordered Meals from the Rail Car Food Service Car next to the Rusk Depot, and that we could either reboard and eat on the Teain or use the nice Shady Picnic Area located next to a Pretty Lake by the Depot.

Several of us got our Lunches, went to the Pavillion next to the Lake and enjoyed eating our Box Lunches ( I had the Ham and Cheese Hogey with Chips and a Diet Coke with a Cookie for Desert)and visiting.

It was nice and Cool under the Big Trees that Shade thd Areaand we watched people Fishing( Bass and Perch) and riding in Small Boats on the Lake..

Then most of us went into the Risk Depot to look around, use the Facilities and to enjoy the AC( this Depot is a Replica of an old time Depot built just for use of the TSRR when it became part of the State Parks Dept,)The old time Wooden Depot in Rusk was long gone by that time.

Soon it was time to board for the return to Palestine, but some of us watched as the Deadhead Dome/Diner was cut out of the Consist after the F-9 did a Run around switched out the Car to be stored in the Rusk Yard where the Freight Equipment used by the RR is stored.

The Parts needed to fix the AC had to be ordered from Switzerland and it is not known when they will arrive so the car will be Out of Service till then( supposedly it's will cost $25,000+ for the Parts,)

The Return Trip to Palestine: TBC

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Sounds wonderful!

Did you like your Assigned Easy Chair?

Takes “assigned seats” to a whole new level.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Sounds wonderful!

Did you like your Assigned Easy Chair?

Takes “assigned seats” to a whole new level.

YEP, they are the Deeply Padded Big Old Timey Leather Chairs!

 

[Bob Dylan]

PART III: Return to Palestine and Home

Before we Highballed for Palestine after the F-9 returned ( and sadly hooked up to our Platform although we could still see out the sides), we talked with the Conductor,( only 1, but there's also a Trainman and the Engineer who worked 30 years for SP and UP) who told us he works 6 days a week, just like Amtrak Conductors ( with Monday his day off) and that the Freight Trains on this Road run on Tues and Wednesday.

Once the Tourist trips start running only on Fri,Sat and Sunday , he will also have Thursdays off.

All of the switches on this Line ( 36 Miles) are hand thrown, so it's lots of work just like Railroading has always been!)

Due to cutting out the Dome Car,we left about 20 minutes late, but rolled right along faster than on the morning trip, skipped the Stop in Maydell and rolled into the Palestie Depot about 3:05PM,only 5 minutes Late!( that's how to Run a Railroad)

I said Goodbye to the others on my Car, Thanked and Tipped Josey and headed for my Car ( which was still in the Shade), rolled out @ 310pm heading for Home!

Since I hadn't been through Bryan/ College Station in years, ( Home of Texas A& M University, aka "Aggieland") I decided to take I-45 to Madisonville, then State Highway 21 to Bastrop and US 71 into Austin.

I gassed up @ the Station West of town recommended by the Motel Desk Clerk, saved 40 cents a gallon over "Town Prices"( $3.32/Gal)

Rolled down 79 @ 70 through light traffic, took I-45 @ Buffalo ( Speed Limit 75!!) and rolled South in Light Traffic , mostly Trucks)

Reaching Madiosonville about an Hour later, I turned off on 21 which goes thru the Middle of this old Farming town, now a Mecca for Tourist and Retirees, which took about 20 minutes to get through before resuming 70mph Cruising.

Not lots of traffic on this Thursday evening so I soon was approaching the Outskirts of Bryan/College Station which have spread out into the Countryside in all Directions!

This country is mostly old Farming Areas with Cows and Horses, but Sanderson Farms, the Chicken Company, have built huge Feed Plants and Thousands of Chicken Houses all along the area East of the Twin Cities.

Arriving into Bryan, I was astound how much has changed , I didn't recognize much from the last time I was here over 10 years ago, and when I passed the Texas A&M Campus in College Station ( Named for the Old Depot long gone from when A& M was an All Male Miltary College with 2500 Stidents/ Now a60,000+ Coed Research University) I was astounded @ the Growth since I used to attended the Fire Teaining School and Instruct in the Summers when I was going to College and worked as a Firefighter)

Since the Traffic was so bad during Rush Hours, I rolled on towards Bastrop where I planned to stop and eat!

The Highway is now 4 Lanes and I made good time as I rolled across the Brazos River and reentered the typical Rolling Black Land Farms of Central Texas.

Coming into Bastrop, I passed the Lost Pines State Park where a terrible Fire 15 years ago burned down thousands of Acees of all types of Trees ,some several Hundred years Old!

They are slowly growing back after replanting but will take 50 years to Mature and resemble what used to be one of my favorite State Parks in Texas!

