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The 'SW Chief' would have to be my favorite, because I know the route (at least out West) and the scenery is awesome. The 'Coast Starlight' would be my second favorite, because I love the beach and the entire CA coast, and that long stretch North of SNB is wonderful. Come to think of it, those are the only two LDs I've ridden so far, but every summer I plan a huge "USA Tour by Train" trip for myself and friends/family if they're interested, which covers everything from the 'Chief' and 'Starlight' to 'Adirondack' and 'Crescent'. HOPEFULLY one of these summers I'll make the trip happen!
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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I have been on the Southwest Chief, the Coast Starlight, and the Sunset Limited.
The Coast Starlight has a lot of varied and beautiful scenery, but my favorite is the Sunset Limited. I love the swamps. From eastern Texas to Florida, especially through the delta in Lousiana is the best.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
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I last travelled the Daylight/Cascades Loooonnng before they were re-equipped (in fact, it was August of 1978, and I was a newly minted lieutenant, travelling home from Fort Lewis). Even so, the run from Santa Maria to Oxnard is one of my favorites in the world.
Between the CZ and the Grand Canyon, thanks to the car cleaners a year ago Christmas, it's not even a contest: CZ wins. Amtrak all but lost a loyal passenger over not draining the microphor tanks in DC or CHI.
One non-US routing, definitely in the running: Any DB InterCity or EuroCity running the west bank of the Rhein from Mainz to Cologne.
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
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Today's ranking: 1. Coast Starlight 2. California Zephyr 3. (tie) Sunset Limited / Southwest Chief 5. Empire Builder 6. Texas Eagle Have not been on City of New Orleans.
Being from Texas it aches me to rank the Eagle last. Rankings based on route, memories, service, performance, and which side of the bed I got up on. - - The Chief
Posts: 190 | From: Fort Worth, Texas | Registered: Dec 2002
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I was on all but the Texas Eagle on my 18-day marathon last May.
It is such a very close call but I think the Empire Builder has to be at the top. Mainly because of the fabulous scenery along Puget Sound and then eastward through the mountains. At times it seemed the scenery was closer than at Glenwood Canyon.
On the eastern slope down you could see the climatic changes as cherry blossoms gave way to apples and then to others. A late season in Glacier Park (and eastward) was gorgeous and made Montana interesting. The views of both Minneapolis and Chicago in the bright sunlight was inspiring.
However, this May I am taking my wife on her first long distance trip from Denver to Glenwood Springs (there to participate in a horseback cattle drive) thence on to Sacramento. Gosh, you think I'll visit the Golden and Sacramento museums?
Posts: 363 | From: Southwest North Central Florida | Registered: Apr 2002
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I've used all but the Sunset and my favorite is the Empire Builder, both for scenery and service. There are enough mountains to satisfy that yearning but there isn't hour after hour after hour of 20mph running as there is on the CZ. Fast running along the Columbia River from Portland or up Puget Sound out of Portland; the beautiful Marias Pass crossing in Montana, and yes, even the high plains of eastern Montana are interesting in my opinion. The BNSF does an excellent job dispatching this single track line and the on board crews are consistently the best I've encountered. Posts: 181 | From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 2001
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My experience/ranking in a nutshell. 1. CZ (Mountains) 2. CS (Coast, service) 3. EB (Glacier Park) 4. SWC Will be riding the CS/SL/CNOL/CZ in Mar/Apr. Posts: 218 | Registered: Mar 2001
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There's something special about the Empire Builder. Loved the SWC years ago when on it. I'd love to do the Sunset Limited. I like loonnnggg train rides. Will be doing the Canadian this summer and the following: the Trans siberian. Cheers all
Posts: 171 | Registered: May 2002
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Last Christmas, between the Las Vegas, NM roundhouse and the LV station, there were, on dunnage, neatly stacked, dozens of semaphore poles and motors that had been taken down from the line.
If I saw 10 semaphore signals between La Junta and Albuquerque last year, I'd be amazed.
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
As for the semaphores, you're right. There are very few left these days. But right out of Albuquerque, near Bernalio, there are still two semaphores that are in extremely good condition. They are in ATS(Automatic Train Stop) territory.
Even though many have been removed, there are still semaphores out there. But for how long, no one really knows.
Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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I've been on most of these, several times. Here's my take: CZ scenery/mountains/bald eagles/mountains CS Scenery/oceans/mountains/oceans EB Scenery/mountains/BIG SKY! SWC Scenery/high deserts/90 mph Eagle Mississippi River/my usual point of departure (Austin). SL Desert/only train through my home town of Houston
I have not been on the City of NO.
This list is subject to change after our May trip (Austin/Milwaukee/Williams Junction/LAX/San Diego/Austin
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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I haven't had a chance to ride many long distance Amtrak trains, but I did ride the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle and was quite impressed with their service. The scenery was spectacular and there are a lot of onboard perks that you don't get on some of the other train (i.e., the Pacific Parlour car).
