Your previous video about the Zephyr inspired my wife and I to take Amtrak. We had a wonderful time talking to people enthusiastic about not just train travel, but travel in general. I’m so happy I found your channel. Safe travels, my friend!
The Zephyr and the Empire Builder are on our bucket list. You CAN still enjoy rides on AMTRAK, IN SPITE OF AMTRAK's management. Hope to see you along the routes!
@Jeb Brooks i have found that drinking Chia seeds soaked in hot water is a much easier and more effective way to supplement your diet with fiber than prunes
@Chris OLeary I don't remember the police on the train. I DO remember Cary and Eva Marie riding the train at the end! Also Steve McQueen chasing the thief to get his stolen-stolen money back and getting off at Alpine to turn around again.
As a friendly introvert, the idea of 3 days on a train where I can hang out alone in my room contemplating America out the window, or venture forth to visit with fellow travelers when the mood strikes sounds like heaven!
Jeb I so much enjoy your videos, I am a 94 year old resident of an assisted living community in Monroe NC and through the videos I can travel the world. My family has included members of the travel community, My grandfather was one of the first engineers on the "Katy" railroad and my brother was a Captain for Pan Am. I did a good bit of traveling when I was younger but since I can no longer do that your videos take me around the world. Thank you!
Never going to forget riding Amtrak to Chicago, with a friend, as a kid. Killing time and exploring Union Station, while waiting for my friend's dad, who was an Amtrak conductor. Union Station's interior was an amazing representation of a bygone era. Countless times those same trains passed by my childhood home, a few houses from the local rail yards. The horn, rumble and earth shaking vibration all a several times daily experience. It surprises me how much I miss it. This also reminds me of how much I miss my own Dad. I can still see him, on one of his regular strolls down to the corner. Standing and watching this great metal serpent go by. Lost in his own thoughts and memories.
I’ve made this trip dozens of times! I actually got stuck in Chicago during a major blizzard and the trip last an entire week as Amtrak had to pay for us to stay in a hotel because the tracks were frozen. They give you food vouchers and actually put us in a really nice hotel downtown for 3 nights. For anyone reading this always make sure you get a lower level seat if you can. Much quieter and more convenient or get a sleeper.
I thought about taking a train from NC to Sacramento, CA area but it would take me up to Wash DC first, then to Chicago, then Calif. I would save up and get myself a small sleeper, as it's pretty expensive. I'd like to see that route on video before making any final decisions, though.
Interesting trip. The sleeper or roomette are much preferred to the coach section although the coach car did look roomy enough. Being able to wash up and also sleep undisturbed cannot be understated for such a long journey. As a veteran of long-haul flights (14+ hours), cleaning up is so important. 66 hours would really push the need for a nice shower.
Jeb I am just in love with your videos!! Editing is perfect!! I traveled Amtrak as a child and now, 70 years later, I can enjoy all over again!!! I love your soothing voice! And love the minutiae!! Storage spaces, and exactly what food items are available and snacks in the cafe car!!! You had my mouth watering!!! I'm looking forward to watching them all. Hope Southwest Chief is one of them!! You have made my day. Many thanks, Jeb!
Because of this video, I took the Texas Eagle from Chicago to LA, and I agree that it was the most relaxing of all my Amtrak trips. The dining and sleeping car attendants were the best. And, I really loved all the small towns and diversity of the landscape, and cruising right next to the border with Mexico. The hours passed so quickly -- I loved it. Thanks for your videos!
Train travel is everything and so much more! We LOVE Love love train traveling. It is definitely the best way to go! Thank you AMTRAK! We have been on that train and are planning to go again. Thanks Jeb for your great commentary.
You must be one of the most optimistic, uplifting vloggers ever. My mood is always boosted after spending time with you. Thank you so much, Jeb, for your generous sharings.
Yes I agree! @Jeb Brooks got me through some dark times during covid. I watched many videos from the before times during covid and they were always so positive and refreshing.
