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This morning my wife and I were on board Amtrak train 332 at Milwaukee bound for a day in Chicago departing at 8:00 am. We would then take the Metra from CUS to Aurora for lunch at the Walter Payton resturaunt in the 1886 roundhouse nearby. About 8:03 a crew announced there would be a short delay due to an air-brake problem. At 8:30 it was announced a car would have to be removed from the train and anybody that didn't want to go better get off now. After another 30 minutes the whole train minus the NPCU was moved West about 6 blocks and the first coach removed on another track. Then the rest of the train retuned east to the station and connected to the NPCU. At 9:45 we were finally told to get off and take the next train, scheduled to depart MKE at 10:50 am. or get a refund. Evidently the coach removed wasn't the problem. As we got off a crew said the train would have to be backed up for 25 miles at 30MPH and turned before it could proceed to Chicago. I know Amtrak has equipment issues, but the lack of communication by the crew was the last straw, and no one ever said they were sorry from Amtrak. One man called the station from his cell phone on the train to try and find out what our status was. There were at least 200 people on this train. four women behind us were going to a play in Chicago and early dinner afterwards, a large family in front of us a birthday party in Glendale. We heard other's wanting to connect to other Amtrak trains. My wife and three of her girlfriends were going to go another time to Chicago, but now she says it will be a cold day in hell before she takes Amtrak to Chicago. We did get our money back and also the parking charge, but it sure was a crummie Saturday!!!
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Don't let one bad experience put you off. Lack of communication is usually the first complaint of any situation, rail or otherwise, not that that's an excuse.
What was wrong with the 10:50, the next train? That should've got you there by lunchtime.
Geoff M.
afternoonhiawatha Member # 2566
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Sorry to hear of your disrupted trip on the Hiawatha Service. We currently live in Dubuque, IA., but have used the Milwaukee-Chicago Hiawatha Service off and on over the past ten years for annual trips to CHI to visit the Shed Acquarium with our kids and relatives. Prior to that my wife and I used the Hiawatha Service regularly for day trips to CHI while we lived in the Milwaukee and Kenosha, WI. areas. Except for slight delays (10-15 min.) during the usual summer track maintenance season and the occasional annoyance of overcrowded 3-car trains due to large groups travelling to/from CHI, we've found that the Hiawatha Service trains usually are punctual, convenient, and staffed by train crews who are truly proud of the service they provide and show it. You certainly can't beat the convenience and reliability of the Hiawatha Service. There's certainly no excuse for poor service apparently exhibited by AMTRAK in this instance, but this sounds like a situation where all the cards were stacked against them and their hands were tied. If I were you, I'd give them another chance. Our youngest child has never been to the Shed Acquarium. My wife and I plan to use the Hiawatha Service 8 a.m. train from Milwaukee to travel to CHI for this day trip later this summer.
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