Riding Amtrak's World Famous "City of New Orleans" | Superliner Roomette | New Orleans-Chicago 

*Correction * at 42:46, This is the Canal Street Bridge, Not the St. Charles Air Line Bridge, The St. Charles Air Line is actually under construction, so an alternative route is being utilized.

I'm old enough to have ridden the City of New Orleans during the last of its glory days, when it was still operated by the Illinois Central back in the late 1950's/early 1960's. (The all first-class, all Pullman-car Panama Limited was IC's premier train, overnight from Chicago to New Orleans.) My mother would take my older brother and me down to the IC station on 13th Street in Chicago by cab to spend our summer vacations in Southern Illinois, where her family was from. She'd give a red cap a whole dollar bill to watch after us, and boy would he. He'd take us to our seats, handle our little suitcases, and get us settled in, telling us to sit tight and he'd be coming back on his rounds if we needed anything. Every time he'd return, he'd ask if we needed anything. If either of us had to use the toilet, he'd take both of us so that neither one of us would be left alone, wait until we were done, and take us back to our seats. After a few hours traveling south, it was lunch time. The red cap would come to pick us up and take us to the dining car, laid out in linen tablecloths and silver flatware. Before dropping us off, my mother would have found out what was on the menu and told the red cap what to order for each of us and he'd then tell the waiter. I was too young to know a good meal from a bad one - preferring a can of Chef Boy-Ar-Dee ravioli to beef wellington - but passenger railroads back then were known for the high quality of their food. When we were approaching DuQuoin, some 6 or 7 hours later, the red cap would gather up my brother and me along with our luggage and get us off the train when it stopped. And then he'd wait until someone "claimed" us, usually our grandfather. I remember once nobody was there when we got off. My grandfather was running late. The red cap held up the train until he did, fortunately just a few minutes later. Just reverse this scenario for the return trip. Those were the days. BTW, watch Arlo Guthrie's City of New Orleans on RU-vid.

Dan, you did a fabulous job on this video. I REALLY liked the fact that you used subtitles rather than droning on like so many people do with their videos. Even more than that, your filming itself was of the best quality I have ever seen on YT. Thanks so much and a big thumbs up!!

Hello from Carbondale! It's nice to have a passenger train service go through your town, you don't know how lucky you are to have one till you don't (and A LOT of Americans do not anymore).

My wife and I are experienced rail travelers and we loved your City of New Orleans video. We watch a lot of Amtrak videos on RU-vid, and this is one of the best we've seen. You obviously are very knowledgeable. We hope you will produce many more in 2022.

I had traditional dining on the Cali Zephyr, It. Was. The. Best food of all time!

Before the pandemic, I used to travel frequently via Amtrak for work. I honestly haven't thought about riding the train much since then, but watching this video just made me realize how much I miss it! Particularly just watching the scenery pass by so calmly, and sleeping while the car gently rocks around... I might have to just book a random trip soon!

For me, "delays", on Amtrak, are a plus. Being on a train trip is like being on an ocean cruise. WHO COMPLAINES when the cruise lasts longer???

Dan, I really enjoyed this video. There was no talking or extremely annoying music like in other videos, just the actual sounds of the train and traveling over the tracks. I too would like to experience some long distance Amtrak journeys, but more like 5+ days. I'm a railfan and a truck driver, and I'd love to sit back and let someone else do the driving and feed me some real good food that hopefully I can brag about! I'll be looking forward to seeing more of these videos. 👍

Back in 2005 I rode the Sunset from LA to San José California. I’m a big man and I did not fit in those accommodations in the dining car so I ate in my coach seat. The staff was just awesome. Bringing me my diner and making sure I was comfortable. In fact they kept the seat next to me open so I was more comfortable. That’s my story about the Amtrak staff. So I agree with you they are top notch. I recommend traveling by train if you can it’s great.

One of the best train travel videos I've yet seen. As others have noted, excellent cinematography and great use of subtitles. Looking forward to more!

Interesting. Back in the 80s, Amtrak REFUSED to use St. Louis' Union Station for its terminal because they DIDN'T WANT TO BACK INTO THE STATION -- yet here they are BACKING IN at New Orleans.

I normally drive home to NOLA for visits but once I decided to book two roomettes (there were 4 of us) across from each other for the trip. We napped, talked, ate, and the in-room toilets were a huge plus. It was a very nice experience and I'd definitely do it again.

the best video yet of the train service to chicago!