Earlier this year, my wife, 11-year-old daughter, and I took a similar 3-day train trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. We enjoyed the time adventuring together. I enjoy your videos. Cheers.
Totally inspiring! Been over a decade since I last visited your beautiful country and your video has woken me up to the fact that I have to return ASAP and experience one of these magnificent rail journeys! Now 70 years old, I must wake up and smell the coffee while I still have the time! Thank you, thank you! Paul UK
You can't help but love this country when looking at it from a seat on one of these trains. Because it's so immediate but you see such a great variety of landscapes. You can disconnect from all the craziness in your life too.
I've taken almost all of Amtrak's long distance routes over the years. In 2014 I rode the Sunset Limited from LA to New Orleans, and I loved going through the desert. I kept expecting Gene Autry or Roy Rogers to ride up next to the train!
This is why I travel by train whenever I can. I first discovered Amtrak by taking the California zephyr from Sacramento to Denver Colorado. It is so relaxing and beautiful! I really hope that, over the coming decades, we see an expansion of rail options, high speed rail, more roots, and generally a larger embracement of this more relaxed way of getting about :-)
I found it takes forever to get out of Texas, but that was by car. On the train back in the 50th's I traveled from California to New York and it was wonderful. My dad worked for Santa Fe and we traveled for free. What a great time we had!! In between cars as I walked I saw a tornado to my left, but really didn't know it was dangerous, all I knew about was earthquakes. Thanks for the return ride!!
Your amtrak videos helped my mother and I pick which route to take for an upcoming trip- it's been her biggest travel dream to take a long train journey like these. Later this month, my mom will take her first flight at 61 years old as part of the trip as well. Your other videos have helped easy some of her flight anxiety!
Hey Jeb, you have sparked my interest in taking an overnight trip on the train. I really believe that you could make a 4 day car trip with rambunctious kids interesting and inviting. Thanks again.
The year before Covid, I took a trip almost this long. Atlanta -> Washington D.C. -> Chicago -> Denver. It was three nights on the train and three full days. It was actually kind of cool that we had several hours in both D.C. and Chicago to do some sightseeing (for sleeping compartment passengers, you can use the lounge in the stations to store your luggage.) It was a great way to see the "flyover" states up close. One memorable moment was having dinner in the dining car at sunset as we crossed the Mississippi River. Loved that trip!
Stumbled upon your channel today and watched this video. I must say, this was a better blog than I have ever seen on KZclip, PBS, etc. The quick cuts between camera views, clean voice overs, streamlined script... it all flows VERY well! You can hear the excitement in your voice and I cannot wait to check out your other videos as well! Great job!
The only problem with the quick cuts is that you're looking at cool scenery for only one second per shot. Every single time it's just one second. You're looking at it and thinking oh wow, that's cool, then aww damnit! and it cuts back to inside the train! Lol.. No but seriously this was a really great video, I watched the entire thing, glued to the computer screen. It was an awesome trip.
I’ve always wanted to do a cross country train trip on a sleep car and next month I finally will be. I found your videos while researching and just wanted to say how well done they are and they give me major Marc Summers Unwrapped vibes! Well done and thanks for the great info
Yet another fantastic video! And being a (european) train driver, I very much appreciate you mentioning the various staff that keeps the trains running. Btw, if I lived in the US, I would most definitely work for Amtrak 🙏
Great video! I would love to do a train journey like this. I’ll be honest and say I haven’t had good experiences with Amtrak on the Coast Starlight (running out of food, unhelpful conductors, etc) but I know that’s not the norm and I encountered wonderful Amtrak personnel as well. Also was on an Amtrak about 1/4 mile from home and the train hit a pedestrian. Yikes! But I digress…..I think a long journey on the Empire Builder, Sunset Limited or other long route would be awesome! My great great grandfather was a conductor on the Illinois Central with a route from New Orleans to Chicago so I’ve always loved trains…..must be in my DNA!
