I Took America's LONGEST Sleeper Train: 3 Days!

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  • Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
  • This week I take a ride on America's longest train ride - the Amtrak California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco in First Class in their Bedroom Suite.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,5 тис.

  • @sailor4116
    @sailor4116 9 місяців тому +1314

    Even with the terrible pizza, the trip was so much better than the cross country Greyhound nightmare. 😬

    • @rkgaustin9043
      @rkgaustin9043 9 місяців тому +145

      That should be Amtrak's advertising slogan. Amtrak! At least we're not Greyhound. Also, Greyhound Nightmare is a cool band name.

    • @rocketamadeus3730
      @rocketamadeus3730 9 місяців тому +54

      I'd take a cattle car over a Greyhound.

    • @germyw
      @germyw 9 місяців тому +47

      Crawling on your knees across the country is better than Greyhound was.😂

    • @jackdobson1992
      @jackdobson1992 9 місяців тому +20

      Train always better than the bus 😂

    • @shayne87
      @shayne87 9 місяців тому +8

      I'm from North Jersey so I'm officially a pizza expert and whatever that was, was not pizza. Legally it can only be called "Peetzah' Similar to wyngz and Cheez Whiz

  • @lunasspecto
    @lunasspecto 9 місяців тому +575

    That cold Pizza Hut dinner doesn't look fantastic but it does look a lot better than Greyhound leaving you outside a gas station in the Utah desert at 3am

    • @myagentivan
      @myagentivan 6 місяців тому +7

      Exactly

    • @jasonsmith2439
      @jasonsmith2439 5 місяців тому +1

      That’s 💯

    • @Dorraj
      @Dorraj 3 місяці тому +1

      Not so much considering this probably cost like 10 times as much

    • @annakabradley5086
      @annakabradley5086 2 місяці тому +2

      Holy shit. Story time !! What happened to you. I'm about to take greyhound 😮😮😮 tomorrow morning

    • @davidconley3610
      @davidconley3610 Місяць тому

      Even warm Pizza Hut pizza is bad!😂

  • @williamalford4248
    @williamalford4248 9 місяців тому +1715

    It is inexcusable that they left Chicago without a chef. Amtrak is more expensive than flying in first class, when you're in a sleeper. The backup plan to feed dinner to passengers who've paid a few thousand dollars for a bedroom should not be random pizza delivery. i find it very hard to believe other kitchen staff couldn't step in and cook dinner that night. It's not like they serve gourmet french cuisine. It's all very basic food, and much of it is frozen and prepared. This type of service has always been a huge problem for Amtrak. They just don't seem to value their first class passengers.

    • @007knick
      @007knick 9 місяців тому +133

      From what I have read as well this is a regular occurrence

    • @dustinmasters6951
      @dustinmasters6951 9 місяців тому +93

      I enjoy your videos when you are by yourself, more enjoyable

    • @markjoseph196
      @markjoseph196 9 місяців тому +66

      2 chicken wings and a slice of cold pizza is way cheaper than a proper hot meal
      Amtrak - $
      Passengers- 0

    • @sailor4116
      @sailor4116 9 місяців тому +47

      I agree. Some of the staff should be cross trained to atleast a cook.

    • @kail.1428
      @kail.1428 9 місяців тому +81

      Maybe a union issue that the staff can’t cook?

  • @mtbcroatia2011
    @mtbcroatia2011 9 місяців тому +282

    I love Noel he’s just a humble northerner who always dresses for comfort not to impress, and not pretending he’s an astronaut. You could give him first class food but he will settle for a bag of monster munch! Definitely one of my favourite UA-camrs have a good Christmas Noel 🎉

    • @uzmaahmed.catmoon
      @uzmaahmed.catmoon 9 місяців тому +5

      Yes he's genuinely a good guy!

    • @clvrswine
      @clvrswine 9 місяців тому +2

      Nice comment, but your sentence structure is embarrassing. Please brush-up on basic syntax. Punctuation matters. Use it like an adult.

    • @karens170
      @karens170 9 місяців тому +20

      no one asked @@clvrswine

    • @ronan5427
      @ronan5427 9 місяців тому +23

      ​@@clvrswine Brother its a youtube comment section not a bachelor paper

    • @LordWarden76
      @LordWarden76 9 місяців тому +14

      ⁠@@clvrswine give your head a wobble, it’s really not polite to call someone out over Grammer. It says more about you than it does them, it’s not clever, just rude!

  • @lilypoppy3388
    @lilypoppy3388 5 місяців тому +27

    You’ve been to more states than I have and I’ve lived in America my whole life! Living vicariously through you with these videos, I love watching people travel.

  • @LordFalconsword
    @LordFalconsword 9 місяців тому +302

    It's a crime that Amtrak retired most of the glass top observation cars because the views from the upper deck were unbelievable.

    • @sfmc98
      @sfmc98 9 місяців тому +14

      What were they? Vista domes?
      The observation cars now aren’t too bad.

