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I've never taken a train trip before. My 4 year old son absolutely loves trains so I'm taking him on the Sunset Limited from New Orleans to Orlando. I have a cousin in Orlando who we'll stay with overnight and then head back home the next day. I have a few questions. Anyone know if parking at the New Orleans station is safe enough to leave a vehicle for 3 days? Should I expect delays on arrival to Orlando? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!
CG96 Member # 1408
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Sorry to dissapoint you, but the Sunset Ltd. has become infamous for it's lack of being allowed over the railroad in a punctual fashion. What you should expect is that there is a strong liklihood that it'll be delayed arriving into New Orleans. This is due to the fact that it follows a route through CA, AZ, NM, & TX that is choaking (sp?) and overflowing with freight traffic. Once it becomes late, it is difficult to make up time, again due in part to the traffic levels, track capacity, and Frieght RR's ( who are the track owners, BTW) apathy towards this particular train. Any delays will be en route to Orlando, or will have taken place west of New Orleans. I should point out in fairness that most other intercity trains in the Nation don't suffer the same handling or tardiness as this one does. Some trains such as the Empire Builder even post on-time averages that are better than the airlines. Enjoy your time with your child while aboard, though. There will come a time when the young one will not want to spend time with the parental unit, so you need to create memories with which to treasure. You'll have to know how to put a positive "spin" on things, as if you get a bad attitude, your child will also get one. As I have posted in other fora, tell the child that the train is a part of the trip, not simply a way to get from A to B. I would advise you to think that getting there is part of the fun.
[This message has been edited by CG96 (edited 12-19-2003).]
BNSF 1088 Member # 2400
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It can loose hours between Houston and Beumont TX
------------------ LOOK LISTEN LIVE BEFORE CROSSING RR TRACKS
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Unfortunately, what CG96 says is true, but on your way back from Orlando to New Orleans, the train will most likely leave ORL on time, since that is where the train originates, and it should do fairly well time-wise between ORL and NOL.
Boyce Member # 2719
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Expect a delayed arrival into Orl but the return trip should not be bad...it might even run close to on-time. The station is HUGH so I would guess that parking is ok.
jmarch Member # 2953
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Thanks for posting! Luckily we'll be heading from New Orleans to Orlando and back (staying on the east of New Orleans part of the line), so the Beaumont/Houston traffic won't affect us much other than departure time from New Orleans. I've got the whole week off of work, and the train ride is pretty much the point of our trip in itself (the overnite with my cousin in Tampa is a bonus- LOL), so whatever happens, happens- and it's all good to me. i just hope my little boy doesn't get bored after 10 minutes into the 40 hr total trip- LOL.
I think I'm going to go ahead and take my cell phone with me on the trip just in case it looks like we'll be getting in to Orlando late so that I can let my cousin there know. I guess I should have an idea how late we're running by the time we get to Jacksonville huh?
I don't know who's more excited for the trip- my little boy or me!!
Thanks to all of you for the tips and advice. I'll be sure to let y'all know how the trip went when we get back.
[This message has been edited by jmarch (edited 12-19-2003).]
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