Thank you for your travels and comments. We are going on a train trip with a 9 year old soon and your travels are inspiring and informative! Keep up the great work!🤗
As a Texan. It is such a shame to see areas of Texas STILL attempting to recover from the massive hurricane of Harvey a few years back. And even more recently the deep freeze. Both of which ravaged communities. Sadly, most of our smaller towns and slightly more rural areas, are stills truggling to recover.
Damage from the freeze yes, but only the southernmost had Harvey Damage. I’m in Houston. We have the most Harvey, next to Corpus Christi..and I think it was mostly spared even.
Not sure how I stumbled across this channel but love the content. Just took my first Amtrak from Chicago to Kalamazoo with my teen daughter and we are now looking for more opportunities to travel by train!
Dear Jeb, your KZclip videos are magnificent, informative, and detailed. I love your descriptive style and your ever-positive, smiling face. Great going, bro! Keep up the fantastic work!
@Eva Balga It's not that, really. It's that train tracks are almost always going through slummy areas. Nice areas are not developed near train tracks for obvious reasons (noise). But yes, there is a lot of poverty. You don't usually see it though because who wants to visit those areas? No one.
Just found ur channel and absolutely love it!! I am a born Texan and hv nvr seen so much beauty in this huge state! You really hv inspired me to schedule a Amtrak trip this summer!! Thank you
My husband and I are traveling home to Texas from Orlando. Thanks to your videos, I knew to look for the Metropolitan lounges. They are life-savers on lengthy layovers. Thank you, thank you
Seven years ago, I took the Sunset Limited from Hoiuston to LA. It was a great train journey. I did get off at San Antonio to watch them join the trains together for the rest of the trip and got a photo of the Hemisphere Tower off in the distance. I have to say the coffee was kept available in my sleeper car all the times I used it, which were a lot!
I loved going on Amtrak from WV, to Chicago to make a connection to CO, and I never used the Greyhound again. The scenery on the trains are fantastic, and I love the gentle rocking motion. I’ve never gotten motion sickness with any form of transportation, but flying gives me severe anxiety and a major nervous breakdown. My last flight was from DIA to WV, and the only way I was ok emotionally for once, was because my cat was with me in her carrier, in the cabin on my lap. For the first time, I enjoyed the trip because I was more concerned about her than myself. She just curled up in her carrier, on my lap, and slept. The connecting plane tried to roast her. They made me put her under my seat 💺, with the heat on high since this was severe winter. My foot got hot as hell very quickly🥵 , and I grabbed her carrier up on my lap and turned her carrier up on end and flipped the cold 🥶 air on. The flight ✈️ attendant tried to make me put her under the seat, but I refused until they turned the heat off. My cat hated any air blown on her face by me, but she stood up, put her face under the cold air and stayed that way until she was okay. It was my last trip by airplane ✈️.
I grew up in Washington DC, but have been living in Southern California since 1961. In the year 2001 my high school class was having its 50th reunion. Since I was now retired with plenty of time I decided to go by AMTRAK. That convinced me that for me airline travel was a thing of the past. Since then I have been back every year until 2021. Usually I go from here to Chicago, then the the capital limited to DC. Since two of my kids live in Boston sometimes I AMTRAK it there and then down to DC. Coming home I reverse the route. I have also taken AMTRAK from DC to New Orleans and from there the route through TEXAS back to LA. I have taken every route from LA to Chicago including the route from Seattle. Two years ago. the number of orbits the earth has made around the sun with me as a passenger started getting to me so I haven't made the trip since. Then I discovered site like this one where I can again feel the joy of travel. Thank you all so very very much for helping to make and old man feel young again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your passion for rail travel really shines through in these vlogs. I love your unbiased, objective views of America, as an Australian this is a rare opportunity to see America’s’ “backyard”…I can’t but think of the countless stories behind so many towns and places, thanks for sharing 66 hours of really interesting train travel👏
I really enjoyed the quiet, meandering pace of this video. It made me feel I had time to soak up all the atmosphere of train travel and the American landscape - oh and the yummy Amtrak meals.
