Steve and Carol,
Thanks for your travelogues. They are so good, I
would rather not publish a separate one, but
highlight some things pertinent to our trip (a family
going to and from Christmas with the far set of
parents).
We traveled westward Dec 19-21 (Kansas City-Omaha via
Amtrak thruway; Bedroom E, Car 533 Omaha-Reno). We
traveled eastward Dec 28-30 (Bedroom E, Car 633
Reno-Omaha; Omaha-Kansas City via Amtrak thruway).
... Amtrak's shuttle service, with its guaranteed
connections (we used the van from Kansas City to
Omaha) was the best rail travel insurance policy ever
written. We are glad we used it! :)
... Look at the fine print when checking luggage.
The 50 pound limit per box got us. Thankfully, the
excess fee was $10, and our box was only 10 lbs over.
... Both East and West, we had Deluxe room E, car 33.
This is the best compartment on the train, without a
doubt. A deluxe room easily takes a family of three.
Our son had the upper and we shared the lower.
... Get the hot water hot through the sink before
taking a shower in a Deluxe room.
... On our westbound trip, 12/19 - 12/21, Diner 38024
lost its hot water, and thus its dish sanitizing
ability. Instead of the great supper on 12/20, we
had snack food from the lounge, vouchered on Amtrak.
They got enough paperware on board to serve breakfast
on 12/21.
... With the new authorization act, Amtrak appears to
have cut back on some First Class amenities. Each of
us had a single voucher for a free soft drink, rather
than the unlimited quantities described in your
travelogues.
... Our eastbound porter (attendant) was fantastic!!!
She knew her timecard and her landmarks, had obtained
Diner reservations for us before we boarded, and took
great care of our son. Great lady!!
... Take early supper reservations in the Diner. We
did not, and the choice of menu selections gets
limited at the late seatings!!
... If you have children, even though they can walk
the halls and visit the lounge car (always with one
of us present), take along activities for them.
Really, plan for a child just as though he or she is
taking a car trip :))
... Westbound, get somewhere so you can so both sides
of the train in the climb into the Rockies from
Denver. In our case, our bedroom was fantastic for
that. In fact, the scenery all the way to Glenwood
Springs from Denver is "once in a lifetime" material!!!
... Eastbound, after a day of following the Colorado
River, the wintertime after dark drop out of the
Rockies to Denver is fantastic.
... Speaking of Denver, the consist must work the
BNSF locomotive ready tracks and then back down into
Union Station. This is a time for safety first!
... Finally, we have a preference: Westward, sleeper
32045 (car 533) had plastic walls. Eastward, sleeper
32044 (car633) had carpeted walls. We like the carpet!
Happy New Year to All, John, Donna NB, and Will
Perkowski
---CAROL LARSEN
Subject: Re: Your CZ travelogue
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 14:06:45 -0800 (PST)
From: "LTC John W. Perkowski"
To: CAROL LARSEN
