We had plenty of time to stretch out and walk around once we were in Chicago, sampling the wonderful foods in the food court areas of the station. Departing on SW Chief was on time and the Amtrak Crew was the best I have ever experienced. Very friendly, courteous, helpful and just a wonderful bunch to be around. The dining crew was exceptional, making us happy and content. We did have to stop somewhere out in the middle of a god knows where around 530am, shut down to whole train to fix a broken brake line, took about an hour. So we were late getting into Flagstaff, almost two hours. Sleeping was uncomfortable in coach, especially going over the worse track between Alberquere and Flagstaff...the crew even worns you to be extra cautious about moving around the train, and to still down during this time if at all possible. They called it "ground turbulance"

Spent time traveling around Az & Nv, and went to Vegas...our return trip was slightly different. The SW Chief was about 40 mins late...no problem. My husband and I are non-smokers and have a difficult time breathing when around ciggarette smoke, yet Amtrak constantly wanted to seat us in the smoking car. We asked politely to change our seats and both times have been accomodated, the later time we got a frowned look, but all in all they didn't tell us no, we couldn't move our seats to another car. When we boarded in Flagstaff, there were over 40 students going on a big field trip to Galloup NM, we got stuck in that car. It was the nosiest car I have ever been on. Luckliy they were getting off the train so soon. When they departed, they had left a huge mess for the train attendant to clean up. We had the whole car to ourselves, so I helped her clean up. Pop tarts smashed into the carpets, rice krispy treats crammed into the seats, pop cans rolling all over, pillows jammed into corners, and all the curtains pulled shut...but it gave me something to do, and then the whole car was guiet and clean. We traveled like this for a long time before they started boarding passengers. It felt really good to be the only ones there.

On the way back to Chicago, we were plagued by numerous frieght travel. We had to stop constantly to let them thru. We did have a medical emergency on board and had to stop for over an hour to get that person onto an ambulance. We were about two hours late getting into Chicago. I did notice that the crew from LA was very different from the crew in Chicago. They were hardly ever around. And not outgoing and friendly. If you seen someone come thru, you had to practically grab them to ask them something. They were always in a big hurry. The dining staff was very impolite, but effecient.

We were worried about making our connection onto the Lakeshore Lmtd, but got there just in time. When we were standing in line at our gate they made the announcement that the Lakeshore would be boarding late, something wrong with the equipment. Amongst all of the moaning and grumbling of the passengers waiting, we sat down and waited too, and waited, and waited...finally it was time to board. We had numerous difficulties leaving Chicago. We had severe thunderstorms that were affecting the signals on the tracks, we would start to move and then have to stop again till the conductor cleared us thru with radios. Stop and go, stop and go...this went on forever it seemed. Should have took only two hours to get to Elkhart from Chicago...we arrived at 1130pm. I won't be taking the train in the future for some time, but always expect delays, break downs and other problems to occur. Don't be in a hurry to travel...try to relax and enjoy the scenery. There were many senior citizens that traveled on the train, they have the hardest time getting around...spent alot of time helping them especially when the train was bumping along the tracks. Met alot of nice folks and some that didn't want to talk at all, funny thing...

Thanks for letting me share my train travel experience with you.