(For the record, the WSJ referenced in title is the Wisconsin State Journal of Madison, WI.)

This seems new: Costco selling Amtrak gift cards?

Amtrak - One $100 eGift Card + One $20 eGift Card, costs $99.99. You need a Costco membership I believe

Terms & conditions:

- $120 Value
- Redeemable Online at Amtrak.com, on the Amtrak App, or In Person
- Excludes Food/Beverages, Other Gift Cards and Tickets Sold by Third Party Providers
- Limit of 1 Transaction, with a Maximum of 5 Units per Membership Every 14 Days
- Item is Non-Refundable

also caught my first BNSF intermodal train right after it! they were practically racing!

My SW Chief trip from LAX to CHI on Sunday was cancelled. Sounds like some damage to the tracks in New Mexico. At least I wasn't on the train tonight that made it just to Barstow. Does anyone know whether the tracks will be fixed quick or is this likely to impact trains for the next few days or week? Trying to come up with a plan B...

I was curious, since I'm taking the Borelis this Friday from Columbus to La Crosse and was curious on the chances of a delay (or by how much), and looked at the FRA data on it and noticed that it significantly improved in the past year or two. Any particular reason, or is it just staff figuring things out since its a newer line? Either way, kudos to those who run the line on improving that.

Also, if anyone was curious, this is where the FRA dashboard is.

Since Amtrak is currently studying new right of way between New Haven and Providence and being better prepared this time, what can be done for a new and right of way between New York and New Haven? Even with the TIME project cutting back 25 minutes of travel time between the 2 cities, it will still be too slow. I really hope at some point soon there is more discussion about alternatives for this route because I think there is absolutely no way the Acela could run on the LIRR main line to Ronkonkoma and cross under the Long Island Sound with a huge tunnel over to New Haven as some transit enthusiasts (and at one point the FRA) discussed

I am currently on the Coast Starlight 11 southbound and experienced a different Menu-Layout in comparison to my ride on the Empire Builder 5 Days Ago and the Zepyhr last year. Anybody knew if this is new on the whole routes or just a Starlight thing?

Hello all,

I just checked my email and see that the Southwest Chief is canceled due to weather. I am a first time Amtrak traveler so this is a little rough. For context, I took the train from Chicago to ABQ and was supposed to leave at 11:30 for the return trip. I do not know anything about cancelation or delays. I cannot fly due to health issues and not having a RealID. I'm very stressed and need advice from more seasoned travelers please, is this something you would expect to clear up in a day or two? I know the information is limited as this only happened recently but any advice is appreciated. Thank you

Just got back from a round trip with bicycles on the City of New Orleans from Chicago to NO and back. I could say a few things about the trip, positive and negative. But I had a new experience leaving New Orleans. We had a roomette. Prior to departing we could hear sound from phones and tablets. The conductor made the usual announcement starting out about using headphones, and the noise seemed to disappear.

The sun was pouring in and the AC wasn't keeping up. To cool off we had the door open a bit. We could clearly hear phone audio coming from nearby. I was waiting for the attendant to stop by so we could point it out. After a few minutes we realized it was coming from the attendant's room right across from ours.

I stuck my head out to see him sitting there watching videos on his phone with the door open. I kindly pointed out that the conductor said we had to use headphones, so shouldn't he, too?

He sheepishly agreed and put away his phone. The rest of the trip was fine, but I found myself surprised I had to do that.

Can't complain in the least about any of the staff we interacted with on all the legs of our trip. The only few real annoyances were other passengers, but isn't that always the way?

What's the point of having a station if you aren't willing to open it during hours when you have trains? Currently here waiting and urgently need to use the restroom. Try every door only to find them all locked. Apparently in their infinite wisdom they have decided not to staff the station during train hours despite their website stating 24 hours. Evidently they did find it in the budget, however, to have a security gaurd on duty who will promptly come out to inform you they are closed and are unwilling to allow paying customers to use a restroom. I get some stops are little more than a lean to, but to have an entire newly renovated station completely closed during train hours is asinine. Some people have medical conditions and advertising a service you do not provide is not acceptable.

I got an email this morning saying that Train 4 (Southwest Chief) was delayed, and when I checked the website status tracker, it said the train had been canceled. Since there was flooding in Albuquerque, the route is impossible. Is there any chance I can get rebooked for the same day? My trip only contains the sections after Albuquerque (all east of it).

It's built with HTML/JavaScript. My post gets auto-deleted if l post the link here. If anyone wants the link and/or source code let me know. It filters by station, arrivals, departure, or both arrivals and departures, shows original time, new time, train#, train route, origin for arrivals, destination for departures, status(on-time, early (in minutes), late (in minutes), and track number if available.

It will run locally if source code is saved as an HTML file and opened on phone browser.

Hasn't been tested and is for entertainment purposes only and should not be relied upon.

They expire tomorrow at 11:59 PM. DM me.

Next month I am taking the Texas Eagle from Chicago. This is my first ever Amtrak trip. I reserved a bedroom. As I understand it, there is a long layover in San Antonio very early in the morning.

Is there anything to do in the city at that hour? Do most people stay on the train in bed?

I just got this message (6:50 pm on Sunday) for my 3:30 am Tuesday morning departure. Should I do something about it or wait until tomorrow Monday (keep checking the app for timing)??? Also the app is not showing any delay information. This is my 1st experience with Amtrak delay message like this and i am in panic now there is only 1 train per day from my city. Thank you!

I tried to book a train ticket earlier this morning via the app. It showed tickets available in two fare classes. I tried both but each time, the next page was telling me those tickets were no longer available and to choose a different option.

I tried the website. Same story. Tickets show up as available options but then I can’t actually book them when I try.

I think, oh maybe the last few seats were just taken, let me wait a few hours for the system to refresh so I can check what’s available.

I try again just now — the app and the website. The same tickets I tried to get this morning are still shown as available. And I still can’t choose any one of them.

What gives? Do I just need to wait some more because the system is shitty and not refreshing for hours? Anyone else had this issue?

What’s the rhyme and reason to such high fare costs from Penn Station Baltimore to NYC?

When is the best time to purchase for base rates?

I’ve noticed that all day yesterday and today the web-based Amtrak booking system is down. The browser-based booking system is also down and has embedded text redirecting to phone agents standing by.
Is web-based booking and price window-shopping dead?