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Wife and I had a great time in Indianapolis and Chicago this past weekend. After a day at museums, etc in Indianapolis on 11/17 we boarded the Hoosier 851 at Amtrak station on 11/18 for Chicago. Train was very full, also late due to some mechanical malfunctions.It was also announced there would be no cafe car on our train and that everyone should take their breakfast, snacks, water etc with them. (a mass scurry to the Greyhound snackbar ensued.) We grabbed a honey bun and some orange juice and up the stairs we went. When we climbed the long stairway to the tracks we noticed several Superliner cars, baggage cars, Viewliner coaches, and diners attached to our lowly coach at the rear of the train. No one riding them, just transporting cars to and from Beach Grove shops according to our conductor. This apparently is commonplace on the Hoosier now.
It was a gloomy day and somewhat chilly, but the train was very warm--actually too warm. Saw some coyotes, plenty of deer, hawks and other wildlife along the way. Lots of passengers getting on in Lafayette (Purdue students and faculty heading home for the holidays) Saw some nice Monon cabooses at a few towns. We were about an hour and half late on arrival at CHI. Love the Union Station. Christmas decorations up in the old hall and lots of people taking the trains. Made some arrangements at the ticket counter for some future trips, had our sandwich special at the deli and then headed over to ride the EL. The pass machines were out of order and no one at the EL station seemed to care much. We bought individual tickets and hopped on the Brown Line train for a ride around the city. Stopped at Art Institute of Chicago for some great Impressionist paintings and a three hour tour of the great art there. Getting dark at 4:30 so decided to walk Jackson ST back to the station. Found a good barbeque place, some pork sandwiches, etc and headed for the South lounge. Wow! It was a madhouse. Regional trains (Lincoln, Pere Marquette, and seveal other Illinois and Michigan trains were getting ready to board and there must have been a thousand people trying to get to the gates. A little bit chaotic but Amtrak personnel tried to form neat aisles and get everyone situated. We boarded our Hoosier 850 on time and watched as the Windy City disappeared into the darkness. It is a long five hour ride back to Indy and our hotel. Still no cafe car on the train, but several hitchhiking Superliners, etc as before. Three engines as well. But still only one coach with passengers. It was an enjoyable day. Tickets were cheap, food was good, art was great. EL was fun. Back to work for a couple days and then off to Thanksgiving Dinner. Life is great!! Railroad Bill and Rockhound Claudia
Posts: 87 | From: Ohio | Registered: Apr 2007
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Bill, the Hoosier State does not offer any Food & Beverage service. Likely the reason an announcement was made at Indianapolis is that on days "the Hoosier State is The Cardinal and The Cardional is the Hoosier State" (WOW; how's that for a line of script from "Catch 22"?), there is of course F&B.
Posts: 9980 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I'm not familiar with the Hoosier State train. Under normal conditions, what does that train normally have? It sounds like it's usually just one locomotive and one coach car--and that's it??
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Hauling equipment to/from Beech Grove is the major reason for its existance and always has been. Sounds like Amtrak should be looking for how to have two coaches on the train. Given the ridership and the train's speed and schedule there has got to be a lot of untapped demand on this line if there were decently fast trains at decent hours. What would the ridership be if there could be 3 to 4 trains each way on a 3 to 3.5 hour schedule?
Posts: 2810 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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