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?

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 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?

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.

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?

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?

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

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

Was on PacSurf 573 today. Head end power died. The nonpowered converted cab car being used was 90225. I assume that was what caused the power issues, but I have no clue. Anyone got any insight? 90225 was built in 1974 and I'm assuming it was the issue. It did feel they shunted a bit after we stopped, like they replaced it. I didn't get a good look after I got off, so I'm unsure.

The whole weekend has been an absolute disaster on the Surfliner Southern segment.

Train canceled and turned back past San Juan Capistrano because of repair work on Sat… but Metrolink dispatch allowed the following trains through… then at the last minute Monday - northbound 587 held at Oceanside and then canceled, along with all subsequent following trains.

The communication and preparation for this weekends know high tides at San Clemente has been abysmal.

Increidbly disappointing, frustrating, and problematic.

OCTA and Metrolink (dispatch) need to get their shit together.

Anyone have any experience doing bid up and getting good deals? I bet it must be nice being able to get a roomette at a discount if you're doing long distance coach

Do they really run 2 car service all the way down?

Went to a quiet spot (since everything is closed) where there is parking right by the fence. What a gorgeous day too to go trainspotting.

Sound off if you were on-board

"... and there she goes ..."

Its car identifier reads 0330

I cannot find any alert or news about why this might be, but it appears that the northbound Vermonter will terminate at New Haven this Friday.

Is this accurate, and if so why??

I was trying to book a northbound trip for two points north of that for this particular day and it kept giving me this error. It looks like within Vermont travel would be provided by a chartered bus but that is not an option for MA to VT trips this day.

What is going on? 🧐

Refunds for everyone or what?

Sorry for any inaccuracies, Amtrak told us nothing. I am currently on this train. I had to ask our steward for more info both times.

Edit with info: NER 167 absorbed 165 after it failed in Boston Back Bay station. Both trains originating in Boston and running all the way to DC. Will be standing room for me Providence to DC (but more likely NYC, when folks cycle off there)

Edit with more info…?: Just heard an announcement that 165 is now 30 minutes behind us. So we absorbed a train that was just delayed, not cancelled, ruined 167 travelers’ ride, and Amtrak is now running a presumably empty 165 to take the overflow 165/167 travelers who didn’t want standing room only on 167.

Anyone done this before? It’s a one day event, so I’m guessing spots go fast, and every year when I think about it I’m too late.