Amtrak Texas Eagle: America's insanely unique train experience (2/2)
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- čas přidán 11. 11. 2023
- Watch Part 1: • Amtrak Texas Eagle: Am...
In Part 2, my Amtrak Texas Eagle train arrives in San Antonio, Texas and joins the Sunset Limited train. Together, we head all the way across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to California and the final stop of Los Angeles. There's a fresh air stop in Alpine, some friendly company at breakfast and lunch, brief looks at stops like El Paso, Tucson, and Deming, breathtaking scenery and a perfect sunset, and the gentle isolation of watching it all go by from my private roomette. Plus, the ongoing news that we were scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles an hour early - 4:30 in the morning. I was skeptical that we'd actually be that early...
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Music provided by William L Pearson, Singing Dog Studios, and Uplift Beat Up / Pond5
The pianist in the Alpine Texas mural is Van Cliburn. A world famous classical pianist having won the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958 in Moscow during the height of the Cold War. Grew up in Kilgore Texas.
You are so brave. Even when the attendants say we have 15 minutes, I don't dare wander too far in case all the sudden they are saying All Aboard. Maybe I am too cautious.
No, I think your way is much smarter
I feel the same way. Too many times I've been on a train when someone gets left behind. It makes me nervous. LOL
I actually found myself holding my breath when he walked around Alpine! Lol. I stay close to the train coz they have called us back on early when all passengers were boarded.
I was thinking the same thing
With respect to the attendants, yes. You should ask the conductor. It’s their watch that drives the train, so to speak.
Hope this helps make your next trip smoother.
Cheers!
Love the San Antonio stop - it takes about 6 hours. We always walk a block away, to the Riverwalk, and drinks - and walk to the Alamo two blocks away.
The burrito lady burritos are very good, I had opted by them once, and I definitely would do it again
3,176 miles, 70:44 and 58 stops over 3 days and 3 nights, solo, from St. Paul (MSP) to Seattle to LA, all in coach, in March of 1983. The food was very good. My first Amtrak Excursion. Total fare: $249.00
Your videos are well edited, filmed, and produced!
Many years ago I brought two of my children on the ride from Los Angeles to San Antonio. We all loved it especially since we are from Hawaii. My sons were teenagers and were amazed at how big the mainland US was. It just never occurred to them. Thanks for the memories. That cake looked delicious. If they ever have the flourless ? chocolate cake that is the best although probably would send your sugar level into the stratosphere. My favorite meal in the dining car is the steak.
If you are thinking about the flourless chocolate dessert option- sadly that has been dropped from the menu. It was my only option (gluten sensitivity) and I loved it!
I've been across the US a bunch of times in cars and trains, and I'm still amazed at how big it is...!
@@T1DWanderer And to think the tiny nation of the UK is smaller than 39 of our US states. You can actually drive from the north coast to the tip of the southwest coast within a long day, possibly 18 hours... You can't do that in the USA...
@@nancythall7654 now that makes me very sad. Glad I got to taste it when it was there.
Eyy, your breakfast attendant was Jose. I met him on my last trip on the Texas Eagle.
Cool!
Thank you so much for taking the effort and time to make these wonderful videos for us! I have always wondered what it’s like to travel long distance by train in the US and it explained it all. Very well edited videos and I think these should be featured on television.
Very nice comments, thanks!
I hope that my physical problems clear up someday soon so I can take some more Amtrak trains. At present, my left leg is almost useless because of diabetic neuropathy. Sigh. I haven't been able to walk without a rollator for the last four months. I'm only 56 and refuse to believe that my travel adventures are over forever. I love your videos, sir! Your voice is very calming, and your videos are laid-back. I appreciate your honesty in reviewing the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Thanks! I hope you get to travel again soon. Even if it's a hassle to get around, once you're on a train you should have a quite pleasant ride with attendants bringing food to you and things like that, if you ask :)
They have an ADA bedroom which fits a wheelchair or a walker.
After coming off the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited I spent a couple of days in El Paso, great place with friendly people and I was able to spend an evening in Juarez. After that I took G]a Greyhound to Truth of Consequences in New Mexico so spend a couple of days there then another Greyhound to Santa Fe to see the town then pick up the South West Chief to LA. I must admit I would not like a 5:45am arrival in LA compared to 10am on the SWC. Glad you had a great trip and look forward to the next one.
That's an interesting route, sounds like a lot of fun
Not to worry westbound always late.
I rented a car in El Paso and drove toward Carlsbad Caverns.
So much fun to virtually travel with you. Especially like your detail about meals!
Plenty of fun things to do by the San Antonio station. Lots of nightlife right there in St. Paul Square. Have fun!
