Long Train Runnin'
Engineer
The City of New Orleans could be the title for 2 different reports, the time spent in the city or our 934 mile journey from New Orleans to Chicago. We had a good time in New Orleans I just wish we spent more time there. We saw quite a bit in the small amount of time we spent there. We walked around Bourbon Street and stayed out probably a little too late and the streets became quite interesting. In the morning we went to Café Du Monde, Jackson Square and rode the Riverfront Street Car a little bit. Then it we headed back to the train station.
We got the code for the Magnolia Room which was nicer then I had expected. There was a large flat panel TV, about a dozen chairs, coffee, and water. It was fine for our wait until the Conductor came in and led us to the boarding door where he took our tickets and we headed toward our roomette. We met our SCA at the door her name was Dorthy and she was very pleasant. We got settled in our room and waited for departure.
The trip out of New Orleans was interesting in its only respect you roll through the swamps, I guess down there that would be the Bayou. It was amazing to see zero signs of development as the marsh spread as far as you can see. We made our dinner reservation for 7:30, so we could step out in Jackson, MS.
It wasn’t until I stepped out in Jackson that I realized it was the state capitol. You could see what I think was state capitol building from the platform. After walking around a bit the all aboard was given and we were soon back underway. Our dinner reservation was called and we made our way to the Cross Country Café. It would be my first meal inside of a CCC, so I was a little unsure of what to expect. We were seated with an older woman in a 3 seat horseshoe booth. She sat in the middle and my friend and I sat on the wings. The food and service was good, I thought I recognized the dining car crew and about halfway through the meal I remembered where. I had the same crew that Tom(Mr.FSS) had recently. I knew we were in good hands if that were the case. After dinner we sat around and shortly before Memphis had our beds put down.
The train arrived in Memphis a couple minutes late and several passengers from our car detrained. I watched as our attendant redid 3 rooms in only 15 minutes and they were filled with plenty of time to spare. I only stayed on the platform in Memphis for a few minutes since it was extremely humid. After we pulled out of Memphis I took a shower and then slept soundly through the night.
I woke up around 6:30 AM and we headed straight to the dining car for breakfast. There weren’t too many other folks there so we were quickly seated our orders were taken and coffee was poured. I was impressed with the efficiency and friendly attitude even this early in the morning. Breakfast was another wonderful order of French toast. After breakfast the great service continued as Dorthy had already converted the room for daytime use.
Pretty soon we started running side by side with METRA where rush hour was in full swing. As we got closer we rolled right by the Amtrak shops and came to a stop then started backing into Chicago Union Station. All in all we arrived 10 minutes early. The City of New Orleans is a great train the staff was excellent and you run through some very unique parts of the country.
We had quite a long layover until the Eastbound Capitol Limited, so we went to the Museum of Science of Industry, have lunch at Giordano's and go to the top of the Sears uh I mean Willis Tower and walk out on the ledge. It was a fun day in Chicago and I think we made the most of our layover.
Thank you so much for reading! Pictures should be up shortly!
We got the code for the Magnolia Room which was nicer then I had expected. There was a large flat panel TV, about a dozen chairs, coffee, and water. It was fine for our wait until the Conductor came in and led us to the boarding door where he took our tickets and we headed toward our roomette. We met our SCA at the door her name was Dorthy and she was very pleasant. We got settled in our room and waited for departure.
The trip out of New Orleans was interesting in its only respect you roll through the swamps, I guess down there that would be the Bayou. It was amazing to see zero signs of development as the marsh spread as far as you can see. We made our dinner reservation for 7:30, so we could step out in Jackson, MS.
It wasn’t until I stepped out in Jackson that I realized it was the state capitol. You could see what I think was state capitol building from the platform. After walking around a bit the all aboard was given and we were soon back underway. Our dinner reservation was called and we made our way to the Cross Country Café. It would be my first meal inside of a CCC, so I was a little unsure of what to expect. We were seated with an older woman in a 3 seat horseshoe booth. She sat in the middle and my friend and I sat on the wings. The food and service was good, I thought I recognized the dining car crew and about halfway through the meal I remembered where. I had the same crew that Tom(Mr.FSS) had recently. I knew we were in good hands if that were the case. After dinner we sat around and shortly before Memphis had our beds put down.
The train arrived in Memphis a couple minutes late and several passengers from our car detrained. I watched as our attendant redid 3 rooms in only 15 minutes and they were filled with plenty of time to spare. I only stayed on the platform in Memphis for a few minutes since it was extremely humid. After we pulled out of Memphis I took a shower and then slept soundly through the night.
I woke up around 6:30 AM and we headed straight to the dining car for breakfast. There weren’t too many other folks there so we were quickly seated our orders were taken and coffee was poured. I was impressed with the efficiency and friendly attitude even this early in the morning. Breakfast was another wonderful order of French toast. After breakfast the great service continued as Dorthy had already converted the room for daytime use.
Pretty soon we started running side by side with METRA where rush hour was in full swing. As we got closer we rolled right by the Amtrak shops and came to a stop then started backing into Chicago Union Station. All in all we arrived 10 minutes early. The City of New Orleans is a great train the staff was excellent and you run through some very unique parts of the country.
We had quite a long layover until the Eastbound Capitol Limited, so we went to the Museum of Science of Industry, have lunch at Giordano's and go to the top of the Sears uh I mean Willis Tower and walk out on the ledge. It was a fun day in Chicago and I think we made the most of our layover.
Thank you so much for reading! Pictures should be up shortly!
:lol: :giggle:
