The most scenic direction of each LD train

[Chessie]

I think the following are the more scenic directions of LD trains because more scenic sections fall under daylight and are affected less by delays:

EB - Eastbound (Guaranteed day light for Glacier NP)

CZ - Westbound (Guaranteed day light for the Rockies between Green River and Denver)

SWC - Eastbound, though Westbound is not bad (Eastbound give more AZ and NM and Westbound gives daylight for Raton pass)

TE - Southbound (Lighted view approaching StL and daylight between Hope, AK and Austin, TX. Thank you @Bob Dylan)

CS between LAX and EMY - Northbound (Guaranteed daylight for the coast hugging section right north of LAX.

CS between EMY and Portland or SEA - ??????

Sunset Limited - Westbound??? Following the sunset?

Capitol Limited - Eastbound (Daylight south of Pittsburgh in the Appalachians. Thank you @Lonestar648)

Lake Shore Limited - Eastbound (longer daylight along the Hudson river)

Cardinal - Eastbound

Silvers Star - Northbound (Daylight in NC small towns instead of Northern FL. Thank you @brianpmcdonnell17)

Silver Meteor - ???

Crescent - Comparable (Northbound you get Lynchburg trestle and Southbound for Northeast Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains. you can Thank you @Seaboard92 and @brianpmcdonnell17)

Adirondacks - Northbound?????

Any additions, feed backs?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Texas Eagle: Southbound is best overall since you get to see St Louis lighted up across the River as you approach, and from Hope,AK, to Austin in Daylight.

 

[Lonestar648]

CL eastbound south of Pittsburgh through the mountains and along the river.

LSL either direction

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

I prefer the SS Northbound. The small NC towns are better than North Florida which you get coming South.

I would probably slightly prefer the Crescent northbound because of the Lynchburg trestle, although mountains in NE Georgia are nice too. The SM has daylight in similar places both directions.

 

[Sauve850]

I also think East CZ is great. Have had good luck on times with that train and I also like the rolling hills and the corn and barns etc in Iowa though most folks don't.

I did my first CS this year south and would like to do the northbound trip. Why is that better?

 

[the_traveler]

The CS northbound departs LAX mid morning, and much of the southern CA coastline is in daylight.

 

[Seaboard92]

Crescent Southbound for the waking hours in North Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains.

Silver Star definitely northbound.

Cardinal eastbound.

 

[Asher]

May I add the least scenic or say I expected more. The LSL into NYP, crossed the platform and boarded the #55 Vermonter with out seeing more than a few light bulbs.

 

[kbmiflyer]

CZ I think is a bit of a toss-up. Either way you go through the Rockies and the Sierra's during the day. If the train is on time, the descent down the Western Front on the Eastbound during sunset can be amazing. I guess the biggest concern on the westbound is if the train gets behind schedule, you could miss much of the Rockies eastbound, especially in the fall or winter.

Agree with your other recommendations. I was disappointed that we went through the Blue Ridge Mountains at night on the NB Crescent.

I am not sure if you intentionally left out the CNO or not, but I am not sure either direction is all that scenic. The most scenic part of the trip is between Effingham and Memphis, and that is at nighttime both directions.

 

[Chessie]

I also think East CZ is great. Have had good luck on times with that train and I also like the rolling hills and the corn and barns etc in Iowa though most folks don't.

I did my first CS this year south and would like to do the northbound trip. Why is that better?

I read some older threads and also on TripAdvisor and folks were saying CS northbound gives you guaranteed daylight during the most scenic section which is the section right north of LAX.

May I add the least scenic or say I expected more. The LSL into NYP, crossed the platform and boarded the #55 Vermonter with out seeing more than a few light bulbs.

LSL eastbound? or the Vermonter northbound?

 

[Maglev]

I like the EB westbound for the Cascade crossing, and the CS southbound for views of Mount Rainier (as well as some coastal sections,at least for now--there is a track realignment under construction that will eliminate a very scenic stretch).

Which Silver is better for scenery? The morning Cascades between Seattle and Vancouver traverse the scenic coastal base of Chuckanut Mountain in the daylight even in the wintertime. One of the world's greatest views is of Orcas Island from a train!

 

[manchacrr]

City of New Orleans - Northbound: Daylight from NOLA to near Greenwood, MS (Louisiana Swamps and Mississippi Pine Forests) & from Champaign-Urbana to Chicago (Rolling Farmland & Chicago Suburbs). Also, the CONO has, in my opinion, the best approach to Chicago Union Station, crossing the St. Charles Air Line with a panoramic view of downtown Chicago.

Crescent - Southbound: Daylight through the Blue Ridge Mountains in NE Georgia.

Sunset Limited - Westbound: Daylight crossing the Mississippi River in NOLA and through the swamps between NOLA and Lafayette, LA. Also guaranteed daylight from just past Del Rio, TX, all the way to Tucson, AZ, which includes a daylight crossing over the Pecos River High Bridge.

