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Hi Everyone, I just finished my travelogue on my recent trip on the Southwest Chief. I traveled to La Plata, MO for the TrainWeb ceremony. I took quite a few photos, and a few videos as well which are all on my page. The trip was definitely worth it, and I hope to return to La Plata again this year.
Thanks for sharing your trip report! I am amazed at all that you went through to get on the Chief and print your ticket. Wow, I would have given up at LA Union Station, cancelling the trip or rebooking for the next day.
Cheers, David Z
Posts: 39 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jul 2005
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Thanks for a great report Anton. One of the worst feelings in the world is missing a train!
The unidentified station with the Amish gentleman is most likely La Junta. I'm, guessing this because it looks like the Amtrak ticket office is still a ticket office. The Lamar station is unstaffed and has been converted into a nice town library with small waiting room but no ticket office.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Thanks for the report. It was interesting and very well done. I could easily picture everything and every place. You should turn it in to your English teacher for extra credit, if such a thing is available in your neck of the woods. As to pictures, between you and Jonothan you keep us well informed. Keep up the good work.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Thanks for the report, Anton. I especially like the videos. Is it just me, or does the sight and sound of these trains arriving at a lonely station give anyone else goosebumps? Since I have often used La Plata as a departure point, the video brings back memories of that moment when all the waiting and anticipation ends, the train comes roaring in, and the adventure begins.
That plane ride to KC with only 4 people on it makes me wonder. For the cost of subsidizing that flight, couldn't the government just buy everyone train tickets? Probably many times over. But perhaps the one train a day doesn't run at a convenient time. Well, for the cost of subsidizing that flight and many like it, the government could probably buy 2 trains a day and pocket the change.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Thank you all, yes it definitely was very disappointing to miss the train at Union Station. However, it was actually even more relieving to catch up to it!
-Anton
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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TSR, you "hit the nail on the head". The anticipation is far better and more exciting at a smaller station where you see the train arriving and know it's yours. For that reason I always go to Alexandria when possible rather than Union station in DC. I think you feel more a part of the adventure
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Thank you Anton. I enjoyed the report. Also now I'm hooked on the Amtrak you tube videos!
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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