On my trip from Dallas to El Paso, at the San Antonio stop, me and 3 or 4 others walked to a cafe that was open 24 hours. I got a big piece of pie to eat.
Just did 19hrs on the Texas eagle back and fourth from chi to long view. Next trip Chicago to San Diego. This will be my second time on the SWC!! I hope Micheal the conductor is on board
I really enjoy your Amtrak train trips! Please make more and great job! Cheers!
More coming, thanks
From time to time I take the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to Portland and get on the Empire Builder to Chicago, stay overnight in a hotel and get on the SWC or Texas Eagle to go back to Los Angeles. I’m not busy and I like it. 🤷🏻♀️ The full moon reminds me that I try to schedule my trip to experience the full moon for when we’re running along the Columbia River, lovely view from the roomette as long as I’m on that side of the train.
That's fantastic
If you don't mind what does that typically cost?
19:23 i actually work at that gas station in Deming sweet
That is Classical Pianist Van Cliburn on the left of the Sergeant Pepper Mural.
Thanks!
Wild. My thoughts included Leon Russell (OK native) or perhaps Jerry Lee Lewis on the piano.
Thanks for the video, the scenery in this portion of the country is like none other. Also, I was excited to see your impression of the differences between the first half of your trip and the second. It truly is two separate trains - from staff changes, engine changes, diner car addition, etc. - which is why I have hard time calling the Sunset Limited portion "Texas Eagle". I feel they should be referred to by Amtrak as two different trains, but I think they like to brag about the long route so they bundle the two routes as one for promotional purposes. From Texas to California you're riding properly, IMO, to match the pricing of first class accommodations. From Texas to Chicago, it's an entirely different story. With the confusion about dining on the second leg of your trip, the prior room attendant should have explained how breakfast would work the next day before he/she left you for the evening. I have found that some of these attendants are excellent in explaining things while others simply expect the passenger to come to them with the questions they may have. It's unfortunate that the consistency of proper communication isn't there across all routes. This is definitely something I voice to Amtrak when I get surveys sent to me. Thanks again for the review!
Thanks. Yeah it really was different, and felt like the "Texas Eagle" ended in San Antonio. At least I didn't have to change roomettes; I guess that was the point. I didn't include it in the video, but I actually had to ask the second half attendant her name as I stepped off in L.A. She was not really part of the ride like the attendant from Chicago to Texas had been
@@T1DWanderer Some stewards are better than others... Each steward is a different person....
Really enjoyed your video. I have taken the Eagle/Sunset many times from LA to Chicago and reverse, because it’s one extra day on the train and the price was one of the lowest. I paid $448 for a roomette into Bloomington Illinois from LA and $12 the remainder in Coach to Chicago saving $140. Also the reverse. I ll be doing this trip a week from today from LA to Chicago. California Zephyr to Davis on Tuesday and the bus and San Joaquin to LA. By the way,Phillipes is a great place for breakfast or dinner in LA, a few blocks from Union Station.
Which train did you take into Bloomington normal?
Great video and commentary, many thanks
Great Video !! Thank You !!
Really enjoyed your video. Add to my bucket list
I finished part 1 yesterday happy you posted
Thanks for watching both
Another great video.
Thanks!
Great trip thank you for documenting 1 & 2.
Thanks for watching both of them
Thank you sir. I love AMTRAK videos. such a lovely way to travel. You get to see things you would never see by taking a plane.
you have the option of eating meals in your room. just ask your attendant and she will go to the dining car and get your meal.
So you noticed going west of San Antonio you got flipped flopped. The Texas Eagle north of San Antonio uses former Missouri Pacific tracks, MoPac, which had its own station on the west side of downtown, but the wye your train took around the south side of downtown ended up heading north on the east side of downtown where the Southern Pacific station is adjacent to the one Amtrak presently uses. When the Sunset Limited arrived at that station it was headed south using former Southern Pacific tracks, thus your northbound car left San Antonio going south and then west... When the Texas Eagle heads north in the morning, it backs up to the Missouri Pacific tracks before heading north using the wye. A coach and a sleeper shunts in San Antonio for Texas Eagle 421 passengers going beyond San Antonio. Amtrak does shunts with the Empire Builder in Spokane and with the Lakeshore Limited in Albany too.
I’ve gone through those same towns on the Greyhound bus to and from California from Dallas . Thanks for sharing.
Missing out on the Barito Lady is truly a great loss. She is a rail icon.
Is she no longer there or the because the train does not stop there. Had always hoped to one day enjoy her food.
