Passenger Trains > Current SW Chief advice

UPDATE: Thanks for the suggestions and opinions. It looks like they have decided to go with the sleeper BUT from Albuquerque, not Flagstaff.
He thanks you for your input as well.

My nephew and his bride of 1 year are contemplating one of the following 3 options:
1. Flagstaff to Chicago coach
2. " " " sleeping berth
3. Fly
He's a big rail fan, a few shorter trips but never a 33 hr. one. He knows I have traveled thousands of miles on LD trains and asked my opinion.
I have always (with one exception) traveled coach. I enjoyed the cafe cars, diverse pax, seeing the whole gamut of society. I don't know what to suggest today in 2018.
HELP>>>>
Rich S



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/18 12:10 by richs.

richs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My nephew and his bride of 1 year are
> contemplating one of the following 3 options:
> 1. Flagstaff to Chicago coach
> 2. " " " sleeping berth
> 3. Fly
> He's a big rail fan, a few shorter trips but never
> a 33 hr. one. He knows I have traveled thousands
> of miles on LD trains and asked my opinion.
> I have always (with one exception) traveled coach.
> I enjoyed the cafe cars, diverse pax, seeing the
> whole gamut of society. I don't know what to
> suggest today in 2018.
> HELP>>>>
> Rich S

Sleeper. Forget coach. And don't even consider those stupid, stupid flying machines.

Sleeper all the way, check amsnag and find a date with a reasonable roommette fare. If he can find one of the lower fares the price won’t be that much more then coach if you take into account meals for 2 people the whole trip.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/18 08:24 by Flyer92122.

From above post it is 3 people and I like to travel when it convenient for the people I visit.

I am going in a couple of weeks. Not sure where you live but I live NW of Chicago and a driving to Princeton to board. Parking is free and safe, station in open and sometimes?? manned by caretaker. Of course, no checked bags but avoid the whole Chicago scene.

I am taking train to Albuque... and renting a car. Times in and out of Flag are not that great and this way I can railfan a nice area.
Don't have to show up at brothers and leave in middle of night.

I will travel by coach, as a railfan, I want to up and about. Get off the train when I can. It is only one night and sleeper for one person is not cost effective. Non-railfan may not care for that.

When I fly I take SW from Milwaukee to Phoenix, there are two non-stops. Milwaukee in many ways is a different world from Chicago, parking costs, people, access. There is Arizona shuttle to Flag or other areas. It is far from deluxe(12 passenger van)but very frequent. I think air trips to Flag out of Phoenix are limited so you could end up sitting around a lot and have your air choices determined by air transfer.

As a strange etc, choice out of Princeton include taking train from Princeton to Chicago first???? When I priced I actually checked that alternate by mistake. When I had the two segments it only listed Prn to ABQ with an arrow not showing the details, never got to the payment screen so not sure what that would have shown. SW site always spells out your choices in detail ie Flt, route, time as you go thru the system

Bob Jordan



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/18 08:32 by robj.

Sleeper definitely. And one of the reasons for this, beyond what has been stated, is that if there is a some signficant delay those in sleepers have a nice snug haven to seclude in to rest or whatever. Being stuck in a coach with a bunch of people becoming surly because of the delay is not fun!

"And don't even consider
> those stupid, stupid flying machines."

If God meant for man to fly, he would have given him a ticket!

Take the sleeper. Most enjoyable. Bring lots to read and some snacks.

I believe there is air service to Flagstaff, but it is unlikely to be cheap and you would have to transfer in a major city (like Phoenix) which means arriving via a major airline, collecting bags, exiting security and then going through all that again at another terminal. If your flying destination is only Phoenix, then you rent a car to Flagstaff and drive I-17 or take a van or bus from Phx to Flag. Stick with the train, especially if your final destination is Flagstaff.

(BTW, last fall I rented an Enterprise car there and drove to Prescott to visit family. However, you need to spend a night in Flagstaff as the train connections both directions are at night.)

Ever Travel by Coach. Always Travel in sleeping cars. Its best way to go sleeping cars. Ever travel in Coaches.