I don't see any comments on short distance runs here, but I'd have to say the Pacific Surfliner (aka San Diegan) is second to none.
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I can only vote for the Sunset Limited. That's all I've been on.
Loved it, nothing beats the Huey P Long bridge!!!!!!!!!!!
quote:Originally posted by UncleBuck44: Which do most of you think is the greatest of the 7 Trains that have sleepers and Sightseer Lounges, that go west.
Mine is the California Zephyr.
(Other Choices include: Southwest Chief Sunset Limited Empire Builder Texas Eagle Coast Starlight City of New Orleans)
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We've been on 3 of these, the Zephyr, the Empire Builder and the City of New Orleans (Chicago-Carbondale).
The Zephyr is definitely our first choice -- the scenery, the company (we've met people from all over the world). Food's OK too. We're taking the CZ to Sacramento in May, assuming Amtrak's still here.
Did the Empire Builder last summer. Met people from all over Minneapolis. Food was OK. Some of the scenery was impressive (my wife looked at eastern Montana and said, "Now I know why pioneer women committed suicide.").
City of New Orleans is at the back of the pack, except for food, and even in the days of the standardized menus, it's still the best. Lord, what those people could do when they had things to work with.
------------------
Posts: 58 | From: Owensboro, KY USA | Registered: Apr 2002
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I love 'em all. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd have to say the Empire Builder. The Coast Starlight and Zephyr are great also. Last year I also rode the Texas Eagle and City of New Orleans and enjoyed those, as I always have. The Southwest Chief ranks last on my list as I lived in Albuquerque for many years and any rail travel began on the Chief. I guess it got old after a while. The service though, especially from crew 10, was among the best on Amtrak.
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1. Coast Starlight-four star service and scenery. Not a baren stretch on this route.
2. Southwest Chief-hauls butt and takes you though Northern Arizona (aka God's Country)and other fascinating Old West locals.
3. The California Zephyr-Donner Pass. The Rockies--'nuff said. Spend a day in Sacramento (a railfan's Mecca) and go to the railroad museum. It will put you in the mood for the trip out or back.
4. The Pacific Surfliner-the coastline you don't get to see on the CS-gotta spend time in San Diego-this city's a California gem!
5. The San Joaquin-not much to see-but a very proficient train and decent service.
6. The Sunset Limited-nothin' to see until bayou country and The Big Easy. San Antonio's o.k--most baren I've ever been on (I'm sure there's worse. Not to mention--hey! I't's running 4 hours late-what's new though. Nickname: The Slugset VERY Limited. Tri weekly service= Try weekly to get service.
7. The Capitol Route (San Jose to Sacramento)-Officially California's most boring train.
Sorry for the CA bias-Never ridden the Empire Builder-but I would love to see Montana via EB.
I'd also like to check out those Talgo's on the Cascade Route.
------------------ Patrick
Posts: 387 | From: Bakersfield, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Yea, I know-two of my picks are not LD Superliner trains-but I think railfans take shorter distance trains for granted too often. Although-interesting enough there are 2 sets that I know of on the Pacific Surfliner that are using Sightseer Lounges.
------------------ Patrick
Posts: 387 | From: Bakersfield, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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The SWC is my favorite, as was its predecessor the Santa Fe's Super Chief. It helps if you know some of the history of the territory you are traveling and the SWC route along the old Santa Fe Trail which began in 1821 has lots of that. There is a sign on the Colorado side near the top of Raton Pass that is placed there for RR passengers which tells of the original wagon trail over the pass. Santa Fe had a on board publication of about 50 pages named ALONG THE WAY which told the stories of the reasons names were given to towns and places through which you were going. These are still available at antique shops and shows where railroad and other transportation artifacts are traded.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Hey RRCHINA, Are you referring to the "Dick Wooton Ranch" sign? That's always a fun curve to go around on the Chief.
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Yes Eric, that is the one. Dick Wooton, who was a contemporary of Kit Carson, built a toll road over Raton Pass and lived in the Two story house near the sign. Santa Fe made a deal with Mr. Wooton for rights over the Pass. The monetary amount was small, but the Wooton family received lifetime passes of Santa Fe. One Wooton decendent worked for Santa Fe in the 1950's. This is just one small bit of history, and there is much more history, that in addition to the great scenery makes the SWC my favorite long distance train. Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Although I am an employee of former Santa Fe I haven't really taken many passenger train trips with the exception of recently. In 1990 I took the Anne Rutledge from Kansas Cit to Chicago just to see what it was like. What a long, slow and dull trip to say the least. I've rode the SWC many times between Kansas City and Chicago. Not really all that awesome scenery but the trip was fast!! In March of 2002 I took the family from Kansas City to LA on the SWC and it was a very good trip. We enjoyed the scenery and especially loved the roomette. On the return home we couldn't get a roomette and traveled coach. What a nightmare as I had to make several trips to the Chiropracter to get over the jostling in those seats that you can't sleep in. I finally rolled up on the floor in the Observation car and slept but not that good. Food was emaculately good though!!!
