Love taking the Sunset Ltd. It will be really great when Congress and Amtrak restores the original eastern terminus to Jacksonville FL. It would be the only Amtrak train that runs from ocean to ocean. GET IT DONE PEOPLE!!!
When SP's "Sunset Limited" was streamlined in the early 1950s, trains 1 and 2 held pride-of-place for a short time. When the anti-passenger Donald J Russell became SP's president, the service was quickly downgraded to include inferior equipment, tardy timekeeping, and reduced amenities. This resulted in disgruntled employees, many of who became surly and aggressive towards the few remaining passengers. When the SP applied to the ICC to reduce this spartan service [a couple of coach cars and an automat] to tri-weekly the ICC informed the SP that full restoration of service [lounge, diner, sleepers] was required. The SP reluctantly complied.
We all know why the Sunset Limited has not returned service into Orlando Florida. It's the freight railroads that are the culprits. In this case it's CSX and maybe Norfolk Southern. Keep fighting Amtrak against those terrible big 4 freight railroads of CSX, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern and BNSF
Just road the Sunset from San Diego to Houston.Had a Roomette from LA to Houston great ride.Crew was tops in service.Looking forward to my next Amtrak adventure
About the 'poorly utilized space'. Inolder viewlinerIs, it was a closet with a door floor to ceiling. Maybe too many people forgot and let stuff in them.
I always like to see Amtrak trips through the lens of others. I've been riding The Sunset Ltd. since the '50's. It's one of the slowest & unreliable routes. SP was happy to wash its hands of passenger trains service. Towards the end, The Sunset Ltd. did not have food service & passengers were forced to bring their own food or buy food from vendors at stations. Complimentary food service for sleeper car passengers wasn't available until the '90's, otherwise, everyone needed to pay for food that was sometimes served on Styrofoam plates. This route is not for the impatient or those who bore easily. Sleeper cars are pricey, but ideal for those who value quiet, privacy, & a bed to stretch out at night. This train can sometimes be late upwards 8 hours. I've always enjoyed passing through vast deserts with nothing but time on my hands. Loved the video.
Several errors are noted in your commentary. The "Sunset" always provided some sort of meal service, particularly the automat car where one could purchase 'tinned' meals from an attendant.
This line I recently looked up going from Los Angeles to Austin but it was too much $ and there wasn't the proper timing for it. That said, it seems like the best route in the Amtrak system. I would think the FL service should start up again. Does anyone know when the New Orleans station was built? I'm gonna guess 1952...?
There has been lots of news about rebuild of the NOLA to Mobile train. Everything was on track (no pun intended) Now in the past few days Mobile AL has started raising a stink over their convention center and want to pull out. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
Wife and I just took the SL from LA to San Antonio (and up to Chicago via the TX Eagle) in Feb. The Sunset portion was great! Lost our dining car when our sleeper was switched to the Eagle sadly.
Say what you like. The cost of Chicago to California is much less on Texas Eagle/sunset limited vs other trains. Better value in sleeper cars, meals, etc vs other trains. Scenery???
I Actually Railfan In El Paso Station And I Get Good Power I Was Up In The Corner Where The Trees Are I Saw You Waving Good Bye To Amtrak I Hope You Visit El Paso Some Other Day And We Can Hang Out Have A Nice Day Bro :D (Rails)
@@ForeLeafTravel Amtrak has been talking about returning to the Gulf Coast with the Sunset Limited and a new train called the Mardi Gras Mobile is still giving Amtrak problems while in Mississippi, they got the former Amtrak stations renovated in Bay St Louis, Pascagoula, Gulfport and Blioxi Another problem Amtrak is facing to return to the Florida Panhandle is not only hurricanes, but there's a new Class II railroad in Florida called the Florida, Gulf and Atlantic running from Pensacola to Jacksonville
It's sad that never occurred. Although now that city of Mobile(AL) and Amtrak came to a resolution on funding for the new Gulf Coast Limited train, service between New Orleans and Mobile will resume by next year. I only wish there was a plan to restore train service, between Mobile and Orlando. Not holding my breath on the latter....
Love taking the Sunset Ltd. It will be really great when Congress and Amtrak restores the original eastern terminus to Jacksonville FL. It would be the only Amtrak train that runs from ocean to ocean. GET IT DONE PEOPLE!!!