Coast Starlight - Northbound: Daylight from Los Angeles, along the Pacific Coast, to near San Jose. Also, daylight through the Cascade Mountains from the CA/OR state line all the way to Seattle.

California Zephyr - Westbound: Guaranteed daylight crossings of both the Rocky Mountains (from Denver to at least Green River) & the Sierra Nevada through Donner Pass.

Empire Builder - Eastbound: Guaranteed daylight through Glacier National Park.

Southwest Chief - Westbound: Guaranteed daylight through Raton Pass & across New Mexico. Also, if the train is running late, there is the slight possibility of getting to see Cajon Pass in the morning light.

Texas Eagle - Toss Up: The most scenic portion of the Eagle's route is in darkness both ways (St. Louis to Texarkana through the Ozarks).

Lake Shore Limited - Eastbound: Daylight from just past Cleveland all the way to New York/Boston.

Capitol Limited - Eastbound: Daylight guaranteed east of Pittsburgh through the Appalachians to Cumberland and along the Potomac to DC.

Cardinal - Eastbound: Guaranteed daylight through the New River Gorge and across Blue Ridge Summit in West Virginia & Virginia.

Silver Star - Northbound: Daylight through North Carolina & Virginia.

Silver Meteor - Toss Up: Only daylight both ways is along the NEC & in Florida.

 

[norfolkwesternhenry]

I think the EB is better eastbound MSP-CHI, because there is all daylight. I have only taken the EB west of MSP (I live in msp) westbound

 

[Chessie]

I like the EB westbound for the Cascade crossing, and the CS southbound for views of Mount Rainier (as well as some coastal sections,at least for now--there is a track realignment under construction that will eliminate a very scenic stretch).

Which Silver is better for scenery? The morning Cascades between Seattle and Vancouver traverse the scenic coastal base of Chuckanut Mountain in the daylight even in the wintertime. One of the world's greatest views is of Orcas Island from a train!

My understanding is both silvers are about equal, SS might have a slight edge.

 

[Alexandria Nick]

I like westbound out of DC for the CL. Snaking along the Potomac with the setting sun is nice. Often I'd rather be asleep on the eastbound at that time of day!

 

[neroden]

The most scenic direction is out the window. Looking towards the aisle is much less scenic. :giggle:

 

[Thirdrail7]

The most scenic direction is out the window. Looking towards the aisle is much less scenic. :giggle:

It was too easy and Neroden beat us to it!! Well played, sir! To add on to this, I recommend you not look in the bathrooms as they are also less scenic....unless you're going east on the Cardinal.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

The most scenic direction is out the window. Looking towards the aisle is much less scenic. :giggle:

It was too easy and Neroden beat us to it!! Well played, sir! To add on to this, I recommend you not look in the bathrooms as they are also less scenic....unless you're going east on the Cardinal.

I had the same thought when I saw this thread but didn't bother posting the obvious.

 

[Dave Van]

I like to sit in the back of the train...........

oh...that's a different ride...... :wacko:

 

[Chessie]

Thank you all for the input.

I like to sit in the back of the train...........

oh...that's a different ride...... :wacko:

Do you mean the rail fan window?

I have read a couple of posts here stating they do not like being in the last and I wonder why. The way I see it, having the rail fan window in your own car is a distinct advantage, affording much better views.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Longhai: when you are in the last car of a long train, the "dog wagging it's tail effect" takes hold and the movements can be extreme in some cases.

Hence some LD trains,especially single level consists, have the baggage car on the back which seems to give a smoother ride!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Longhai: when you are in the last car of a long train, the "dog wagging it's tail effect" takes hold and the movements can be extreme in some cases.

Hence some LD trains,ie single level consists, have the baggage car on the back which seems to give a smoother ride!

 

[Chessie]

Longhai: when you are in the last car of a long train, the "dog wagging it's tail effect" takes hold and the movements can be extreme in some cases.

Hence some LD trains,ie single level consists, have the baggage car on the back which seems to give a smoother ride!

Ah, I see! That makes sense. Thank you, Bob. So are pax allowed to access the baggage car during the journey?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Longhai: when you are in the last car of a long train, the "dog wagging it's tail effect" takes hold and the movements can be extreme in some cases.

Hence some LD trains,ie single level consists, have the baggage car on the back which seems to give a smoother ride!

Ah, I see! That makes sense. Thank you, Bob. So are pax allowed to access the baggage car during the journey?

Nope, they are kept locked since Amtrak was required to carry weapons and ammo by Congress several years ago.
Only authorized employees are allowed in the baggage car although in the old days crew members would use the bag car as a lounge and smoking area to get away from work!

 

[railiner]

Thank you all for the input.

I like to sit in the back of the train...........

oh...that's a different ride...... :wacko:

Do you mean the rail fan window?

I have read a couple of posts here stating they do not like being in the last and I wonder why. The way I see it, having the rail fan window in your own car is a distinct advantage, affording much better views.

I would rather face forward and see where I am going, even at an angle through a side window, as opposed to looking out the "rail fan window", and seeing where I have been...