I didn't know eating lemon cake and watching a texas sky go by could be so exciting...I enjoyed riding along again on this last leg of your trip, and was actually sad to see it end. Your thoughts on what it's like to ride a train across country after the newness has worn off was most interesting. Thanks Jeremy--good video. THR
Lemon cake and an endless train, yes it was pretty cool. I was sorry to see it end too. Should have turned right around and ridden it back to Chicago...
Awesome trip, thanks for sharing with us. We really do appreciate seeing your adventures!
Great to hear that, thanks!
Thank you so much for another great video! It was cool to see Texas, the wonderful desert in the Mexico border and all the beauty of the country. ;)
I had alot of fun watching this. Loved the part where you interact with other passengers during meals. Seeing San Antonio and Tucson made me miss living there. Thanks for another entertaining video. 😊
Thanks! I do like the (controversial) Amtrak approach to meal seating
If you plan on visiting Alpine and are renting a car, be sure to visit Marfa Texas, a short drive to the west.
I will. I did drive through Marfa once but didn't stop (was trying to get to Big Bend before the campground filled up) (and didn't make it)
Yeah I think its only an hour or two to Maria and only about 2 and half hours down to Big Bend from there. Its silly for people who don't know know the area to try and grasp the scale and distance within these 'local areas'. Not discouraging folks from going there but its way 'out there' once you are way out there. I'd recommend going on Hwy 90 from SA to Ulvade and then north to the Frio River. Going to Marfa or Big Bend or Alpine is really desolate and well just be prepared.@@T1DWanderer
Alpine/Marfa/the Big Bend region is definitely worth a several day visit!
Nice video 👋
Thanks for recording your journey. It was cool to see how they attach the Texas Eagle cars to the Sunset Limited or at least what the process is. This will be an interesting journey for those willing to stay on the train for three nites. I might want to do this one day.
I hope you can some day
Amtrak shunts cars with the Empire Builder in Spokane, and with the Lake Shore Limited in Albany too... Spokane is like San Antonio in the wee hours of the morning, but in Albany its done during the day...
Been thinking of taking the train from San Antonio to Yuma in July. I have never taken a train ride before, but have always wanted to. Not sure if the Texas Eagle even goes that route. Airplanes I can figure out, but train travel really confuses me. I really liked your video. It was very informative. Great job!
Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited both do that route, I believe. Have fun!
@@T1DWanderer You are correct. I decided to check after I posted my message. Thanks for the reply and safe travels to you and big adventures!
Thanks for the video. Very entertaining. This will be me in a month. I'm doing the full Texas Eagle route on my own. I've booked a bedroom though. I've booked roomettes for the other 2 Amtrak routes I have whilst on my holiday. xXx
Great, have fun!!
Beautiful journey. I have to find someone to do this trip with !
Need to take the California Zephyr next. Spectacular scenery especially in Colorado. The Empire Builder is also a nice train. Link them up on the west coast with the Coast Starlight.
I did this ride but traveling the other direction, LA to Chicago, and I would recommend you try it sometime. You get to see all the parts you missed while sleeping as you’re on an opposite schedule.
I had the same issue, but reversed, with my enjoyment of the crew and attendants. The LA to SAN crew, attendants, dining car staff. were fun and bouncy and held conversations and were just all happy to be there. We overnight through SAN and I awoke to a much different train with a tired, grumpy crew, and a new car attendant I never got his name.
Weird. Such a roll of the dice
I like to have my veggies on the train!
Amtrak’s plan is to return service to Phoenix in the future. It’ll cost a lot of $$ for that to happen, but give the Valley long distance trains after a 30 year absence. Ain’t much to see in Maricopa where the Sunset Ltd & Texas Eagle stop 3x a week.
Texas Eagle ends in San Antonio the train that goes to Maricopa is the former Southern Pacific Sunset Limited.
@@skyh Did you not watch the video? They run service 3 times weekly under the name Texas Eagle that continues on to LA. On these days the train between San Antonio and LA is a combined service.
@@chrisjohnson7929I have watched and ridden both trains it's the Texas Eagle in name only out of San Antonio. Your Eagle car was switched onto the Sunset Limited with different motive power and crew just like the video said.
He says in the beginning "combined with another train" did you watch it"?
Let me cut to the chase: Amtrak stops in Maricopa Az three times a week westbound, and three times a week eastbound. Combined Sunset Ltd AND Texas Eagle. Doesn’t really matter what the name of the train is…it’s just Amtrak.
Thanks for these videos! Your accent and way of speaking reminds me a lot of the guy from the "74 Gear" yt channel
Thanks. Don't know that channel but I hope the voice is all right to your ears!
Beautiful scenery. I haven't ridden the Sunset Limited since it was run by the Southern Pacific railroad in the 1960's. In fact I haven't been on a train since Amtrak took over. We all thought that Amtrak was the beginning of the end of the passenger train as Amtrak eliminated about 60 percent of the routes upon its inception. I am surprised that the Sunset Limited still exists!
Well it serves LA to Phoenix and Tucson, not to mention a direct route to Texas and the Deep South east of Texas without having to make connections In Chicago. I always encourage my friends to not just go non stop all the way to the end of the line, if you have the time spend a day here and there. All these fine small towns or larger cities are worthy of spending a day and a night at a hotel or bed and breakfast if only to spend it at the local fishing hole...
Why would you go to Chicago from LA if you going to Houston, New Orleans or Florida?
Alpine looks like a nice small town. Gotta check that out someday. Find that seniorita!
Glad they hooked up you up on that breakfast. Liked that half priced deal too! Crew seemed nice.
We've vlogged a few of these stations like Deming and Yuma on our channel.
This was overall a really nice crew, especially Jose in the dining car
That journey would be more awesome if you had taken the City of New Orleans and rided the full Sunset limited route ! Alternative take the Cresecent from the Nort East cross continental. Sunset limited is like the Empire builder only hot and very cold specialy the winter ride. Texxas eagle cities on route maybe more variety on the way, little more traffic and delay on the way . Sunset limited fresh dinning something to take in conscideration on booking ! Little, distaraction on the way to waiste some time !
I hope to do those routes you mentioned some day when I can
You do well travelling with diabetes. I am one as well and have travelled all of Queensland Australia long distance trains. You certainly have to watch your levels. Travel safe my man.
Thanks. This trip I had surprisingly good BGs. Must be the stress-free and long scenery passing by... Stay healthy yourself!
Another great video! I need to plan another Amtrak trip soon! I’m having withdrawals!
Do it!
The fact Arizona doesnt do Daylight Savings Time always messes with me like hold up a second whats happening
I've got a whole video on Alpine and several more on CZcams of the surrounding area you might use for your research!
I was so nervous for you 😅 Get back on the train! 😂
I may have been overly optimistic...!
Enjoyed watching, as I enjoy all train travel. I only wish that the train traversed the more dramatic scenery of northern New Mexico and Arizona, which is far more scenic than all that dry flatland. But still a great experience, would do it in a heartbeat and may soon. My only other issue would be trying to coordinate meals with the exercise and smoke breaks. Thanks again for sharing this journey, I appreciate it and the energy and work you put into it.
Thanks. I very much agree about northern AZ and NM. And I can't believe how badly I chose my meal times, right during the fresh air breaks. D'oh! Certainly a lesson learned for next time
The Southwest Chief does the northern AZ and NM route and it's a shorter distance between Chicago and LA.
@@mitchbart4225 But that route misses the great state of TEXAS... Some don't see the beauty of the desert, of Cactus Jack country, but I do...
@@mitchbart4225yup, former Santa Fe all the way
Thanks for the video train ride. It was great getting to see what the AutoTrain has in store. Man I didn't like the way you were ushered in there (poor job by Amtrack). UYour video was so good I decided to ride along all the way to LA Union Station. You made me nervous when you detrained in Alpine, Tx.............you wandered too damn far. Think I'll pick-up another train and ride along. Great-Job! Thanks!
Thanks. Yeah maybe I shouldn't tempt fate by wandering too far...
I'm not sure I'd be wandering the street's of LA at night around the station.
I'd actually wait until daylight at least
Too bad about the lunch timing heading into El Paso. I bet the entire trip would be worth it just for Juanita the El Paso burrito lady. Random ladies selling burritos in Texas are always awesome. Used to have a roving burrito lady come by my office every morning when I worked in Austin.
Yeah that was a missed opportunity. I should have done that and just skipped the Amtrak lunch, maybe (as much as I liked it). Juanita the burrito lady sounds like the only real option for lunch there
How did the T1D factor in for a three day trip. There is not a lot of opportunity for movement/ exercise so I wonder (T1D, too). Plan to take Southwest Chief from ABQ to CHI later this year. This will be my first long haul train trip.
Hi, overall my BGs were quite good, even with the lack of exercise. I found the food not as heavy in carbs as one might think. (Then I made a dumb mistake on the final day at lunch... oops.) Here are more detailed reports about my BG on this trip:
Part 1: www.t1dwanderer.com/bg-reports/amtrak-texas-eagle-chicago-san-antonio/
Part 2: www.t1dwanderer.com/bg-reports/amtrak-texas-eagle-san-antonio-los-angeles/
I enjoy your dialog. I am a Paraplegic in a wheelchair. I notice that the accessible sign stating them being wheelchair friendly. Any chance of showing a bit on that . Cheers keep it going
Thanks! I think basically the accessibility refers to a mechanized thing that lifts up a wheelchair into the train, and a wide bedroom on that bottom level that can accommodate wheelchairs and has a private shower (?). And they can bring food to your room (same with all sleepers).