This reminded me of the 2 train trips my wife and I travelled from Los Angeles to San Antonio. Our favorite part was the meals. We were 2 people and so shared a table other passengers. Train travel is a social event.
In the 60's my family and I traveled on the Rock Island line from Iowa to Phoenix. I was young but I remember how cool it was! Here I am nearly 60 years later still loved that trip!
Well done Jeb, I’ve travelled over 40,000 miles by Amtrak and you capture it perfectly. I think the Coast Starlight is naturally your next route to take….
I had fallen asleep watching a train video, and woke up to this one playing. You did a great job on it! It made me even more excited about the upcoming Amtrak ride my son and I are taking in October. We will be taking the Heartland Flyer, Texas Eagle, Capitol Limited and the Silver Meteor to get to Orlando for our Disney vacation.
Beautiful shots and great video sir. I'm doing an Amtrak epic voyage this Apr/May. 5800 miles. I hope that I can document it as good as you. I appreciate your love of train travel!
When I lived in Baltimore I used Amtrak constantly. The old reliable NE Direct and others. Super convenient. One thing though....on any future overnight trips I'm definitely getting a room. Great video as always Mr. Brooks. And the truth is I prefer the train to planes anymore. Much more relaxing.
Really nice video!.....I always enjoy in depth coverage/reviews of great rail journeys! Planes are great...but there is really something special about a long train journey!! And you can't argue with the kinds of views/sunrises like the one at 25:31 🙂
These are some of the only videos on youtube i can watch from beginning to ending without skipping anything. While I never experienced a long term train ride, just taking the train from NY to Philadelphia did inspire me to want to try some longer interstate train adventures. These videos inspire me to make it happen. Thank you!
Great video! Texas is a fun experience. I am Canadian, but I have family in west-central Texas. The land there is flat, but my family has driven through the mountains going to the border, and it is some of the most awesome scenery there is. BTW, have you ever gone to Toronto? Union Station in Toronto is one of my favourite buildings in the whole world. It was built probably around the same time as the one in your video, so it has that feeling of stepping back in time, and the architecture is phenomenal. It runs trains all over Canada: westward to the Prairies to Vancouver, southwestward to Windsor, and eastward to Montreal and Atlantic Canada. But it is also the hub of almost a literal underground city, called the PATH. You can get to the Rogers Centre for a Blue Jays baseball game, whatever they call the Air Canada Centre these days for a Leafs or Raptors game, or to the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is astounding.
Thanks for this video (and all the others) they are really helpful as I’m from the UK and I’m planning a big adventure across the US next year with my family. Keep up the great work
Hello from Washington State🇺🇸 I LOVE your Amtrak Train videos !! This one was even more special to me because you took the longest train possible! Your calming and relaxing to watch and I enjoy all your videos but the train has a hold on me!! You get to see places no cars travel and see interesting sites along with beautiful ones!!! I’ve been on the train many times but never an overnighter !!! Thank you for all your videos and insight on them all! I will never get to travel much anymore but go with you guys! Please take care and I will see you either up in the sky or on the tracks down below!!! Kathy
been binging your trip vlogs and absolutely itching to get on Amtrak for trip. Really excited to see what comes from ConnectUS and all of the improvements the new locomotives and cars are going to bring. Has me excited for a more rail-accessible America in the future
I love sleeper trains, I wish we had more of them in the states. I remember my first time on one in China, it was some of the best sleep I ever had with the white noise of the train and the rails rocking me like a baby
I love your videos and even though I know you'd love to have one of your friends or Suzanne traveling with you. I really like it when you're going solo. It's like we have you all to ourselves,! Love your description of the areas and your good humor. Thanks for taking us on so many journeys
Hi Jeb and greetings from Scotland. As always I love your videos they are fab. The Texas Eagle was my first encounter long distance with Amtrak travelling from San Antonio to Chicago and it was a great experience. I met so many friendly people and saw parts of the US I never would if I had taken the plane. The service on the Texas Eagle seems to have sadly changed though as there is no traditional dining now between Chicago and San Antonio and also no sightseeing lounge. A true shame as I really enjoyed my time in the sightseeing lounge as it was a real opportunity to meet fellow travellers and many of them taught me a thing or two about Texas. Thank you again for another wonderful video. Best wishes, Brian
Looks like an absolutely wonderful way to do a cross-country trip. I have been looking into a LA to Fargo trip in December (63 hours), but getting a roomette for two is really expensive! I'm always shocked as to how much train travel is in the U.S.
