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Flew to El Paso to visit Carlsbad Caverns, then took the Sunset Limited from ELP to Los Angeles. Train was 1/2 hour early into ELP. Superliner sleeper was an oldy, but I liked the restroom layout with the sink to the left side of the toilet, and no overhanging obstruction. Food was the standard fare, which is good if you know what not to order. Had dinner with two ladies, one from Barbados, and one from California. I had the braised beef, which is consistently good. The gal from Barbados had the chicken, and said that it was very dry. The headwaiter apologized, but told her that he had served 200 chicken dinners on this run, and everyone said it was excellent. We all burst out laughing, as that story was obvious BS. The embarrassd fellow offer a free desert to the woman. When he brought the cake, he said he personally didn't like it because it was too dry. That got us laughing so hard, it brought tears to our eyes. Trip was smooth sailing until Indio, CA, when heavy freight traffic slowed us down. In Palm Springs, we had to back out of the station for a couple of miles, as we were not able to proceed forward on that track. Arrived LAX 45 minutes late. Had lunch at Phillipes and stayed overnight at the Metro Plaza hotel. Ate dinner at TRAX restaurant in Union Station. (Food was good, but expensive.) Next week I will be doing a tourist train excursion from Campo down to Tecate, Mexico on the old Arizona & San Diego route. Love my new Apple iPhone which gives Internet access from the train almost everywhere, and will locate my position on a map. Not as accurate as GPS, but finds the nearest cell phone tower, which is usually good enough. Best wishes to all. Russ
cubzo Member # 4700
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Interesting trip report! I was under the mistaken impression that the Campo train was no longer running but after a quick look at their web page I see I was wrong. I see they also offer cab rides for $35 now that sounds inviting.
Sinclair Member # 5155
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Thanks for the report Russ. It is nice to hear of the Sunset Limited keeping better time and providing good service. Did you enjoy El Paso Station (if I am right in that being the restored one on that route?)
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I realize that I'm "uh, not exactly" the voice of advocacy around here for the LD system (if Amtrak gets their appropriated loot to adequately maintain the NEC, then the LD system, presuming such is the catalyst for securing the appropriation, has served its purpose), but I am pleased to learn that for those who choose to show up and ride, the Sunset is providing more reliable transportation than it has in the past.
However, we must note that the Sunset serves the only E-W route over which there is substantial population growth, but that it serves the population centers such as Phoenix some 30 miles away from the "core" and at odd hours, renders the service meaningless.
George Harris Member # 2077
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The last section of single track between El Paso and Tucson got its second track open a couple weeks ago, so there is now over 300 miles of continuous double track there. UP is now working on sections in California.
gp35 Member # 3971
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The always reliable late train 2 has been running on time lately. Houston remains a major bottle neck, so does Beaumont. However Houston rail plans look very promising. Now if KCS could replace that single track bridge in Beaumont.
John Hull Member # 4465
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The new track between Tucson and ELP is amazing. I took lots of photos from the rear coach (our sleeper). It was great to be rolling along at a good speed and watch the continuous line of freights going in the opposite direction. Made a nice change from waiting around for them in every siding as we had earlier. With all this work being done, perhaps the Sunset will lose its reputation for lateness? John
gp35 Member # 3971
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quote:Originally posted by John Hull: The new track between Tucson and ELP is amazing. I took lots of photos from the rear coach (our sleeper). It was great to be rolling along at a good speed and watch the continuous line of freights going in the opposite direction. Made a nice change from waiting around for them in every siding as we had earlier. With all this work being done, perhaps the Sunset will lose its reputation for lateness? John
I also hope UP understand the logic of double tracking. Yes the cost is higher to maintain, but the freight moves faster and more freight.
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by gp35: The always reliable late train 2 has been running on time lately. Houston remains a major bottle neck, so does Beaumont. However Houston rail plans look very promising. Now if KCS could replace that single track bridge in Beaumont.
I have a feeling that there will be triple track mains on all lines leading to this bridge before it is replaced. You are talking one huge cost to replace it. Remember, in the fairly distant past KCS and SP each had their own bridge across the Neches River. At some point, the SP bridge got abandoned and removed and all traffic put on the KCS Bridge. Somebody somewhere should have the story on this, but I could see this being a Corps of Engineers instigated event to get a bridge with a wider channel clearance than either had before. Probably both railroads were happy to go along with the concept so that they were sharing the cost of operating and maintaining one modern movable bridge rather than each having to deal with the full cost of an old movable bridge of their own.
notelvis Member # 3071
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RussM -
Although it's not exactly Amtrak, I'd like to hear more about the tourist train to Tecate (website?) after you've done it.
I was in San Diego in March and rode the light rail down the old SD&AE right-of-way as far as the border and have been curious about what remains of that railroad ever since.
gp35 Member # 3971
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quote:Originally posted by George Harris:
quote:Originally posted by gp35: The always reliable late train 2 has been running on time lately. Houston remains a major bottle neck, so does Beaumont. However Houston rail plans look very promising. Now if KCS could replace that single track bridge in Beaumont.
I have a feeling that there will be triple track mains on all lines leading to this bridge before it is replaced. You are talking one huge cost to replace it. Remember, in the fairly distant past KCS and SP each had their own bridge across the Neches River. At some point, the SP bridge got abandoned and removed and all traffic put on the KCS Bridge. Somebody somewhere should have the story on this, but I could see this being a Corps of Engineers instigated event to get a bridge with a wider channel clearance than either had before. Probably both railroads were happy to go along with the concept so that they were sharing the cost of operating and maintaining one modern movable bridge rather than each having to deal with the full cost of an old movable bridge of their own.
Is it possible to replace the bridge without closing traffic for a long time? I see trains everyday sitting on the north main waiting to cross.
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