Congress needs to give Amtrak absolute priority over freight.

I don't care that the trains may be a little less than perfect, or that you might be delayed a little. Amtrak holds a special place in my heart. Let's hope these routes are not closed. Thanks for the great video. Next time I go long distance I'm going to spring for the roomette.

I live in Australia but caught this train from Chicago to New Orleans. The staff were brilliant and the trip was excellent. Much better than our long distance trains.

Great video !!!! Long distance train travel looks fun and relaxing

You should try the empire builder to seatle

Having recently took the Southwest Chief, to "see the USA", I feel so much "of the seeing" is missed in the night. As the train is so much slower already than flying at 35,000 ft up, I propose Amtrak try a promotional "see America" train, and stop the train at 10 pm and restart going at 5 am, so passengers get to see what they paid for. Also, blow the whistle a lot more, we want to hear that too.

I’ve taken the Crescent, the City of New Orleans, and the Sunset Ltd. I like the City of New Orleans with it’s day view of Lake Pontchartrain the most. Even though it is the shortest in terms of distance, the view of the lake during the day going north is so beautiful.

Great video Dan of a route rarely covered - so really appreciated you doing that. Out of personal interest, what do you use to generate that amazing map graphic at the beginning of the video showing the route? Is it a mapping tool or is it all in done in software like After Effects?

as far as scenic roads, this is probably not one I'd choose. Good job in your description of the train and service.

Strangely surreal. The use of captions instead of voice-over, the inclusion of extraneous sounds and conversations, the photography... all combine to create a dreamlike quality... like a long-forgotten memory.

I have taken 2 longer distance trips on Amtrak and enjoyed them immensely. Greensburg Pa to New York and also just to Altoona Pa and then from Connellsville Pa. to D.C. The scenery was good and the D,C trip along the Youghiogheny and Potomac rivers was very beautiful. Highly recommend a Rail trip, if you want to get there, with out the fuss and actually fully enjoy the ride and scenery.

At one time there was an agreement to allow British Railways passengers reduced rate travel, so we took this line with Illinous Central - my wife stretched out and less than an hour after our grub she was fast asleep. Being used to working our sleeper trains and the Night Mails I had a whale of a time being able to just watch the night world go by! Super travel then and it looks rather good now, altho all the visible signs of dead lengths of railway are sad. Thanks for a good video.

1 streamlined Genesis Amtrak locomotive is pulling seven passenger cars.

I took this very same route back when I was in USA last year! New Orleans to Chicago! Really nice travelling with Amtrak!

Liked the Video - but maybe a little more of Cafe Dining Info - Menu, Ordering, self help? Also would have liked a peak at the Carbondale Stop. All in All Good Job 👍🏻

Dan, another great video. Relaxing and informative at the same time. Please don't be like other you tubers and go all in with music, glitz, and special effects. This format is perfect! I just subscribed!

My condolences on the food... On Amtrak's western routes, including the Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited, they have reinstated the full Traditional Dining menu, which is nearly identical to the pre-pandemic menu and is a massive improvement over the paltry selection of microwaved bowl meals that are on the Flexible Dining menu. I had the steak on the Coast Starlight earlier this month, and it was as good as it's ever been. Also, due to the pandemic, room service is a standard option now. (It was always technically an option, but before I found it to be really hit-or-miss whether the sleeper attendants really wanted to do it...)

35 years ago I was a student at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond Louisiana and used to get just a little bit upset when the Amtrak City of New Orleans would come through town and I'd be late for lectures. Next year we'll be on it, our first time on a train. We'll be in one of the Rooms, but the upper bunk in the Roomette is far and away larger and more comfortable than what's on a US Navy/Coast Guard vessel. We're looking forward to it. A little trivia... back in the mid to late 1980s the TV series "In the Heat of the Night" starring Carol O'Connor was filmed, in part, in Hammond Louisiana, and the lead in shows the Amtrak City of New Orleans going through downtown Hammond (fictional Sparta, Mississippi) at night... the filming & closed streets would often make us late for lectures as well... There's been more than a few TV shows and movies filmed in Chicago Union Station. Many scenes from ALL of "The Untouchables" were filmed in and outside * Enjoyed your video !

You covered everything. Good balance of views and lots of train interiors. I would watch any of your long distance trips. I want to take the coastal starlight in the near future. Thanks

We definitely agree, train travel is wonderful! Now that we sold our motorhome, we travel ONLY by train. The packaged meals are very good, and, of course, the desserts are great. Our last trip gave us a taste of dining during the early 50s. Love train travels!

Did this twice in my freshman year at Dillard University. Looking back now, it’s a lot better than driving…or taking the bus!

One other reason not to take the train is people on their cell phones for hours. I got a horrible headache from a woman who talked non stop for 4 hours !

In the 80s, I took the train between Hammond, La. and Chicago. Back then it was comfortable , clean and safe. These days, it is cheaper to fly.

Mid February of 2023 Katrina and I be taking the City of New Orleans down to NOLA for the Maudi Graw

Thanks for this interesting journey video. But you didn't mention whether there was any free WiFi on the train.

Is the bedroom worth the extra bucks? If I fly over from London, go on Amtrak journeys, then fly back, it’s got to be worth it.

Great views and I think SAFER too than flying. You don't fall 30,000 feet if the train loses its engine(s), etc.

I took this years ago to connect with amtrak to Florida loved it. Then coming back up the south coast to DC and back to Chicago

I enjoyed it! Thank you for letting us tag along. I’m more eager to plan a trip now. God bless you🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Very good video. I bought my first Amtrak ticket this year. I am celebrating my husband's birthday. We have the bedroom sleeper. We are traveling from Memphis to New Orleans. I was wondering about snacks. If you don't bring your own, is sleeping rooms have complimentary snacks? Great video again!!

Thank you so much, and to all who contribute the time and efforts in making these videos. They are entertaining, informative as well as educational. Train travel will never go out of style!

In 1983 I took The City of New Orleans from Chicago to McComb, MS. Wonderful trip. In recent years I've taken Amtrak from Lamy, NM to Los Angeles and then Portland OR to visit my son who was living there; and several trips on the Southwest Chief from NM to Kansas City. I am hoping to take what I'm thinking of as a land cruise (based somewhat on ocean cruises I have taken). I'll go from Lamy, NM to Chicago on the Southwest Chief. Two nights in Chicago. Then the Empire Builder to Seattle. Another two nights there. The Coast Starlight to Los Angeles, one overnight, then the Southwest Chief back home. It's a ten day trip at minimum, and since I just love sitting on the train, talking to people, looking at the scenery, it will be wonderful. I've taken a couple of ocean cruises, and really loved the meeting new people and looking out at the scenery part. Your video was wonderful and informative, and thank you for what you did to make it so good.

I rode a number of Amtrak trains in September 2022, and I can tell you that masks are no longer required, and most western trains (probably including the City of N.O.) have traditional dining back. (The flatiron steak is the choice at dinner; I liked the loaded baked potato for lunch!) I only had "flexible" dining on the Crescent, and while they'll deliver to a sleeper room, I had mine in the lounge car and also enjoyed the short ribs of beef. My choice for lunch in the cafe is easily the turkey & cheese sandwich on oat bread; the cheese could be cheddar, swiss or havarti but it was always good. I found the Magnolia Room at New Orleans UPT to be just fine, though there were more dining choices than you seemed to have. Thanks for the video.

I am going to suggest the following schedule for your trains to the west coast. Do the Southwest Chief first, the Empire Builder second and the most beautiful trip, the California Zephyr to round out three of the most iconic and scenic routes.

What a wonderful video! I love the low key style without the narration that can be annoying in other travel videos. And yet your enthusiasm comes through loud and clear. Thanks for sharing your trip. I look forward to more long distance train journeys. You’ve inspired me to start thinking about taking a similar trip.

The stripped down dining car and heated up packaged food look very unappetizing.

Thanks Dan! It was nice traveling with you! Lots of great tips. I will be taking the same train in March. I’m doing a train trip, Boston to NYC on the NE Regional, NYC to New Orleans on the crescent, New Orleans to Chicago on the City of New Orleans, and Chicago to NYC on the Cardinal. For the Crescent, City of New Orleans and The Cardinal, I booked a Roomette. I’m looking forward to it. My first time in a Roomette was last year on board the Lake Shore Limited. Awesome experience, I definitely recommend taking that train end to end! Thank you for sharing your experience, makes me even more excited for my first Superliner Roomette experience. And my first time on the City of New Orleans!