When SP's "Sunset Limited" was streamlined in the early 1950s, trains 1 and 2 held pride-of-place for a short time. When the anti-passenger Donald J Russell became SP's president, the service was quickly downgraded to include inferior equipment, tardy timekeeping, and reduced amenities. This resulted in disgruntled employees, many of who became surly and aggressive towards the few remaining passengers. When the SP applied to the ICC to reduce this spartan service [a couple of coach cars and an automat] to tri-weekly the ICC informed the SP that full restoration of service [lounge, diner, sleepers] was required. The SP reluctantly complied.
We all know why the Sunset Limited has not returned service into Orlando Florida. It's the freight railroads that are the culprits. In this case it's CSX and maybe Norfolk Southern. Keep fighting Amtrak against those terrible big 4 freight railroads of CSX, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern and BNSF
Just road the Sunset from San Diego to Houston.Had a Roomette from LA to Houston great ride.Crew was tops in service.Looking forward to my next Amtrak adventure
About the 'poorly utilized space'. Inolder viewlinerIs, it was a closet with a door floor to ceiling. Maybe too many people forgot and let stuff in them.
Mixed green salad with baby Brie, flat iron steak and flourless chocolate torte are my go to items
I always like to see Amtrak trips through the lens of others. I've been riding The Sunset Ltd. since the '50's. It's one of the slowest & unreliable routes. SP was happy to wash its hands of passenger trains service. Towards the end, The Sunset Ltd. did not have food service & passengers were forced to bring their own food or buy food from vendors at stations. Complimentary food service for sleeper car passengers wasn't available until the '90's, otherwise, everyone needed to pay for food that was sometimes served on Styrofoam plates. This route is not for the impatient or those who bore easily. Sleeper cars are pricey, but ideal for those who value quiet, privacy, & a bed to stretch out at night. This train can sometimes be late upwards 8 hours. I've always enjoyed passing through vast deserts with nothing but time on my hands. Loved the video.
Several errors are noted in your commentary. The "Sunset" always provided some sort of meal service, particularly the automat car where one could purchase 'tinned' meals from an attendant.
I knew that when you got to the Sightseer-Lounge for the Huey P Long Bridge, that you knew what you were doing. Great commentary and info. Thanks
This line I recently looked up going from Los Angeles to Austin but it was too much $ and there wasn't the proper timing for it. That said, it seems like the best route in the Amtrak system. I would think the FL service should start up again. Does anyone know when the New Orleans station was built? I'm gonna guess 1952...?
Go to Google to check the year, but I believe it was around 1951.
There has been lots of news about rebuild of the NOLA to Mobile train. Everything was on track (no pun intended) Now in the past few days Mobile AL has started raising a stink over their convention center and want to pull out. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
Wife and I just took the SL from LA to San Antonio (and up to Chicago via the TX Eagle) in Feb. The Sunset portion was great! Lost our dining car when our sleeper was switched to the Eagle sadly.
Say what you like. The cost of Chicago to California is much less on Texas Eagle/sunset limited vs other trains. Better value in sleeper cars, meals, etc vs other trains. Scenery???
What was your favorite meal on this train? How many hours of uninterrupted sleep did you get on this train?
I Actually Railfan In El Paso Station And I Get Good Power I Was Up In The Corner Where The Trees Are I Saw You Waving Good Bye To Amtrak I Hope You Visit El Paso Some Other Day And We Can Hang Out Have A Nice Day Bro :D (Rails)
The train station in Houston is pitiful, for being such a large city.
i didn hear anything aboutservice being dis continued
Coach is fine for a day trip but I wouldn’t recommend it for overnight.
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Totally agree!
@@ForeLeafTravel Amtrak has been talking about returning to the Gulf Coast with the Sunset Limited and a new train called the Mardi Gras
Mobile is still giving Amtrak problems while in Mississippi, they got the former Amtrak stations renovated in Bay St Louis, Pascagoula, Gulfport and Blioxi
Another problem Amtrak is facing to return to the Florida Panhandle is not only hurricanes, but there's a new Class II railroad in Florida called the Florida, Gulf and Atlantic running from Pensacola to Jacksonville
they r trying to get it going agin
I thought with the money from the government they were supposed to fix that route to Jacksonville.
It's sad that never occurred. Although now that city of Mobile(AL) and Amtrak came to a resolution on funding for the new Gulf Coast Limited train, service between New Orleans and Mobile will resume by next year. I only wish there was a plan to restore train service, between Mobile and Orlando. Not holding my breath on the latter....
Really wish you would narrate your video instead of using graphics
I agree
@@ryansadventurepage7336 I disagree, most narrations include persona/family TMI.