posted
I’ll do this log in two parts: the trip from CHI to LAX in this submission and then the LAX through SAS back to CHI in a second submission.
Recall that I made the reservations for this trip a week before I took it and that, having decided to take a trip, I searched for bedroom availability and a loop route that would get me out and back. I discovered that there were no bedrooms available the week of 8/10 from anywhere on the east coast to Chicago. The fallback position was to fly to Chicago and join a train there. Trains 3 and 422/22 fit the bill, so I made my reservations! The #3 train accommodation was in the transition car, a new experience for me. And the 422/22 was in #12, downstairs, my preferred location. That having been made and committed to, I had to deal with the plane. I found I could save $200 if I went early and came home late, and I booked it. If you arrive early into Chicago the ONLY thing to do is invite our own GBN to lunch, which I did. So I’ve got all the pieces put together and all I have to do is pack.
The 12th was D-day; my wife took me to the airport in the morning, and I was off on an adventure! Gilbert had instructed me in using their metro from the airport to downtown which I did for $2.25; made my Yankee heart leap for joy! I met up with Gil at the Metropolitan Lounge at CUS. I knew whom to look for because Vicki and Art had previously visited with Gil, and Art took GBN’s picture with Vicki which picture is still somewhere on this website. We had a fabulous lunch and tour of Symphony Hall before Gil got me back to the station in time to get my train. I highly recommend taking Mr. Norman to lunch whenever you’re in Chicago. He’s very informative and entertaining! One of the things that I discovered was that we both had dogs named Lucky who died on us too early and whom we loved enough to know that they cannot be replaced.
Train time! And this train is full; they’ve sold 4 rooms in the T-dorm and I’ve got #20; that’s on the port side going west. Never having been in this car before, I had to take a tour. Hey! There’s a shower with the upstairs bathroom! So there are 2 showers in this car; and, our car attendant Henry tells me that the car has just come back from overhaul so everything works and there are no squeaks and rattles (put the duct tape away). The downside is that Henry has some setting up to do and is helped by the other sleeping car attendant, Dana.
#3 pulls out on time. I’ve told Gil that I will photograph milepost 18.7 as we go by, so I need to get the video camera set up. I haven’t used it in years and have forgotten how, and the battery’s dead, and the electrical socket in my roomette is loose. I get it figured out, but it’s at milepost 30 (sorry, GBN). We pass #4, and they’re going to be on time.
I’ve signed up for the 7:30 dinner sitting, the last one, so that if we’re in the middle of a good conversation we don’t get rushed out. I’m still wearing my bowtie from my lunch with GBN as I approach Pauline York in the dining car. Henry is standing beside her and he does the introductions whereupon Pauline sets about to straighten my tie! This is a very friendly crew, and rated #1 in the annual poll. The chef’s special tonight is chicken enchilada. Being in an adventurous mood, I tried it as did 2 others at my table. By the way, I was right about the conversation, very erudite: train travel in India. I’m not sure I can add much, but I learn a lot.
Up at 6:30, use the downstairs shower, into the diner by 7:00. Scrambled eggs, bacon, grits. My breakfast companions are a husband and wife going to her dad’s funeral. I get to reflecting on my parents’ deaths and look over at her to see that I’m stirring up all kinds of emotions. Oops! Abrupt change of subject to something happier. Everybody recovers smoothly, but I’m not about to be hired for the diplomatic corp.
After breakfast is my first visit to the rearranged lounge car. I haven’t been in a lounge car since 2006, so I’ve not seen the arrangement with the tables at one end. If you figure 4 people to a table, they’ve probably increased the seating capacity of the car. Anyway, even at this early hour the place is packed. I can sit at a table with another couple; they don’t seem to mind my joining them. I’m struck by something: do you remember the pre-Amtrak observation cars? You sat with your back to the window facing inward whereas the viewing seats in an Amtrak lounge face outward. I always felt that the Amtrak arrangement was a deterrent to socializing. The table arrangement reintroduces that whole dimension to the car – that it can be a viewing place and a socializing place, as well.
Lunch for me was the hot sandwich special: chicken (or turkey, perhaps?) with melted cheese and mustard, side salad. Not bad! And a beer to wash it down and set me up for my afternoon nap!
The train is more than full which is great to see, but means that there are never any free seats in the lounge. Also, we’ve been running on time or slightly ahead of schedule (there has been no freight traffic from outside of Chicago all the way to San Bernardino) and everything seems to work, in our car, at least.
Dinner again at 7:30 and the fullness of the train is brought home: all out of wine and no dessert! I don’t mind the lack of dessert, but no wine!! Note to self: if the dining car is out of wine go to snack bar and buy it there. Anyway, flat iron beef which is not a steak, but more like a pot roast. It’s fine, not tough, decent flavor.
Arrival in to LAX is at 7:20 vs. schedule of 8:15 which means early breakfast. Dining car is opened from 5 to 6 and offering continental breakfast or scrambled eggs. By this time I’ve discovered that the sausage patty is a better deal than the bacon. At LAX, lavish tipping all around; in fact, if I could have found the engineer I probably would have tipped him too! a fabulous trip flawlessly and efficiently executed by the Amtrak crew, and entertainment and education provided by the passengers!
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Mr. Black; YOURS is Symphony Hall, OURS is Symphony Center, although I would dare say most of us who have been with the concert set for a while continue to refer to the venue as Orchestra Hall.