My all time favorite is the AMTRAK Vacation package to Yosemite National Park. It is all inclusive except meals. A combination bus and rail trek into the park. The buses will drop you off directly at the hotel. And there are free park buses to take you throughout the park. And excursions you can purchase for day trips in the area. I recommend at least w days. Preferably a week if you can afford it. There is no better place on earth to relax in the grandeur of this planet. The advantages of the AMTRAK package is that they have room blocks in the Chalet condominium units across from Yosemite Lodge which are not available for general public booking. Much quieter there.

In its heyday, IC's overnight "Panama Limited" covered this 934 mile route in 16-1/2 hours.

That Smuckers Breakfast Syrup doesn't look like maple syrup.

Making the same trip in August , then on to Seattle, Los Angeles and back to New Orleans ...all in one trip.

Correction, Amtrak has priority over freight trains, its noted in the 1979 Amtrak Improvement Act.

I thought Plant City Florida is the the strawberry capital of America!

Cramped and dirty platforms at CUS look so customer unfriendly especially compared to brightly lit clean train sheds in Europe.

Hey....You didn't finish your salad. Didn't your mother tell you about that? But I am glad that the food was good. That makes or breaks a trip.

Amtrak should really look at how Japan does train traveling. It's a whole different level. It would not hurt Amtrak to try and put a little class in to there travel experience. There I no way to compare the two. (Gold /bronze)

EXCELLENT video. I wanna go on a train trip.

Good video. I definitely recommend doing a video on Amtrak's California Zephyr (Chicago-San Francisco area) and Empire Builder (Seattle-Chicago). Do those in the summer though when you have more daylight.

The engineers don't wave from the trains anymore, not like they did back in 1954!

NOL's dingy platforms and rusted sheds are badly in need of repair and restoration. This grimy entrance to trains is no way to greet a passenger paying $300 to $1000 for a crappy sleeper.

Nice work. Really enjoyed watching this.

Very good video. I really enjoyed it. It is a waste of money though, for amtrak to spend on the cars since their ridership is still sinking. In a few years, thanks to the freight railroads, long distance train travel will be a thing of the past I am afraid.

5:50 All aboard! The Amtrak train is now departing New Orleans!

I just watched your video it was really nice to see that trip from New Orleans to Chicago I live here Western Canada. On your next trip, how about from the East Coast all the way to the West Coast,that would be a nice trip. I really enjoy this video thank you.

this is amtrak's 2nd or 3rd most on time train in the nation. auto-train being #1 most ontime (if not earlier than scheduled)

I always provide the sleeping car attendants with a generous tip at the START of the trip. They appreciate it and also helps ensure that you'll have a pleasant trip.

One of these days I’m going back to New Orleans and I’d like to get there by train.

We took the City of New Orleans several times from Carbondale to Chicago to get on western trains -- the zephyr twice and Empire Builder three times. It's a great way to travel.

Thanks Dan for this vídeo ... Amazing trip!!! I really enjoyed it !!! Greeting from Argentina 🇦🇷❤️🤗

Do more trips. I've done Amtrak but not in a roomate. I love it. But in a sleeper I got to experience at some point this.

I really enjoyed your video and felt like I was on the trip especially since I am so familar with riding AMTRAK long distance. Between 2001 and 2013 I rode all the AMTRAK routes west of St. Louis to see The West using a week of my vacation days for 5 weekend to weekend trips. Good news hearing of the refurbishing of the Superliner cars that are really comfortable and sure liked the observation lounge car. I rode coach on four of the trips and sleeper on just one of the trips due to keeping down cost to get approval from my wife. My wife went once but it was too much time on a train for her, but for me these were great adventures. I sure recommend seeing The West on AMTRAK. Thanks for placing on RU-vid.

@Traveling Adventure with Dan thank you for sharing this beautiful video keep sharing...

Great video! I love the way you put this video together. Included a lot of good information and no incessant talking like most videos. Very relaxing to watch and listen to the sounds of the train and watch the scenery out the window! Thanks for a great experience!

Thank you for the ride. Been riding Amtrak since I was 2 years old on the City of New Orleans. My favorite way of travel. Looking forward to more adventures on the City of New Orleans very soon.

Excellent video!