Hope Deming was everything you hoped although it was a brief stop
I like Deming! I stayed there a few years ago on a car trip, at the Grand Motor Inn (?), now called something else
@@T1DWanderer it's the OYO Motel now I don't like the name(correction: it's completely closed according to Google)
Wow too bad. It was a good place to stay
David Bowie actually gave a young Texan guitarist named Stevie Ray Vaughan his big break so it’s entirely possible that WAS David on the piano.
Heh good point. Let's Dance!
Did you bring a suitcase for this 3 day trip: I am guessing you did, but,no mention of it? Though, it looked at the end of the vlog you were pushing or rolling something? So, you are single, and travel alone mist of the time? I travel by myself too and wish I had a travel buddy sometimes! Julia T.
I had a backpack. I always travel with a bag I don't have to check, and definitely no rollers. I pack light and move quickly! I usually travel alone these days, but sometimes with someone else. Both have their good and bad points. Meeting people while traveling alone can be fun, but difficult to work out, can't it?
@T1D Wanderer, Is there an option to eat in your roomette?
Yes! You can tell your attendant that you'll prefer to eat in your room
Yes, either one is fine. I did have a meal in my roomette in part 1
You have inspired me to take an Amtrak trip. I do have a question please: when you leave the train to take some exercise, are your belongings secure onboard the train? Have you ever lost anything?
Thank you.
I think the rooms lock from the inside, but not from the outside.
You should take your valuables or have kind of a bicycle lock for your suitcase. Sleepers tend to be very safe. I would be more careful if I was traveling in coach
I've never lost anything; it all seems secure, especially sleeper rooms, because train staff (and other passengers) are often around so people wouldn't really try anything. Be careful but don't worry too much
@@T1DWanderer
Thank you for replying. Your tips are invaluable.
I’m going to take a trip in the spring.
@@ibnewton8951 Never travel anywhere with anything you can't replace easily at a Walmart style store or a hotel gift shop... Leave your jewelry at home, and wear a money belt recommended by Rick Steves... Rick also recommends pack lightly, no more than 20 pounds in a small bag or backpack....
I do want to see you eat!
Heh okay
Thank you for beatufuil video..i would be little nervous..waiting 4 hours.in San Antonio..on trian .station...at night...going to LA...please..let me know..thank you....
Thanks. In San Antonio I was aboard the train, locked and asleep in my roomette during the stop! Not actually waiting outside or in the tiny little station waiting room
We are watching your video on our t.v. Have you considered having close caption. Appreciate your comments but am losing much of what you say. For some reason our t.v. Will only do certain shows on our close caption. When you talk quietly, unless we turn the volume up to 100 I miss much of what you say. We are taking this route in August so we were glad to see and hear what your thoughts were on this route.
Thanks for the feedback. I have been learning how to balance the audio levels of these videos better. And I would like to add subtitles to all of them - when I can find the time! But I will keep all this in mind; I know that many people watch these in environments where it can be hard to hear what I'm saying
@@T1DWanderer thanks so much. It is appreciated!
What was your favorite meal on this train? How many hours of uninterrupted sleep did you get on this train?
I liked the kebab meal I had on the leg from Chicago. Sleep was good -- Maybe 7 good hours?
When you visit Alpine rent a car and stay in Marfa. It’s way cooler.
Has anyone ever told you that you look like Jefferson White? Because you do to me.
I had to look up who that was but yeah I can see a resemblance
That was very strange that you had to ask for a second breakfast. I would have been very disappointed with the paltry selection you first received.
It must have been an option for people who specifically wanted less food (?). I didn't realize that though. Glad they were nice about it
Maybe next time you should get off for a day and then continue on.
What side of the train were you on to see the border wall? 17:36
I was on the left side from San Antonio (which had been the right side when leaving Chicago)
@@T1DWanderer awesome thank you
Need to be on left side when going west.
@@skyh thanks
20:00 Perfect time for consuming the local spinless cactus to elevate your consciousness
What kind of a screwball scheduled the end of the trip for 4:28 AM?? Who can get up that early ???
Never forget about God. He hasn’t forgotten about you. Let him in. There is only one God❤
Aside from the whispering, which was done deliberately to drive me nuts,.....
Talks too low.
D
o you believe in flat earth theory............all your horizon are flat ,just saying .tks for your video .