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Finally booked a trip Charlottesville,VA(CVS) to Portland,OR(PDX)for my wife and I. We had to cancel our Seattle trip in 2001 due to work responsibilities and illness in family.
We enjoy train travel so we are only staying in Portland one night and leaving for Charlottesville, VA the next day. We arrive mid-morning and leave late afternoon the next day.
While in Portland we would like to make our way over to the Pacific Ocean. Do any of you know the best way to go over to the ocean?
Also, where is a good place to spend the night in the Portland area?
Any recent EB travelers on this board with either good or bad experiences?
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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There are 3 Thruway buses going to the coast from trains at PDX (to Astoria), Albany (to Newport), and Eugene (to Florence). However, all run to the coast in the evening and return early morning.
A car would work into your schedule better. Hertz offers train station pick-up and drop-off at PDX, and currently charges about $38/day compact.
I took the EB St.Paul-PDX last year. Everything was fine. One of the better on-time trains. From Spokane to PDX, you lose the diner to the Seattle branch. No sit down breakfast westbound or dinner eastbound. Good box lunches for 1st class are provided instead. The lounge car runs right behind the engine Spokane to PDX, but they lock it up until they open for business in the AM ( I missed the sunrise). Kinda smelly with diesel fumes, but a good loud whistle. Standing on your tip toes in the front of the lounge you can see over the locomotive and watch the track (and tunnels) ahead in the Gorge.
Great scenery around Glacier Park near dark, and in the Columbia River Gorge. May will be an excellent month with the extensive daylight. Stake out a lounge seat for Glacier. The granite mountain tops can only be seen by looking up. East of Glacier is not too exciting.
Maybe someone else can help you with auto routes to the ocean and hotels.
[This message has been edited by TwinStarRocket (edited 08-23-2004).]
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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"Standing on your tip toes in the front of the lounge you can see over the locomotive and watch the track (and tunnels) ahead in the Gorge."
Well now someone tells me that. for some reason it never occured to me to look at the back of the engine and to try to look around it when I was on that train between Spokane and Pasco.
The train was late by two hours when I got on it in Fargo and stayed late by that time all the way out to Pasco. It was on time leaving Pasco and stayed that way until coming into Fargo where it was a half hour late.
My only complaints about the EB during my ride was that the bathrooms were a bit smelly on the way out, and the intercom didn't work on the way back (though I commend that crew for keeping the bathrooms cleaner).
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I think Enterprise and Hertz have offices in Portland, not sure of the locations. The coast is a little longer than an hour from Portland, US 26 is the quickest, US 30 which goes thru Astoria takes almost 2 hours.
As for lodging there is a Double Tree, (11thAve/Lloyd Center station) and Red Lion (Convention Center station) in the Lloyd Dist. located along the Light Rail line, the nearest stop to the train station is Old Town/Chinatown about 6 blocks away. In the downtown area there are more hotels but, you'll pay more.
Buses and MAX trains are free in Downtown Portland, including stops from Oldtown/Chinatown to the Lloyd Center station.
Enjoy your stay in Portland
[This message has been edited by moxeetwo (edited 08-24-2004).]
Posts: 4 | From: St. Helens, Oregon | Registered: Jun 2004
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Thanks for the tips. I will plan on renting a car for the short time we will be in Portland. Glad to hear that it is only about an hour or two drive to the coast.
Yes, May is a great month for traveling. I like the extra daylight and the weather is much more agreeable. I had rather be a little cool than hot and miserable. Also, most of the children are still in school.
We will be traveling in deluxe sleepers all the way from CVS. I understand the Cardnial lost the Superliner cars and only have viewliner cars now. I haven't been in the Deluxe rooms on a viewliner. Are they much different from the Superliner rooms?
My wife is a light sleeper but I expect she will be pretty tired the last night into Spokane and will not be bothered by the separation. Somewhere on this board I read that the cars loose power during the separation. Does anyone know how long that last and is there much noise associated with the transisition.
When we rode the CZ to Salt Lake City, our sleeper was 4th car behind the engines. It was very smooth starting and stopping. Only by looking out did you realize the train had started to move. Since the Portland sleeper is on the end of the train is there much jerking with the starting and stopping?