I took the train several years ago from Martinez to LA and back and the thing that really bothered me was that California pays for free Internet from San Jose to Sacramento but Amtrak is too cheap to pay for free Internet. On the way down there was giant kitt cities all the way from Richmond to almost Los Angeles along the tracks one I saw was three blocks wrong one giant she of rubberize somethings people are living under there and it was June. A Union station in LA on the way back every weirdo Los Angeles came through there and when we got to Morgan Hill California we had to stop for an hour and a half because the train hit and killed somebody the conductor told me that they get about five people run over an Amtrak or with the other freight refreight lines a week. The final straw on the way back is some idiot plugged the toilet up in the car so everybody had to move to the next car to use the bathroom it was nuts. I took the train for 13 1/2 hours one-way And 14 1/2 hours the other way because of the Sunday night they had to wait for the corner I will never take a train to watch Angelo’s again.

Thank You Dan. Your Amtrak videos are the best. I have been dreaming about taking a trip around the country for a long time on the train. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to afford it. Also I’m a pretty tall guy (over 6ft) in my 60’s and I wonder if I would be comfortable in the roomettes. Regardless, I love watching you video’s, maybe you will eventually get me so inspired and out of my shell that I’ll venture out of Columbus Ohio and experience it for myself.

Enjoyed your video. My sister and I took this train from Memphis to Chicago. I loved every minute of our trip. Glad to know a refit is on its way. Our bedroom was old and worn out but was clean . Our crew was the best! I hope you will ride the Lake Shore one day and make a video about it. Regards, David in Oxford, Mississippi

This is the best Amtrak video I've seen. You did a great job!! I've been on that route back and forth , Milwaukee Hiawatha to Chicago, then off to Nola. Like the saying goes, something about a train....love it!!

Do a video on sunset limited I live near houston and watch amtrak all the time

Enjoyed this video very much. I’ve traveled many times by Amtrak from Detroit to Chicago, and now that I live in in middle of the country, we take the Southwest Chief to Naperville,Illinois. Great train rides!

A very enjoyable, informative, and overall interesting video. I have always been an Arlo Guthrie's song City of New Orleans and the song played in my head during the video. Seeing Kankakee was a real treat. I was raised in New Orleans, love trains, especially the whistle, and this video ticked all the boxes. Thanks for the virtual train ride Dan!!

One of the better videos for this trip, which my wife and I have done twice. Keep up the good work. Jack

OH MY GOD thank you for making this video! It was the first one I have seen that didn't make the train look like the tiniest place in the USA (lol). Also you did a fantastic job on keeping the camera stedy and not making the viewer seasick (like most everyone else does). Ok, now I have a question. I have not ridden on Amtrack since I was in collage at SIU - Carbondale, IL (where the train went through) . I was young and NOTHING scared me. That was 20 years ago now I'm old and scared of EVERYTHING (it sucks). I am taking the City of New Orleans in a week from Carbondale to Chicago to Omaha. I will be riding cocah (upper floor) does the train sway so much that it makes you queasy? I am in sheer panic about it! I LOVE TRAINS and like I said I rode them years ago and I hope I can enjoy riding them again. Again thank you for this recording this journey it was really fun to watch!

Excellent very informative!!!!

What is tye suggested tipping amount? Thank you. I enjoyed this video. I plan on taking a trip soon.

This is very comforting and reassuring for people planning their first trip

Recently I rediscovered long distance train travel. I love it! The City of New Orleans train is my goal this year. Thank you Amtr

Correction, Amtrak has priority over freight trains, It’s in the Amtrak Improvement Act of 1979. But the Freight RR’s ignore it. The only ones that can do something about it is the DOJ.

I subscribed, this is so nice 👍🏼🙂

Great video. I am an avid Amtrak fan and ride the Southwest Chief at least once a year and the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder almost every 2nd year. I've ridden the California Zephyr once and will do so again. You do an excellent job of presenting Amtrak! They ought to hire you. 😁 I'm off to Albuquerque on Train 4 this summer. Maybe I'll run across you!

The Sunset was the party train in the 70s& 80s. That ride from NOLA to LA. was lots of fun. I've traveled the major routes on Amtrak its was a very enjoyable experience.

The Champaign to Chicago leg is full of University of Illinois students, and folks from the area heading up into Chicago. Get's crazier when it's end of semester, or a long weekend. I've used this even for work related trips to avoid driving into Chicago.

Shame those on coach can’t take a shower if they want.

Amtrak looks like there stuck in the past

Hi Dan. I would like to ask you why do the trains keep sounding their horns? Thanks Jane