Texas Eagle Discussion

Former and present San Antonio (SAS) stations noted by Ms. Bly:

http://home.earthlink.net/~pmcclosky/Sa ... o_3-04.htm

Of further interest, when the Eagle's predecessor, the Inter American, started during 1973 as a Ft Worth-Laredo train, it used the former IGN (MP) station. That station code was SAM (San Antonio/Missouri Pacific).

http://www.wcroberts.org/MoPac_Station.html

The MoPac station will see trains again. VIA Metropolitan Transit, the transportation authority in San Antonio, recently bought it to use as their "Westside Multimodal Center". From what I understand, the station building itself is to be restored, and be the centerpiece of a new transit center hosting future BRT, light rail, intercity bus, and regional rail (Lone Star Rail District LSTAR service) from Austin.

http://www.viainfo.net/Documents/BRT/WSMMRendering.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How long has the steam engine been there ?. I dont remember it from my early 90's visit .

Can I get an up to date report on The Texas Eagle? I plan to take it from Austin to Chicago in a couple of weeks. What do I need to know to make this a good trip? Thanks. RR

I'm booked to take The Texas Eagle from Austin to Chicago in a couple of weeks. Would love to know what I need to know. For example, is it generally on time into Chicago? What are the highlights and lowlights? Thank you.

My biggest hint is to avoid riding the Texas Eagle through Arkansas on Sunday - or be willing to wait for the train to leave Arkansas if you're thirsty for alcoholic beverages.

But does it run generally on time into Chicago?

What do you define "generally" and "on time"? Few long distance trains, including the Texas Eagle, arrive on time (as stated exactly on the train schedule) more than half of the time. Long distance trains schedules have an hour or so padding added before the last station to help slightly late trains arrive on time. But that hour will not help a really late train do so.

I never expect a long distance train to arrive on time, neither should you. There's just too many things that can go wrong to make a train late.

Railrover, if you search down this thread, you can usually find a post from one of our members describing the previous month's on-time performance. I believe it's also on the Amtrak site. But to help you out, here's the latest:

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopi ... 46&t=84194

railrover at least once each year I ride the Eagle from Fort Worth to Chicago and it's always been late into Chicago.
The track construction this summer that caused even longer delays is finished for now is my understanding.

The Eagle runs a Cross Country Cafe (CCC) which is like "Diner Lite" mentioned elsewhere on this forum. It's passable with full meals but many of us think a full Dining Car has better seating configuration.
Usually the Eagle this summer has had a Sightseer Lounge (SSL) which is nice for socializing and scenery watching. Hang out there, you'll thank me later.
You didn't note if you had a Sleeper or Coach. I highly recommend a Sleeper. The Eagle runs a regular Superliner Sleeper and a "Transition/Dorm" Sleeper. The latter houses passengers and crew.
If you have a smartphone device with a map application, you can use that to check your train's location. Many people use something as simple as Google maps. You can get a Texas Eagle timetable and put that in your pocket to have an idea where you are at any given time, and use that schedule compared with actual departure times to forecast your arrival time into Chicago.
Hope this helps.

I use the iPhone app called motion x gps. You can download maps to your phone and then use it even if there is no cell signal. The gps still works.

Yep, got that App on my iPhone also. Like other users, I have mixed reviews of it.
MotionX™ | MotionX-GPS is handy to "plot" station locations en route.

I couldn't find a Texas Eagle thread and the one about adding Hope AR was locked.

THV11 - Amtrak service in Hope begins Thursday

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- The Amtrak Texas Eagle will serve the city of Hope, Ark., starting April 4. Tickets are available to serve the Hempstead County seat, a Southwestern Arkansas community of more than 10,000 that is also the location of former President Bill Clinton's birthplace, now an historic site under the National Park Service. A major celebration is being planned in Hope with local and Amtrak officials later this spring.

http://www.thv11.com/news/article/25835 ... s-Thursday

So there IS Hope for Amtrak after all!

Bill Clintons birthplace got a new amtrak stop.. I don't think that's a coincidence. But it's always great to see Amtrak adding stops to it's LD trains, as it makes little time difference (on a 24 hour + run like the Eagle) and opens up a whole new travel market.