I stopped @ a Mickey D's, used the Facilities, ordered a Big Mac Combo( with Apple Slices instead of Fries!)then loaded up anx headed to Austin using the Toll Road ( ) for the 23 Milrs to Austin because Highway 71 has become a Parking Lot due the Out of Control Growth in Central Texas!

I pulled into my Reserved Parking Place @ 7:45PM ,averaged 41 MPG for the 4 Hour Trip ( 242 Miles) tired but happy I made the trip!

Highly recommended that you ride this Train if you're in the Area! If not, ride one of the Tourist Trains close to you, as some singer says ".. It can cure the Soul,. can make it whole.."

 

[Old MM]

I'm going there some day - you had me at "bourbon pecan pie"
Oh, and the RR sounds nice too!

 

[ScottR]

Indeed, I think you just described what I would order for my last meal. I grew up near Longview, TX, went to school at UT Austin, have been to College Station a number of times back when the two schools played each other, and have thus driven your very trip lots of times. Too bad I didn’t know the Texas Eagle back in those days (1984) or I would have taken it! I do want to the the TSR soon. I’ll be retiring back there in a year so will add it to my list. Great report.

 

[mcropod]

Thanks for the ride, Bob!

 

[20th Century Rider]

PART II: Texas State Raiilroad

For those interested in Info, Equipment and Pictures from the TSRR, please Google
TexasStateRailRoad.net

Waking up Early ( I still ger excited after 70+ years before taking Trips), I went to the Birds Egg Cafe, had a Leisurly Wonderful Breakfast of Eggs,Bacon,Grits and English Muffin washed down with Good, Strong Coffee!( included with the Room)

There was a mix of Locals and Tourists in the Place, including a Table full of " Regulars" solving the Problems of the World!

Tipped my nice Waitress who called Customers " Hon" and returned to the Room to pack, load up and Check out before heading to the State Park where The TSRR operates from.( It's on Park Road 70 a few miles East off US 84 from Palestine to Rusk)

Before I left the Motel, the Morning Desk Clerk had told me to Gas up @ a Station on 79 West of town that was 45cemts a Gsllon Cheaper than in town!

Heading out the By-Pass around town @ 9AM ( Loop 256) facing into the Rising Sun, it was already warming up to 90 with 75% Humidity, going to be a Scorcher today according to the Natives!

I soon got to the cutoff for 84 to Rusk, cruised out through the Pine Trees along both sides of the Road, took the Park Road Cutoff and drove past Private Property and then the Park Campgrounds and parked @ the Palestine Depot in the Large Parking Lot,luckily under a Large Shade Tree.

I has already received the Bad News via Text that due to the Draught Conditions in the Area, and the Burn Ban in effect in the Surronding Counties, that the Steam Engine for our would be replaced by one of their F-9P Diesels. ( with a $10 Rebate on our Fares)

The Consist for today's Trip was parked on the siding between the Depot and the Shops, along with all the Spare Equipment and the 5 Steam Engines the TSRR owns!

Lots of Folks already taking pictures and talking about the Trip, including lots of kids!

I walked up and down past the Consist and it was as follows:
F-9P. #125 ( 1 OF 2 and Beautifully Restored)
Caboose( Rented to Groups)
Open Air Bench Coach
Concession/ ADA Boarding Car( AC)
1st Class Car(AC)
1st Class Car ( AC)
President Car #42 ( Couches/AC)
Presidential Car #1511( My Car/AC)
Full Dome/ Diner Car ( AC)

It was now 930AM and the Depot Store and Ticket Office Opened, so everyone headed inside for the nice AC, Bathrooms, to pick up their Tickets and use the Facilities!

People who had Tickets for the Dome Car were being told that due to the AC going out, they would be moved to the Presidential Cars or receive a Full Refund.

I received my Ticket and Lunch Voucher ( Pre-Booked), Assigned Easy Chair #3 in the Presidential #1511 Car.

I went into the Store and bought a T-Shirt, then headed out to the Platform as the Announcement was made Boarding would begin in 15 minutes.

On the Boarding side of the Depot along the Platform,there are Gates by each Car where you board with the Attendants for each car available to assist folks and answer questions.

There is a High Levrl Boarding Platform where the Concessiins/ADA Car is located, all other Cars are Low Level with Steps below the Traps, like all Heritage Cars.

I intoduced myself to the folks riding in my Car, and to the nice attendant Joesy.

We boarded, got settled ( the AC was really nice in the Beautiful Restored old Cafe/ Observation Car with a Rear Platform) and our Attendant made some announcements before we Highballed to Rusk.

Soon the All Aboard call sounded, the Horn Tooted Twice, and we slowly rolled out heading to our Stop in Rusk31 Mike's to the East.

