posted
I just booked a trip on the Texas Eagle for this summer. My wife and I will be travelling from Maricopa to Chicago and back in a roomette.
I have travelled on Amtrak several times, but never this trip. I have travelled the Sunset Limited portion of the route (continuing on to New Orleans) four times.
Typically, how many cars on the Texas Eagle?
The train is numbered 21, 421 and 22, 422. What is the difference between 21 and 421?
Are there any special kinds of things I may like to know about this particular train or route?
I also wanted to brag about my wife. She won the Alpha Delta Kappa (teacher's sorority) Arizona teacher of distinction, excellence in education award about a year ago. Last summer, we went to Reno (not on a train) and she won the Southwest Regional teacher of distinction. So now she is in the running for International Teacher of Distinction that will be announced in Chicago this summer. That is why we are travelling to Chicago.
Thank you for your comments. We are looking forward to the trip.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
posted
421/422 are the tri-weekly through cars to/from Los Angeles, with 21 and 22 being the daily Chicago to/from San Antonio train, AIUI. If I understand it further, 321 and 322 are a coach car between Chicago and St. Louis (maybe seasonal). Of course, on the common sections, they are all the same train, just different fare buckets as far as the reservation system goes.
Speaking of the latter, that's a highlight of the trip, to see the arch thing. Yes, it's not the most exciting of trips but it's not the most dull either.
The Eagle (north of San Antonio) used to be the standard engine, baggage, transition sleeper, sleeper, diner, lounge, coach (coach) but I have heard the transition sleeper is used for regular passengers too, possibly instead of the regular sleeper. There was also talk of the diner being closed south of Forth Worth (or Dallas?) due to dining crew hours.
train lady Member # 3920
posted
congratulations to your wife. That is a big honor and shows much hard work. Let us know what happens
George Harris Member # 2077
posted
Geoff: I think the diner is closed south of Austin only. Point needs checking.
Konstantin: hopefully your ticket shows 421/422 throughout. That would mean that you would be in the through car, so you do not have to change at San Antonio. Before the trains leaves San Antonio going toward St. Louis, an early morning run out to someplace to get breakfast might not be a bad idea. Southbound, you would need to check on the closing time and maybe eat an early supper.
Congratulations to your wife. What does she teach? My wife and daughter both teach, well, my wife does not now.
SunsetLtd Member # 3985
posted
The diner is now open past Austin. It was a recent decision due to seasonal demand. Rode #422 from ELP to San Marcos in November and was surprised they were open for breakfast as the train was leaving San Antonio.
Konstantin Member # 18
posted
Thank you for all of the replies.
Our tickets do indicate trains 421 and 422, cars 2130 and 2230, room 02 both ways.
My wife teaches High School Advanced Placement United States History. I teach Math, but she is a better teacher than I am.
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
Congratulations to your wife--a great honor!
Regarding the route north of San Antonio, the arch is the highlight. On leaving San Antonio, there is some pleasant hill country. You go past Crawford quite close to W's ranch (has that been sold now that it is no longer a prop? I haven't been following) In Dallas, when you stop, you should have time to detrain on the platform; ask your sleeping car attendant to point out the Texas book repository. Right after the Gateway Arch (definitely the highlight--and you go RIGHT by), you cross the Mississippi. In Springfield IL, you can see the dome of the state capitol. As yiou approach Chicago, you should be able to see the Sears Tower (recently renamed), although the view of the city skyline is far superior when you go down to Millennium/Grant Park and the lake while in the city. You then come closer and go past Chicago's Chinatown, among other things. I'm afraid that's all I remember . . .
ehbowen Member # 4317
posted
Sojourner is correct as far as to the Texas Eagle scenic highlights, but I would add one thing: Arise early for breakfast on the last day northbound; the approach to St. Louis parallels the Mississippi River for several miles and it is enchanting to sip your morning tea or coffee with the river scenery rolling by.
mr williams Member # 1928
posted
Any more news on the plan to make the TE a daily through train CHI-LAX with SAS-NOL being a stub?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Mr. Williams, all of the proposals for expanded Long Distance service mandated for study under PRIIA '08 have now been reviewed. Here is the report regarding the Texas Eagle/Sunset as released by Amtrak.
Here are the reports regarding other routes studied under PRIIA '08.
While the lyrics change, the melody is all the same. Restoring or adding frequencies to these routes is going to cost 'heap big wampum'. There is more to it than simply "put the train on" - especially over the routes that have not seen a passenger train since 1979.
Amtrak has had a good run during the first two years of the Obama administration, but with the Republicans having a majority and are preaching repeal of any agenda having Obama's name on it, somebody has pulled the emergency brake cord. A legislative target will be a rescission of any unexpended funds under ARRA '09 (Stimulus) - and much of that funding represents the passenger rail provisions, i.e. the "$8B for HSR".
But even if "the party's over", Amtrak has "done OK" during these past two years. Additional frequencies have been added to four routes, new electric locomotives and new passenger cars for LD trains, as well as Talgo equipment for two Corridor routes, have been ordered.
While of course to the railfan community where there's never enough - especially Long Distance trains - there is disappointment that a balance of power, "Plural Democracy", has returned to Washington. But with the growing public acceptance of both Corridor and Long Distance services, I think it safe to say that Amtrak's existing route structure is here to stay.
Room Service Member # 2405
posted
I'm going to take a roomette on the TE round trip from LAX to CHI in the spring.
From where to where, each way, is there no diner in the train set?
ehbowen Member # 4317
posted
There is a dining car physically in the train set for the entire route, although west of San Antonio the TE cars run in the Sunset Limited and use its diner and lounge. The through cars are switched from the Sunset into the Eagle during the overnight stop in San Antonio. Passengers remain onboard, but you may temporarily detrain if you wish. (You are advised to retain proof of your ticket and sleeping car space!)
The diner and lounge are normally closed in San Antonio, but vending machines are available in the station and restaurants are within walking distance; there is a Denny's on the other side of the freeway. I do advise normal caution for an urban area, especially for female travelers.
Once the Texas Eagle departs in the morning you will use that train's Cross Country Cafe into Chicago. The CCC uses essentially the same menu as other Amtrak diners; the idea was to combine both a diner section and a lounge section into a single car. On my last trip in September, however, Amtrak was operating TWO CCCs, one as a diner only and one as a lounge, which kinda defeats the whole purpose.
The diner/CCC runs all the way with the train, but in the past Amtrak has put the diner crew off-duty at Austin to save a few hours overtime. This basically means that passengers lose breakfast northbound and dinner southbound, although I understand that sleeping car passengers are provided box lunches. However, SunsetLtd stated above that Amtrak is for the moment offering full diner service all the way to/from San Antonio. I don't know how long that will last, but you may be able to enjoy hot meals for that leg of your trip.
posted