Travelling WB the SW Chief on Christmas Day. We load from Kansas City Christmas Eve and will run into Union Station on the 26th.
We have a compartment (all you Superliner types: Deluxe bedroom, but look at the footprint of a pullman compartment vice a deluxe room) so we'll certainly be comfortable.
So here are the questions:
Does Amtrak do anything special for its travellers on Christmas Day?
And ... knowing that the California Zephyr doesn't do French Toast ... does the SW Chief?
John
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The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
Get to the dining car early when they open (usually 6:30) and it won't be crowded. Have a merry Christmas and enjoy the French toast.
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Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale)
www.geocities.com/evrr
And I did have French Toast on the California Zephyr earlier in that same trip. My informal survey says it was the best (but I haven't been on the SW Chief - maybe next year!)
PS Welcome to the forum Pullmanco
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[This message has been edited by reggierail (edited 11-01-2001).]
Went through the crew 10 website. They would have done well in the days of either the Chief or the Super Chief. We'll know who drew the duty after the trip.
I've got a couple of travelogues posted under the CZ, so I will develop one for this trip as well.
In a way, I should have bought two sections (read standard bedrooms) and each of us would have had a lower.
As it is, someone will probably fall asleep in the lower and his Dad will fall asleep in the chair watching America on Christmas Eve
John
First, I did not have Crew 10 on either the WB or the EB legs. That said, kudos to Randy and to James Coleman, who were the porters of the 0331 and 0430 cars, respectively.
Also, kudos to the extra board porter (Pamela?) who worked the 0330 car and who greeted us at Kansas City. BTW, she had the only car that WAS decorated for Christmas.
The diners had fresh poinsettias both ways. That was the extent of Amtrak's official recognition of the holiday.
Good food in both directions, but nothing more or less than the standard dining car menu.
Speaking of the diner, if you ever draw either Henry Ford or Regina at your table, they are good people, who could command top dollar at any front rank restaurant!
There is one other comment, but it will have to wait a month ... until Governor Dukakis either elects to reply to my letter or the deeadline passes.
Blessed 2002, John
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The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
I am replying to your comment about Henry Ford. I am glad to hear he is still working on the Southwest Chief. My mother took the train from Chicago to Flagstaff in about 1988. At that time, Mr. Ford was her coach attendant. She talked a lot about how good a man he was when she returned, and sometimes she still talks about how nice a man he was. She has taken several trains, and still thinks that Mr. Ford is the best. If I remember correctly, he was also on the Sunset Limited that crashed west of Phoenix. I can't remember the exact date, I would guess the early 1990's.
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Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale)
www.geocities.com/evrr
Cheers and a Happy New Year to all!
The Amtrak recipe includes both nutmeg and cinnamon in the batter, but does not go into the oven.
It's good French toast, but it's not what I remember when Santa Fe chefs were working the diners.
John
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The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations