In a message dated 2/26/2004 2:02:00 AM Central Standard Time,
Aeolus3@aol.com writes:
After riding Amtrak's CZ from Chicago to Denver, I would have to agree with
Ed. I found the cost very high indeed and I had a "roomette". I found the
onboard service to be good, I had a great porter, the dining car staff was
great,
the food well was okay, and the guy downstairs in the lounge car was
friendly.
I found the my bedroom as Amtrak called it clean and comfortable. However I
could have probably driven out to Denver over two nights and stayed in a
couple
of motels cheaper, it was nice to ride the train. Although in western IA and
almost all the way across NE I found the BN track to be on the rough side.
And
the pancakes in the morning well I think Mac and Don's have better pancakes
although that's not saying too much! :-)
I have to say that the only Zephyr I have ridden was back when I was about 7
years old my Dad took us for a train ride on the Twin Zephyr up to La Crosse
and then back two days later. Now from memory here it was a great trip but
then
to a 7 year old things like Dome Cars were really "cool" and eating in the
dinner was wonderful! I do remember the speed though! And a smooth ride!
Sadly in the mid 1960's the American public turned their heads toward 707's,
DC 8's, 727's, the family station wagon, and the interstate highway system.
Somehow Stucky's can't compare to Silver Kettle (sandwich) as Howard
Johnson's
can't compare to Silver Tureen. Now Stucky's and Ho Jo's are long gone from
the scene..... I wonder will there be a historical society for them?
Loren Johnson
I would like to add to the wonderful trip across the vastness of the Ex-Q
territory from Chicago to Denver. I have made the trip from Chicago to Denver
about 8 times round trip, All on Amtrak. Starting around 1976 and my last trip
being in 1992. Having rode on just about every type of equipment Amtrak has
thrown at its customers over the years, from the steam-heated cars to
Superliners.
As I recall, even though I was a bit young when I took my first trip, the BN
mainline was smooth, and the trip was fast. I remember only being late about 3
times. I remember rides across Illinois in dome cars that the temp was well
over 100 degrees during the day. I was the only fool up there enjoying the
view. My favorite memories was sitting in the dome cars, that now had temp's
that
favored a more comfortable 80 degrees at night following eastbound
thunderstorms across Nebraska. In all my train travels that include about 20K
miles on
Amtrak, the best trips were in dome cars watching a thunderstorm. The late 70's
Amtrak trips were the best of times, and the worst of times. Having rode
trains east and west of Chicago, during that time, you had the chance to ride
an
array of equipment that was in less than "acceptable" condition, however, how
bad it was at the time, you look back, and are thankful you can say you made
the
trip. I remember taking walks through NP dome sleepers that the entire
electrical system failed just out side of Chicago, but still got kicked out of
because I was not "1st Class." Santa Fe lunch/counter diners, riding the
"Southwest Limited" with its orginal piano in the Hi-Level lounge. The GG-1's
acceleration pushing us back in our coach seats leaving Pittsburgh, and the
wonderful
dome cars that never had the AC working right, but were always a joy to ride
in. I admire you older guys that had the chance to ride the Q trains before
Amtrak, as I would if I could create a time machine, but I am grateful for a
Dad
that took me on yearly trips during the early years of Amtrak, and made me fall
in love with the passenger train, no matter what form it takes.
Mike Griesmann
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