Amtrak notes

[rebeccmeister]

The openings on the newspaper and aluminum can recycling receptacles were all tidily duct-taped closed.

If you bring cream with you onto the train, it will turn into butter.

The first seat I wanted, the chair back ratcheting mechanism was broken. The second seat I tried, the footrest mechanism was stuck with the footrest up.

They are trying new things with the diner car menu, but this has little benefit for vegetarians.

Only about a 1-hour delay this time.

Comments

[tylik]

That sounds like a pretty lame Amtrak experience.

I love trains, but damn, we suck at them. Which route?

[rebeccmeister]

This was the California Zephyr, and in spite of how this post sounds, it was a fantastic trip, overall. The California Zephyr passes through incredible scenery in California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, and then it's just darned pleasant through Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois.

I think most of these notes just reflect how much the passenger rail system in the US is suffering. Amtrak is running with outdated equipment, but doesn't have the resources to update things. The long-haul routes across the middle of the country are also basically a charity operation - they don't really earn money for Amtrak.

[ivy]

I have had that cream --> butter experience while hiking. Hot chocolate made from whole milk eight hours before and put into a heat-preserving thermos was not, it turns out, actually a good plan.

[rebeccmeister]

Ahahahahaha, awwww. So long as one can get over the appearance and texture, stuff is still safe to consume and doesn't taste too bad. But I think I'll keep an eye out for half-and-half instead.