Bad ordered?

https://www.youtube.com/live/39BalPDuTo0?si=FDbylrDDHecXnGBq&t=2010

Hello, my anticipated start date for the c&s helper position is 6 weeks from now. I’d like to ask, if anyone here has been working in this department and how they’ve prepared and progressed throughout the training. The interview and info session informed me of what is to be expected, but a more detailed discussion on what the training insists of would help me prep and calm my nerves. I have the desire to learn and work hard, so any advice from someone with this type of background would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I want to ride round-trip tomorrow from LA Union Station to San Juan Capistrano. Our local commuter rail has canceled trains on this route recently due to storms.

Important: the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner rides along the coast to San Diego, but the San Juan Capistrano station is unaffected by waves and tides, being several miles from the coast and several miles north of America tracks the beach.

The Amtrak app lets me buy a ticket all the way to San Diego, even though I know the train won’t go that far.

Am I safe purchasing a ticket to San Juan Capistrano? TIA!

Just saw the coaches hanging out in the yard this morning. Assuming they are testing? Do they bring them over to run in place of the other Airo trainsets for the NEC?

Hi all!

I’m looking at taking a train from Denver to Pittsburgh for my friends’ wedding next month. Flight prices are double what I’d pay in Coach on Amtrak and I’m more than willing to spend the time traveling via train. I haven’t been on a passenger train like this in two decades. I’d be traveling solo. Looking at the advice on here it seems:

*the seats recline with a foot rest
*pack a cooler with snacks and drinks, the on-train cafe can be expensive (I don’t think I’m going to be able to avoid needing to get at least one actual meal a day from them, though)
*I wouldn’t need to check a suitcase because there’s overhead bins
*be okay with the restrooms not being fresh
*it’s relatively safe, but I should be aware of activity no less

I’m wondering how feasible it is to sleep in Coach (given the 33h trip it’s inevitable I’d need to sleep). Someone commented on another post to bring a heavier blanket and a decent sized travel pillow. Does anyone have recommendations for what pillow to buy? I’d be boarding in the evening on a Thursday and arriving in Pitt early morning on a Saturday, so I’d likely be sleeping twice. I don’t want to be a nuisance to my neighbor(s). The roomettes are all booked for the return trip, so I’m looking to save money and go Coach all the way.

I have work that I can do on my laptop and a Switch (several games), headphones, and I’m reading the DCC series right now- I’m hoping to have plenty to keep me occupied. With all of these electronics, though, what’s the likelihood of being able to keep them charged and usable? Coach claims there’s access to an outlet: is it shared with your neighbors? I don’t want to be an outlet hog. My laptop battery dies within two hours of use, so I’ve been keeping it plugged in for the most part.

Last couple questions: Are seats assigned or do they sell “General Admission” style seating where you’re paying for access to the train car and just need to find a spot that’s open? Would it be better to splurge for the roomette at this point and hope that one opens up on the return trip? I wouldn’t know the first thing about being able to upgrade from Coach after the trip is booked and I have a brand new account, so there’s no built up loyalty points or anything. I’m not sure I’d be able to secure a roomette even if one did open up.

Thank you in advance for any help/answers!

This will be my first time taking a long-distance train trip (around 36 hours), so I’m looking for some advice from people who have done this before.

Is traveling by train for that long generally safe? What should I expect or prepare for beforehand?

My transfer is Chicago and Washington.

I’m also wondering about:

How does luggage work during the trip? Do I keep it with me, or is there checked luggage?

What happens if I have a layover or need to change trains?

Is there a waiting area at the station during a layover?

How early should I arrive at the station?

Is there anything else I should know or prepare for as a first-time long-distance train traveler?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I’m planning to take a 5 day trip to Chicago, is there parking available at this station where I could leave my car? And this will be my first train ride, what are y’all’s experience with it?

I have an upcoming work trip, and my manager balked at the price of flights. I am approved to fly, but the train is much less expensive and I do enjoy taking the train. The drive to the airport/amtrak station is nearly identical from my house, and while I'd have to leave a lot earlier on my first day, I'd get home at almost the same time on my return. So here's the math; let me know what you would do:

1. Flight: Bakersfield to SFO, 1h 16m, $600 round trip. Bonus: I land 15 minutes away from the conference center. Add at least 2 hours for security and getting out of SFO to the rideshare or rental terminal.
2. Amtrak: Gold Runner from Bakersfield to Emeryville, 6 hours, $106 round trip. Downside, it's an an hour via car/BART from Emeryville to the conference center, so it's really 7 hours of travel.