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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The "separation" of the 2 EB sections at Spokane overnight is relatively smooth -- one of AMTRAK's better maneauvers. It usually takes an hour or less.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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I planned to stay awake for the Spokane seperation. Next thing I knew it was morning and we were amongst apple orchards! I'm a light sleeper too, so unless you're in the last Seattle coach or on the Portland coach, I doubt you'll notice it.
I'd like to see the Cardinal back with sleepers, but it doesn't look likely at least this year. Maybe next summer we can hope...?
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Geoff, are you saying there are no sleepers on the Cardinal? Why would they book me on one in May? They said nothing about there not being a sleeper available.
What happens if in May there is no sleeper. I certainly do not desire riding overnight to Chicago in coach.
Will I be able to get a refund of the fare for the entire trip if part of the trip does not materialize as planned? I certainly do not desire riding to Chicago in coach overnight.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote:Originally posted by SouthernServesTheSouth: Geoff, are you saying there are no sleepers on the Cardinal? Why would they book me on one in May? They said nothing about there not being a sleeper available.
What happens if in May there is no sleeper. I certainly do not desire riding overnight to Chicago in coach.
Will I be able to get a refund of the fare for the entire trip if part of the trip does not materialize as planned? I certainly do not desire riding to Chicago in coach overnight.
Hi, took the Cardinal from Chicago(actually Indianapolis but that is another story) to DC. There was supposed to be a sleeper(I paid for a standard) but due to a burst pipe it was bad ordered and the train due to engine problems was turned at Indianapolis(bussed from Chicago to Indianapolis) so no sleeper that trip. But, the coach seats where comfortable and the view through the New River Gorge was great.
Sleeper yes, Snack Car/Dinette yes, Diner no.
The Cardinal route seems to be the most hated, by Amtrak management, route in existence. For whatever reason one of the prime East Coast tourist routes is relegated to 3rd class status.
I just ran a few sample reservations on the AMTRAK site and some dates allow sleeper accomodations and other dates only have coach availablity. Is it possible that they run sleepers on only one of the three weekly trips?
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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The only problem with the Spokane seperation and joining was that it's TOO quiet. I tend to sleep much better with background noise than I do with absolutely nothing. That gave me plenty of time to become familiar with the entire platform at the Spokane station. I watched the hookup before departing Spokane eastbound and found it to be interesting, even though there's not much too it.
Also, another thing to note is that when the power is out that means the toliets do not flush. It's advisable to avoid the bathrooms during that time.
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Capltd29, I live near Lynchburg. A great place to view train activity. There are three yards. NS Montview (former SR), Wooddall yards (former N&W) and the CSX yard down by the James River. I am probably the only one in the line of trafic held up at the crossing by yard activity that doesn't mind the delay.
I get to see the north bound Cresent almost every day when it comes by the Mall at 5:45am most of the time it is on schedule. The south bound Cresent comes to late 11pm for me to see.
I had thought about taking the Cresent north to Washington and then taking the train to Chicago, but there is too much wait time in DC. Coming back same thing.
Do any of you think I should change from the Cardinal to the Capital Limited? It is about $325.00 more plus a much earlier departure and much later arrival back home. A lot of sitting around in DC on Sundays.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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Do any of you think I should change from the Cardinal to the Capital Limited? It is about $325.00 more plus a much earlier departure and much later arrival back home. A lot of sitting around in DC on Sundays.[/B]
As a Southern Railway afficionado (my first passenger train ride was a Salisbury-DC trip aboard Southern's #6, the mid-70's Piedmont), I REALLY like your screen name!
I'd be inclined to stay with the Cardinal. The great scenery begins just minutes after departure from Charlottesville and the train is generally less crowded and more pleasant than the Capitol.
The train has typically been operating with one viewliner sleeper since late spring and you'll find the deluxe room a nice accomodation. My wife prefers the upper berth in the viewliner sleeper to the upper berth in the superliner sleeper.
My guess is that you're seeing certain departures showing no sleeper on the website because the rooms on that particular date are sold-out (the single viewliner has only three deluxe rooms for instance.)
If, by some reason, the viewliner is bad-ordered on your trip, Amtrak will generally at least issue a voucher (after-the-fact) towards future travel in the amount of your accomodation charge.
Enjoy your trip!!!!!
