I'm literally the guy who you recorded washing the windows 23:50 and we actually do have a airport here in Albuquerque, it's called the ABQ sunport it was cool to see myself in the video this was on my news feed I've been washing those windows for three years so seeing this was awesome 😎 I'll definitely share with my coworkers I hope you read this comment .
In 1984 I graduated from college and tried to talk some friends to drive cross country. I had no takers. I took a train from Baltimore to San Diego. What a great trip it was.
Greetings again Jeb. I was fortunate that my Dad (RIP) worked on the train as a Sleeping Car Porter. From the time I was born until Dad retired in '72, I road with Dad two to four times a year across country out of Oakland, Ca to Houston, TX, Chicago , New Orleans, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York and one time from New York to Miami when Dad got assigned to work a Private Sleeping Car for Redd Foxx; whom he knew from back in the day. Thank you again for bringing back some fond memories .
Everyone should ride the train at least once. I've enjoyed numerous long trips, Christmas was special, stayed awake during the night to see little towns, farms all lite up. Thanks for taking me along this evening.
The trains are nice. But amtrak needs to keep the restrooms cleaner. And people (most) should stop being such pigs. I only travel by train, due to a medical condition. It's trying at times. Filth and no respect.
So far, my wife and I have made 5 "overnight" trips from Philadelphia on Amtrak. They were 3 to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 1 to New Orleans, and another from N.O. on to Phoenix. We are in our late 70s, so we book a roomette for each of us to avoid having to use the top bunk. This also gives you some private time as well as more room for your baggage. We are going to Florida again in 4 weeks. We do fly home each time. Some of our train travel is free, thanks to my Amtrak Master Card usage.
I grew up on the Pueblo of Laguna (NM) reservation. We still wave to the Amtrak Southwest Chief when we see it passing through our tribal homelands. In 1999, my parents, brother and I journeyed by Amtrak from Albuquerque to Chicago via the Southwest Chief. Then we took the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to NYC. We made stops with in Cleveland and NYC where we visited friends. From NYC, we took a combination of train and bus to Rhode Island and Maine. Again two stops to visit friends. We took a bus down to DC where we stayed with another friend. Then we got back on Amtrak via the Capitol Limited to Chicago. Then we went home to NM aback on the Southwest Chief. The entirely of this adventure was almost three weeks… but it has been a highlight of my family. My children want to do a train trip adventure before they begin their journeys into life. Your video is one I am sharing with them. Safe travels!
I appreciate those kind words of the Southwest Chief. Being a passenger rail advocate with my rail advocacy organization and my hobby which is railroad photography. It has been a long decade to ensure the Southwest Chief remained on her current route. Amtrak has tried to terminate the service and or re route the service out of Raton pass. I live along the route between ABQ & LMY and see the Southwest Chief passes behind my house daily which always brings a smile to my face. I frequently use Amtrak’s Southwest Chief and I never get bored with the route. But allot of your comments on the scenery of the Southwest Chief seems to never get old and I always learn something new.
I love train travel. Our country really needs to support Amtrak, by investing in it’s rails and the culture of train travel. Europe is heads above the US in the quality and pricing of traveling by train. Thanks for sharing your travels. I hope to be on one of these routes soon!
Did this route in 1995 & loved it. got off at Lamy for Santa Fe & stayed there for a week before getting back on the train to finish the route to Los Angeles. I travelled coach and the most difficult element was the stops during the night and the very chatty passengers who just wanted to hear me talk with my British accent!
My parents were from Raton and my great-grandfather was a engineer for the AT&SF. Great to see the Raton sign again, climbed that hill many times as a kid.
I pretty much grew up on trains, since my dad worked on the railroad. I have made many trips on Amtrak including a cross country trip from Portland, OR to New York, as well as a complete rail trip around the entire country - Portland, OR to Chicago to Wash. DC to New Orleans to LA then up the coast back to Portland, OR. It's the best way to travel if you have the time.
Hopefully the food goes back to what it was before the plague, it was good when I had traveled in the past on Amtrak. Was nice to have a reservation in the dining car and the food looked nothing like what you showed, I hope to god it reverts back after the plague
@Juan Sanchez thank you for that happy news. This year's trip to Seattle got cancelled due to Covid and then I kept seeing videos about microwaved mess for meals. I can now begin to think about the possiblity that I will be able to do this nice trip next winter.