Posts: 53 | From: Kansas City, Missouri USA | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Eric: Hey RRCHINA, Are you referring to the "Dick Wooton Ranch" sign? That's always a fun curve to go around on the Chief.
Speaking of signs...some local group should get out there and restore them as it doesn't look like anyone has touched them since AT&SF turned over its passenger service to Amtrak....same with those along the BNSF in Glacier Park.
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rmiller - on my last 2 trips on the Empire Builder, I looked for the signs which used to be about 2/3 of the way between East Glacier and West Glacier, which pointed out many of the higher peaks with arrows, distances, and elevations of the peaks, but could not find them. Are they still there?
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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I'll rank all, but the ones with asterisks I have not been on:
1. SW Chief- New Mexico 2. Empire Builder- the crew 3. Coast Starlight- the scenery 4. California Zephyr*- Denver to Winter Park 5. Sunset Limited- the last morning into LA 6. Texas Eagle- Dallas must be a nice city 7. City of New Orleans- Chicago
Posts: 11 | From: Sun Valley, California, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: rmiller - on my last 2 trips on the Empire Builder, I looked for the signs which used to be about 2/3 of the way between East Glacier and West Glacier, which pointed out many of the higher peaks with arrows, distances, and elevations of the peaks, but could not find them. Are they still there?
Yes, those are the ones I was thinking of, but doggone if I can remember if they were there in October...my last trip. IIRC, Chicago to Portland and back is on the rail sale site...might just have to do a quick turnout research project. I'll get back to you later.
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Mountain elevation signs on the EB at Glacier: I was on the EB westbound last summer when either Amtrak or the Natl Park Service were making announcements about points of interest as we approached them. Somewhere near Essex these signs were mentioned, and I think they said they were hard to see. I didn't see one but I heard another passenger say he did.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Let's see... Out west, out west, out west, out west... Doesn't anybody travel by rail east of the Mississippi in this country? No? Harper's Ferry? Auto Train?
Quite honestly, I don't know. The last time I took a train other than the LSL, Hiawathas, or a short jaunt on the Empire service, was 1992. Or the NEC in 1997, that was fun. All I remember from '92 was the bilevel cars, the seats, the teensy bathrooms, an absolutely incredible sunset, and warm Pepsi. Well, I remember other things, but there are too many to list. Pretty much, I'm still 14,000 AGR points away from being able to answer the question, but your slant toward western trains skews the poll. Either that or you don't know what to enjoy elsewhere.
[This message has been edited by Amtrak207 (edited 02-23-2003).]
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My wife and I have ridden all of these except the City and the Chief, and we love LD trains. We would both say we enjoyed the Zephyr the best overall, especially the scenery west of Denver. I personally really like the Sunset. That huge route makes it the Grandaddy of LD trains! We wish so much it ran daily, though. I think the desert is much more fascinating and beautiful than the monotonous prairies traversed by the Builder. So much of the best part of the Builder's route is traveled in the dark (i.e., in Washington state), and that's too bad. Train, service, etc., however, is fine. The Coast Starlight is also a terrific train with fascinating scenery the entire route. The Eagle suffers from use of poor old equipment for some reason, however the service and scenery both are quite good. So to rank these, I would have to say: Zephyr, Sunset, Coast, Eagle, Builder.
Steve
Posts: 7 | From: Shreveport, LA, USA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Coast Starlight is first for me because of the superb scenery, service and parlour car. We just recently returned from a trip that included Ann Rutledge (nice along the river but otherwise boring 12 hour trip) and Empire Builder (scenic to Glacier, not after).
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I must jump in here in defense of east coast trains and nominate the AutoTrain. Fast running and great on-board service, plus great views of the long train on many curves.
I also second nomination of Southwest Chief. My first and only trip was in 1979 and I have many happy memories of that trip.
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I'd like to try the Auto Train someday. It sounds like a great trip!
As far as I know, the Starlight is the only train to carry a Parlor Car. It was kind of an Amtrak West idea- a "premier" amenity for one of Amtrak's premier trains. The Starlight was designed to be the Amtrak train of trains; a model for the rest of the system.
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Better get my vote in for the CZ! How about that nighttime eastbound approach out of the mountains into Denver? The lights are so far below that it's like coming into an airport.
Posts: 12 | Registered: Sep 2002
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My last "approach" into Denver was indeed just like a flight - it was dark and the cloud layer was just below Plainview siding, so coming through Coal Creek Canyon it was thick fog, but by the time we got to Clay it was clear again and you could see Denver in the distance!
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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