As we cruised through the Trees and Swamps on both sides of the Tracks, past Private Homes and Farms( only the Tracks and Depot Grounds in Palestine and Rusk are State owned) about 25mph the Train was swaying and bouncing on the Single Track that was built in the early 20th Century.

Our attendant served us our choice of Champagne or Cider and a Dish of Fresh Fruit, Meats and Cheeses with Crackers, Gold Fish and Chocolate for Snacks.

We then toasted the TSRR and some folks went to the Snack Car though Joesy would serve us anything we wanted from Adult Drinks to Ice Cream from the Concessions Car.

I walked the Train all the way to the Caboose on the Front, then returned and went out on the Platform with several other Passengers in my Car to watch the Crossing of the Neches River on the now Concrete Bridge.( all of the 12 Old Wooden Trestles have been replaced by Concrete )

Once we crossed the Neches, most of us went back inside the Car for the AC as it was very Warm and Humid as we rolled past the Swampy areas shaded by the Big Trees.

We saw lots of Water Birds, a couple of Snakes ,,( Cotton Mouths) but no other Wildlife as it was too late in the day.

Soon we came to the Small Village of Maydell, the only surviving settlement of the many that used to be located along this route when it was owned by the State Prison System andPassengers,Freight and Lumber were hauled between Palestine and Rusk.

There is an old Engine Turntable located here from when Steam ruled the Rails, as well as a Wye where Trains can be turned, and Sidings for storage of RR Equipment .

We stopped briefly for passengers to take pictures( I stayed in the AC Car!)then the Horn Sounded and we headed to Rusk where we pulled into the Depot right on time for our Schedule Hour and a Half Lunch Stop.

Our attendant told us to pick up our Pre-Ordered Meals from the Rail Car Food Service Car next to the Rusk Depot, and that we could either reboard and eat on the Teain or use the nice Shady Picnic Area located next to a Pretty Lake by the Depot.

Several of us got our Lunches, went to the Pavillion next to the Lake and enjoyed eating our Box Lunches ( I had the Ham and Cheese Hogey with Chips and a Diet Coke with a Cookie for Desert)and visiting.

It was nice and Cool under the Big Trees that Shade thd Areaand we watched people Fishing( Bass and Perch) and riding in Small Boats on the Lake..

Then most of us went into the Risk Depot to look around, use the Facilities and to enjoy the AC( this Depot is a Replica of an old time Depot built just for use of the TSRR when it became part of the State Parks Dept,)The old time Wooden Depot in Rusk was long gone by that time.

Soon it was time to board for the return to Palestine, but some of us watched as the Deadhead Dome/Diner was cut out of the Consist after the F-9 did a Run around switched out the Car to be stored in the Rusk Yard where the Freight Equipment used by the RR is stored.

The Parts needed to fix the AC had to be ordered from Switzerland and it is not known when they will arrive so the car will be Out of Service till then( supposedly it's will cost $25,000+ for the Parts,)

The Return Trip to Palestine: TBC

Wow Jim! What a great read... the stuff novels are made from; and I don't have to daydream... just read your account for a rail thrill. Which I will re read many times and fantasize what it must have been truly like. I hope you will indeed put your memoirs into some kind of a book... please include me for an autographed copy. You yourself are part of the Texas railroad legend my friend. And so appreciated!

With deepest appreciation!

 

[20th Century Rider]

I'm going there some day - you had me at "bourbon pecan pie"
Oh, and the RR sounds nice too!

Please count me in Michigan Mom... for a slice of that pecan pie. Remembering a pecan pie indulgence when taking GN from college in Duluth Superior to St. Paul for a day trip on the rails... when in St. Paul I lavished in a decadent slice of that pie with ice cream before journeying back up north on GN, to that ever so humble college cinder brick dorm room!

Posted somewhere here. Ah... the highs and lows of life and rail travel!

 

[20th Century Rider]

PART III: Return to Palestine and Home

Before we Highballed for Palestine after the F-9 returned ( and sadly hooked up to our Platform although we could still see out the sides), we talked with the Conductor,( only 1, but there's also a Trainman and the Engineer who worked 30 years for SP and UP) who told us he works 6 days a week, just like Amtrak Conductors ( with Monday his day off) and that the Freight Trains on this Road run on Tues and Wednesday.

Once the Tourist trips start running only on Fri,Sat and Sunday , he will also have Thursdays off.

All of the switches on this Line ( 36 Miles) are hand thrown, so it's lots of work just like Railroading has always been!)

Due to cutting out the Dome Car,we left about 20 minutes late, but rolled right along faster than on the morning trip, skipped the Stop in Maydell and rolled into the Palestie Depot about 3:05PM,only 5 minutes Late!( that's how to Run a Railroad)

I said Goodbye to the others on my Car, Thanked and Tipped Josey and headed for my Car ( which was still in the Shade), rolled out @ 310pm heading for Home!

