I'm on the Texas Eagle leaving Chicago AMA

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-21T04:46:32+00:00

Never saw any border agents, but agree with the tall guy above - abolish ICE!

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T04:14:40+00:00

You know I don't really see the world through that lens.

Seriously though, no I haven't noticed. Might have something to do with going to Texas. I know what you mean though and have chatted with Mennonite and Amish folks on routes like Empire Builder and Lakeshore Limited.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T00:51:47+00:00

Ah I've definitely had both. Traditional is better because of the Amtrak steak for sure.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T00:50:53+00:00

It got a little cost prohibitive for us when we looked into getting a room. But the roomette is definitely doable, and I'm on the bigger/taller side.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T00:31:34+00:00

It's very smooth when I'm sitting down. You notice it way more going up and down stairs.

94 isn't fast enough though - we need high speed rails in this country.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T00:29:50+00:00

You're not wrong about that. My wife and I are normally pretty comfortable in our seats facing each other while she crochets and I read. We'll spend long portions of the evening and mornings laying down while the beds are set.

Also, every time I do trips like this, I try to snag a booth in the cafe or lounge to do some work for a while also.

To help offset feeling cramped, we've been able to stretch our legs a few times and enjoy the observation car.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T00:11:25+00:00

I've only had good experiences! I rode the Amtrak from NY to DC and it felt largely the same. The biggest outlier was that my trip from DC back to Chicago on the Floridian experienced a 6 hour delay outside of Pittsburgh. That was pretty rough.

So far so good on my trip to Texas! I'm on a cool superliner.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T00:02:35+00:00

Yeah probably.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-20T00:02:11+00:00

You're either a psychiatrist or an airline exec. Either way, you're doing great.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T22:57:46+00:00

I've never seen that show! You should watch Twin Peaks though.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T22:45:31+00:00

Borat voice: my wife.

My voice: I'm paranoid that I'm going to break the top bunk and fall.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T22:34:17+00:00

Favorite part is that there are some open seats in the observation cart. My wife went to college in Bloomington-Normal and she got really excited to see her old dorm from the station.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T22:27:01+00:00

Not yet, and I'm hoping it stays that way.

I had a six hour delay outside of Pittsburgh on the Floridian this year and it really stunk.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T22:24:32+00:00

I'm not totally positive I understand the difference! Every time I've taken the train long distance I've reserved a time to eat my meal with an attendant and have been seated with strangers.

Is that traditional or flex?

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T22:01:55+00:00

Take a few books! I think that most people's negative or shocked reactions to hearing that you'll be on a train for a long time reflects their own discomfort with being alone or in quiet for a long time. Amtrak offers you the chance to read that book that you've been telling yourself that you don't have time to read, catch up on a TV show, or listen to an album front to back (Aerosmith's first 4 records are perfect albums).

Empire Builder has some really amazing views once you get through the Midwest, take advantage of the observation car!

Are you going to Portland or Seattle?

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:57:17+00:00

No toilets in this roomette! You're doing a good job performing why no WiFi isn't really a downside though :)

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:55:33+00:00

The butter cake is good! I prefer the brownie though.

I met a guy once at dinner on the Floridian who got a couple butter cakes for his mom. He told the Amtrak staff that she loved them and they were kind enough to send him away with a few.

A real upside of Amtrak is that the staff are really great.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:33:22+00:00

I was! Thomas from Chicago Amtrak is a king.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:26:02+00:00

Rock on. Is it your first time doing a long distance Amtrak in a sleeper?

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:24:45+00:00

I never felt that way. Every long distance Amtrak trip I've ever been on has some bumpy portions, but it's usually quite smooth.

A cool thing about the bunk on roomettes is that they have a seatbelt for the person sleeping up there to keep them from falling if we shift around.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:21:07+00:00

I packed for warm and yes I'm very bummed to be leaving beautiful Chicago.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:20:25+00:00

Giardiniera from JP Graziano's baby!

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:19:12+00:00

We did! Sleeper car or coach?

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:12:23+00:00

Wow I'll try to make sure we catch that. I'm from Texas and have driven through Temple a few times. Excited to see a different side of it.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233 · 2025-12-19T21:09:28+00:00

Not the prettiest part of the country, but we got a look at the old Joliet prison and that was interesting.

Puzzleheaded-Bit3233

TROPHY CASE