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What are the not-to-be-missed parts on the trip, and also, which cities/towns would you most recommend stopping in for overnights (or in the case of SL, over 2 nights), and do you have any hotel recs? I would be starting in Winter Park FL and may not be able to afford to go west of Tucson. Thanks
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Crossing the Mississippi on the Huey Long bridge is the highlight of the entire trip.Passing through the byous just west of New Orleans is interesting.The Del Rio bridge in west Texas is the second highest in the USA.There is a beautiful canyon a few miles east of Tucson.
Posts: 288 | From: Fullerton,ca,USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Sadly, the new schedule means that you will never approach Tucson in daylight (unless running at least 5 hours late). Excuse my ignorance, is the Huey Long Bridge east or west of NOL - I'll be on the Sunset three weeks today with camera at the ready!
Posts: 395 | From: england | Registered: Sep 2002
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The Huey P Long Bridge is just west of New Orleans. Indeed, it is quite a sight. I ll be taking the Sunset in August from Jax to Lax. I ve done it a few times already and its always a thrill.
The scenerey, while not as spectacular as the Zephyr, the SW Chief and the Coast Starlight, is interesting and ever changing. I love waking up and seeing the gulf coast of western Flrida,Alabama and Mississippi. Going through Louisiana is interesting and the rugged country of West Texas is dramatic. The final morning seeing the Cochilla Valleyand the Salton Sea is quite a sight, and the last hour or so watching the traffic on the 10 freewayas you glide into LA.
Coast to Coast on one train. It is a nice experience and I can t wait to do it again this summer!
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Great memory of the Huey Long Bridge crossing was a red-tailed hawk having fun by flying parallel to the observation lounge for almost the whole length of the west side approach, at least for half a mile. He was about 100 feet away!
You never know what you will see on a train.
Posts: 363 | From: Southwest North Central Florida | Registered: Apr 2002
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The whole ride is great--I love it! Watch the scenery near Tucson and environs, near El Paso, near New Orleans and the rest of the route through Louisianna and through western northern Florida--all nice, always changing. Well worth a trip from West to East to Jacksonville, FL with the right stuff during daylight hours.
Posts: 287 | From: Palatka, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Go to the Amtrak site, www.amtrak.com, and navigate your way to the route guide for the Sunset Limited. I was not able to print it out in a font large enough to read, but if you have the same problem you can at least use it to plan ahead. They often have these guides on the train. I agree that the scenery does not compare with the Zephyr, but it's still a great ride.
Posts: 12 | From: Lexington, MA, United States | Registered: Jan 2005
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Thanks for all the tips. I hope I can afford another trip and that the SL continues running into next year. I plan to go to FL, lv from Winter Park with a sleeper one way to Tucson, and then hop back on coach runs (all I can afford), i.e., stopping in San Antonio and New Orleans, and returning to the NE on the Crescent. How far in advance do you think I need to book to still get the best rate?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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The Sunset has the best rates for the distance traveled. From Florida to Tucson a roomette can cost only $200. Same goes for the return. The Crescent is a little more expensive. Of course the sooner you book,the better the price.
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Sojourner - apparently you are only going as far as Tucson, but some of the best scenery on the Sunset route is in southern Cal. as you pass the Salton Sea and all the vacation communities around it (the rail line is actually BELOW sea level!!). The westbound SL is usually late enough that you can see the Salton Sea area during daylight. Also, the "wind farm" adjacent to the Palm Springs (CA) station is interesting to see.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Does the Mariachi Band still play in the El Paso station when the sunset arrives?
Posts: 287 | From: Palatka, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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MOKS - thanks for that great AMTRAK photo link!!! I didn't realize it existed until I saw your post!!
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Yes, thanks for the beautiful pictures. They really whetted my appetite for all my upcoming trips.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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