anybody ever ride these trains?

[franksolich]

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/passengr.shtml

I'm looking at a list of famous Union Pacific passenger trains, and am wondering if anybody here ever rode one of them.  By the time I was around--and they disappeared very shortly after I was around--they were all streamlined, long yellow cars with a red stripe near the top.

The Union Pacific's Overland Limited, Chicago to San Francisco, probably the most famous train in America, was before any of our time, unless someone here was born back in the 1930s.

I know, I know, everybody who knows passenger trains has their favorites, but the Twentieth Century Limited of the New York Central, the Chief (later replaced by the Super Chief) of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the Broadway Limited of the Pennsylvania, the Crescent of the Southern, the Sunset Limited of the Southern Pacific, the California Zephyr of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Empire Builder of the Great Northern, the North Coast Limited of the Northern Pacific, &c., &c., &c., apparently couldn't hold a candle to the Overland Limited.

Overland Limited (Chicago-San Francisco, 1897)
 
Los Angeles Limited (Chicago-Lost Angeles, 1905)

Columbine (Chicago-Denver, beginning in the 1920s)

Portland Rose (Chicago-Portland, beginning in the 1920s)

Challenger (Chicago-Lost Angeles, beginning 1935)
 
City of Salina (Kansas City-Salina, 1934-1940)

City of Portland (Chicago-Portland, 1934-1971)

City of Los Angeles (Chicago-Lost Angeles, 1936-1971)

City of Denver (Chicago-Denver, 1936-1971)

City of San Francisco (Chicago-San Francisco, 1936-1971)

City of St. Louis (St. Louis-Lost Angeles, 1949-1971)

I vaguely recall riding the City of Denver from North Platte, Nebraska, to Denver, round trip, but as I was just a wee lad, all I can recall from it is the dining-car; it was odd, dining in a moving restaurant.

Sometime later than that, I rode the City of Portland from Kearney, Nebraska to Chicago, round trip, but as I was still just a wee lad, I wasn't paying attention, other than being impressed that we were in a three-room "suite" on a Pullman.

One time, while in college, I rode the storied Broadway Limited from Chicago to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (one way; I flew back to Nebraska), but by that time the train had long ago been taken over by Amtrak, and there wasn't anything special about it.

I rode trains all over Europe, none of them famous that I know of, other than the Orient Express, Paris to the Swiss border.

[Zeus]

Strange thing is I have been throughout europe by Train . Have never been on a train in the States

[Lord Undies]

No, I never had the occasion to ride a "real" train.  I have been through many trains at the Age of Steam Museum at Fair Park.  The 1940-ish passenger train is my favorite.  So stately!

Trivia:  The City of Los Angeles played an important role in an episode of "I Love Lucy".  It was the train the Ricardos and the Mertzs took back to New York after their stay in Hollywood.

Trainman:  "Madam, did you stop this train?"

Lucy: "Who? Me?"

Trainman: "Madam, did you stop this train by pulling that cord?"

Lucy: "Well, I didn't do it by dragging my foot!"

[MrsSmith]

I rode Amtrak once.  I can't say much about the trip, though.  My third was about 6 weeks old, so I was still on the short end of sleep.  We paid for a space with a couple bunks and caught the train in McCook at some unholy hour...3:30 AM, I think.  I slept almost the whole way to Pennsylvania.  (Thankfully, the kids did, too.)  What I remember most is being glad someone else drove.  Getting back to NE was far more painful!!   

[jendf]

I rode on the Grand Canyon Railway a few years ago. It takes you from Williams, Arizona to the edge of the Grand Canyon's South Rim. You step off the train, climb up a staircase, walk about 200 feet and there you are, taking in one of God's greatest masterpieces. It was an awesome trip.

I had never been on a train before then.

[Chris]

I rode Amtrak once.  I can't say much about the trip, though.  My third was about 6 weeks old, so I was still on the short end of sleep.  We paid for a space with a couple bunks and caught the train in McCook at some unholy hour...3:30 AM, I think.  I slept almost the whole way to Pennsylvania.  (Thankfully, the kids did, too.)  What I remember most is being glad someone else drove.  Getting back to NE was far more painful!!   

