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It's been quite some time since I saw a route guide aboard a long-distance train. Have they been dropped by Amtrak?
a meyer Member # 4954
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My experience over the last couple years has been route guides (and timetables) in the LD rooms have been hit and miss.
I believe there was a route guide on my Texas Eagle trip a couple months ago.
I have been downloading guides and timetables from the Amtrak website before my trips so I have them on my iPad and laptop in case they are not available onboard.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Thanks! I was not aware the route guides were downloadable from Amtrak. Just grabbed the guide for the Zephyr. It's 10 pages long -- probably too long for a printed route guide to be stuck into the sleeper rooms or seat pockets.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Henry: You might try going to Railroad Rich's web site: www.railroadrich.com. Click on "railroad stuff". He has some nice route guides, especially of the Northwest.
One of the best route guides was a book entitled, "Rail Ventures... A Comprehensive Guide to Train Travel in North America" Unfortunately, it is no longer in print.
I recently purchased "USA by Rail", which I bought from Amazon:
It isn't as comprehensive as some of ther other route guides, but still not bad.
Richard
a meyer Member # 4954
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You got me thinking.....
I found a printed copy of the California Zephyr Route Guide, dated 2009.
Compared to the online version (dated 2010), the text and descriptions are identical. The printed version doesn't have any of the photos included in the online version.
Also, the printed version is a multi-fold similar to paper road maps which once unfolded are near impossible to fold back to it's original configuration :-) Well, maybe not impossible..
The most recent printed guide I have of the Sunset Limited is dated 2005 and is quite different from the online version.
I wonder how often other route guides are updated in the print version, and, like your original question, are they frequently available on-board?
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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The Southwest Chief had route guides in the sleeper rooms in January when I rode.
One of my favorite route guides from the past was for the Shasta Daylight. It was pocket size and unfolded vertically (a fanfold or accordian fold) about 6 inches wide. Since the train ran north-south this seemed logical. On the left was a beautiful 3-d like illustration of the route with great detail and on the right was the text narration. It was '50s or early '60s. I wish I hadn't lost it.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Right, I'm really interested in whether the route guides are available on LD trains -- and if not, why. ("Shortage in the commissary"?)
I'm taking No. 5 from CHI-GSC Monday, then from GSC-EMY Thursday, and will look for the guides.
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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Henry- have a pleasant trip and restful hiatus ^^ there in Glenwood Springs. Been many-a-year since I plied those old ex-DRG&W rails...
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: I'm taking No. 5 from CHI-GSC Monday
Mr. Kisor, I'll try and get trackside at MP 18.00, Engineer's side. You'll get to see me, but of course I not you.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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GBN, I will try to get to the lounge car shortly after departure and be on the engineer's side as No. 5 zips past Clarendon Hills. (That's MP 18, isn't it?)
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Thanks for the plug, Yukon!!! I haven't done any trip guides recently, but I wil be resuming them again later this spring or summer hopefully - now I am trying to get all my map sets updated in my computer, for transfer onto CD's.
I'm hoping to put all my maps and guides on CD's and make them available through my web site and pay pal -- that'll be one of my "retirement projects!!"
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr.Kisor, West Hinsdale 17.85, Clarendon Hills station 18.32, 18.34 was my office once upon a time, 18.72 is my home.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Henry - there are few places I would rather be right now than in a roomette heading for Glenwood Springs aboard #5.
I hope you have a great trip and look forward to reading your 'after-action' report.
posted