    • @candichapman6786
      @candichapman6786 8 місяців тому +4

      The Empire Builder still has theirs.

    • @instadc
      @instadc 7 місяців тому +7

      The Zephyr has an observation car. I saw it in the consist during the video, so it was on their train. Amtrak retired some of the dome cars that were used back east-those were really old.

    • @Whyzee12
      @Whyzee12 4 місяці тому

      Oh wow I didn’t even realize that

    • @maryrafuse2297
      @maryrafuse2297 4 місяці тому +1

      I think you need a Via journey through the Canadian Rockies to enjoy these observation cars.

  • @richardpurves
    @richardpurves 9 місяців тому +217

    No matter what happens on Amtrak (I once had a nine hour delay because some idiot tried to beat the train to a crossing and failed), you're not going to lose a kidney like Greyhound!
    Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year mate!

    • @lo1bo2
      @lo1bo2 9 місяців тому +17

      Whenever a train and car tie, the tiebreaker goes to the train, haha.

    • @willee5348
      @willee5348 9 місяців тому +12

      Or lose a head. Check it out. A true Greyhound story

    • @Thatguyjack758
      @Thatguyjack758 9 місяців тому +5

      @@willee5348it happened in Canada in 2008, dude who did it was convinced the guy he killed was a zombie.

    • @sherrita80548
      @sherrita80548 9 місяців тому +1

      ​@@willee5348 I was just thinking that

    • @rkgaustin9043
      @rkgaustin9043 9 місяців тому +10

      Amtrak! At least we're not Greyhound.

  • @RayBennett-t2d
    @RayBennett-t2d 6 місяців тому +49

    Nothing like cold burnt pizza, and a glass of wine! Amtrak is cutting new ground!

    • @linusspacehead
      @linusspacehead 4 місяці тому +1

      I think this sounds decadent.

    • @antonsmith9788
      @antonsmith9788 3 місяці тому +1

      Accurate…and par for the course! 😜

  • @kaisair3190
    @kaisair3190 9 місяців тому +170

    I traveled on this route in August this year in Coach. It was a great experience and all the people I met on my journey were soo nice. Being only 18 I felt very safe at all times and the staff was very kind. (Still had an 8 hour delay 😂)

    • @sfmc98
      @sfmc98 9 місяців тому +8

      They do have delays for sure, but the thing I’ve noticed is that unlike a plane, no one seems to mind! No one is in a hurry on a train. In fact, I’ve kind of welcomed the delays-more meals! lol

    • @cheftruvii6146
      @cheftruvii6146 8 місяців тому +1

      I did this in August as well!

  • @billmorris8358
    @billmorris8358 8 місяців тому +30

    As ever Noel, a well polished travelogue, every bit as good and enjoyable as the old BBC Holiday reports. You’re delivery gets better and better, and it was so nice to see Rachel steal a bit of the limelight! Well done again mate, really enjoying watching you on your travels.

  • @walterfillingham
    @walterfillingham 9 місяців тому +110

    Thanks Noel, stuck on an oil rig in the North Sea, fantastic to see the scenery, looks like a fabulous trip. Merry Christmas to you and your family :)

    • @imarobotking
      @imarobotking 9 місяців тому +8

      jeez dude, must be rocking and rolling with the weather out there

    • @donnarupert4926
      @donnarupert4926 9 місяців тому +7

      @walterfillingham527….Awww, Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 up at the COLD 🥶 North Sea 🌊 my friend!! Sending you sunshine and warmth from Arizona 🙋🏽‍♀️🌵🌞💕

  • @rosellacobiskey2484
    @rosellacobiskey2484 9 місяців тому +15

    I have Fibro and muscular pain that I have to take pain medicine for, and Crohn's. Rachel is so strong for agreeing to go on this trip. I've been and it's some incredible strength with that kind of nerve pain because sleeping on a moving vehicle is so uncomfortable and painful with Fibro--the ache feels like laying on concrete that's also too hot. I don't think I could do it in my 30's. She's amazing

  • @shaneD7378
    @shaneD7378 9 місяців тому +87

    It looks like a much better experience than the Greyhound bus

    • @mrvwbug4423
      @mrvwbug4423 8 місяців тому +6

      Few travel options in the world are worse than Greyhound. Buses in developing countries are usually better than Greyhound

    • @MichaelSeaBelA
      @MichaelSeaBelA 7 місяців тому +1

      Yeah with Amtrak making less stops than Greyhound.

    • @antonsmith9788
      @antonsmith9788 3 місяці тому

      13:25 I’ll pass on the bunk experience! Yikes! Hopefully, it was at least bump free! 😮

    • @yellawood22
      @yellawood22 Місяць тому

      Only thing worse than Greyhound is the slave trade, literally.

  • @speedbird643
    @speedbird643 9 місяців тому +26

    Had a similar issue on the Empire Builder last year - electrical fire in the kitchen car shortly after leaving Chicago, so no food for the entire trip. The crew did pretty well organising pizza and Subways to be delivered as well as pastries for breakfast but it was a bit disappointing given the food on board is supposed to be pretty good!
    And because it was a fire we couldn't eat in the dining car so had to go and collect food and eat in cabins

    • @mrvwbug4423
      @mrvwbug4423 8 місяців тому +5

      Yeah, they can't replace those superliner cars fast enough, the newest ones were built in the early 90s, most were built in the 80s.

  • @cozsolo
    @cozsolo 9 місяців тому +20

    I've taken this twice from Grand Junction to Denver and finally last December from Emeryville to Denver. Such a beautiful stretch of scenery

  • @DestinationFawked
    @DestinationFawked 9 місяців тому +5

    Finally a travel UA-camr who took the California Zephyr and mentioned the crappy tracks. We took this last year and we were delayed over 12 hours so they were going 80mph in some parts and the train was shaking so violently while trying to sleep that a few times my wife and I thought we for sure had derailed. The grill was also broke the entire trip so we had all microwave food. Worst trip ever

  • @endeavor6307
    @endeavor6307 9 місяців тому +40

    Hi Noel! when you mentioned that you liked the leather on the seats and it reminded you of Delta, there’s actually a reason for that. For a couple of years, former Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson was placed in charge of Amtrak to help aid in the company’s recovery. During his time in the company he incorporated some of the Delta flair at Amtrak. Happy travels!

    • @MarceloBenoit-trenes
      @MarceloBenoit-trenes 9 місяців тому +1

      But he has no idea about how to operate a RR... and he doesnt understand the market of the long distance trains.

    • @mrvwbug4423
      @mrvwbug4423 8 місяців тому

      And unsurprisingly the new Venture cars that are eventually going to replace the Amfleets have seat material that looks quite similar to Delta seats, though it's the exact same seats which are on the brightline trains (which is a good thing as those seats are exceptional).

  • @AJFreeman-oj4rp
    @AJFreeman-oj4rp 9 місяців тому +6

    The California Zephyr is a wonderful train, it is one of my favorite Amtrak Routes. The scenery between Denver and Salt Lake City is awesome.

  • @paulm8796
    @paulm8796 9 місяців тому +18

    Hello from New York. We have taken the Auto train the last 2 years staying in a roomette which is the size of a small closet. Last year the train was delayed 7 hours ,and they bought in Pizza Hut to eat in station 😅. This year we have a bedroom,looking foward to extra space. Terrible about the cold and burnt dinner. If u call Amtrak customer service they might issue future credit

  • @munz1870
    @munz1870 9 місяців тому +5

    You deserve a medal with what you willingly subject yourself to with the various means of travel across the globe. And you never break the positive attitude!! Keep up the great work!

  • @markclayton626
    @markclayton626 9 місяців тому +13

    Well done Noel & Rachel, That was a journey, despite the lack of a chef for the 1st 24 hours you guys made it seem so relaxing….. thank you for sharing.

  • @94Beenjammin
    @94Beenjammin 9 місяців тому +7

    Winter Park resident here! I've been watching your videos for a couple of years now and it's awesome to see you passing through my neck of the woods. Cheers and happy holidays Noel and Rach!

  • @tangokilo4140
    @tangokilo4140 9 місяців тому +29

    Love seeing you guys make the best of every situation! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Noel! Thanks for all of the great content!

  • @seanwagner6992
    @seanwagner6992 9 місяців тому +19

    I love your videos because you tell it like it is. I've been on the trains of Europe, Japan and here in the US. And your Amtrak experience is very similar to the ones I have had. Just add on the Amtrak employee who barked at us as if we were cattle at the Los Angeles station and our Los Angeles to Seattle trip would have been nearly identical to yours. Every few years I get the urge to take a long trip on Amtrak thinking surely the service has gotten better. And every few years I discover it's the same. I'm thinking of taking the NYC to Chicago route someday. Hopefully, Amtrak will finally get it's act together by then.

  • @littlewillie65
    @littlewillie65 3 місяці тому +5

    We took the Zephyr from Reno to Chicago (we had went to visit my wife's aunt and uncle). The train was overbooked, and our family of 4 ended up in the crews quarters (at least our mini cabins were across the aisle from each other. Of course, we had to walk through the (literal) great unwashed masses to get to the dining car. The food was there the whole time, sort of - it kind of ran out at the end. This was probably 15-18 years ago, during summer, so the boaters when we went through mooned us. I tell people they should do something like this at least once. Once. It cost as much as it did for us to fly out there -- and that didn't include every person in an Amtrak uniform holding out their hand expecting a tip for even the smallest thing. Anyway, after that, we decided if we ever went back, we'd just book some smaller hotels along the way and drive - it was bound to be cheaper, even with hotels and food stops.

  • @SamMurphyHSV
    @SamMurphyHSV 9 місяців тому +46

    The banter between you and Rach is absolutely hysterical and wholesome. Glad she is doing better and seems to be back to her normal self!
    Also I have seen some properly nuked pizza hut, and what y'all ate made what I have consumed look raw. Apparently they are cremating pizza in Iowa.

  • @frostyfly31122
    @frostyfly31122 9 місяців тому +12

    was on the zephyr early nov, absolutely loved it. beautiful views, gd meals and most importantly, a nice comfy spacious seat. loved how the conductors introduced the famous scenery with little jokes and stuff to make it even more entertaining. btw, i would consider the texas eagle to be the longest route, a couple cars splitting off midway to join the sunset limited doesnt discount the rest of the train still making the 65hr journey from chicago to LA..

  • @wendos1
    @wendos1 2 дні тому

    Love it when Rachel joins you. At the end when you were excited about the planes out of the hotel window and she says oh ok 😂

  • @jessebrueshaber6915
    @jessebrueshaber6915 9 місяців тому +27

    I work part-time time for Pizza Hut. When warm & fresh, their pizza is among the best. When burnt & cold, it truly does transform itself into flavored cardboard.
    We do however have a few customers who request their pizza be slightly burnt.

    • @joshrobinson6785
      @joshrobinson6785 6 місяців тому +2

      Pizza hut is too greasy. I have to sop the grease up with multiple paper towels just to be able to stomach it.

    • @jasonsmith2439
      @jasonsmith2439 5 місяців тому +4

      I’m that guy 😂

    • @baronvg
      @baronvg Місяць тому +1

      As someone who worked for Pizza Hut for many years, I can say the times pizza look like that are when they are old (maybe discarded orders kept in the walk-in fridge) and then run through the oven to warm them up, but someone didn’t adjust the temperature. And considering this was an emergency, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pizza Hut they used just rushed out reheated old pizzas to fulfill the order.

  • @chriswatchingponies9877
    @chriswatchingponies9877 9 місяців тому +7

    Much better than the Greyhound 😆 This could be quite enjoyable i think.
    I ''attacked'' Denver from both LA and Frisco by car years ago, and both were my favorite trips in the US.
    Just the beauty and change in landscape, absolutely spectacular. I can highly recommend.
    Take your time, 3 or 4 weeks. Easy to find cheap motels.
    Thank you ! Fun video !

  • @kevincurry4735
    @kevincurry4735 9 місяців тому +7

    Merry Christmas Noel and family. This video is a gift as it was my parent’s favorite trip on Amtrak.

  • @B-Th-Change
    @B-Th-Change 6 місяців тому +10

    Noel and his wife are so cute. I love it when she joins him. They have the cutest dynamics between them. ❤️

  • @shimonsieskel8487
    @shimonsieskel8487 9 місяців тому +15

    Great to see Rachel again. Hope Amtrak gave some sort of discount for the trouble you went thr.

  • @lisaa8795
    @lisaa8795 9 місяців тому +6

    Union Station is one of the gems in Chicago architecture - glad you were able to see it. Hope to take the Zephyr trip one day. Merry Christmas Noel! And Rachel! Hope you enjoyed the trip.

  • @drcmac
    @drcmac 7 місяців тому +3

    6:20 I am so wise up to that when it comes to train travel, I always carry a few mixed sandwichs & fruit & a bottle of soft drink because I have, over time, become so accustomed to potential dissapointment. Better to be fully prepared than unfed 👀👍❗

  • @IzzemMA
    @IzzemMA 9 місяців тому +9

    Done Chicago to LA with my wife in a roomette 8 years back and it was a nice experience to enjoy once. We still talk about it fondly. Respect to the attendants who just did an amazing job.

  • @rayplaysen9936
    @rayplaysen9936 9 місяців тому +9

    Great video as always Noel! Merry Christmas and a happy new to you and your family.

  • @mamasinger49
    @mamasinger49 9 місяців тому +13

    I love your reactions, this one was extra funny with the two of you trying to do the beds after wine lol. The music as you both are trying to do the beds fits perfectly. Wonderful duo you are!

    • @noelphilips
      @noelphilips  9 місяців тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed it

    • @ishabrown
      @ishabrown 9 місяців тому +1

      Funny part of the video 😅

  • @larrypicard8802
    @larrypicard8802 9 місяців тому +234

    Been on the Zephyr twice, beautiful trip. There's actually four types: bedrooms, roomettes, family room and accessible room. I'm a retired sleeping car attendant who worked mainly on the Capitol Limited between DC and Chicago. I must say you took that first night VERY well. You can ring for your attendant to make your beds up although many people do their own. A power strip and extension cord are helpful on train trips.

    • @mholtebeck
      @mholtebeck 9 місяців тому +1

      I've never made my own. I'm not all that sure how to do it.

    • @Warszawski_Modernizm
      @Warszawski_Modernizm 8 місяців тому +4

      I rode Capitol Limited from South Bend IN to DC in around 15-20th December 1998, I was 14. The train was suppose to arrive in SB around 11pm and had a 2-2.5hr delay, because The Zephyr arrived late in Chicago, and some passengers were getting from CZ to CL, do the train waited accordingly. It arrived around 1-1.30 pm, I slept through IN, OH, parts of PA, I woke up some time way before Pittsburgh, being able to see the appalachian and all the countryside to DC. It was an amazing perspective, to see that backroad US not seen before in movies as a I kid. Plus thebrought in some hired clown who blew baloons for kids, sorta like to make up for the delay? I rode CL back to South Bend on 1/2 jan 1999, arrived to a city covered by 30 inches of lake blizzard. Amtrak seemed marvelous in comparison to Polish postcommunist railways I rode as a kid in the 90s broke-ass-public-transit Poland. Thanks for bringing back the memory of America 25years ago. Magnificent time that was, especially being 14-15 and being able to see America at its best BEFORE 9/11, 2008 etc etc.

  • @gobuflo
    @gobuflo 9 місяців тому +15

    Glad you got to go on this trip - you got authentic Amtrak there. Amtrak is one of those things in the US that is both amazing and terrible at the same time. The scenery and staff are almost always amazing. The fellow passengers are almost always great people. But the rail cars are in terrible condition and the administrative staff - it leaves a lot to be desired. If anything goes wrong with the food, you're on your own. Which at $1k per person, is inexcusable.
    Amtrak could be so much better if they actually invested in the hard product and the food. But good luck with that.

  • @mamaninacooks
    @mamaninacooks 9 місяців тому +15

    This is a trip I’d love to take! Thank you for such an entertaining and detailed video! Merry Christmas to you and Rachel! ❤

  • @matthewemm7787
    @matthewemm7787 9 місяців тому +2

    Wow, what an incredible journey on the Amtrak California Zephyr! It was so fascinating to see the beautiful landscapes and experience the unique train ride. The hilarious moments and unexpected twists with the dining options added such a fun element to the trip. The video was so engaging and informative. I would love to see more train adventures in the future. Keep up the great work and looking forward to your next exploration!

  • @NickP16
    @NickP16 9 місяців тому +8

    The only time I’ve been on an Amtrak train where they had catering brought to us. We were running 14 hours late from glacier Park in Montana heading into Portland.
    When we got to Pasco, Washington, they had KFC brought to everybody on board. Great memory now, and it was a great experience, because I got to see Idaho in the daylight.
    So I feel your pain a little bit on not being able to get real meals on the train

  • @terrythompson3823
    @terrythompson3823 9 місяців тому +10

    As an airline family, we do travel more via airlines but I love train travel. Wish the US had more!
    I personally love seeing Rach on trips with you!
    Happy Christmas to you and your family!

  • @biking-viking-claus-andersen
    @biking-viking-claus-andersen 9 місяців тому +7

    Nice video mate. I absolutely love these long train journeys. I recently took the old iron ore train from Narvik in Norway, to Luleå i Sweden. Great trip as well, through some very barren land.

  • @irisscott9488
    @irisscott9488 9 місяців тому +2

    😢😮😢sad about the food situation but the views were stunning...😊😊😊especially the further west you went...wow...outstanding video...😂😂😂Happy Holidays...🎉🎉

  • @TrooperClerk
    @TrooperClerk 9 місяців тому +36

    First Jeb Brooks, then Will from Trek Trendy, and now Noel! Amtrak Trains are very underrated and deserve some love!

    • @acatic80
      @acatic80 9 місяців тому +4

      Even Eva zu Beck has done an Amtrak video a few years back.

    • @shsd4130
      @shsd4130 9 місяців тому +4

      Safiya just posted an Amtrak review too!

    • @ItzChickenYall
      @ItzChickenYall 9 місяців тому +1

      U just listed all the travel UA-camrs I watch, except for Kara and nate

    • @angelagendreau3586
      @angelagendreau3586 9 місяців тому

      @@ItzChickenYall me too.

    • @austin.draude
      @austin.draude 9 місяців тому

      I think Paul Lucas from Wingin It has done Amtrak videos too.

  • @dennisonstewart2533
    @dennisonstewart2533 9 місяців тому +2

    Its a good train ride, but it does not touch Kansas, it gets close. The state that you do go through is Nebraska.

    • @cjgard3650
      @cjgard3650 9 місяців тому +1

      Thanks for pointing this out!

  • @Thetimecapsuletx
    @Thetimecapsuletx 9 місяців тому +11

    I took Amtrak from NY to Austin TX a few years ago. Got a roomette with my daughter and I got to wiggle into the top bunk and I’ll tell ya, it was tight. I don’t think I could do that again. Otherwise, I loved riding Amtrak. They treat you very well.

  • @Amandahugginkizz
    @Amandahugginkizz 7 місяців тому +2

    When we upgraded to first class amtrak it included all 3 meals for free. The website said only dinner was included so we were very excited for that

  • @stevehofer3482
    @stevehofer3482 9 місяців тому +4

    My grandfather was an Amtrack engineer for 40 years and - just kidding. Good video.

  • @darrengrainger8663
    @darrengrainger8663 7 місяців тому +1

    This trip is on my bucket list! I could sit for hours watching the sunset over the small towns

  • @bweaver760
    @bweaver760 7 місяців тому +7

    Supposedly, there is a location in the Rocky Mountains where the campers, hikers like to moon the Amtrak trains!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • @clearlyepic9958
    @clearlyepic9958 9 місяців тому +4

    You passed right by my house in Nebraska! Of course, you were asleep! They plan Nebraska for the overnights…

  • @JenniferinIllinois
    @JenniferinIllinois 9 місяців тому +6

    Oh Amtrak. Always putting the passengers first. 🤣🤣🤣
    "Bloody hell man!". OMG, Rachel is amazing!!!

  • @wafflesnfalafel1
    @wafflesnfalafel1 Місяць тому +1

    Gorgeous run - thanks for the vid. The Empire Builder is maybe even better west from Chicago to Seattle.

    • @noelphilips
      @noelphilips  Місяць тому +1

      I have a video of that, you can see it here ua-cam.com/video/Mn_Oj8w_DQE/v-deo.html

  • @doodles3075
    @doodles3075 9 місяців тому +12

    Its lovely to watch you both travelling.
    I think my husband and myself would have been arguing who wasn't sleeping on that top bunk😂

  • @danielvallelunga1596
    @danielvallelunga1596 9 місяців тому +1

    Hey Rachell !!!!! Hey Noel !!!!! Great to see you out and about Rachelle. Im PROUD of you!!!!! ❤😊

  • @trainboy1979
    @trainboy1979 9 місяців тому +18

    Texas Eagle is longer, as you don't change trains, so you have the same sleeper all the way. They add cars or combine, but as a passenger, you don't change anything.

    • @theodorabruin4601
      @theodorabruin4601 9 місяців тому

      I took the Texas Eagle 2 years ago and a month ago and loved it. Enjoy traveling on Amtrak cross country. Food was great!
      Why didn't they just have the porter make up the beds?

    • @NozomuYume
      @NozomuYume 9 місяців тому

      Was looking for this comment, lol. Texas Eagle longest route. =P

  • @timorvet1
    @timorvet1 7 місяців тому +3

    Travelled on the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin in the NT last year. I can sympathize with you on the bedding arrangements as I to drew the short straw and ended up with the top bunk and the gymnastics required to climb onto it. When it came to the sleeping car, the five star dining car, and the lounge car, they were leaps and bounds ahead of what Amtrak seem to offer. If in Australia sometime take the trip, you wont be disappointed.

  • @jaynehopkins9745
    @jaynehopkins9745 9 місяців тому +4

    I actually took that same train from Grand Junction Colorado to Ottumwa Iowa a few years ago. It was before I had my spine surgery so I was already in horrible pain but by the time we got where we were going (both ways as we took the return trip as well) I was in excruciating pain and could barely walk. It was so rough we couldn't sleep. I hope Rach didn't experience pain like I did. Love to see her travel with you. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you both and to your family! Looking forward to more great videos.

  • @tojomelville3120
    @tojomelville3120 9 місяців тому

    certainly different from London to Brighton!!!! So envious to see the amazing views and the lovely sunsets....Thank you.....Lovely to see the both of you looking so well!

  • @susanstadtlander9140
    @susanstadtlander9140 9 місяців тому +5

    So nice to see Rach in this video, you're a lovely couple. Enjoyed tagging along with you on this trip!

  • @thebeardedtraveler3666
    @thebeardedtraveler3666 10 днів тому

    I like when you travel with the wife. You guys seem to enjoy each other and have fun.

  • @cyoohoos
    @cyoohoos 9 місяців тому +5

    I thought this would be just another zephyr video. However, you (and Amtrak) managed to make it unique. Nice.

  • @pipertarin68
    @pipertarin68 7 місяців тому +1

    It was great to see, the Mrs. with you Noel❤

  • @terrymanning1
    @terrymanning1 9 місяців тому +4

    Happy Christmas Noel to you & your family. Thank you so much for another year of superb videos. Keep up the good work. Hope you have a brilliant 2024.

  • @NotMyProblem711
    @NotMyProblem711 9 місяців тому +2

    1. I understand stuff happens, but leaving without a chef that takes the cake even by Amtrak circa 1995 standards.
    2. Tip: when me and then now, Mrs., took the train on 2019, we made it a point to drop our bags early in the morning, have an early deep dish pizza lunch and then proceeded to the nearest Trader Joe’s to stock up on wine and snacks for the trip ahead. When I took the southwest, chief solo in 2015, I also followed the same formula. Preplanned the nearest convenience store on on a smoke break(in that case it was Albuquerque) and then run to the nearest convenience store to restock.