I’ve been thinking about taking Amtrak from Chicago to Dallas. This video showed me what to expect. Great job editing your videos. Really enjoy your work. 👍
this video feels even more special than most of your other videos, Jeb. truly one of the most enjoyable things i’ve ever watched. the Lionel Ritchie joke cracked me up too
Very impressive. I think that Amtrack is a true experience for any traveler. It’s also funny how this route on aircraft only takes in time in a matter of hours versus days. Glad to see some different content on the channel!
There is a reason why Congress created Amtrak in the first place. Even the US government itself with the USPS chose to fly the mail long distances a half century ago. Hours instead of days as you noted... No longer do passenger trains in America have on their consists a dozen or more mail cars... America is a large nation, not a TINY nation like Germany or France...
New to your channel and this video. Well done ! I really, really... enjoyed it. I love trains and it's history. I also enjoy experiencing things I would otherwise not have experienced in my life. Thank You ! 👍 👍 💯
Thank you for the lovely video! I am new to your channel, and really enjoy your content! This video was so beautifully filmed and narrated, I really enjoyed it...I felt like I was travelling with you! I don't get to travel much myself, so this is so much fun to watch. I'll be on the lookout for any of your videos in Canada (as a Canadian), although I do have family in NC in the US (one of whom is a travel agent)! Thanks again!
Just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed watching this video it gave me so much peace watching this seeing life without all the fancy stuff just good old nature and the basics I love it man keep doing what you do safe travels to you may you enjoy life to the fullest!
Thank you so much for this video Jeb. Made me feel like I was there. Texas gets a bad rap overseas (even in the US I think) and I don't know why - seems one of the greatest states if you ask me.
I took the train from Chicago Union Station to Longview ( roundtrip) a few times. I loved it! Modern and up-to-date? Not really. Comfortable, relaxing YES!! I would love to take it to Los Angeles. Thank you - great video!!
Hearing the name of some cities, reminded me when I was living in the US: Chicago, St Louis, Dallas, Austin (where I was actually studying), San Antonio and El Paso. Thanks for this long video. I loved it. 👍🏻
I'm taking this train down to meet my partners in Texas from Battle Creek to Chicago to Austin so grateful for people like you that show us how the train is and everything I have extreme anxiety and am also disabled so want to know what I'm getting into before I actually get on the train these videos help a lot with the uncertainty!
Blown away by this trip!! Never been on a train. Told my girlfriend i want to do this same route next fly into Chicago a day before trip and end up in LA. What a great way to see our country that you normally can't see by car. Thank you so much!! Love this very informative video.
Really well put together video, I love it! I took the Texas Eagle many, many times when I worked in Chicago and lived in SA. Unfortunately we hit and killed someone who ran a signal as we pulled into SA on my first trip and that kind of tainted my feeling about Amtrak. I always got a roomette and it's a really decent, worry-free ride. Happy rails!
Back a bit in the comments, a European asked why the horn is used on US trains...the car/train collisions that occur (anyway) are traumatic for rail workers too...Americans, use common sense...possible train coming when U see tracks!! Europeans have almost NO accidents compared to US..☹️
One so often hears reviewers speak highly of Amtrak's traditional food service that it's worth mentioning that much of the tradition comes from the Fred Harvey Company as provided by the ATSF, pre-Amtrak. My family traveled extensively via Sante Fe and I fondly recall the white linens, polished table service, a fresh rose bud for each table's vase... the impeccable, dignified service from the waiters. The food was cooked to order and if you had the right table, you could observe a bit of the kitchen staff at work. Not all of that survived either time or Covid restrictions (and who knows how much will come back anytime soon), but what remains continues to impress. If only we could get into the WayBack machine and see how good it has been. Had to edit: I did a bit of looking around and found some mementos of a trip from 1968, on Sante Fe's Super Chief. It was the 'flagship' of the railroad even as train travel declined in favor of air travel. Great memories.
