Full trip report when I return. Today's 421/21 seems to be a sellout leaving Chicago -- that surprises me; I'd thought that the load would be light at this time of year.
Perhaps a host of Chicagoans are going to St. Louis' Soulard Mardi Gras, which opened yesterday and runs for a couple of weeks.
I'll be returning on 4.
Of particular interest will be how clean the cars of 421/21 are after their quick runthrough from the CONO -- especially the windows.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Well, if 381(23) is any guide, don't expect much in the way of cleanliness, Mr. Kisor. It wasn't a case of the Horizons that have their way of still kooking dirty even after being washed as there was an equally 'state of cleanliness" A-I in the consist.
I can't recall when I had observed an Amtrak outbound consist 18.32 miles into its journey so filthy; it was a disgrace.
I hope we are not addressing a case of "car washer's busted; and we have no $$$ to fix it" or even a "soap's on back order".
Posted by DeeCT (Member # 3241) on :
Henry,
Enjoy the trip.
I am green with envy - no trips for me in the immediate future.
About the general state of cleanliness - if Amtrak was a hotel it would get the lowest ratings on Trip Advisor and similar sites. As to the windows ---it is as if the dirt has become permanently embedded in the "glass" along with the scratches. I wonder if it is less a case of the window washers and more a problem with the plexiglass type product.
Dee
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
Great journey (hopefully) looms, Mr. K...
And Mr. Norman, do you remember the #380; I believe it was October 29, 2009 that sat for about 15 minutes in front of your house? I was on that job coming in to see my uncle; we were sitting behind a triple-red on the Racetrack that AM near MP. 18.34. Unusual-- must have been some freights in the morning "dinky" mix...still made it to CUS almost exactly on time, due to that "pad" in the 380 schedule between LGR and CHI-- 37 TT minutes to go 14 miles. As to cleanliness- I have rarely had a problem with the Illinois Zephyrs- sometimes a dirty "outside" belies a clean inside...