The Southwest Chief... every Boy Scout’s link to Philmont Scout Ranch, a 1/2 hour shuttle ride from the Raton, NM stop. Seeing that stop brought back memories.
My dad work for Santa Fa, as a kid my family took southwest chief 2x from Chicago to Lax. Still best vacation of my life and I’m 48yrs old now and I’ve been on dozens of vacations. I’ll never forget our train trip.
How meta is this... I am watching this on the Southwest Chief. I watch every video and it just so happens that the timing of this was perfect. I am in a roomette and let me say I am glad you enjoyed it. I take five or so trips a year on Amtrak to do writing and the highlight, until now, has been the food. Still super relaxing but I do miss the steak, the burger, and the cooked to order omelets. I hope you can travel again when the food is better. One tip I have is that I always bring a power strip and an extension cord so everyone can have power during the day and you can send the cord up to the bunk to charge phones. In terms of the future of Amtrak, I am hopeful. New environmentally friendly Siemens Charger locomotives are being built and modified to handle long distances. New Acelas next year that have been called the most technologically advanced trains. Supposedly full dining is coming back May 2021. I am also hopeful for new Superliners in the near future. New Viewliner sleepers are slowly coming off the line... did I mention slowly.
I took a 3.5 day ride from the east coast to the west coast, taking a total of 3 trains and a bus to get from NY to SF. It was one of the highlights of my first trip to the States and the view was amazing! We went through so many different sceneries as we were crossing the country, from snowy trees to open desert. It truly is an underrated way to travel.
Very cool. I drive a truck. It's about 4 days coast to coast solo. Would love to see high speed rail over flights in the States. Terminals in Europe are so cool.
Jeb, Great itinerary. This route is one of very few that stops in Colorado ( other than Denver). I like it because of that: Lamar,LaJunta,and Trinidad. There are promises to connect lines from Denver south to Colorado Springs, Pueblo,and the other southerly venues. This is important for those who want to change trains to go West to LA and beyond. It would be great to have proper stations for all of the stops due to weather and for accessibility to a manned ticket window. Holding good thoughts for the above!
Departing Chicago10/22 at 2:50PM and arriving into Los Angeles Union Station on 10/24 at 7:55AM, I just completed a trip on the Southwest Chief in Car 331 Bedroom A. As a late 2021 update: Car purser and dining attendant (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) service has returned and is included for sleeping accommodations passengers. I brought snacks, water, and bourbon. In addition to seeing how spectacular the US's Great Plains, mountains, rivers, small farming towns, and big cities are, I truly enjoyed meeting my fellow Americans. In ages when we can get anywhere quickly, it was the experience of seeing America and meeting people that made this an unforgettable experience.
I'll admit that I haven't necessarily watched all of your videos, but since this is the first time I've heard the creative director described as your fiancee, Congratulations!
Jeb, I don't remember how I first came across your channel. But I greatly enjoy it. Your calm demeanor and camera presence make us feel like we're traveling right along with you. Your honest opinions and feelings make your videos that much more authentic. Your love for what you do and your fans is very evident. Thank you for allowing us to ride along with you!
When I was 10, my Grandmother and I got on the Santa Fe El Capitan. We started at Pomona, Ca. and traveled to Chicago, Ill. My favorite car was the dining car. The food was much better than you described. I always tried to engage the conductor and the stewards in conversation. There was something present on that train that is no longer present. The smell of burnt tobacco. I loved the sunrise and sunset coming through the train windows. I have had a blessed life of traveling to more than 20 countries. I've been on trains, planes, ships and semi-trucks. Thank you for this video.
You had Fred Harvey food on a Santa Fe diner o the El Cap (a really good train) - definitely superior to Amtrak, but Amtrak has been good. Better than any airline food I've ever had, and that includes Pan Am in the "old days". I understand that after a period of rather ghastly food in the diner, Amtrak is improving, and i call that a good thing.
Yes, I have crossed the US by train several times. I found your comments echoed my own thoughts. I loved seeing the geography of the US come alive for me as I crossed the continent from east to west, eastern forests to Midwest prairie to Great Plains to mountains to desert. It really was a wonderful experience.
