Travelling WB the SW Chief on Christmas Day. We load from Kansas City Christmas Eve and will run into Union Station on the 26th.
We have a compartment (all you Superliner types: Deluxe bedroom, but look at the footprint of a pullman compartment vice a deluxe room) so we'll certainly be comfortable.
So here are the questions:
Does Amtrak do anything special for its travellers on Christmas Day?
And ... knowing that the California Zephyr doesn't do French Toast ... does the SW Chief?
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
Konstantin Member # 18
posted
I do not know about Christmas Day, but i do know about the French toast. The Southwest Chief had excellent French toast when I travelled on it this past summer.
Get to the dining car early when they open (usually 6:30) and it won't be crowded. Have a merry Christmas and enjoy the French toast.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
Eric Member # 674
posted
Konstantin is right: the Chief has excellent French Toast. I have it for breakfast every time I travel Amtrak, and it gets better each time. I think that the train crews (or someone else) might decorate the train (or just the Sightseer Lounge) for Christmas. I've been aboard the Chief on July 4th, and there were red, white, and blue banners hanging up in the Lounge. I don't think Amtrak'll hand out gifts, but they might show a Christmas movie or invite everyone to sing carols! The engineer might play "Jingle Bells" on the horn, too.
Judy Member # 942
posted
I was on the Empire Builder July 4, 2001 and no mention of the holiday was anywhere to be found (except on the decorations in the towns we passed through). I was kind of disappointed that no one even mentioned it.
And I did have French Toast on the California Zephyr earlier in that same trip. My informal survey says it was the best (but I haven't been on the SW Chief - maybe next year!)
reggierail Member # 26
posted
Most of the specials I've seen are in the lounge & dining car. The lounge served special happy hour treats & the dining car had special menu items. Please let us all know what your experience on the Chief is. I know if you have crew 10, you'll have a great trip. Reggie
PS Welcome to the forum Pullmanco ------------------
[This message has been edited by reggierail (edited 11-01-2001).]
PullmanCo Member # 1138
posted
Thanks to one and all.
Went through the crew 10 website. They would have done well in the days of either the Chief or the Super Chief. We'll know who drew the duty after the trip.
I've got a couple of travelogues posted under the CZ, so I will develop one for this trip as well.
In a way, I should have bought two sections (read standard bedrooms) and each of us would have had a lower.
As it is, someone will probably fall asleep in the lower and his Dad will fall asleep in the chair watching America on Christmas Eve
John
PullmanCo Member # 1138
posted
Well, here's the first part of the feedback from the trip:
First, I did not have Crew 10 on either the WB or the EB legs. That said, kudos to Randy and to James Coleman, who were the porters of the 0331 and 0430 cars, respectively.
Also, kudos to the extra board porter (Pamela?) who worked the 0330 car and who greeted us at Kansas City. BTW, she had the only car that WAS decorated for Christmas.
The diners had fresh poinsettias both ways. That was the extent of Amtrak's official recognition of the holiday.
Good food in both directions, but nothing more or less than the standard dining car menu.
Speaking of the diner, if you ever draw either Henry Ford or Regina at your table, they are good people, who could command top dollar at any front rank restaurant!
There is one other comment, but it will have to wait a month ... until Governor Dukakis either elects to reply to my letter or the deeadline passes.
Blessed 2002, John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
Konstantin Member # 18
posted
I am sorry to hear that more was not done to celebrate Christmas on the southwest Chief.
I am replying to your comment about Henry Ford. I am glad to hear he is still working on the Southwest Chief. My mother took the train from Chicago to Flagstaff in about 1988. At that time, Mr. Ford was her coach attendant. She talked a lot about how good a man he was when she returned, and sometimes she still talks about how nice a man he was. She has taken several trains, and still thinks that Mr. Ford is the best. If I remember correctly, he was also on the Sunset Limited that crashed west of Phoenix. I can't remember the exact date, I would guess the early 1990's.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
mrlithian Member # 1129
posted
Thanks for the followup report, but what about the French Toast?
Cheers and a Happy New Year to all!
PullmanCo Member # 1138
posted
The last time I looked at the Fred Harvey/AT&SF recipe, the French toast was supposed to be baked after its time in the frying pan.
The Amtrak recipe includes both nutmeg and cinnamon in the batter, but does not go into the oven.
It's good French toast, but it's not what I remember when Santa Fe chefs were working the diners.
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
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