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My 4 kids, 6 yrs, 9 yrs, 11 yrs and 20 yrs are traveling with my wife and I cross country this June... Silver Star, Capitol Limited, SWC, Sunset Limited... Using the Amtrak Time Tables (schedule), we have listed each station or "stop" on the way. We calculated distance and time... To keep us somewhat amused, we plan to record each stop. QUESTION... how many of these stops (best guess) do you think we could jump off for 30 seconds or so just to get a photo of the kids by the station (city,town) sign?
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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SW Chief...
Certainly Kansas City La Junta Trinidad, CO Las Vegas NM Lamy NM Albuquerque
Others can be only 1 minute stops. If you are in First Class, and the car doesn't have any loading/unloading, the porter may not open the door!
John
cajon Member # 40
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You're taking the chance of getting left behind at short stops. Happens all the time /w smokers on Surfliners. It's your responsibility, not the conductors, for you to be back on board.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Don't get off at the intermediate stops unless the attendant indicates that it is okay. I have been shouted at more than once just for being in the doorway area! This is especially the case when the train runs late, as they'll want to be on the move again ASAP.
The crew will announce service stops which are long enough to get off and walk around. You can tell *most* of the service stops by them having a seperate arrival and departure time.
Geoff M.
[This message has been edited by geoffm (edited 05-16-2003).]
Mike Smith Member # 447
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The first thing to do when you board the train is ask the conductor what is the time. Set your watch by the conductor's watch.
If you pull into a station that has a 10:31 departure time, and it's 10:15, you'll be there for 16 minutes. Ask your car attendant if you and the family can step off for a picture. (usually, they will let everyone in the car know that they can step off and get some fresh air) There's about a 100% chance that he or she will say yes.
If the train is running late, there is about a 100% chance that you cannot step off of the train.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I will respectfully disagree with some of the previous posts. You certainly don't want the whole family to jump off at once, but one or two will probably be able to step outside for a quick photo at most stops, as long as your car attendant OKs it. Just don't get more than a couple steps from the door, and make sure the attendant knows you are there. When you hear the locomotive whistle and/or an "all aboard" call get back on immediately.
I do this a lot at short stops. Never had a problem.
If there is no attendant to let you out, never never never open the door yourself.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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From experience, you'll probably be able to hop off at Flagstaff on the Chief route as well. That stop is granted 5 minutes, but sometimes the train's there for up to 20 minutes. Most stops are scheduled for 5 minutes (except as noted in PullmanCo's post), so you may be able to remain close to the train. Sometimes the conductor will tell the engineer to "whistle off", and you'll hear a single blast from the locomotive horn. This is your call to get back on before the two blasts from the horn signaling that the train is departing. Not all conductors will call this, so listen for the verbal "All Aboard" or "Highball." Hope you have a great trip!
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