30 HOURS in Amtrak's NEW Roomettes | Reviewing the Amtrak Cardinal

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Күн бұрын

Are Amtrak's new sleeper cars worth their steep price? Join us as we try a Viewliner II Roomette on a 30-hour journey aboard Amtrak's Cardinal!
Link for menus: www.amtrak.com/flexible-dining
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Trip Info:
Route: Amtrak Cardinal 51 (Westbound)
Origin: New York City's Penn Station / Moynihan Hall (NYP)
Destination: Lafayette, Indiana (LAF)
Month: August 2023
Room: Viewliner 2 Roomette
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0:00 Introduction and New York's Moynihan Train Hall
0:59 Boarding, Departure, and Breakfast
2:57 Setting up beds
3:59 Stuck in Washington DC
5:07 Lunch and Leaving DC
8:01 Dinner
8:51 Shower Review
10:09 Room Tour! (and sleeping)
13:39 Sunrise, Breakfast, Bed Review
15:43 Price, Final Thoughts, and Arrival
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Song: Chill Acoustic
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Song: Summer
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#amtrak

Пікірлер: 526

@user-sk2ji1fq7d 4 ай бұрын

As a woman traveling alone, if you are traveling overnight, the sleeper cars are SO worth the money. I took a trip to the Grand Canyon from Chicago fall of 2022. On the way out to Arizona there were no sleeper cars available so I had to sit in coach. The seats were comfortable as long as you were awake, but to sleep, it was miserable. In addition, the conductor seated me next to a man I did not know. I was incredibly uncomfortable all night long and barely got any sleep. My return trip to Chicago was in a sleeper car and I was able to catch up on the sleep I missed going west. My recommendation, spend the extra money for a sleeper car.

@AmyMarieNaglowsky 27 күн бұрын

it doesn't look clean or sanitized

@MatthewSmith-cv7op 7 ай бұрын

I tell people who are thinking about taking a long distance train by Amtrak for the first time. If you’re more concerned with getting there on time, and straightforward, then fly. If you don’t care when you arrive, or have time to kill, take Amtrak. With Amtrak, it’s about the journey, not getting there. Hence their slogan.

@MatthewSmith-cv7op 7 ай бұрын

Some of the ones out west are really great.

@krbroadmeadow 7 ай бұрын

Or drive

@dennisyoung4631 7 ай бұрын

Coast Starlight was awesome in May, 2021. More or less stayed in the Roomette except to use the shower or bathroom - oh, and the breakfast…. It wasn’t just the Virus, by the way. Would have done breakfast in the Roomette, too, had it been possible. They’re really quiet and “chill” - which is helpful for people who have less-obvious health problems and handicaps.

@wjb-wi6dt 7 ай бұрын

I agree - I want to try it for the experience. I don't even need an actual destination!

@marsianer4842 6 ай бұрын

Then their prices should reflect the service and dependability.

@Bivolari 7 ай бұрын

I have taken the Amtrak sleeper routes cross country many times. Those trains have regular meals and are wonderfully scenic. You can meet new people or choose to zone out. A few times I have been on trains that were 5 plus hours late. I did not email Amtrak, I called them. My complaints were listened to and I got vouchers for future travel. Two were for $300 each. Try calling them. You are correct. the microwave meals are terrible, especially for the prices they are charging.

@Danielator36 7 ай бұрын

Hoping to take one of the trains out west soon to try the traditional dining- I've heard it's great! Also, great point on the customer service. Someone else also reached out to me recommending that, and I've been told that I'll receive vouchers for the inconvenience of the delay (just waiting to receive those vouchers now).

@geofffitz1497 7 ай бұрын

That price. I could fly back and forth three times or a one way roomette price. For the price: Amtrak ALWAYS disappoints.

@debbest8546 7 ай бұрын

@@Danielator36 "Traditional" dining is indeed tasty. Comparable to first-class airline food. I wasn't about to take a route with tv dinners, fuck that! Calling Amtrak is not a bad idea. Better chance of a favorable outcome.

@SnozBerryQueen 7 ай бұрын

@geofffitz1497 for some it's not necessarily all about the price. It's also about the mode of travel..I for one am vowing to slow down and that includes with how I travel. Amtrack is awesome if you're into slower chiller travel.

@bamagrad76 7 ай бұрын

@@debbest8546😊

@StillPlaysWithModelTrains1956 6 ай бұрын

The whole experience would be so much brighter if Amtrak would simply reinstate full Dining Car service on all over-night trains East of the Mississippi with real Chefs and Cooks to prepare real meals. Get rid of the micro-wave garbage and bring back the classic Amtrak dining car menu! The Santa Fe, Southern Railway, and the Rio Grand managed to pull this off for years.

@chrisdobrowolski2783 2 ай бұрын

2 of those routes already have it west of the Mississippi which is Sunset Limted and the Auto Train. Also one of the silver train also have a Limted traditional dining. Also one segment on the Empire builder train goes west they have flexible dinning since the train splits in two.