Otherwise, enjoyed the read.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Mr. Black - your description of your trip on the SWC makes it sound worthy of bringing back the Super Chief name! My wife also likes the new lounge arrangement as it lets her work on her quilting, talk, and look at the scenery. I still prefer the outward facing seats for those times when you just want to grab a book, a beer/wine and be able to glance up as you pass through towns or nice countryside.
You mentioned your dog Lucky, and we can certainly relate to your feelings. But, while our pets cannot be replaced, there is every reason to get another. We're working on our third Bassett Hound, and have greatly enjoyed each one.
Thanks for a very encouraging and entertaining report. It really doesn't take much to make the confirmed traveler very content - a friendly crew, equipment that works, and good company.
Glad you had a chance to see GBN in Chicago. We too hope that works out on our trip west next month.
And, Frank- please work on that overcast sky for our visit. Sorry we will miss you, but your cruise sounds delightful.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
I was originally hired as a Spanish teacher but taught 7th grade World History most of the 35 years. I also taught ESL, "Youth and the Law", and kept after school detention for about 25 years. That was probably where I was able to help kids the most.
I'm off to ride the Surfliner from SBA to CPN to qualify for my part of the 2 million point pot!
Frank in SUNNY SBA (I'm sure we can arrange great weather for Palmland's visit! )
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
Thanks for the great trip report. It sounds like all went fairly well. I think I mentioned this once before, but my best AmTrips have been on the Southwest Chief. There's something about those crews that are different (better) than others. I'm looking forward to reading Part 2, because I'm pretty sure that #2 is a Los Angeles based crew, but once you get on #422 it becomes a Chicago crew? Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it has been my experience that there is a night/day difference between the two.
And of course I need to note one little bit of AmCriticism.....This isn't the first sold-out train that Amtrak has had, therefore, they should not run out of food.
Frank---Okay, this is weird.....by chance did you once teach in Saratoga, California??? I had a "Youth and the Law" teacher named Frank, and he also taught Spanish and I'm fairly certain ESL as well. Wouldn't it be a small world if you were one of my former teachers??? Small chance, but I thought I'd ask anyway...
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
Nope. Those 35 years in the classroom (plus two in Costa Rica in the Peace Corps) were spent at La Cumbre Junior High School in Santa Barbara, CA. I was hired as a "Long Term Sub" in April, 1967. Who knew how long the "term" would be?
All--
I'm just back from my "Big Adventure" in quest of part of the 2 million AGR points. I'll post separately.
Frank in sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
The first half of your trip report was very good! I look forward to Part 2.
Dave
-------------------- Everybody has to believe in something. I believe I'll take the train! Posts: 230 | From: Ithaca, New York | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Great report, Tom!!! Thanks for posting it. I know the SWC usually runs pretty close to schedule, but when my wife and I took it last summer CHI-LAX, it was 8 hours late due to rain and flooding in the midwest, so we flew part of the way.
I still prefer the lounges with the outward-facing seats. The reason I go to the lounge car is to look at the scenery, take pictures and video, and follow my route maps, not necessarily to socialize (however, we do socialize some in the lounge car as well!)
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
Thanks for the great trip report. It sounds like all went fairly well. I think I mentioned this once before, but my best AmTrips have been on the Southwest Chief. There's something about those crews that are different (better) than others. I'm looking forward to reading Part 2, because I'm pretty sure that #2 is a Los Angeles based crew, but once you get on #422 it becomes a Chicago crew? Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it has been my experience that there is a night/day difference between the two. [/QB]
Right Smitty--
1/2/3/4 are LA-based OBS crews.
5/6/21/22----CHI.
There are "good" and "bad" employees in both bases, but many feel the LA crews tend to be a bit more "accessible" than the inner-city CHI crews. It's a cultural thing-- who knows? CHI culture vs. the laid back Angelenos? Funny thing though, the worst Amtrak waiter I ever had was a white guy out of LA on Number 4. He was so intrinsically furious at the job, and life in general that he practically had steam coming out of his ears...palpable rawboned anger poured from the guy- and I've seen lots of RR service ppl. Some terrific employees have come straight out of the CHI projects and made good lives for themselves on the Road...
Yes, lunching with GBN is a fine affair! I've twice experienced this, in Naperville and Galesburg, IL. Like Paul Giamatti in Sideways, he must be plied with Merlot to put a twinkle on the evening!
note: Apologies Gil-- couldn't resist that little bit of "wine" humor! ~~BobPosts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for the trip report. The SWC was good to you and I'm happy to hear it. But as Smitty stated, wine and dessert should have been available on the second night (later seating or not). Well at least the wine. Right GBN? Oh dear I do really need to take an overnight journey on the train. It has been a long time.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Miles in Sideways (Paul Giamatti) and I share our love of Pinot Noir. Jack (Thomas Haden Church) would be quite happy with Carlo Rossi - box or jug notwithstanding.
Why those two decent gals, Maya (Virginia Madsen) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh), had anything to do with those two jerks escapes me, but then it's Hollywood.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Shamelessly OT, Gil-- but how about Paul's stellar performance in the HBO mini doc John Adams? Quite a piece of work, that! Gave me a whole new appreciation for this Founding Father, but I already knew something of him from the D. McCullough book the mini series was based on...
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