------------------ David Pressley
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I'd definetly consider driving to D.C.( yes driving, tear) and connecting to the Capitol Limited, the Scenery is not as great but it is Probably more Comfortable.
Southernservesthesouth, I live About Half way between Richmond and Petersburg, and the CSX main is less than a mile from my house and comfortable biking distance, for railfaning after school, I like to watch the NB Silver Star on saturdays, if I wake up on time, which is usually not a problem because the train is usually late!!!
Posts: 143 | From: Richmond, VA | Registered: Jun 2004
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Southern...I'd stick with the Cardinal. The scenery is great and it's hard to line up travel plans to fit its three times a week schedule so stick with it since it already fits. The Viewliner upper berth is far better than the Superliner upper berth and the trip is relaxing. The only negative is the lack of a full diner but at least you can order almost anything you want from the cafe. You can check the previous eastbound trip to be sure a sleeper is in the consist. If so, you should be all set. If not, there still would be a chance of switching to the Capitol.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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SilverStar092, how do I determine if a sleeper was on the last east bound prior to the next days west bound? Is there a web site that tracks the consist of the various trains? CVS is 70 miles from where I live.
We rode on the Cardinal in 1999 when we went to Salt Lake City. It was relaxing and very comfortable. The track from Charlottesville to Clifton Forge appears to be in fair shape. Most CSX freight traffic is on the James River Divsion through Lynchburg.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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We went down to the local Amtrak station and picked up the tickets for the May trip. I had waited until 7am (15 minutes before the station closing) to go since the Crescent was coming thru at 6am and running 15 minutes late. I knew the agent would be busy with the arriving and departing passengers. When we entered the station it was deserted, there was no one at the ticket counter or waiting room. After waiting a couple minutes I knocked on an unmarked door two different times before anyone would come out.
When the agent came out I told him I wanted to pick up the tickets and gave him my reservation number, Photo I.D., Amtrak Guest Rewards gift certificates and my Amtrak credit card. He accessed my reservation on the computer and generated our tickets. In all it only took about 10 minutes. Should be good for a little over 2200 points because of double points with Amtrak purchase.
Later in the morning I went to the Amtrak web site and re-priced my trip, I was shocked to see the price had increased $800 (just the accommodations rail fare didn’t chage) from last week. Luckily my wife had prodded me into checking prices last week and booking our trip. I am always putting off until tomorrow what I should have done today They offered to extend my reservation until September 7th to allow enough time to obtain and redeem the gift certificates. Guest Rewards got the certificates to me within 5 working days of my request. They had indicated it might take two weeks with the labor day holiday falling in there.
I still haven’t decided on where to stay. I will definitely rent a car for the time we are there. I hope to try out the light rail, if time allows.
I have eight and a half months to wait until the trip begins. “Good Grief, Charlie Brown” A lot of good and bad things can happen in that length of time.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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In case you haven't already discovered this, Hertz lists Amtrak stations as a location for many cities on their website, including Portland. This can mean anything from having an agent in the station to a courtesy phone where they will arrange for your transportation.
I have found this to be very convenient, and once I discovered Hertz was targeting train passengers as customers nationwide, I felt like giving them my business.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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quote:Originally posted by pelarson: The Cardinal route seems to be the most hated, by Amtrak management, route in existence. For whatever reason one of the prime East Coast tourist routes is relegated to 3rd class status.
I don't know if the Cardinal is the most hated route (I'd say the Sunset Limited has a slight edge there). But the tourist trade does seem to be valued more highly on Amtrak's western routes.
East-of-Chicago, the focus is primarily on the high-volume corridor routes -- NEC, Empire Service, and Keystone Service. They cater to a much higher percentage of business travelers and command substantially stiffer ticket prices.
Which is why trains like the Cardinal, the Three Rivers, and the Vermonter fail to register on the public's -- and even Amtrak's -- radar screen.
(1) When will the Metropolitan Lounge be re-opened?
(2) Anyone have a recommendation for lunch (deli) in Chicago close to the station?
(3) Since the dinner is no longer on the Cardinal what do they do about feeding the sleeper passengers?
(4) If the sleeper I paid for is not in the Cardinal consist what options do I have other than ride coach? Can I refuse to travel without losing my fare? I need to be in Chicago the next afternoon to board the Empire Builder.
Amtrak says you cannot cancel the accommodations within 7 days of traveling, but they can drop the accommodations anytime they want to. I bet if Gunn was planning on boarding a sleeper they would find one for him.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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Southern - let me answer some of your questions:
1) ?????
2) There is an extensive "food court" on the second level of Chicago Union Station, which has many fast-food places as well as bars and more conventional "restaurants."
3) The Cardinal has a snack car in place of a full diner.
4) ?????
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Do you know what is offered for first class passengers to select from? We will be on the train for Sunday supper and Monday breakfast. If they drop the sleeper will we be charged for the meal since we will be in the coach?
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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As I understand it, if Amtrak downgrade you to coach, then you travel as a coach passenger and thus pay for meals. However, *after* the event (or maybe before if the sleeper is *planned* to not run) you should get a full refund of the sleeper portion of your trip.
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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If the sleeper is not available for the trip, can I cancel the rail travel portion of the trip from CVS to Chicago without penalty? I would then try to find an alternate means of getting to Chicago the next afternoon in time for the EB. If I was traveling by myself I would probably take the coach but my wife will not travel by coach.
Off the subject, but has anyone else seen anything about Buckingham Branch Railroad leasing the tracks the Cardinal uses in Central Virginia? I saw a brief posting about this being proposed. They are part of a short line that operates in Buckingham County that also has a operation in the Shenandoah Valley. It makes sense for them to want to connect the two. It may have an impact on the Cardinal route since CSX now own and maintains the right of way.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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The possibility that CSX will spin their line which the Cardinal uses between Orange, VA to Clifton Forge, VA is something many of us have been keeping our eyes on for several months now. It is unlikely that the Buckingham Branch will be able to maintain the line to acceptable passenger train standards. The Silver Star route between Hamlet, NC and Columbia, SC is also under threat.
In the late 1980's or early 1990's Amtrak ran a test train to examine an alternate route for the Cardinal in the event that CSX downgraded or abandoned it's route through Staunton. This new route went on NS from DC to Lynchburg and then westward on CSX's James River Line to Clifton Forge. It didn't amount to anything then because the Staunton line stayed open and there was an awkward backup move to get on/off CSX from NS at Lynchburg.
------------------ David Pressley
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Not Elvis, Lately there has been talk of Virginia starting up passenger rail service between Western Virginia (Bristol / Roanoke) and Washington using NS. One of the routes to Washington will go North from Lynchburg the outer route will continue East through Lynchburg to Richmond before heading North. I haven’t been able to figure out what route NS will use to get to Richmond. CSX has a line through Lynchburg to Richmond but the same awkward backing move would have to take place. Is there a NS connection from Crew VA to Richmond that could be considered safe for passenger travel. Or could NS take it to Petersburg and there switch to CSX.
Maybe the Cardinal could take that route, but it would eliminate Charlottesville, but it would give Lynchburg another Amtrak train.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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I took the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland and back 4 times in the last year, both in Coach and in a Sleeper.
If an Embassy Suites (downtown Portland) is in your budget it is in a beautifully restored turn of the century hotel and highly recommended (free full cook to order breakfast and cocktail hour), plus they have FREE pickup from Union Station Portland. In Portland if you are going to rent a car, go to Cannon Beach, a must see, Haystack Rock is amazing. Astoria has a wonderful Maritime Museum and Fort Clatsop (end trail for Lewis and Clark) is a wonderful diversion.
If your are lucky your train will be a bit late and you will roll through the Columbia River Gorge after sunrise. At the confluence of the Snake River and Columbia have your camera ready, the landscape is amazing.
Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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Thanks dmwnc1959, I will check on the Embassy Suites. The amenities sound great .
We want to see the Pacific if only for a little while. I will probably rent a car from Hertz. I understand they will arrange for a pick up at the station. Do you know if the hotel has a rental car arrangement?
Your comments on the sights along the Columbia River must be the reason the Portland leg of the EB is currently $300 more than going to Seattle.
The view at train level beats everything else. The natural beauty of this nation is amazing. We will get to see places that those in airplanes will never see.
Checked the fare yesterday and it is now over a thousand more than when I purchased my tickets in August.
Posts: 68 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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