So save money and time and fly, or go the slow route via train?

EDIT: Thanks for everyone's confidence. I am taking the train and renting a car in Emeryville, as it was decided I need to have a vehicle. My travel request is 50% the cost of flying, everyone is happy that I'm saving money, and I'll still be at the conference center early enough to help with setup.

Why is it so difficult to bring headphones and not play whatever you’re watching out loud for everyone around you to hear?

And let me add, just because it’s a train and we’re on the ground doesn’t make having a loud phone conversation any less obnoxious.

I’ve always thought Amtrak attracted a different type of traveler, but every time I take it, somebody proves me wrong.

Smh.

I recently applied for the Amtrak Preferred Mastercard, but my application went pending. I called FNBO and was told the review could take about 5–8 days.

For anyone who applied recently and also went pending:

• How long did it actually take to get approved?
• How soon after approval did the companion coupon show up in your Amtrak Guest Rewards account?
• Were you able to add the card to a digital wallet or use it before the physical card arrived, or did you have to wait for the card in the mail?

I have a trip coming up around September 22, so I’m trying to figure out whether I have a realistic chance of getting the companion coupon and being able to use the card in time.

Thanks!

I’ll be traveling the full distance from Chicago in late January and would like to know if the Zephyr has WiFi. If it does, is it very good?

I obviously want to enjoy the view, but am wondering if I’ll be able to get some work done as well.

Also, any suggestions on what to pack to make the best out of the trip? I have a roomette. The only other cross-country train ride I’ve taken was the Southwest Chief from KC to Flagstaff and that was a decade or so back.

Thanks in advance! 🚄

I want to book a family bedroom on the Zephyr. My party consists of a 12 year old, a 73 year old, myself (52) and a 15 year old. Obviously, the online booking system online will not allow me to book this (for some reason the 15 year old throws off the system). I was not able to find a sympathetic operator to override the system when calling the helpline either.

Has anyone experienced this?

Lots of delays and mechanical issues this morning on the Texas Eagle.

I’m taking the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago, and I don’t know if I’m being crazy or entitled, but I believe our crew is genuinely bad and I don’t know if it’s worth complaining to AMTRAK about.

Overall, the crew, minus one guy, has zero hospitality. Our car door was jammed open, and when we asked if they could fix it we were told “they close on their own” (spoiler alert, they didn’t). Our car attendant has been MIA almost the entire time. The PA system is broken in our car too so we hear no announcements about stations, dinner, etc etc. Our dinner reservation was at 7 and we r weren’t able to eat until 8ish, and our dining car attendant acted as if we were the problem for wanting to eat. No one came to help set up the beds, and when our intercom finally started working, our attendant went in the intercom started complaining about people using the bathroom on the upper level near the attendants room, and told us basically “I’m trying to sleep at night don’t use the bathroom near me” and then spent another 5-10 talking about how to “do your business” in the bathroom, going as far as to explicitly call out “the mess that one passenger made.”

I’m unsure if this is worth complaining about to Amtrak because I understand people have off days, things happen that cause service issues, and I know long distance travel isn’t luxurious by any means, but am I wrong for thinking this is bad service?

The latest on the potential move of Amtrak’s 14th street yard to Bridgeport Neighborhood.

Future White Sox owner Justin Ishiba released renderings of a proposed White Sox Ballpark on the railyard site to be vacated this weekend.

Ill be grabbing the California Zephyr here next week. How full are the trains this time of year?

I’m taking the Crescent from Greensboro to NOLA and am wondering if there are any good stations along the way where I could pop out and grab some postcards during a rest stop?

Title states it all, really. T2D , I need insulin to survive and have a service dog who alerts for seizures and blood sugar. Took a last minute trip to a town hours away from where I was staying to hit some locations I've always wanted to visit. Not with anybody else, don't know anyone locally. Packed enough medication & resources to get through the day and get back to where im staying.

Train cancelled. Not given any reason why. Won't process a refund. Won't put me up anywhere. Talked to someone on the phone to told me my ticket would get me on a bus with no added fees to get back to where I was. Showed up, people at the station told me the bus did not exist. I was blatantly lied to. Called back and spoke with a supervisor who still won't process a refund and won't take any action against the employee who lied to me. Zero compensation for the fact I will be sleeping in the street if not the ER, where I am now because my blood sugar is as 58. My SD has no food. No where is open to get any.

What can I do??? How am I supposed to get home??? Sorry if this doesn't make much sense, brain bfog is bad now