@AmyMarieNaglowsky 27 күн бұрын

I agree

@eduardodifarnecio2336 2 ай бұрын

One of the best videos on the subject of train travel in the USA. So well edited and thoroughly explained. Good job, guys.

@fggerv 4 ай бұрын

I don't know why but these long trips always seems like I've only been traveling an hour and before I know it, I've arrived at my destination. Whereas flying always feels like forever.

@mjv5864 2 ай бұрын

So pleasant to watch. Both young men are well spoken and polite.

@randomxaos Ай бұрын

Sure is odd to see. Obviously their parents are decent people (Not definitely but likely 🙂)

@Wildcat221 4 ай бұрын

It seems like you guys took the delays in stride. I would just tell anyone who encounters them, yes they suck but such is life. Delays happen, mistakes happen, don’t even let it ruin your day or your mood. Roll with the punches and you’ll enjoy your trip so much more. That’s stuff is truly inevitable so you may as well just make the best of it.

@jonathanleonard1152 7 ай бұрын

Over night in coach is easier with: Blanket of your own, Neck pillow, Ear plugs. Much less expensive and one can bring some. If you have access to a shower be sure to have shower shoes. BTW I will never fly again.

@bunkyman8097 2 ай бұрын

I always travel with ear plugs. I sleep so much better with them.

@AmyMarieNaglowsky 27 күн бұрын

it about the train

@samwarga1881 6 ай бұрын

Our train system pales in comparison to so many other places

@bobcarn 6 ай бұрын

We booked a Roomette from Trenton down to Tampa. The dining car is MUCH better than the microwaved cafe meals. Our chef was a real chef and cooked a steak for me that was seared outside but rare inside. It was moist and juicy and amazingly tender. I tasted like it came from a steak house!

@Danielator36 6 ай бұрын

That sounds great! Hope to try that sometime soon

@carlg5838 6 ай бұрын

The same trip taken now would be a big disappointment then. Amtrak eliminated all of their chefs and on-train cooking within the last 2 years. What is now served on the dining cars nationwide are microwaved meals. Not to be confused with the microwaved cafe meals, which offer a much more limited menu.

@bobcarn 6 ай бұрын

@@carlg5838We just did the trip this October. It was a full dining car with a chef. My steak was cooked to order, rare, and very tender. It was delicious. I think some things like the Bolognese sauce is already prepared, but for the most part the dining car meals are cooked. I think some chefs may take liberties, but the one we had was amazing.

@grandwazoo870 5 ай бұрын

Took the Crescent in 02, great food from the dining car. Angus steak was excellent!

@lebana 5 ай бұрын

I've taken the Southwest Chief twice and both times got great steak in the dining car

@grant8653 6 ай бұрын

His words on breakfast are scholarly what a gentleman!

@ginanearftworth4404 2 ай бұрын

Really good video. I have tremendous anxiety about flying. I'm thinking about taking the train from Ft Worth to Chicago in June. Thanks for sharing what a roomette is.

@Tailsnpaws 4 ай бұрын

The trick to these travel videos is to have the viewers feel that they are with you. You have succeeded in this aspect. Well done! Knowledgeable, entertaining and some lighthearted fun. Liked and subscribed. Keep’em coming.

@bbutler7158 2 ай бұрын

Awesome voice over! 👌🏽💯

@stanley4006 7 ай бұрын

The cakes are from Frank & Louie In Rehobeth DE. Just had some a few weeks ago when we went to the beach. Highly recommend, he wasn’t lying when he said delicious.

@ladonna2u742 6 ай бұрын

It’s about time Amtrak updated some of its trains.

@ronclark9724 3 ай бұрын

New locomotives and regional coaches are on their way. This Viewliner II is fairly new, whereas the bi-level Superliners are showing their age, some over 40 years old. Presently the Superliner fleet is being refurbished, and the funding is in place for the new order of a fleet to replace the Superliners which most likely won't begin service until the 2030s...

@SatSun-op9dp Ай бұрын

The old sleepers with toilets were better if you are female traveling alone. Also a real dining car was better.

@cookingwithfat 3 ай бұрын

Yes!!! The Butter Cake. I'm so glad you mentioned it. It is delicious!

@Bobrogers99 7 ай бұрын

They should give each room a maintenance report card. The maintenance staff may check simple things like the lights, but not the shower. Chances are, the head is plugged, but if they don't know it they won't fix it. Showers on trains are often less than great, either because of water flow or temperature.

@fennyellis3366 4 ай бұрын

I've showered on the Zypher and the water pressure was decent.

