Why does the SL stop for 2 1/2 hours at San Antonio?
Posted by SunsetLtd (Member # 3985) on :
To make up lost time and switch thru-cars to/from the Texas Eagle.
Posted by Room Service (Member # 2405) on :
Do the sleepers closest to the engine stay connected?
Is there anything to do near the station at 10:30pm for an hour or so?
Is the A/C on the SL reliable?
Do I ask too many questions?
Posted by SunsetLtd (Member # 3985) on :
The Sunset half stays connected, the only thing they do is either cut the last two cars off the end or add them depending on which direction you're going (adding them on westbound #1 or cutting them off on eastbound #2). I really don't know much about San Antonio but I think that the riverwalk is a few blocks away but I may be wrong. The a/c has always worked in the cars i've had in the past. And no you don't ask too many questions. Posted by Room Service (Member # 2405) on :
Thanks. I'm excited! I leave 5/11 on the Sunset Limited LAX-NOL at my own expense. Couple of fun days in the Big Easy. Then NOL to ATL at my own expense. Continuing ATL to LAX on my AGR! In a Roomette LAX - NOL and a Bedroom the rest of the way. Total Value? Over $3,000.00. Total investment? About $500.00.
Yeah, BABY! Posted by a meyer (Member # 4954) on :
RoomService, I was in SanAntonio in March and experienced the layover going west. There are a couple local's bars and a 24hr Denny's within walking distance of the station. The station attendants can point-out the directions. You can read more of my layover in SanAntonio at my website http://web.mac.com/ameyer1/iWeb/SpringBreak2007/March%20Trip%202007.html Day2Blog & Day3Blog has more info on SanAntonio. Hope that helps.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Last summer I was traveling eastbound on the Sunset Ltd and Texas Eagle northbound. In that case, there is a much longer layover, at least theoretically. Around 6AM (the layover was till 8), I took a taxi from the train station to the historical Hotel Menger next door to the Alamo, made sure it was safe to walk over to see the Alamo (it was dark but lit up, and there was a patrol officer or security guard outside, so it was fine), returned to the Mener and walked around the lobby, which has some very neat stuff in one room especially, and had the hotel concierge call me a taxi to take me back to the train station.
If your westbound train is actually on time, you may have the time to do something like this too--or at least take a taxi to the Alamo, see it very quickly, and take the same taxi back. The driver probably wouldn't mind if you get out for a second, either.
The fare was not too high, under $10 each way even with the tip, as I recall. It wasn't that far. Only you may have trouble getting a cab at the train station, because other people grab them; depends how many people are getting off your train using the taxis. You could probably call one in advance too; you can check.
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