Passenger Trains > Ol' 97

Ah, back on my home train, the Meteor.  I have ridden this thing more than any Amtrak train other than perhaps Acela.  I love this working train.  We are late, and as was noted in my thread on 41, the train left NYC late due to "late arrival of equipment," whatever that means.  The equipment has been at Sunnyside since Saturday, so Ok, Amtrak.  I am not buying that line of bull.

I used the Metropolitan Lounge conference room for a couple of hours this afternoon to do some calls and Zoom meetings.  Very nice space, it worked quite well.  The attendants were competent and friendly.  The spaces were all clean, food and drink stocked.

As we came down to the train, I had that feeling I might use my squeege for this one.  NO!  This sleeper is spotless!!  Literally the cleanest Amtrak window I have seen in YEARS!  Most of the train is quite clean, coaches, diner, sleepers.  The cafe and the baggage car are a bit dusty, but even those are not as bad as things have been.  So the question:  Just where did it get washed?  Any ideas?

I am very, very pleased.  I am in a Viewliner II on this one, and I know the crews may not be fans, but I am.  The drapes are thicker, and keep our more light, and they are just nice cars for passengers.  My attendant is one I have had before, which is no surprise given my regularity on this train.  He is solid and very competent.

The train arrived in the station about an hour late and when we came down to board, the electric loco was still on the point.  Lights just went off, so the switch is just now happening.  Given that fact, I predict an 810 pm departure from WAS, at best.  

I had dinner in DC at a friend's place so I will forgo dinner on board tonight.  However, I hope we do not pick up too much time overnight.  It would be great to have breakfast before detraining in the morning.  Yea, that is selfish, I know, but hey!  

More as conditions warrant.  

Why is Washington DC so incompetent with locomotive changes.  This move has happened in Harrisburg and New Haven in 15 minutes for years.  

Are they short employees?  Or is this typical DC attitudes: we do it when we want to............

Honestly, there was a lot of action at DC this evening.  A number of trains in and out at the same time.  I am one to criticize, as you know, but in this case, DC was inudated and honestly, I think the did a helluva job getting us out when they did.  I was watching the action.  We are on the move an hour late, so it is fine.  CSX will take care of us, I am sure.

Interesting, the Palmetto from Savannah pulled in just before we pulled out.  The train was also very, very clean.  It looks like the old days this evening.  I am not sure what is going on, but I love it.  I will check out the equipment that is in Savannah in the morning should we get there before they pull out.  The last time I arrived on the Meteor, we were dirty, and the Palmetto was worse.  But somehow, trains are getting washed.  Is it Sunnyside??  I am baffled.

Thank you, Amtrak, for listening to all of us and washing the cars!  Finally.

Thanks for your posts !

Occasionally, the diesel(s) aren't ready to be put on southbound trains in DC. So the electric motor remains on the incoming train for a while longer. That keeps air conditioning and lighting on for a longer period.

Of course, the diesels should be ready, but...

it probably helps that they still have an active interlocking tower overseeing the terminal there. I am of course, referring to K Tower.

Chessie1963 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Honestly, there was a lot of action at DC this
> evening.  A number of trains in and out at the
> same time.  I am one to criticize, as you know,
> but in this case, DC was inudated and honestly, I
> think the did a helluva job getting us out when
> they did.  I was watching the action.  We are on
> the move an hour late, so it is fine.  CSX will
> take care of us, I am sure.
>
> Interesting, the Palmetto from Savannah pulled in
> just before we pulled out.  The train was also
> very, very clean.  It looks like the old days
> this evening.  I am not sure what is going on,
> but I love it.  I will check out the equipment
> that is in Savannah in the morning should we get
> there before they pull out.  The last time I
> arrived on the Meteor, we were dirty, and the
> Palmetto was worse.  But somehow, trains are
> getting washed.  Is it Sunnyside??  I am
> baffled.
>
> Thank you, Amtrak, for listening to all of us and
> washing the cars!  Finally.

CSX did indeed take care of us overnight.  We are nearly to Savannah and we have picked up about 40 minutes of the hour we were down leaving DC.  The ride has been smooth.  I sleep so well on the Viewliner IIs.  My only complaint is no hot water in the shower.  I let it run for a good 2 minutes, but no.  So I went next door to the Viewliner I.  It is a much smaller space, but the water got hot quickly.  Only once have I had a Viewliner II with solid hot water.

My attendant is great.  He is there if you need him, but leaves you alone if you do not.  For me, that is perfect.  

Great trip down aside from our late depature.  Again, this is all Amtrak needs to do.  Be there, deliver what you promise, every time.  I simply cannot really complain about the Chicago to Savannah trip.  It has been very good.  Yea, some little things, but in the scope of it all, it has been a good trip.  

Were all the extreme heavy east coast recent downpours enough to clean some trains? 

Yes, there's been east coast downpours, but it doesn't help the Amtrak windows as much as you think it would. Kinda just cakes it on more!