Since I hadn't been through Bryan/ College Station in years, ( Home of Texas A& M University, aka "Aggieland") I decided to take I-45 to Madisonville, then State Highway 21 to Bastrop and US 71 into Austin.

I gassed up @ the Station West of town recommended by the Motel Desk Clerk, saved 40 cents a gallon over "Town Prices"( $3.32/Gal)

Rolled down 79 @ 70 through light traffic, took I-45 @ Buffalo ( Speed Limit 75!!) and rolled South in Light Traffic , mostly Trucks)

Reaching Madiosonville about an Hour later, I turned off on 21 which goes thru the Middle of this old Farming town, now a Mecca for Tourist and Retirees, which took about 20 minutes to get through before resuming 70mph Cruising.

Not lots of traffic on this Thursday evening so I soon was approaching the Outskirts of Bryan/College Station which have spread out into the Countryside in all Directions!

This country is mostly old Farming Areas with Cows and Horses, but Sanderson Farms, the Chicken Company, have built huge Feed Plants and Thousands of Chicken Houses all along the area East of the Twin Cities.

Arriving into Bryan, I was astound how much has changed , I didn't recognize much from the last time I was here over 10 years ago, and when I passed the Texas A&M Campus in College Station ( Named for the Old Depot long gone from when A& M was an All Male Miltary College with 2500 Stidents/ Now a60,000+ Coed Research University) I was astounded @ the Growth since I used to attended the Fire Teaining School and Instruct in the Summers when I was going to College and worked as a Firefighter)

Since the Traffic was so bad during Rush Hours, I rolled on towards Bastrop where I planned to stop and eat!

The Highway is now 4 Lanes and I made good time as I rolled across the Brazos River and reentered the typical Rolling Black Land Farms of Central Texas.

Coming into Bastrop, I passed the Lost Pines State Park where a terrible Fire 15 years ago burned down thousands of Acees of all types of Trees ,some several Hundred years Old!

They are slowly growing back after replanting but will take 50 years to Mature and resemble what used to be one of my favorite State Parks in Texas!

I stopped @ a Mickey D's, used the Facilities, ordered a Big Mac Combo( with Apple Slices instead of Fries!)then loaded up anx headed to Austin using the Toll Road ( ) for the 23 Milrs to Austin because Highway 71 has become a Parking Lot due the Out of Control Growth in Central Texas!

I pulled into my Reserved Parking Place @ 7:45PM ,averaged 41 MPG for the 4 Hour Trip ( 242 Miles) tired but happy I made the trip!

Highly recommended that you ride this Train if you're in the Area! If not, ride one of the Tourist Trains close to you, as some singer says ".. It can cure the Soul,. can make it whole.."

What a trip you had. Your vivid descriptions and accounts allowed us to come along with you. Thanks again for sharing! Where's your next adventure? Adventures???

 

[Bob Dylan]

What a trip you had. Your vivid descriptions and accounts allowed us to come along with you. Thanks again for sharing! Where's your next adventure? Adventures???

Unfortunately I won't be traveling anywhere until the Gathering in San Diego in October, when I'll fly on SWA from Austin to San Diego( Non-Stop),participate in the Scheduled Activities with fellow AUers, then return on a Surfliner to LAX and Catch #2/#422 to Austin along with a couple of other AU friends.

 

[20th Century Rider]

Was looking at routes into and out of LA in October and all sleepers were booked or high bucket pricey. Were you able to get a roomette??? At this end my next trip isn't until after Thanksgiving taking the CS to the CZ and then east on the Cardinal; returning on the Cardinal, SWC, and back to EUG on the CS. Only one high bucket... the CZ [that grill better be working!] with the rest mid to low bucket fares.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Was looking at routes into and out of LA in October and all sleepers were booked or high bucket pricey. Were you able to get a roomette??? At this end my next trip isn't until after Thanksgiving taking the CS to the CZ and then east on the Cardinal; returning on the Cardinal, SWC, and back to EUG on the CS. Only one high bucket... the CZ [that grill better be working!] with the rest mid to low bucket fares.

Yep, I booked early enough thru AGR using Points(19,625 Points/ good deal including BC on the Surfliner SAN-LAX for the #422 Sleeper which is cut out in San Antonio and switched to #22)but it's now SOLD OUT.( there is no Transdorm or Sightseer Lounge on #22, so the Crew takes up several of the Rooms, lately #11-#14 Downstairs).

Also Flex Meals are still slung on the Eaglete between Chicago and San Antonio, but Breakfast is the only 1 I'll have between SAS and AUS.

A couple of AU friends will also be on the Train going on to Chicago.