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Trip Reports by our Clients:
Round Robin Amtrak Trip
by Dave Coleman
Dear Ted and Sylvia:
I didn't have or make time to send a postcard to you on our 2 week trip to the Northwest, but we had a great time, and really appreciated your facilitating the trip via very comfortable hotels, car rental, etc.
The high point for us was definitely the Empire Builder run from Seattle to Chicago. Even my wife, who is not a train aficionado, said the scenery, service, food, etc., were all superb. I was so impressed by the experience, and how much better Burlington Northern Santa Fe treats Amtrak than Union Pacific on the Coast Starlate, that I sent off a missive to my R&LHS e-mail group, and also to David Gunn.
Attached are my comments to the chat group:
Dear group:
I have just returned from a round-robin trip on Amtrak, beginning in LAUPT,
going to Portland, Or. on the Coast "Starlate", and then continuing one week
later on the Amtrak Cascades to Seattle and topping it off with a 48 hr.
unforgettable run on the Empire Builder (totally packed with about 60%
vacationers and 40% 500-700 mile "short haul" passengers in coach) all the way to
Chicago. The Empire Builder did end up being 3.5 hrs. late, but that was due mostly to a
freight derailment east of Minot, which held us in that yard for ca. 2 hours.
Virtually all freights (what a lot of intermodal on the high line!) were in
sidings for us as we breezed along.
In contrast, Union Pacific put us "in the hole" repeatedly, and we kept trying to make
up time, leaving some of our spacier passengers behind. All told quite a
contrast.
Is there any way we as a group can assist Amtrak in dealing with the chronic
bad attitude of the UP? I am tempted to send a note of support to
overworked David Gunn, but this information is certainly old news to him.
Anyway, top marks to BNSF for showing some class even on a very busy line.
Over and out,
Dave Coleman
Athens, Georgia.
So, thanks again for your help, and if we are planning any further train or cruise trips, we will call on you first.
All the best,
Dave Coleman
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