2 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Use this thread for reports on our travels on the eastbound Southwest Chief leaving Los Angeles on Monday, July 18th and arriving in Chicago on Wednesday, July 20th.

[SanDiegan]

I waved goodbye to the group from the platform of the Fullerton station. Kind of wish I was riding too  :-)

[KevinKorell]

Well the Southwest Chief performed well, arriving into Albuquerque 51 minutes early giving us plenty of time on the ground.  We then lost a little bit with slow orders across New Mexico.   There was some concern starting in La Junta, CO when we heard crew talking about a derailment in Kansas near Pike's Peak that would cause us delays.  After some talk of a detour, we ended up remaining on the correct route but taking only a slight delay.  We got to Chicago at 3:23 PM, only 8 minutes late. 

 

The bar set by the Empire Builder was once more not reached.  This crew was just alright in my opinion.  Not terrible, but not the greatest either.  The LSA Michael was a bit curt with us, and was extra busy when he also played the role of waiter.  Another waiter, who we only know by the first initial of J, was much more attentive, entertaining, and friendly with us.  The lounge attendant Jamie had a pleasant voice when she made her announcements.  She really was the voice of the train crew when the conductors were not speaking.  The sleeper attendant that 4 of 5 of us had was Julio.  He offered his services verbally, but for some of us he had to be asked to put the beds down or up rather than offering to do it on his own.

 

And so ends another successful long distance trip, in which all 5 of us making connections east will in fact make them.