@neutrino78x 4 ай бұрын

has to be better than on submarines. On a submarine, you turn the water on for 1-2 seconds, turn it off. Put soap on your body. Turn it on for 1-2 seconds, turn it off. Shower is over. It's extremely cold too lol. (its not deliberately chilled, but no effort is made to heat it, so if you're, ahem, "greater than 800 feet (243 m)" underwater, that potable water tank is going to be fairly cold.) Reason is that, while the nuclear reactor will happy generate a lot more potable water than this, we can only hold a little over 5000 gallons (18927 L) for each 18 hour day (three shifts). That's ALL the drinking water for 120 people. So, washing dishes, flushing toilets, drinking water, water for soda, water for juice, water for coffee....it all comes from the potable water tank. So it's roughly 41 gallons (155 L) per person each day. Sometimes we use a little too much fresh water, and the Captain has all the showers secured, so no one can take one, including him, until the water usage goes down. That only happened to me once in my four underway (at sea) periods on USS Florida SSBN-728. I have a total of 365 days underwater, says my DD-214, but the longest time I ever spent down there at one time was 87 days. 🙂 (the nuclear fuel lasts 20 years; you're mainly limited by how much food you can carry, which is normally 90 days at a time.)

@Bobrogers99 4 ай бұрын

@@neutrino78x I have to give you submariners a lot of credit. I could never, ever, serve on a submarine. Claustrophobia would get to me right away.

@scottbelter8365 5 ай бұрын

I gotta say those coach are actually pretty comfy I've taken the zephyr about 11 times between reno and Chicago and never once had a bad night's sleep on one of them and the delays were what made the trip worth while when you go on these long haul train you gotta expect the unexpected its an adventure and when given the chance I a l ways choose amtrak over flying

@brightonkat 7 ай бұрын

Really appreciate the honest review - it does no one any favours to brush over the bits that go wrong (shower/delays/etc. are all important!) Great video, glad to see you were both able to make the best of things despite the issues.

@sittinandthinkin 7 ай бұрын

I agree. If it's on the train it should be working. Broken/non-functioning bits are a sign of neglect. Neglect is not a word you want associated with your train/bus/plane for which you have coughed up hundreds of $$$ and are trusting your life to. His description of the Indianapolis station was spot on. Shameful state.

@Danielator36 7 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad to hear that it was helpful

@ronclark9724 3 ай бұрын

The shower is set with a timer to conserve water. Amtrak trains are not connected to any city's water works. Amtrak uses water tanks that do empty quickly when some choose to take ten minutes showers. Splash, soap, rinse can be done within one minute... Amtrak is not going to apologize for conserving water... You are on a train, not at a hotel!

@deborahphillips500 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for acknowledging the beauty of West Virginia. I’m sorry the extended delay in D.C. kept you from enjoying your travel through our state.

@masseydidehbani9401 3 ай бұрын

My husband and I are now retired and want to start traveling on amtrak a little bit, We have been watching several videos and agree that this is probably the best and most informative video that we seen on youtube, Great job, Good luck in the future, Maybe we'll see your name somewhere else in lights!

@luciad5988 7 ай бұрын

That looked like a fun adventure to me, having never traveled by train. Thanks for sharing, guys.

@elizabethroessner8487 5 ай бұрын

Travel by train is really fun and relaxing if you aren't in a hurry to get there.

@okiejammer2736 5 ай бұрын

THIS IS WELL DONE, a well-balanced video, great editing and voiceovers. Plus, you taught me a lot. New subscriber. Thank you. Keep 'em coming!

@robgraham5697 5 ай бұрын

I will be taking Amtrak next time I head South to see my wife. I don't care if I get there quickly. I want a somewhat relaxing trip. I've learned you can never get that from a plane.

@susanfarley1332 4 ай бұрын

Travel by Amtrak is so much better than riding a bus for days. I've done both. I do wish they had a smoking car, though.

@MarinCipollina 2 ай бұрын

Used to be that the lounge car was for smoking.

@JonEdwardJordan 6 ай бұрын

If you haven't already, come take a train in Europe sometime. It's not as awesome as Japan, but getting closer all the time. A new sleeper train just opened from Paris to Berlin...

@shamanbeartwo3819 2 ай бұрын

I just watched a video of a train from Paris to Milan on a Fiorefresca(sp?) route. Amazing!! The executive tickets had 8 seats per car, full menu included, and the train cruised along at 300kph (184mph). So, I then checked the prices after and thought there must be an error 'cause much cheaper than Amtrak!

@njlkerins 7 ай бұрын

I like the idea of this, to see a country in true time.

@Danielator36 7 ай бұрын

Yeah, it's definitely a cool experience!

@brucebelcher4995 7 ай бұрын

You should have spoken to the car attendant about the issues with missing cups, poor shower pressure, etc. Most attendants are very helpful. I'm surprised that you had poor shower pressure. I've taken many trips, and the shower has always had good pressure. I think that most of the Flex meals are heated with steam, but you're right, they should upgrade these to Traditional Dining. Sometimes there are big problems with delays, but most of my trips are no more than an hour or two late, even when it's a 3-day trip. I'm retired now so a delay doesn't matter too much to me, but I can understand why it's annoying to most people. You certainly had bad luck with the delays. I wonder Amtrak is having some issues with the new cars?

@richardbause2453 5 ай бұрын

You should go back to Indianapolis station and really look around. It's turned into a hotel and what's cool is that there are 13 railroad passenger car that are hotel rooms. Each is named after a Hollywood Celebrity.

@furudanuki6835 7 ай бұрын

We occasionally have the same issue with our shower at home. It's caused by dissolved minerals in the water building up over time and clogging the shower head jets. The fix is very simple. The jets are made of silicone rubber - or something similar - so just rub your thumb back and forth across the jets while the water is running. This will cause the jets to flex, which should break up the mineral scale and allow the water to flow freely again.

@mr-vet 3 ай бұрын

For 2 people traveling together, it’s best to do separate bookings for the roomette, even if you’ll be spending most of the time together in one of them. Separate bookings will give you double the space and the fee is the same whether w people in one roomettte or a roomette each.

@robrinva9561 6 ай бұрын

I took Amtrak coach from San Diego, CA to Richmond, VA. 4 trains, 72 hours. Someday I plan to do the trip in a roomette or bedroom.

@Zetharion1 7 ай бұрын

After riding in a Superliner Roomette, Viewliner 1 Roomette, and Viewliner 2 Roomettes, the VL2 Room is by far the best to travel in in my opinion. Very strange about being told you cant record when thousands of people do exactly that everyday. EDIT: Yeah you got screwed on that shower. You guys straight up got a busted up car it looks like.

@barroningram7286 7 ай бұрын

every now and then you will cross paths with a amtrak employee that has their butt up on their shoulders 🙁

@dimanimatedtakes 2 ай бұрын

I've seen videos of trip reports where people in the cafe car dont want it recorded, or dont want themselves recorded, but nothing like when youre on the platform for a fresh air break and theyre like "you cant record here!!" I am so glad that the Amtrak recording policy is on their own website. I wish airlines would do that too when people fly.

@larry4111 7 ай бұрын

This was fun to watch! I'm an Amtrak sleeper car fan and I do them once a year. I've come to expect delays, for sure. In 2022 I took the Sunset Limited from New Orleans to LA. It normally takes about 48 hours and includes 2 overnights. It stops in San Antonio to hook up with the Texas Eagle. They disconnect a couple of cars from that train and connect it to ours. It normally takes about 2 hours 40 minutes for the changeover. When we arrived around midnight the Texas Eagle should have been there but was delayed about 6 hours for mechanical issues so we sat and waited. At 7 am we pulled out. Fortunately, we slept through the whole night. I was scheduled to fly from LA to Honolulu at the end and literally kept logging into the airline site and rebooking later and later flights. The good news is, they did make up some time and we only arrived about 4 1/2 hours late so it was 52 hours total. Earlier this year I rode the Southwest Chief from Chicago to LA, also 2 overnights and about 43 hours. We actually arrived 25 minutes early. These were Superliners, though. I've never done a Viewliner. I only feel bad that you missed the best thing about these trips and one of the main reasons I love them - the freshly prepared food in the dining car. As soon as they switched back to traditional dining from microwaved after the pandemic I boarded one of the first trains to resume service. It's my favorite thing about these trains. I hope you get to experience that!

@cbeaucrawford 4 ай бұрын

Years ago I took the SW Chief from Albuquerque to LA and then another train to Seattle. The sleeperettes had minor mechanical issue on both trains but it was a great trip overall. The attendants were really helpful. It was comfy, quiet (2nd floor) and the highlights were the view car, the quiet cocktail lounge and the full course dinner with strangers in the dining car. My meals were excellent and so was the adventure of meeting new people. I often recommend Amtrak Sleeperettes to others. Was sorry to see downgraded meals in this video, I hope the dining car experience is not lost. The other thing I enjoyed was the lack of stress. Travel is often stressful but being on a train with an attendant helping guide me through reservations and stops it was a very relaxing trip, even with some delays.

@onemoonbeam3590 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for reviewing Amtrack. Your review changed my mind about EVER using them.

@kat35lulu88 2 ай бұрын

Exactly. I'd drive before being subjected to train schedules and delays.

@rebeccaenlow7395 7 ай бұрын

The roomette is the only way to go on a long trip with Amtrak. I’ve taken the coast starlight many times and love it.

@stephanieh5030 4 ай бұрын

Do wish the west coast trains were as decked out as east coast trains and have the car carrier feature

@csp8429 4 ай бұрын

Will did a great job of showcasing the amenities in the room! Nice job guys!

@Viconius 3 ай бұрын

My family did coach from Seattle to Chicago and back in 2018. First to Chicago took 52 hours instead of the 46 with a broken restroom pushing fumes through the car. Second to Seattle, 57 hours instead of 46. Broken heater that stayed on continuously in July. Commissary closed for all but 4 hours throughout the trip which also ran out of most items, literally. To make up for the trip issues to Seattle, a Subway ham sandwich and 8 oz. bottle of water. That was the "best" they could do. The crew was nice and it was clear they were not being supported and the only reason there wasn't more trouble than there was. If you have to take Amtrak, bring a cooler with more than you'd expect. Flying cargo in a C-130 was marginally better but it also didn't take nearly as long.

@cliffelliott9331 7 ай бұрын

Thanks guy's, I really love train travel.

@shrikeofterven6006 4 ай бұрын

Good to know that packing some favorite foods would be a good idea on these longer trips. Make sure you have something you know you will like.

@alexdentondxiw 7 ай бұрын

I use Amtrak frequently between Grand Rapids MI and Chicago Illinois. I've always wanted to take a roomette across the country. But, what keeps me from doing this is the stories I hear of delays and customer service with Amtrak. I do love the train rides though.

@TrainWatcherDon 3 ай бұрын

Nice video! Thanks!

@NYVET48TFW 7 ай бұрын

Just want to say thanks for not being a douchebag by making everyone read text while trying to watch a video! I hate channels that are too ignorant and lazy to narrate their videos. So, again, thanks! It's nice to be able to actually watch the video instead of trying to read descriptions!

@Del-Lebo 4 ай бұрын

Just a heads up...the porters will gladly set up the sleeping arrangements. Oblivious indeed! Never told to not film at stations! I go from Boston to DC back to Chicago and back to Boston 2 times a month. I am in my 50's and don't quite understand your difficulty. Especially that you are not traveling for work.

@marzymarrz5172 4 ай бұрын

I think I've been rained on by more water than you had in thar shower. Ah Virginia, a lovely place. Good video.

@edwardmiessner6502 5 ай бұрын

I took the Amtrak Southern Crescent from New Orleans to Boston with my partner in 2000 and by myself in 2004. The roomettes were plainer but also nicer because they had their own washrooms. The meals were nicer too, freshly made and served on real plates with real silverware. The Indianapolis station? The concourse below those stairway closures was converted to a festival marketplace type of shopping mall, ugh!

@janespitfire9884 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for info!

@alienxyt 7 ай бұрын

Brought back memories. I used to work in Manhattan near Penn Station and would leave work early to catch a 3:45'ish to Florida on a Friday to see my family. I loved it from the get-go and did it a few times. My only offering was a Viewliner 1 Roomette, as they didn't have any of the "new" trains on that route. I'm glad I got to have the experience. And even with some enroute delays once in a while, it was still great. Relax for an hour or 2 and then eat dinner. Relax a little more and hit the dining car for a beer or 2 and talk to the other passengers for a while. Then some more relaxing until bed. Wake up and grab a shower, then breakfast, and you are about an hour or 2 from your destination. There was always something to do every other hour or so, so you didn't feel bored at all. Good times.

@jeaniechampagne8831 7 ай бұрын

This was my experience, me and my son. Roomette, same size as this one, I guess they all are. The best part is we could order our meals to be served to us in our roomette by our porter who checked on us throughout our trip to see if we needed anything. We also ate in the dining car that wasn't too roomy so tables were shared with others which was ok. Food was not bad. Dining car also had ala carte service, hamburgers and such made to order. Shower basically same, I just recall it being so cold in there, but there was enough water and it was hot/warm. Sleeping - the most miserable night of my life, thank goodness it was only one night there and one back, New Orleans to Chicago. Overall, it was a positive experience and that's why we chose the train. It was fun. If I ever go by train again, I will choose a larger sleep room. Thanks for sharing!

@deniporter3321 2 ай бұрын

On numerous occasions I chose to travel by Amtrack coach from South Bend, Indiana to Pittsburgh, Pa. The trip is 7-8 hours long, in the dark. I have seen northern Indiana, a few hundred times, northern Ohio, a few hundred times, AND western Pa, at least 50 times. I figured out, I could sleep for a few hours, (Driving AND sleeping at the same time is a very bad idea) arrive in Pittsburgh early enough for my son to pick me up, get to his house, take a quick nap, and surprise my grand kids when they woke up. The price was less than a couple of tanks of gas to drive, AND less than a round trip flight. AND no security clearence to muddle thru. I LOVED those overnight train trips!

@maireandjohnstege2520 4 ай бұрын

I think your assessment was spot on. I think you need to take a train for the experience of taking a train trip.

@gr_br 3 ай бұрын

I have ridden on many European long distant trains and on American trains. It's interesting (and fun) to experience the vast differences - the food, the accommodations, the journey etc.

@niceatrya3477 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info. For a NW Indiana hoosier that visits Lafayette frequently, I have been tossing the idea of taking an Amtrak journey with my folks who are getting up there in years on this beautiful planet as a new experience to spend time with them. The destination is secondary to the journey in my book.

@Edward-bd8iy 6 ай бұрын

Amen and Amen! You must know your Harry Chapin; it was he who sang "It's the going, not the getting there that's good" in his track "Go Greyhound". If your folks aren't familiar with Amtrak, I suggest you start with a shorter trip to get the feel of train travel.

@khughes0402 7 ай бұрын

The world needs more humans like you and Will. I was so taken by your laid-back attitudes in spite of the delays and non-functioning equipment. Your wonderful deadpan humor was so spot-on that I watched this video from start to finish and was truly sorry when it was over. And on top of that, your final thoughts were right on the mark, yet, it didn't stop you from being as objective as possible about taking Amtrak via the Cardinal. I am now subscribed to your channel and look forward to the kind of entertainment that holds my interest without being flashy, loud, or over-the-top. Good job, Daniel. If I were your or Will's parents, I would be so proud of the kind of people you have both become. Keep it up!

@Danielator36 7 ай бұрын

Thank You! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the video- hope to make more like this soon!

@GMAMEC 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for your review. Hopefully a representative from Amtrak will see your video. Many of the problems are fixable and should be addressed .

@drakkondarkspell 4 ай бұрын

I took a 3 day trip from Chicago to Phoenix on Amtrak in Coach. Those seats are actually quite comfortable, and the blankets are very soft and warm.

@jasonjmarchi 4 ай бұрын

This is a LONG-TIME wish of mine, to take an Amtrak sleeper train trip. As a writer, I will have my manual typewriter and laptop with me to work on stories without the distractions of home. Great review here. This looks like an affordable trip. I live in the middle-shoreline area of CT near New Haven, so I'd take the commuter train from New Haven to New York, then the sleeper from NYC to Chicago on a round-trip, staying in Chicago long enough to go the Field Museum for a day and then rent a car to drive to Waukegan, Ill. the next day, to finish a short story set in Ray Bradbury's childhood town. Thanks for posting this!

@tayzonday 6 ай бұрын

I took one of these up the west coast. It smelled like train engine exhaust much of the way (especially when the train slowed down in mountain passes) because I was behind the locomotive.

@Danielator36 6 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that! I'll have to keep that in mind when choosing which car to sit in.

@LaurenOliviArt 6 ай бұрын

Tay Zonday! The legend himself ❤😄

@historynerd85 6 ай бұрын

Did you see any chocolate rain?

@jefftp 5 ай бұрын

Back in the 90s, that Amtrak train used to stop in the middle of downtown Lafayette, I think right down the middle of 4th street. It was a pretty convenient way to get to Chicago; except they only ran the train on Tuesday and Thursday. It was common for trains to break down and block all east-west passage through Lafayette. Nothing like having to drag your bike under a stopped train to make it to/from West Lafayette.

@BlackPearlMinistries 4 ай бұрын

There used to be stores under there. They closed down long ago. The crown plaza hotel above the train station is nice.

@kellyharper8072 4 ай бұрын

You guys are going to do well! Nice.

@andrewframe8046 5 ай бұрын

Sadly the glory days of rail travel are well behind us.

@MoTown2Go 4 ай бұрын

Tried CHI to ABQ. We arrived almost on time. Would recommend roomette for one person, or for small people. I was psyched for the journey but now would not repeat. Could not sit up or turn around in upper bunk and I freaked out on the return trip and ended up spending the night in the Sightseeing car. I hear the eastern cars are only one level and the upper bunks have much more head room. Oh, can't go wrong with the Flat Iron steak.

@sneaks01 4 ай бұрын

Great review and commentary! I’m new to your channel. I look forward to seeing more! Nice work and safe travels! 😊

@reyinfante5553 6 ай бұрын

It is sad to note that a lot of buses and trains especially in US cities are delayed and do not follow their time schedule. You can also encounter unclean surroundings and suspicious people in states like California. This is in big contrast in Europe.

@susantimko4811 7 ай бұрын

We took the train from Chicago to California. We were in a handicap car. Good thing it was a larger room, the upper bunk was one of those coffin ones. We brought extra blankets, so my husband ended up sleeping on the floor. He found out he’s a little claustrophobic!

@arman6119 7 ай бұрын

fav way to travel.....nothing better than having breakfast as you roll past people stopped at r/r crossings on their way to work.........also bring a guitar to the club car....always someone who can sing along....and the crew always likes Johnny Cash tunes

@cbartlett 7 ай бұрын

Great video, thanks for the thorough review.

@pascackvalleylinerailfan5037 7 ай бұрын

Back in July 2022 I went from Emeryville CA to Newark NJ on Amtrak's California Zephyr and Cardinal. Both were amazing! Booked roomettes for both trains. Our Zephyr was late into Chicago and we missed the Cardinal so Amtrak actually put us in a 4 star hotel in the heart of the city on them. Since the cardinal ran 3 times a week we actually got 2 nights which is something Amtrak really does not do to passengers. The Cardinal was a trip from hell because we wound up running into every strange issue like a tree falling onto our train, a CSX train left a dining car at a single tracked station, and one of their electric locomotives failed inspection before entering the NEC leaving passengers stranded without AC in DC for 2 and a half hours. We were supposed to get in by 11:00 PM but didnt get in till 4 in the morning. But would I do it again? Yeah, its a fun way to see America especially the west of Chicago routes. Also full service dining returned on the Silver Star to Miami. Im not sure if the cardinal will be getting a dining car with full service meals in the future.

@Edward-bd8iy 6 ай бұрын

Sorry about the Cardinal issues. I lived in Charleston WV for more than 50 years and rode the Cardinal every chance I got for years. Twice I was aboard when we came upon a downed tree ( both in the late 70s). I would love to ride the Zephyr; I rode the Silver Meteor, Cardinal and the Empire Builder from Orlando Florida to Seattle WA in the spring. Three trains, four and a half days. Hardly slept so I could see as much as possible. Worth it.

@mattpopovich 5 ай бұрын

Subscribed to help get you to 2k! Thanks for the tour!

@oldmanjimh3165 7 ай бұрын

Glad people actually tell about all the issues. Hopefully Amtrak will take notice. Do business people take earlier trains to help from being late? That shower and 5 hour delay would have made it my last train trip. Wonder if the train runs over speed to make up time? So sad USA doesn't have a good or even half ass train system.

@louiscy 7 ай бұрын

I was at your age when I venture into China in the eighties on train rides from Guangzhou to Beijing, Beijing to inner Mongolia, then to Shanxi, Shanghai, Nanjing.

@jessicam.3438 6 ай бұрын

This was a really nice calming watch! Thank you for filming your adventure. hope you and your friend have many more!

@dianesharples901 5 ай бұрын

Sleeper cars have attendant that will make your bed up so you don’t need to struggle with the seats.

@spencermorgan1939 6 ай бұрын

cool video showcasing how things can go wrong on amtrak. the video was fun and informative, and you guys are good looking, so hope to see more!

@Blairpark 5 ай бұрын

Pretty good review.

@italianbirdvideos6190 7 ай бұрын

We love the Roomettes! Excellent value, with view and solitude!

@rkgaustin9043 7 ай бұрын

I'm watching this and hobo videos and honestly can't decide which is the better way to travel by train. The roomette may be more comfortable but the freight trains have almost zero delays.

@wannabetrucker7475 Ай бұрын

probably not going to lose a leg or arm on Amtrak tho, but you do you.

@Empress_Yang 7 ай бұрын

I love how calm this makes me feel 😊 greet job!

@kennixox262 4 ай бұрын

Interesting video. My issues are, the nightlight, it should be red/amber rather than blue. The food, well, that might be a good opportunity to fast for a day. The butter cake looked delicious however. I just don't think that long distance rail travel will ever amount to much in this country. For the same price you can fly.

@chrisshelp1172 7 ай бұрын

As far as I can see, roomettes are better for a single person rather than two people.

@rtshort 7 ай бұрын

Well thought out, filmed, edited and presented.

@Splash99 7 ай бұрын

Great information. Very well done Thanks

@HR-wd6cw 5 ай бұрын

I took the train from Chicago to NYC on an overnight train riding coach and it's probably not something I would do again. Yes it was cheap ($90 each way) but a romette that sleeps 2 people and included meals at the time was $600. If you split that with someone, it can be worth it. the issue I had is that people are up and about during the night in coach and so unless you bring earplugs it's hard to sleep, but the leg room is nice (it's better than being on even plane seat with extra leg room, as you can get up without usually disturbing the passenger riding next to on the train. The one thing I would probably do differently next time is bring more snacks with me, so I wouldn't have to rely on buying food on the train. Of course if you're on there for more than say 8-12 hours then you might have to buy one meal, but for shorter trips, just bring some snacks and drinks (soda/water) with you as sometimes that's not included (or usually isn't) for coach seats, and it's nice because they at least used to let you bring your own food on the train, so I would sometimes buy two McD's meals and eat one and then save the other for later so I didn't have to buy the expensive meals on the train.

@user-gt6jm1yf5v 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the share. I was contemplating a trip of my own on Amtrak only from KC to LA. I’ll have to let you know.

@sarahj.8372 7 ай бұрын

You both did a great job...loved your take and opinions. As a kid in grade school I got to take an old train across my state in Montana that no longer exists to our church camp on a lake, it was an all night and next day affair and we had a car to ourselves and we went to the snack dining car and at each stop more kids and counselors and guitars and singing and incredible trellis ride in mountains. They are talking about them more in Montana now,,getting more going, I lived in NW and really enjoyed them there often from Portland to Seattle and Portland to San Francisco...it is fun watching young guys enjoying it all even with the quirks...it is just something that slows you down and gives you way more to see and time to contemplate it all than when driving and more stressed and kind of gets you ready for trains in Europe if you ever want to go. Thanks for doing this.

@spuds6423 4 ай бұрын

I have only taken the Autotrain over the last 10 years. The roomettes are okay but if you get the Amtrak credit card, it's easier to upgrade to a bigger room depending on the season. Naturally they are going to bonk you during Snowbird season. The dinner is decent and the attendants work hard to help you. On time performance can be iffy depending in any issues with freights on CSX and NS. However, if you don't want to deal with traffic on I 95, it's worth it.

@hangingwiththegrlz4891 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your journey, very cool! Your friend Will really resembles a young Sting from the rock group Police.

@Coyote150 7 ай бұрын

Great video! Thank you!

@kimberlyrose01 6 ай бұрын

The old Indianapolis Union Station was beautiful. It was closed in, I think, the 80s. By the late 80s, it had been converted into a shopping center that didn't get as much traffic as the shops needed. It's still around, but sadly not in use for rail passengers.

@stephengolub2703 4 ай бұрын

Great, very useful and balanced review.

@stephentimko766 6 ай бұрын

Believe it or not, I'm actually ON AN AMTRAK RIGHT NOW WATCHING YOUR VIDEO ABOUT AMTRAK 😂!!! Don't ask me why for I can only offer a reason of curiosity and wonder what the real trips are like, and continue to dream about taking one out west at some point in my life! For now, it's back to Ft. Lauderdale from Tampa and more of your vids.

@shamanbeartwo3819 2 ай бұрын

The Coast Starlight between Seattle/Los Angeles is an awesome trip.

@72wick 2 ай бұрын

Best way to travel with a child. My daughter was 5 and loved having our own space. All meals included, showers, and bathroom. When we went I had a newspaper every morning, hot coffee and water all day, and champagne for me and ice cream for my daughter at night.

@kathleenhudson8429 5 ай бұрын

A couple of things. Most long-distance Amtrak trains other than those stopping in New York City have meals that are actually cooked in the dining car and are usually good. Also, I have never been in a shower that had such low water pressure. It’s usually fine.

@louislamonte334 7 ай бұрын

Amtrak is better than nothing to be sure, but honestly it's a sorry shadow of the many fantastic trains that had impeccable service hat once plied the same routes over long gone railroads like the Baltimore & Ohio, New York Central, Chesapeake & Ohio and Pennsylvania.

@barroningram7286 7 ай бұрын

don't forget the crescent it along with the cardinal are the stepchild of the eastern long distance trains

@louislamonte334 7 ай бұрын

@@barroningram7286 Stepchild is right!!!

@Edward-bd8iy 6 ай бұрын

@@louislamonte334As far back as the 1980s, the schedule board in the old ticket office at the Hinton,WV train station still had the George Washington arrival/departure times on it. These days, the Cardinal still stops there but I don't know if you can still get in the waiting room.

@GO0DWOLF 4 ай бұрын

I took the one that runs between DC and Sanford FL back in November. On the way up, I took coach because I'm poor. For a 17 hour trip, it wasn't bad. The seats were comfortable, but I was bummed my dining options were limited as well as an extra charge, but was pretty good. On the way back, my girlfriend sprang for a roomette for me. I had a porter that would set the bedroom up for you while at supper and back again while at breakfast. Also the top bunk folded down instead of lowering like yours did. The food for that was actually very good and was included in the room cost. It came with wine or beer as well. I had the steak with port wine sauce. While it was pretty pricey for one person, my girlfriend and I are thinking about taking the girls up to DC and getting one of the bedrooms. It works out per person to about the same as coach.

@Ircar47 4 ай бұрын

Great review ! Honest and kind ! Not all trains routes created equal ...We travel transcontinental twice and was very please with services and dinning ,seems to me you didn't have that good of attendant .Things go downhill in our rail roads ,due to crumbling infrastructures and oh soo outdated new accomodations . With industries that use new technologies as RV builders or sea liners ,it is amazingly sad to see absolutely outdated fixtures like those light switches ,super small bathroom cabins and horrible lighting fuxtures - as they don't follow modern (not always more expensive )materials ... Food for a thoughts -why it's happening in our oh so gloriously beautiful country . Some view make me cry happy tears - that beautiful ,make me proud and patriotic ,very rich in nature and heritages country .

@NBZW 7 ай бұрын

In 1954 my Uncle Sam, paid $350.00 for passage to Chicago on the California Zephyr, transferring to Twentieth Century Limited to NYC, roomette all the way. Loved every second it, food was wonderful as were crew.