Travelogue: St. Louis to DC roundtrip

[jpakala]

What a St. Louis to DC roundtrip we had! On July 18 we boarded the Texas Eagle for Chicago, leaving not at 8:10 but closer to noon. We were glad not to leave home early because we avoided rush hour and did things like watering. Checking train status on our iPhones in late morning some misinformation was given, claiming the train had arrived when it hadn't yet pulled in, then that the time in station would be shorter than usual, and finally that the train had departed when we were still waiting in line to begin boarding, whereupon a station announcement was made that the information was erroneous. The extra coach was added but only those going to Springfield or Chicago were to board it. I believe the reason was that at smaller stations the few people getting off or on were better accommodated if not at the very end of the train, owing to platform length. The ride was very smooth, fast, and the seats so comfortable (the Lincoln service trains have new cars with non-reclining seats & no leg rests). Our wait in Chicago was much less than 5 hours, we ate after boarding the Capitol Limited, and though we had small suitcases they would not fit under the sofa because the bars related its slight reclining (which we didn't want) prevented storing luggage there. I had the upper bed and because the reading light was at the aisle end of it, I went up accordingly only to discover the sheets were made up the opposite way (being in a plastic bag, the blanket gave no indication). With Superliner ceiling so low, I couldn't turn around so waited for my wife to be in bed (so there's room to stand) and climbed down & shifted the ladder. BTW, I weigh 140 and she 115. Temperature adjustment didn't work but closing the AC vents helped. Though my bed was hard & narrow, I slept better than the next 3 nights in a hotel. (To be continued.)

 

[caravanman]

Looking forward to reading about the rest of the adventure!