He's been married only one year and he wants to know if they should go coach or sleeper? Hmmmm....i

railwaybaron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> He's been married only one year and he wants to
> know if they should go coach or sleeper?
> Hmmmm....i

Not everyone has the discretionary income available to afford traveling in a sleeper.

jst3751 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> railwaybaron Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > He's been married only one year and he wants to
> > know if they should go coach or sleeper?
> > Hmmmm....i
>
> Not everyone has the discretionary income
> available to afford traveling in a sleeper.




I would ever travel in Coaches on any LD Trains, always in sleeping cars. too much happens today being in coaches. I would fly first being in coaches 33 plus hours or more if Amtrak 4 is very late. Ever travel in Coaches. a lot people have Credit Card just trip on that.

I have flown in and out of Flagstaff, via Phoenix. Fun flight, especially the northbound leg, where you seemingly climb, climb, climb then land.
I have also ridden SW Chief many times, and am booked Chicago-Fullerton again in April.
I too, must echo those who say "sleeper or nothing."
Or PV.
Phoenix is one of the cheapest places in USA to rent cars.
That said, rental agencies in Flagstaff are franchises. Few "free miles" rentals unless you have a corporate discount deal.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/18 10:51 by Alco251.

a737flyer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "And don't even consider
> > those stupid, stupid flying machines."
>
> If God meant for man to fly, he would have given
> him a ticket!
>
Don’t you need one of those to get on Amtrak? Lots of walking I guess.

Just fly.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/18 11:31 by Typhoon.

railcity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would ever travel in Coaches on any LD Trains,
> always in sleeping cars. too much happens today
> being in coaches. I would fly first being in
> coaches 33 plus hours or more if Amtrak 4 is very
> late. Ever travel in Coaches. a lot people have
> Credit Card just trip on that.

Please try reposting in a way that can be clearly understood.

Can those who would never consider flying please suggest how one can travel overseas without flying? Only the QM2 provides seasonal trans Atlantic ship service. At a cost I'm sure way more than flying. As for trains, totally agree. If you can at all afford it, go for the sleeper. Sitting up for that long with possibly some Greyhound types nearby isn't always a pleasant experience. Also agree, get off in Albuquerque and rent a car. You can follow the BNSF main line west from Albuquerque to Flagstaff, driving on old Route 66 much of the way.

andersonb109 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Can those who would never consider flying please
> suggest how one can travel overseas without
> flying?

Simple, they dont.

richs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> UPDATE: Thanks for the suggestions and opinions.
> It looks like they have decided to go with the
> sleeper BUT from Albuquerque, not Flagstaff.
> He thanks you for your input as well.
>
> My nephew and his bride of 1 year are
> contemplating one of the following 3 options:
> 1. Flagstaff to Chicago coach
> 2. " " " sleeping berth
> 3. Fly
> He's a big rail fan, a few shorter trips but never
> a 33 hr. one. He knows I have traveled thousands
> of miles on LD trains and asked my opinion.
> I have always (with one exception) traveled coach.
> I enjoyed the cafe cars, diverse pax, seeing the
> whole gamut of society. I don't know what to
> suggest today in 2018.
> HELP>>>>
> Rich S


Fly

andersonb109 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Can those who would never consider flying please
> suggest how one can travel overseas without
> flying? Only the QM2 provides seasonal trans
> Atlantic ship service. At a cost I'm sure way more
> than flying. As for trains, totally agree. If you
> can at all afford it, go for the sleeper. Sitting
> up for that long with possibly some Greyhound
> types nearby isn't always a pleasant experience.
> Also agree, get off in Albuquerque and rent a car.
> You can follow the BNSF main line west from
> Albuquerque to Flagstaff, driving on old Route 66
> much of the way.

Umm perhaps book a berth on a container or other type of freight ship.

Much cheaper, but without all of the amenities on QM2. But comfortable and lots of good food.

Since you say he's a big railfan, he should ride the train all of the way from Flagstaff to Chicago.

Flagstaff - Albuquerque will have high-speed running on the former Santa Fe and the ex-CB & Q into Chicago offers plenty to see for railfans.

RuleG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Since you say he's a big railfan, he should ride
> the train all of the way from Flagstaff to
> Chicago.

But remember, he's married now. Can make a difference when there's two minds rather than one and interests may be different. Not always like when as a singleton!