Made this journey almost 10 years ago, DC to LA , and I must say it was a profound life experience. Not only the peace ,tranquility and relaxing fact of just allowing time to pass and watch the enormity of the US and it’s changing scenery, but meeting people and generally enhancing my life.
I always loved traveling on Amtrak. I used to take lots of short trips (NYC to Albany, NY 2 hrs), medium trips, (NY to Williamsburg, VA 8 hrs), and once I took an overnight trip from NY to Orlando, FL. I love traveling by train!
I love train travel. When I was in college many, many, many years ago, I would take the very short train ride home on the weekends. Although I haven't been on the train lately because of the pandemic, I'm planning to take the Empire Builder from St Paul to visit my sister and her family in Washington state once we're back to more normal times. I've made that trip in a sleeper several times before and absolutely loved it. It's so much more relaxing than plane travel. And, being a natural hermit, I love being able to self-isolate from the other travelers. There was "real" food the last time I traveled and hopefully the current situation is just another result of the pandemic and will return to normal soon.
Hi Jeb, Amtrak has returned to full cooked meal service in the diner. My wife and have traveled from the east coast to west coast on all the long distance trains. I would guess at least 30 to 40 times. The family bedroom is our favorite accommodation. We always stock up on wine in Chicago and some snacks. The train is one of the best ways to travel.
Thank you for your videos. I'm a Filipino who currently living here in the Philippines. I may not be able to step foot ever on US soil but watching your videos enables me to see the country side and rural areas of the US in a traveler's perspective since we usually think of cities and urban landmarks in talking about the US. I'm in agreement with you to this kind of travels/journey, though we usually travel here through bus and ships since we don't have railway system to have long travels. It makes the traveler and the citizen appreciate more the beauty of the country that don't usually seen through this perspective. Great vlog. More power to you.
On this trip going west, obviously they would be going through Flagstaff at night, not really anything that can be seen at night from a train passing through any town to be honest. Maybe on the east bound trek you pass through Flagstaff during the day? Most of these videos about the Southwest Chief, they tend to start east heading west, vs west to east. So I've never seen that part of the trip. However, they all stop in Albuquerque for an hour, so everyone always shows that part of the trip; I happen to live in ABQ and often see the SW Chief as I pass over on the Lead Ave. bridge. Not as much these days since the only show up three times a week. I wonder if they will expand the service again once the pandemic lets up.
@@thatmukundbalaji .Oh God No. Not another contributing charge.. what would my Mother think....LOL. Put that thought on your bucket list then.. Please enjoy the trains when you can. You won't be disappointed
Congratulations on your engagement, I’m from Glasgow Scotland and I love your videos one day I will get back to America and would love to do the full amtrak experience just watching your video looks amazing especially going through all the little towns etc stay safe and thank you for sharing your journeys
In 1964, I took the Super Chief on this route. My family did not get a sleeper, we sat in the coach seats the entire trip. I was 9 years old it was an exciting trip for me, perhaps not so much for my mother! I have many memories that have lasted all this time!
The only time I ever rode a train was from Houston to El Paso and never left the sightseer lounge. I took one look at my seat and judgy neighbor and decided there were indeed better places to enjoy my journey than in a darkened seated carriage
With all the nonsense coming out of Murica. It’s refreshing to have a video like this come across my feed. I wonder how many have taken the time to enjoy the beautiful country you have.
We did the SW Chief a long time ago. We got off in Albuquerque and got a rental car to explore AZ, NM & NV. We loved the train ride there and back to Michigan.
Las Vegas, NM, was the real town they used to film the 1984 classic "Red Dawn." The building with the arches was in one of the climactic scenes, as were the railroad tracks you rode on.
This brought back a flood of memories, thank you! I was pregnant with my first child and we took a regular Amtrak from Boston to Chicago and then a roomette on the same line as you (except 27 years ago). It was my dream to do this, versus flying, and was not disappointed. After ALB, we were even seated that night at dinner with Tyne Daly (from Cagney and Lacy) because she made that trip often and was afraid of flying. I would only add to do this trip around Christmas because at night, when the scenery would otherwise be pitch black, we saw so many distant twinkling Christmas lights. You've kindled something in me to recreate this trip, maybe the other way around now!
Thank you for sharing this video. Last June, I took a cross country train ride from Flint, Mi. to Chicago ( Blue Water ), then switched to Empire Builder all the way to Seattle. 5 days later, took Coast Starlight from Tacoma to Sacramento, and on layover for 5 hours, took California Zephyr from Sacramento back to Chicago, and then back to Blue Water; it was a vacation of a lifetime. Lord willing, if I ever do something like this again, I want to ride on the Southwest Chief.
When you passed through San Bernardino, you passed right beside my train parked in one of the house tracks. I operate a very strange looking train. Only about 660ft long. It's called a rail grinder.
Congrats Jeb on your engagement. Hopefully things get better in the aviation industry and you can experience the residence on your honeymoon if etihad doesn’t retire it’s a380’s. BTW Dr Pepper is made with prunes
@@davidthaler7018 No one will ever know the complete ingredient list. But the company might skirt the issue by saying it doesn't contain prune juice (made from all varieties of dried plums) while not admitting that the possibility of the juice of fresh squeezed black plums is on the list. Prune juice is made from dried prunes while plum juice is made from fresh squeezed plums.
Thanks so much. This video brings back memories of a train trip my family took between Chicago and LA in December 1964 when I was seven. The route seems to be pretty much the same. I remember passing Pike’s Peak, and Albuquerque was a fresh air stop back then, too. I also remember seeing a few prairie dogs while going through New Mexico. Great memories!
Okay, one more and this one's positive. Albuquerque is my favorite place on earth, your video of the Rail Runner is my favorite that you've made. Thanks for highlighting ABQ again.
I have gone from Phoenix to DC 3 times. I had a great relaxing ride each time. I look at it as part of the vacation. You get to see the country instead of flying over it. The journey is part of the adventure and I don’t mind paying extra for the adventure. Plus I absolutely hate air travel.
This is actually a trip that I have been thinking about for years. Hopefully when the travel restrictions and covid is over I can finally get to take this same trip.
Thank you SO much for pointing out that the family car does not have a bathroom. We are moving back to our home state, and wanted to avoid our usual 17.5-hour drive. I'm currently pregnant, and we have a 6- and almost 2-year-old. I have a serious phobia of public restrooms, and I almost booked a family car until I saw this video. Thank you SOOOOOO much for just pointing out that one aspect of the room.
The observation deck is my favorite part of the train. I stayed there during all of my trips. Jackson, MS-New Orleans, LA, Jackson, MS-Chicago,IL. Amtrak has always been very enjoyable.
By far the best You Tube Video of the many that have been done on the Chicago to Los Angeles Amtrak trip. Not surprised. Typical of the Travel Videos you and your wife do. The Peru Train Travel Video you did is in a class of its own. I took the trip in this Video many times back and forth as a kid in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The Santa Fe El Capitan in those days. When it went through Pomona and Pasadena on the way to and from Los Angeles. Then switched trains and train stations in Chicago. Went to and from our final destination of Cleveland via the New York Central each trip. A lot of fun.
We've taken the Coast Starlight and the Zephyr many times with our now 9-year-old son. Simply the best way to travel. Great review, thanks. Like yourself, I've been around the world [literally] 125 times on air travel. I'd pick the train any day of the week. No TSA check. Easy access to all of my items on board. Take a bottle of wine on board. Snacks. Pre-downloaded movies. All yes.
This reminded me of my own train ride although we took the northern route from Chicago to Portland. We had the family car as well. I spent most of my time with other early 20 somethings on the observation deck. I enjoyed watching the video. If you have the rooms, not only did they have the meals free, they also held a wine and cheese tasting and went with my grandmother. After 2 1/2 days on the train, I had trouble walking on solid ground, entirely unsteady. We had the actual dinner car and the cafe downstairs was an option. Food delivery was only really for those who were unable in the room cars. The steak really was good. Who doesn’t love free filet mignon? I also had learned the wine at the dinner car was not free. A tiny bottle for 14.00 😂
Jeb, nice video, and I appreciate the attempts at humor! I do love both trains and train travel to my core, so this is a welcome view into a route I’ve long wanted to do! I live in CA, and have taken the Pacific Surfliner a million times, and the Coast Starlight from Santa Barbara to Portland once, a long time ago on my only ‘romantic’ rail journey with my new wife at the time. Those are long-ago days for me - she died many years ago, and is now simply and happily referred to as the ‘mother-of-my-children.’ The years do fly by - almost faster than the landscapes on an epic train journey. Much though, to the point, that life is an epic journey, to be lived and savored - the journey is always the best part of any adventure. It defines the adventure, and your inference of slowing down and absorbing the experience, feeling the motion and rolling, hearing the patterns of sounds of the steel wheels pushing across the rails, the smells of the food, good or bad... they all define the experience, much as you will associate the feeling spent doing what you love with someone you love. My guess is that will always bring a warm feeling inside and a smile to your face. Thanks for sharing your trip! Stay safe and healthy!
Your video reminded me of the time I drove cross country from Connecticut to New Mexico with my father (rest in peace) decades ago. We took a northern route on the way out and crossed the south on the way back. It also gave me an appreciation for the rest of the country and I learned a lot. I lost my father last year but the experience was one of the best of my life for many of the reasons you mentioned. I highly recommend it to anyone thinking about a cross country journey.
Having been wanting to do this trip for years, I am watching this video in Munich, Germany. Videos like this help me a lot during whe Covid19 situation and all the travel restrictions. Thank you for all the work which you must have put into this project!
"We slept through much of Missouri and a good part of Kansas". You'd be surprised how many people driving across the Midwest do the same thing. What's my favorite spot to sit on a train? Easy - the locomotive cab!
In the mid 60's my parents took me and a sister on that train route from Kansas City to LA, just before Christmas to visit my other sister and her family. We returned on New Years... with drunken partiers! This was way before Amtrak. It was the last Santa Fe Super Chief and was very plush! The food was great, the scenery was greater, and the time table for the two trips was the opposite so what we slept through on the way out was daylighton the way back. Couldn't miss watching from the elevated scenic car! We had a connecting double so it was roomy. That was my second train trip but a highlight of my life and I've done several other trips since then.
I’ve taken the Amtrak’s City of New Orleans from Chicago all the way to New Orleans! It was not as scenic as this! You passed near where I live in Naperville! Great video!
This video is the last push I need to do this. I've been wanting to do an Amtrak train ride from KC to LA so this video came at a perfect time. Great channel and content!!!
I grew up in a Santa Fe Railroad Family,I was born in 1951 ,since my dad and grandpa's were Santa Fe employees, we could ride anywhere Santa Fe traveled FREE,IT WAS GREAT 👍
I’m scared of heights but I have to travel to California and New York one day. I literally am a person that had to know information before it happens. I needed to see this. Thank you so much
Thanks for making this video. I have used Amtrak multiple times and believe train travel is better for the environment, more relaxing than flying, and also for the many reasons you pointed out. Congress is notorious for under funding this system, the equipment is old. Amtrak has to share rails with and is often subordinate to freight. The political lobby for other modes of transportation are powerful and have worked hard to nearly kill Amtrak. Just ride a modern train in Europe or Asia and it becomes clear how America is simply prioritizing trains wrong.
After 44 hours of train travel with AMTRAK... Did you arrive in LA 10 minutes EARLY??? Man, you were SOOOOO LUCKY! It is more than usual to arrive 5 HOURS LATE on a trip like that!!! 😊
I used to live in Mesa. Every few years of my younger ages I remember taking the train from Flagstaff to Chicago to visit family for the Holidays with my mom and sister. Loved the huge windows and watching the scenery.
Plane travel appears to be more hectic. Seems there is much more Anger in the skys. I think Amtrak maybe the Answer to peace and kindness. Thank you for these videos. I took the train to Chicago from Elgin everyday for work and I loved it. Living in Rockford Il, there is a plan for Amtrak to Chicago. Soon I Hope. 😊
I would like to see Amtrak expanded under the Infrastructure plan and Build Back Better. Love your videos and thanks for your insight! Keep the videos coming.
I didn’t realize the family bedrooms didn’t have their own restrooms! For me, that actually makes them a step down from the regular bedrooms - unless you’re traveling with a whole family.
I also rode the Cardinal from Newark NJ Penn station and the Southwest Chief to LA. I too had a bedroom. I did however enjoy sitting in the Metropolitan lounge in Chicago. The entire ride was awesome. Although I traveled this route 5 years ago, I still share pictures of my rail journey to my students and others as well. This is definitely a trip that I will undergo again. Thank you for your post!