I looked at Amtrak prices for someone here that was going on vacation.  They were ungodly expensive... $160 a day for coach (one seat, no cabin, no bed).

[Chris_]

Strange thing is I have been throughout europe by Train . Have never been on a train in the States

I commuted weekly from Los Angeles to San Diego for about 4 months or so.  Not a bad way to go.  I used the Internet and watched TV on my slingbox the whole way.

I packed my own beer in a small soft cooler, and could grab a dog or something in the club car.

All in all, better than flying.

[MrsSmith]

I looked at Amtrak prices for someone here that was going on vacation.  They were ungodly expensive... $160 a day for coach (one seat, no cabin, no bed).

I don't remember what our tickets cost...23 years ago.  I've slept a few times since then.   

[Chris]

I commuted weekly from Los Angeles to San Diego for about 4 months or so.  Not a bad way to go.  I used the Internet and watched TV on my slingbox the whole way.

I packed my own beer in a small soft cooler, and could grab a dog or something in the club car.

All in all, better than flying.

We have a train now.  Runs east/west between downtown and Wilson County.  Aside from game day and special events, it doesn't get used. 

They would have been better off putting one next to I-65.  Horrible traffic.

[Lord Undies]

http://www.heartlandflyer.com/

My son has taken this train from Norman to Dallas a few times.  It is dirt cheap.  I may get a wild hair and take a trip myself.

Correction:  He takes the train from Norman to Ft. Worth.....then he takes this train to Dallas:

http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/

[Zeus]

I commuted weekly from Los Angeles to San Diego for about 4 months or so.  Not a bad way to go.  I used the Internet and watched TV on my slingbox the whole way.

I packed my own beer in a small soft cooler, and could grab a dog or something in the club car.

All in all, better than flying.

back in the later 70's Buddy of mine in Dana Point, CA was a payroll courier for I think it was Shaklee Corporation if I remember correctly. He drove to LA picked up payroll and drove it to San Diego. Dana Point about middle way between the two Cities. He didn't complain though, $14/hr back then was almost as good as being a drug dealer    Almost

Knew a couple brothers from Dana Point did a lot of business between the two bigger cities. One had a pilots license so they just bought a small plane.

[DumbAss Tanker]

The only named train I ever rode was the pedestrian National Limited, a formerly-Pennsy run taken over by AmTrak, back in January '76 on my way from Indiana to a port call for my first permanent duty station in Europe at Fort Dix.  The train was fine, the trip included two memorable rail buff moments - Horseshoe Curve in PA and finding upon arrival in Trenton that the Pennsy's venerable GG1s were still in service and one of them was standing by almost directly under the over-track passenger way at the station. 

[RobJohnson]

I took Amtrak from Illinois to Nebraska. There were no flights to where my sister lived, and the train came closer to her house then the nearest airport. It was overnight and like a trailer park on wheels....one guy was next to me making his own drinks, then an hour later he was shooting up insulin. One of the cars was full of crying kids. It was very scenic but all that jolting from the tracks was hard on the back.

My sister used the train several times in the winter months and it was not very expensive. I think I paid only about $120 round trip at the time for myself.

I have rode the trains in Chicago...or subways, or the L, or whatever they call them....

[Chris]

I guess it beats Greyhound.  I used GH once to get from here to Raleigh.  What was a 9 hour drive took almost 24 hours by bus.

[RobJohnson]

I guess it beats Greyhound.  I used GH once to get from here to Raleigh.  What was a 9 hour drive took almost 24 hours by bus.

 

[Zeus]

A while Back, about 30 yrs ago I got a hankering to go home & check in & up with the In-Laws, Outlaws and other known associates. I was living in So. Cal at the time. Figuring I Could save some money to increase the beer budget once I got back to the old stomping grounds I gave Grayhound a call. Can't remember off hand the exact cost but it seemed awful high and they quoted 54 hrs travel time. I called an airline and their price was only about $50 more than the bus but quoted a 4 hr travel time. I figured $50 wouldn't cover the booze & junk food tab for a 54 hr bus ride so I took to the friendly skies, paid the overpriced price of $1.50 per for a couple 3 beers and was home in 4 hrs.

[Chris]

The last time I flew coach, beer was $3 a can.  When I flew first class, the drinks were free and the guy across the aisle was ordering a Bloody Mary at 8:30 in the morning.

[RobJohnson]

The last time I flew coach, beer was $3 a can.  When I flew first class, the drinks were free and the guy across the aisle was ordering a Bloody Mary at 8:30 in the morning.

That is when a Bloody Mary tastes the best....

[Chris]

That is when a Bloody Mary tastes the best....

Today was my day off.  I usually have a couple drinks for breakfast and lunch, but I'm not a bloody mary drinker. 

Tomato juice and vodka does't sound too bad right now.

[RobJohnson]

Today was my day off.  I usually have a couple drinks for breakfast and lunch, but I'm not a bloody mary drinker. 

Tomato juice and vodka does't sound too bad right now.

I actually had one tonight while waiting for a table at dinner.

Depends who makes the drink also.

I really don't drink vodka, UNLESS it's a Bloody Mary...strange.

[Wineslob]

I guess it beats Greyhound.  I used GH once to get from here to Raleigh.  What was a 9 hour drive took almost 24 hours by bus.

Once took the GH from Sacramento to Salinas (Ca) Same problem, a 3-4 hr trip was 12. It SUCKED.
I've taken the train form Sac to Reno (NV). That was a fun trip, going through the snow sheds at Donner Pass. Some the sheds are miles long. It's really wierd to be in compete darkness in the middle of the day.

[Chris_]

I rode on the Grand Canyon Railway a few years ago. It takes you from Williams, Arizona to the edge of the Grand Canyon's South Rim. You step off the train, climb up a staircase, walk about 200 feet and there you are, taking in one of God's greatest masterpieces. It was an awesome trip.

I had never been on a train before then.

My in-laws run a Bed and Breakfast inn in Williams, and send their clients on the Grand Canyon railway frequently.  My wife used to work for GCRW before she met me, and we finally got to ride the train together last year (4 year old loved it).  Ya gotta watch out for yer valuables though, there's still "train robbers" in those parts. 

Another train that's a great day trip is the Durango Silverton Railroad.  It's a narrow gauge railway with absolutely spectacular views all the way up.  We took the boy on that one about 2 years ago (can you tell that the boy has a "train" kick?)

Another good one

[Lacarnut]

My parents, brother and I rode the train from New Orleans to Chicago and then to Seattle when I was 5 years old in 1941. We went back 5 years later but took an alternate route coming back to Los Angles and then home. That was great fun for a kid.

Since retiring, I am seriously thinking about taking another train trip to Seattle and then across Canada or maybe doing the AK cruise ship tour. 

[franksolich]

My parents, brother and I rode the train from New Orleans to Chicago and then to Seattle when I was 5 years old in 1941. We went back 5 years later but took an alternate route coming back to Los Angles and then home. That was great fun for a kid.

Since retiring, I am seriously thinking about taking another train trip to Seattle and then across Canada or maybe doing the AK cruise ship tour. 

I'll bet that was the City of New Orleans, of the Illinois Central, the pride-and-joy of that railway.  From Chicago to Seattle, it could've been any one of scores of trains.  And then from Lost Angeles back to New Orleans, it could've been the Sunset Limited, the pride-and-joy of the Southern Pacific.

That is, assuming the parents were affluent enough to afford "extra fare" trains, which they might, or might not, have been.  But even an ordinary passenger train in 1941 and 1946 probably offered better service, better accomodations, than Amtrak trains today.

[MrsSmith]

My aunt and uncle came to visit from Austria several years back...like 25 or so...and were flying in to Denver.  They told Mom that they didn't want to inconvenience them by having a ride back to "the farm."  She said they would just take a train to the nearest large town, and then a bus on out to Mom's town.      Obviously, this was her first visit to the US.  Mom and Dad picked them up in Denver, took them up to the Black Hills, and then home to NW Kansas.  They thought they'd seen quite a bit of our country...until they looked at a map.     

You know, in Europe, they could have gone from airport to train station to bus and gotten almost anywhere...