posted
Our trip to Chicago and Springfield IL worked out fine. It was my first time in a larger sleeper, and my husband's first overnight ever. I had been worried about bringing luggage into the room but there was room by the window, as many here suggested, and we were glad we didn't check it (because we didn't have to wait for it at the end or worry about it being lost). The westbound train left Albany on time. Our dinner was this new diner lite, disappointing in some ways, though I don't miss the roll and salad, I do miss the cheesecake! But service was fine, staff was fine, room was fine, and we arrived in Chicago just about an hour and 15-30 minutes late, which was great.
We enjoyed our family shindig and our time in Chicago. One day we took a bus down to the University of Chicago area and visited the antiquities museum there, also saw the Robie house from the outside and stopped in some bookstores. Another day we visited the art museum, where I had been before, but a return was no problem. It was quite warm (as you have heard, about the marathon) but I brought the right clothing and was comfortable. Foodwise we really enjoyed our meals in Greektown and a small meal in the pricier but convenient and pleasant Russian Tea Time.
Our trip to Springfield was easy, though about 40 minutes late. I got business class, again, because I wanted to make my husband's first long Amtrak experience pleasant. The snack bar fellow actually came to our seats to take drink orders (coffee or soda, I mean) and it was very comfortable. We enjoyed the sites in Springfield--nothing super special, but all interesting. We toured the capitol, saw the old capitol, saw the Lincoln Museum, and esp enjoyed the Lincoln home. We went up to near the top of the Hilton to see the flat-as-a-pancake prairie view. We had an esp good meal in a place called Cafe Brio and fine lunch (esp soup) at the Feed Store. I enjoyed the train going right through town; even chatted with some passengers stretching their legs on the LA-bound TX Eagle!
After two nights, we were more than ready to return to Chicago. Again, we went business class, and we had the same attendant! This time the train was only 1/2 hour late. We arrived in plenty of time to spend an afternoon in a much-cooled-off city. We checked our luggage in the Metropolitan Lounge--busy with all the western-bound travelers. We then walked all the way to the Shedd Aquarium, enjoyed that, then walked back to River North for dinner, stopping on the way at the Cultural Center, as I wanted my husband to see the gorgeous interior. After dinner it was drizzling so we caught a taxi back to Union Station. I showed my husband the interior of the main building there before we returned to the Metropolitan Lounge to get our baggage. We did the preboarding with wine and cheese, which was quite pleasant--good wine, too. Breakfast was also good--the chef, apparently sick of diner light, put some butter on the outside of the French toast and made it quite tasty. Lunch was pretty bad--but then, it has been since they got rid of the really good menu a few years ago. The dining room staff was very good, and our car attendant fine too. Didn't see or hear much of the conductors.
Our trip was routed around Cleveland because of the derailment just east of the city, but we really didn't lose much time because of it. I'm sure it was a hassle for those getting off in Cleveland, who had to get off one stop before and be bussed; and for those getting on there, who were bussed to Erie and boarded there. But for the rest of us, it wasn't really noticeable. After it was light, we did see some of a new route in Ohio, although we did not go too far from Cleveland.
In the end we were less than an hour and a half late into Albany. With the new 10PM depature from Chicago, I suppose even this minimal tardiness could be a problem for some of the Boston bound (but then again, when the train left at 8 and was four hours late, it would amount to the same thing--the eastbound train to Boston gets in late!) but I don't think a 6-7:30PM arrival is a problem for those going all the way to NYC, even if they are making a connection. I just hope Amtrak can keep the delays to this sort of minimum. In the past few weeks before we left, on most days I've checked, arrival time into Albany had been pretty good.
Two things I like about diner lite: banana with the cereal of a Continental breakfast, instead of that plastic-stale fruit; and Haagen Daaz as a dessert choice. (But I still want to see the chessecake brought back!)
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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I always enjoy your reports,Sojourner. You always seem to find interesting little high lights to share.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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What a nice detailed report. Those who have enjoyed a 1st Class train trip appreciate the finer things describded, and unfortunitly, with current Amtrak operations, some disappointments. But that is what we now have unless we choose the GrandLuxe, which is not that unreasonable if we compare it to a cruise.
My wife and I have enjoyed the finer trains of the IC, B&O, UP and the best in our experience, the Santa Fe; so Amtrak leaves something to be desired.
We recently had the opportunity to ride in a private business car on the Surf Line from LAX to San Diego and return and once again were reminded of what once was considered 1st Class. Our hosts were younger, but had reached an understanding of the ambience and experience of the 'way it was'.
They had a chef and porter/waiter who were a father and son team that specialized in serving private car owners, and who themselves were 'railfans'. They were able to join us in tales and experiences and even though this was an all day trip we never ran out of 'true stoties'.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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And I guess I'm not the only person who can't stand the alleged "fresh fruit" that comes with the continental breakfast. A banana is MUCH nicer than the weird concoction they use now. And icre cream is back--yahoo! Glad to hear there's something good about "diner lite".
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Great report. Thanks. The only unanswered question is Would your husband do it again?
That seems to be the litmus test with a novice long-distance train rider.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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On the one hand, he seemed to like the train well enough--and, really, we had very easy trips, with good crews, comfortable accommodations, pretty good on-time performances, smooth transfers, decent dinner & breakfasts, pleasant wine & cheese, even the one not-so-good lunch had some good Haagen Daaz at the end.
On the other hand, he still does not like to travel.
So, only time will tell.
I doubt he'd be interested in another trip for at least a year, though!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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You really need to tell me when you're going by on the Lakeshores. I'll wave.
Posts: 391 | From: Schenectady | Registered: Jan 2002
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I did not think the Lakeshore went past Ballston Lake! Do you work by the Amtrak in Albany?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Glad to hear there's something good about "diner lite".
