I leave JAX on Oct 3 to arrive in NOL to connect with #58 to Chicago. Because of the scheduled times I will have to have lunch someplace in New Orleans.

I am walking impaired so cannot explore around. Is there a restaurant in or very near the station that a single elderly lady would feel comfortable at? One where I could take a book and sit quietly and read while I am eating.

The same questions goes for Chicago. I've been in that station although didn't explore any. Is there any eating establishment in the station there?

I am retiring the end of this month and going to California for a much needed vacation. Any help you can give me would be much appreciated.

If traveling Sleeper, which I hope you are, there is a nicely decorated First Class waiting room at the Depot, although hardly "gourmet" there is some kind of restaurant there.

Amtrak NOL Station Services personnel are exceptionally helpful - I mean it!!!

Even though I have made the 1-NOL-58 connection twice in as many years without incident, I must advise that #1, Sunset, timekeeping is very unreliable. There is even some possibility (note my avoidance of the word remote) that it will be annulled in its entirety and you will be on your way to New Orleans in a bus. There is even the possibility, despite the almost 4 hour connection time at New Orleans, that there will be a misconnect, i.e. #58 will leave before #1 arrives. If that be the case, be prepared to be "bussed" Mobile to Jackson.

I'm sorry to be so negative, but since you shared with the Forum that you are mobility impaired, I believe you should be aware of what I have set forth.

Many more options in Chicago, albeit mostly chain "restaraunts" selling mainly reheated processed food (mall food court type of food). I'm not sure which place Mike mentioned but I didn't have any problems with the Cajun place.

According to some other discussion, the Illinois Central tracks between New Orleans and Chicago, at least in some parts, can give you a pretty rough ride, so you may need to be careful to plan the timing of your moving around. At least usually a train gives you plenty of things to hold on to. Also on the superliners, will you be able to negotiate the steps between levels OK? I ask this because you say you are "walking impaired." I know that can mean many things, and I am not trying to meddle if you would rather not discuss it, but this is of concern, not nosiness, as I have had several family members with various levels mobility problems over the years. And, if you are just retired YOU AIN'T REALLY ELDERLY YET! Otherwise, a lot of us out here will have to claim either being there or fast approaching it.

If you were to end up getting bussed from Mobile to Jackson MS, that is not too bad. probably about 3.5 to 4 hours, mostly on fairly good roads. (US 98 then US 49 most likely route.)

George

However, if you have a few bucks to toss around, I might suggest the restaurant located near the great hall with the black and white tile floor (if memory serves me correct). The make a heluva good sandwich there and the place has real atmosphere.

The facility in which Amtrak presently has the Met Lounge (SW corner of Great Hall) was the Gold Lion Restaurant, also operated by Harvey. That is where the folk arriving on the Broadway but hadn't yet made the Parmelee transfer over to Dearbron for the Super, would have their lunch.

I got to see Gold Lion a time or two myself; be assured the boss was paying.

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Originally posted by Chucky:
I might suggest the restaurant located near the great hall with the black and white tile floor (if memory serves me correct). The make a heluva good sandwich there and the place has real atmosphere.

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The last time I was there, the restaurant-in-question (my favorite eating establishment in the entire station) was called the Metro Cafe. It's not fancy, but is usually very peaceful. And as mentioned above, it's highly atmospheric, with slowly twirling ceiling fans and lots of railroad memorabilia hanging on the walls.

On the Dilly Scale of Excellence, the place definitely rates 5 stars.

The name's "Reuben," not what you said --- A common mistake, to be sure. My dear old dad used to say, "It's Reuben, like the sandwich."

Oh yes, I would like to invite you, and anybody else reading these words, to visit my new web page (and sign the guestbook) at the following address:
http://www.freewebs.com/chucksville/

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Originally posted by George Harris:
According to some other discussion, the Illinois Central tracks between New Orleans and Chicago, at least in some parts, can give you a pretty rough ride, so you may need to be careful to plan the timing of your moving around.

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I, too, am working from second hand information here, but I read on another board that the area in question is within Louisiana and is known as the Wazee district, or something like that. The person who told me the name says it is often jokingly referred to as the "Yahoo!" due to the ride quality.

We also have some problem track in my neighborhood as well. When my 84 year young mother came down on the Starlight last June I advised her to stay in her seat south of San Jose, and have her attendant bring her lunch to her. She took my advice, and the attendant was more than happy to serve her in her room.

------------------
Sing to the tune of Humoresque:
Passengers will please refrain,
From flushing toilets while the train,
Is standing in the station,
I love you.

The Del Monte Club Car

However, southern Illinois / northern Kentucky (during the night) was VERY bumpy. Got woken up a couple of times during the night when head met armrest. This was about 2 years ago so they might have improved the track since then.

For what it be worth, it still looks like the "Black Hole of Calcutta". The lighting is simply too dim and there is such continual commotion in the place, It would be difficult for me to concentrate on anything in there.

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Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman:
As of today, the Met Lounge is back in its regular spot. For what it be worth, it still looks like the "Black Hole of Calcutta".

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Thanks for the early review. I suspect I'll be steering clear of the "new" lounge, just as I avoided the "old."

I'm always mystified as to why so few passengers sit in the far superior (and infinitely quieter and more atmospheric) Great Hall. Several members of this board have mentioned the long walk from there to the train platforms. But unless you're elderly, have a broken leg, or are spectacularly lazy, it's not much of a walk at all.

If you're ever in Chicago Union Station, ladies and gentlemen, give the Great Hall a try. You'll like it.

Also, does anyone know if the lounge has WiFi now?

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

We met an old Peace Corps friend for lunch and had a very nice one at the restaurant/bar right in the center of the main hall. We ate on the raised part and had a great view of the comings and goings. They make a very good Bloody Mary and the salads we all had were good as well. There are also plenty of fast food places on the lower level and an outlet of Au Bon Pain (Sp?) on the upper level for sandwiches, etc. for the road.

One word of caution, most of the shops close at 6PM on Sunday. I assume they are open later during the week. B. Dalton was open and I bought a great photo history of Washington Union Station.

The Crescent trip report will be posted soon.

Do not know the extent or location of the railroad damage. Their Escambia Bay bridge appears to have made it unscathed because it is both higher and much heavier. However, the track follows the west shore of the bay in approach to this bridge, and there is (or is that was) a low wood trestle about 1/2 miel east of the Amtrak station that may have been hit. Anyone in the area have specific information?