When the train is on the back of the (Washington) Cardinal, you get the full range of cars up until Indianapolis.

The people who serve us, either by serving us meals, settling us into our seats, collecting our tickets, making our beds, serving us drinks and cleaning up after us are no different than you or I (assuming the reader of these words has actually worked for a living). Granted, in some cultures people who perform these duties are looked down upon, but thank God we live in an enlightened society that does not share these barbaric, arrested opinions about our fellow human beings.

Having said that, the people who serve us are entitled to the same courtesy, politeness and dignity that we ourselves expect. When we do not treat people with the upmost respect for their humanity, it is no wonder that they reciprocate in kind. Following this line of reasoning, being treated rudely can, in most cases, have its origins directly in ourselves.

I have never been treated badly by anybody at Amtrak but I have seen horrendous behavior practiced by passengers who seem to have no concept of common courtesy, hygienic practices or decency.

I stand in awe of some of these railroad men and women, people who have practiced their craft with agility and grace for decades and I am absolutely floored when they are treated like dirt.

It's not enough for a person to say that they have not been treated well. If somebody on this board is going to make that claim, they need to back it up with a certain modicum of accurate reporting. Otherwise their accusations are vague and slanderous.

Lots of people read this forum and it is important for those of us who contribute to watch what we say carefully. The future of Amtrak is on the line.

In my opinion the attitude of Amtrak employees is exemplary, especially considering none of those people have a clue whether they will have a job from one year to another.

What is strange is that dinner and breakfasts are available only on trains departing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

I have no doubt that you and your son will have a terrific time on the train. I love traveling by Amtrak and would never think of setting foot on an airplane again.

Hopefully you will have a dining car aboard your train and highly recommend you indulge. The food is spectacular and although I rarely eat dessert, I have found the apple pie a'la mode to be heavenly.

This may seem like a simple train trip to you but to me Amtrak has become my cause celebre. With the future of passenger train travel hanging in the balance, it is one issue that I can become obsessive about without the fear of having my tires slashed or my windshield broken.

Just about everybody loves trains and it would be a tragedy to all the boys in this world if they were not able to climb aboard a passenger train. Not to mention a tragedy to all those grown ups who have never been on a train either.

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Originally posted by Chucky:
This may seem like a simple train trip to you but to me Amtrak has become my cause celebre.

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That is where I am coming from, too. I hadn't set foot on a train in 16 years until 2000. Before that trip I decided to do some research on Amtrak to see what had changed since 1984. What I learned made my blood boil and I threw myself into rail advocacy with a passion that continues to this day.

I agree that the vast majority of Amtrak employees are among the best in the travel industry, and that an occasional difficult costomer can often take their patience to the breaking point. But, there are a few bad apples out there, still.

My mother and sister ran into a surly dining car steward on the Starlight a few years ago. They missed breakfast because they did not hear their number called. They did not hear their number called because, unknown to them, the intercom in the lounge was out of order. However, (they found out later) the steward DID know it was out of order and had been instructed by the chief of on board services to make announcements in the lounge in person. She failed to do that, and when my sister went to inquire about their seating, the diner had already closed for breakfast. Then the steward scolded my sister for not hearing the announcement. The chief or on board services sorted it all out, and gave them free breakfast from the lounge cafe, and a free lunch later.

So bad employees, while rare, do exist.

And getting back on topic, lswanson, I hope you and your boy have a great trip. I rode my first train from California to Michigan when I was 3, and I loved every minute of it. Many memories of that trip are still fresh, 40 years later.

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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

And once again I do apologize for getting a little passionate about whatever it is we're talking about. The fact of the matter is that train travel is not a luxury or land cruise to me. Because of a horrible problem I have with my inner ear, it's the only sensible way I can get around the country.

Although I have not taken your particular route yet, I have traveled from Vancouver to Miami on Amtrak and all the way up to Ottawa. What was once a medical necessity has become a passionate obsession with the rails. My friends think I am insane, the way I take these trips every chance I get.

There's an interesting word that describes people like myself. We're called "foamers." That's because we foam at the mouth when we start talking about Amtrak and the future of long haul passenger travel in general. I find it an apt, vividly descriptive term, don't you?

Last night I was reflecting upon the words of John F. Kennedy, modified somewhat. These words went though my mind, "Ask not what Amtrak can do for you, ask what you can do for Amtrak."

Oh, by the way, be sure to register for your Guest Rewards card on the Amtrak web page at www.amtrak.com. If you accumulate enough points you can get free rides on the Amtrak. I just completed a FREE round trip to Chicago and saved myself well over $250!

Just for the record, I have never travelled by sleeper. Because of my modest income, I can only travel in coach. It's a very Walt-Whitmanesque experience. You may have the pleasure of traveling with the Amish. It seems that is their preferred means of transportation.

Have a great time! All aboard!!!

As you and your son will probably notice, some Amtrak passengers do everything they can to distance themselves from the unique pleasures of traveling by rail. They'll spend their entire journey with their nose buried in a book or magazine, yakking on their cell phone, glaring at their wristwatch, or zoning out with their Walkman or Discman headphones.

Presumably, since the Cardinal has gone Viewliner, that means the Louisville coach is also a single decker? Or does that depend on the day of the week? Last time I was on the Cardinal (in Superliner days) it wasn't a Superliner but (guessing here) an ex-Santa Fe hi-level car?

It may be worth catching the train on the day that the Cardinal to Washington DC runs - that way you can get an evening meal and buy snacks from the lounge car - another experience for your son!

Enjoy it. I come yearly (if not more frequently) from the UK just to ride trains in your country!

I highly recommend you bring along a packet or two of "Wet Ones, Moist Antibacterial Towelettes." They will keep you refreshed and clean for your long journey. They have been a lifesaver to me.

Be sure you have cash for the cafe car, they don't accept credit cards, although the dining car does. Last trip on the Southwest Chief I was amazed to discover that the microwaveable cheese pizza in the cafe car contains absolutely no artificial ingredients or preservatives. The lady who ran the place warned me against the pepperonia pizza though. The cheese pizza was incredibly good.

I was also surprised to learn that there are happy hours in the cafe car. I was able to get two for one margaritas that were very potent and definitely took the edge off the trip. The wine is OK, generally a local vintage. I don't care for the white and the red sells out fast.

If you are departing from the place that the train originates and your quick and persuasive, you may be able to get the seat of your choice. Some seats have outlets, most do not. I prefer the seats at the very end of the car because I can spread out all my stuff on the floor and there's nobody in front of me.

I think the double decker Superliners have a much nicer ride than the single deckers, especially on the second level. As far as "lingo" is concerned, the old timers can come up with some doozies, especially when they're talking about freight trains, like "hot dogs" and "Z trains."

As the Cardinal has full service facilities, that's why the service facilities on the Kentucky Cardinal are only available on the days the Cardinal runs.

Up until last year the Cardinal was a double decker train (called Superliner cars). But because of a shortage of cars, it's been turned into a single decker (Viewliner cars). Because of the height difference between the end doors of the two types of cars, you can't move between the two types.

Hope that explains things a bit better!

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Originally posted by dilly:
...some Amtrak passengers do everything they can to distance themselves from the unique pleasures of traveling by rail. They'll spend their entire journey with their nose buried in a book or magazine, yakking on their cell phone, glaring at their wristwatch, or zoning out with their Walkman or Discman headphones.

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And that is evidence, contrary to what Amtrak critics claim, that people DO use Amtrak for basic transportation, not just for the "rail experience." I take that as a good sign.

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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy