BF and I always wanted to take Amtrak to New Orleans, and so we did. Left Saturday and came back last night. I like the city, the little that we got to see of it. Bourbon street......meh. Not my thing. I think Beale is much better. We did some silly spooky walking tour, that was interesting. The city of the dead.....warm and fuzzies....LOL.
Next time you're there, you have to try Drago's, best Char broiled oysters in the city from what I hear. I am not big on oysters, but damn those were good.
The train ride was pretty cool. We went a step up form the coach and rode in a roomette. It was nice, comfy and specious. I am not sure I could do the coach for 9+ hours. There are 2 trains that run this route. Amtrak 58 and 59. We took 59 there and 58 back. They call them the sister trains. Anyway, on the way back we stopped in the middle of nowhere and sat there for a while, so finally the crew had to tell us that train 59 going to NOLA hit a truck with 2 elderly women in their 80's so we were waiting for them to clear the accident.

Train accident

We sat there for about 2 hours. Weird feeling knowing that we were on that very same train just a few days before. Hope both ladies are ok. One managed to get our of the car in time. The other wasn't so lucky.
One more thing and I will stop rambling. Has anyone ever tried and find the entrance into the train station? Out train was leaving at 6:50 am. We got downtown with about 40 minutes to check in and get on. It was raining and we drove around in circles for at least half an hour before someone finally was able to tell us how to get in. We could see the stupid thing above us, but no way to get to it. It's a tiny little unmarked driveway......unreal. Unless you know how to get in there, give yourself plenty of time. We made it with 4 minutes to spare.
Glad to be home

This exact thing happened to me when I took the city of New Orleans about 15 years ago. We sat on the track for 4 hours and then again for another hour within view of the Memphis skyline. This was after some issue added another hour to our ride down.


I said I'd never do it again and now just drive to New Orleans.

(12-30-2016 09:02 AM)tiger2000 Wrote:  This exact thing happened to me when I took the city of New Orleans about 15 years ago. We sat on the track for 4 hours and then again for another hour within view of the Memphis skyline. This was after some issue added another hour to our ride down.


I said I'd never do it again and now just drive to New Orleans.

After riding the bullet train in France I'm too spoiled for Amtrak. I prefer popping in a good audiobook and rolling down I-55.

I took the train to and from NOLA when I was a kid. I thought it was fun and different. My wife has never been on a train so it is on the travel list after we retirement in 20 months. Thanks for tip on the roomettes.

Well Tanya if you ever go again you must go to Ye Olde College Inn restaurant. Been there for ages and the food is what the locals keep coming back for more. Not a tourist stop if you know what I mean.

Thanks for the update, Tanya. I haven't taken the train to New Orleans in about 20 years. I am sure better signage is in order. That whole area, including the apts in the train station, is about to get a multi-million dollar, complete makeover, with a Malco movie house going into the Power House building, and an upgraded Farmers Market. There is a really cool train museum in the train station, too.

I would have loved those train delays because it would give me more time to read a good book, something I never seem to have time for, except a train accident is never a good thing. I wonder about the safety of all those miles of train track. On the other hand, the last time I drove to NO with my son for a Tiger bowl game, on the way back, we hydroplaned on the highway, did a 360 and mercifully flew off the highway into the median. Nothing like staring death in the face as about four 18-wheelers and cars come right at you. The wrecker guy told us it happens all the time at that spot where water pools.

So, I guess I think the train is a much safer way to travel, with a drink and a good book. And the next time I go, although I love the French Quarter, I hope to venture to the other restaurants and attractions outside of the Quarter.

The Memphis Central station could really use a bigger/more visible sign on South Main.

(12-30-2016 06:17 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  I took the train to and from NOLA when I was a kid. I thought it was fun and different. My wife has never been on a train so it is on the travel list after we retirement in 20 months. Thanks for tip on the roomettes.

Beware of a guy who had a box fall on his head at UPS. All he does now is collect a check and ride trains

(12-31-2016 11:48 PM)ncrdbl1 Wrote:  

(12-30-2016 06:17 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  I took the train to and from NOLA when I was a kid. I thought it was fun and different. My wife has never been on a train so it is on the travel list after we retirement in 20 months. Thanks for tip on the roomettes.

Beware of a guy who had a box fall on his head at UPS. All he does now is collect a check and ride trains

Is that you?

(01-01-2017 12:52 AM)MGR Wrote:  

(12-31-2016 11:48 PM)ncrdbl1 Wrote:  

(12-30-2016 06:17 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  I took the train to and from NOLA when I was a kid. I thought it was fun and different. My wife has never been on a train so it is on the travel list after we retirement in 20 months. Thanks for tip on the roomettes.

Beware of a guy who had a box fall on his head at UPS. All he does now is collect a check and ride trains

Is that you?

One man's train is another's message board

(12-30-2016 02:24 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  

(12-30-2016 09:02 AM)tiger2000 Wrote:  This exact thing happened to me when I took the city of New Orleans about 15 years ago. We sat on the track for 4 hours and then again for another hour within view of the Memphis skyline. This was after some issue added another hour to our ride down.


I said I'd never do it again and now just drive to New Orleans.

After riding the bullet train in France I'm too spoiled for Amtrak. I prefer popping in a good audiobook and rolling down I-55.

I agree. We took the train from DC to NYC and back this summer, at one point my GPS said we were doing 114 MPH.

I would love for the USA to have trains the caliber of those in Europe and Asia.