  • @AymeeDonovan
    @AymeeDonovan 9 місяців тому +17

    Noel I love when you ride Trains and Buses , this is a real Xmas treat ! Merry Christmas from my family to yours ! X

  • @RavynMancer
    @RavynMancer 5 місяців тому

    you guys are so awesome. my mummsy and I just decided tonight that we are going to go to Alaska on the ferry. Your channel really inspires me to make the most out of life.

  • @sethamtrak
    @sethamtrak 9 місяців тому +5

    Although the food experience wasn’t what you paid for and expected, I’m glad you got one of Amtraks “refurbished” sleepers with an updated cabin.

    • @tomulator
      @tomulator 9 місяців тому +1

      How many sleepers on the Zephyr are the “renovated” ones? Taking the CZ from Chicago to Emeryville in early Feb. Reserved a bedroom and would love to have a refurbished one!

    • @sethamtrak
      @sethamtrak 9 місяців тому +4

      @@tomulator they are mixed up system wide. No way of knowing if you will get one until you board. They are doing a handful of refurbishments per month on sleepers, diners, lounges and coaches. Maybe another year or two until the whole fleet is done.

  • @xa613rzinfiniteflight8
    @xa613rzinfiniteflight8 9 місяців тому +1

    I actually stayed at that exact hotel when I had to go to SFO for work 😂😂 though, I didn't get as such of a good view as you did

  • @MARKSHEA-rf3dz
    @MARKSHEA-rf3dz 9 місяців тому +3

    What did the tickets cost and what, if any compensation was offered or given for the lack of a decent meal, which everyone paid for and expected?

  • @dawnwilliamson1523
    @dawnwilliamson1523 9 місяців тому +2

    I love when you bring Rach along!

  • @DonDPaul
    @DonDPaul 9 місяців тому +3

    As you paid for the bedroom, I don't understand why you didn't ask for the attendant to prepare your beds. You've paid for that, plus a little tip. Also, if you had purchased the trip INTO San Francisco, there is a bus that takes you from Emeryville to downtown SF. Then a cheaper Uber ride to the DoubleTree.
    I take the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles to San Francisco every year. I use the through service to downtown SF. I love Amtrak.
    Please don't misconstrue these comments. I truly enjoy your travels. I follow with much contentment!

  • @Ledshot
    @Ledshot 9 місяців тому +5

    Great to see Rachel back traveling with you. Glad to see she's doing well

  • @alanrossiter6626
    @alanrossiter6626 9 місяців тому +1

    The two of ye half cut after your (small amount of) cold pizza and (larger amount of) wine. Good on ya!

  • @himbourbanist
    @himbourbanist 9 місяців тому +3

    ive never heard of Amtrak leaving without a chef, that's pretty rough sheesh

  • @Palmertravels737
    @Palmertravels737 9 місяців тому +1

    I love the train videos it's so good to have a fellow British American to watch

    • @noelphilips
      @noelphilips  9 місяців тому +1

      If you want to see more of my train videos, you can find them here www.youtube.com/@noelphilips/search?query=train

  • @IntriguedLioness
    @IntriguedLioness 9 місяців тому +5

    It's rather annoying to see so many negative comments. Amtrak is not for those you want to save money, but for those who want to see the vast diversity of landscape of North America.
    My 1st year in the United States as a freshman at Northwestern University in Chicago my friends and I crisscrossed the country from New York to Chicago to Seattle down to LA and then back again and loved every single second.
    What we seem to have here are a bunch of tourists, not travelers.

  • @LanaQ838
    @LanaQ838 9 місяців тому

    Lovely to see Rachel out and about

  • @marcchristoph8270
    @marcchristoph8270 9 місяців тому +3

    Nice video! Wish you'd been able to see more of Reno as they lowered the station below street level and you only see the old parts of town. Though you did get a nice picture of where we board our dog in Reno (Pet Playhouse) and thought that was funny. We have been planning to take the Zephyr from Reno to Emeryville and back just for a fun weekend. Gonna definitely do thanks to your video! Awesome as always!

  • @harveyh3696
    @harveyh3696 9 місяців тому +2

    24:00 Several years ago I stayed at the Westin, down the road from the Doubletree. Had a short layover there after our co-pilots windscreen cracked and we diverted to SFO. It was a charter flight from Vegas to Honolulu so I don't know how a commercial airline would've handled the situation.
    Luv your presentations!

  • @thecinesister
    @thecinesister 7 місяців тому +5

    In the early 2000s I spent 30 days doing a figure 8 around the USA on Amtrak. Started in LA and finished in LA 30 days later.
    LA - Chicago - Boston - Philadelphia - Atlanta - New Orleans - Memphis - Chicago - Seattle - LA. I slept on the train the whole time…but not all fancy like you did! 20 year old me is jealous haha. I just slept in my seat. It was a trip of a lifetime though. Just me, my backpack, a handwritten journal, and a camera. I think about it often!
    I do remember we got delayed for 12 hours in Albuquerque on the LA to Chicago route! So that was fun haha on the bright side I had 12 hours to learn how to spell Albuquerque because I was staring at the sign from the train window.

    • @No_ReGretzky99
      @No_ReGretzky99 5 місяців тому

      I live in Memphis currently 😅❤🎉

  • @timbacchus
    @timbacchus 9 місяців тому +1

    Funny I worked for UP/SP railroad 40 years and never went on a train during that time. When small Mom and I would leave a few weeks before Dad had vacation and we would take Amtrak to Little Rock, Ark from our home in Tucson, Az. Wouldn't be nice to have chairs like that in airliners A Very Merry Christmas to you and yours. The wife and I so much enjoy the adventures of you two. Looking forward to your adventures next year. That bedroom was a lot bigger than most of those strange hotels in Japan.

  • @SikandarDurrani
    @SikandarDurrani 9 місяців тому +3

    Noel you would never make it on a naval ship where the midshipmen had bunk beds with half the space

  • @davidharris2519
    @davidharris2519 9 місяців тому +1

    it is always nice to see rachel traveling with you

  • @natale_
    @natale_ 9 місяців тому +9

    It's so wonderful to see your wife back in action! Hope she's feeling better

  • @rileygilles2736
    @rileygilles2736 9 місяців тому +1

    I had the pleasure of taking this train durning the pandemic from Sac Valley Station all the way to Osceola, Iowa station where a cousin picked us up. I shared a little room with my sister. Being gen z in the moment I hated not having any cell coverage but in retrospect it was a much needed break. Didn’t have the food experience you did but overall quite a beautiful experience to take in.

  • @didierdt5420
    @didierdt5420 9 місяців тому +4

    You know it's going to be a good one if the title says America, train and 3 days :D.
    I wish you and your fam good holidays and best wishes for the new year!

  • @DCinchi
    @DCinchi 9 місяців тому

    Lovely video! Thanks for your shout out to my town, Chicago!

  • @ThemeParkBazza
    @ThemeParkBazza 9 місяців тому +3

    Both burnt and cold, that takes quite a skill 😂

  • @simonstarke4788
    @simonstarke4788 5 місяців тому

    Love watching you n rach travel together her adding her spin to the trip ❤

  • @duanestanton3738
    @duanestanton3738 9 місяців тому +3

    I’ve traveled Amtrak and never had such food served. Part of the cabin experiences all sleepers is the food. It’s very good. I think Amtrak should refund 50% for that miss.

    • @sfmc98
      @sfmc98 9 місяців тому

      Definitely. And especially since so many people will see this, find a way to essentially over correct with Noel and any passenger really on that train. The food is surprisingly good-although not a ton of variety if you ride for long periods or frequently. I did a 4 day journey and had steak every night haha. No complaints though.

  • @yyyfffff33333
    @yyyfffff33333 9 місяців тому +2

    Nothing compares to his Indian overnight bus !

  • @PCBill0622
    @PCBill0622 9 місяців тому +4

    The lack of a chef was bad enough but where was your sleeping car attendant to make your beds? I hope you didn’t tip him or her!

  • @kyle604
    @kyle604 9 місяців тому +7

    You'll have to come up and do the Rocky Mountaineer train between Vancouver and Banff in Canada one summer. It's SPECTACULAR and the service is unparalleled. Full recommendation!

    • @frederickvondinkerberg7721
      @frederickvondinkerberg7721 9 місяців тому +1

      Isn't a sleeper though...

    • @kyle604
      @kyle604 9 місяців тому +1

      @@frederickvondinkerberg7721 Never said it was. The onboard experience is one of the best (if not the best) you’ll find in North America though.

    • @frederickvondinkerberg7721
      @frederickvondinkerberg7721 9 місяців тому

      @@kyle604 which is it's main problem... turn it in to a sleeper and cross the entire country

    • @kyle604
      @kyle604 9 місяців тому +1

      @@frederickvondinkerberg7721 It's a daytime leisure train route for tourists. Past Banff is boring and non-scenic on a train line. It's also extremely expensive as it is. If you want to go across the country, Via Rail exists. You may see it as a "problem", but it's extremely popular because of it's length and route.

  • @ThomasSchick
    @ThomasSchick 9 місяців тому +2

    …don’t forget the fictitious ‘Bundy’ family ‘Married With Children’ that was set in the city of Chicago 😂😂😂

  • @apara2005
    @apara2005 9 місяців тому +7

    This looks like a LOVELY trip!!! In 2024, I want to travel more, but slow travel (car or train). This channels gives me lots of ideas 😁

  • @dman4130
    @dman4130 9 місяців тому +1

    I watched the greyhound video yesterday and thought " I wonder if he did an amtrak video" and today 🤯