What an excellent video. Your videographer skills and detailed coverage of your trip is second to none. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to share your Amtrak experiences!
Back in 2004 I did a five day four night 12 state train journey on Amtrak. I did have two transfers though LA & NOLA. All of it in coach class. I have also been in the Chicago station, which like many big city stations of old that have been kept up or like LA restored, is beautiful.
Thank you for allowing this Aussie to glimpse what I have never been able to do . I loved the way you showed ‘raw natural beauty ‘ and not touristy places. I miss my late Chicago husband and seeing this video made me remember him.
I’ve never been to W. Texas. It’s such a beautiful place. I going to have to take this trip. I love trains. I need to go to N. M. Being a city girl…. I’m amazed with all the open spaces in the west! Amtrak is an adventure of a lifetime. 💫
I’m new to your channel and find your Amtrak vlogs extremely informative, entertaining, and relaxing! Not sure how anyone can travel without at least a roomette. I understand cost but the need to stretch out, sleep, and have privacy would be a must have for me.
@k m I would be fine taking Greyhound. I commute via bus on a daily basis and enjoy the ride. Greyhound seems to not only have more comfortable seats but amenities too. Just would need to stand & stretch from time to time.
Excellent. Enjoyed every minute of watching. Haven't been to the USA since the 80s. Absolutely loved it that time. Very like Australia, but with quirky, pleasant surprises along the way. Once Covid quietens down a bit I want to go back; and some Amtrak trips are certainly on the agenda.
hey jeb i was a sailor for 35 years made my first train trip on the texas eagle.enjoyed it very much i was really inspired by your video on the texas eagle i put in on my bucket list .love your videos keep up the good work.
Terrific presentation during a long train trip. As you moved further into Texas I wondered what was the geology of some of that landscape. I think some of those hills and rocks might be remnants of ancient lava flows! Anyway you did a splendid travelog . Thank you. 😊
Thank you Sir for sharing our travels on this LONG route, 😌. I totally agree with you all in all a train ride experience is SO unique. May God be with you in all of your travels.
I was actually hoping you would have added a shot of Southwest University Field close to Union Station in my hometown of El Paso, Tx. I used to work for the company that transported train crews to and from trains. I come from a railroad family so it was so much fun working with the train crews and being able to communicate with my dad on the radio when he would be servicing the trains with the car department. I have so many fond and beautiful memories with that job. Great video and I hope to have my turn on Amtrak soon.
Texas is the most amazing state to travel through, whether by train, bus or car. So many great towns and cities to see. Visited here in 2013, fell in love and now it's my home.
Hey Jed love your vids I worked on the railway In the UK for 40 years so I did a lot of work on freight and passengers trains and lot of travelling in Europe I have been to the US about six times travelling all over by car .Great country JP
I ride all the time from Spokane, Washington to Tampa, Florida on Amtrak! You just have a nice short little hop and sometimes my trip takes up to six days! Trip is totally worth it, you just need time, patience and a little money...🤗
Your previous video about the Zephyr inspired my wife and I to take Amtrak. We had a wonderful time talking to people enthusiastic about not just train travel, but travel in general. I’m so happy I found your channel. Safe travels, my friend!
Sounds like "North by Northwest." The police interview in the sleeper car...
I’m so glad you took the trip! And even more glad you had a great time!!
The Zephyr and the Empire Builder are on our bucket list. You CAN still enjoy rides on AMTRAK, IN SPITE OF AMTRAK's management. Hope to see you along the routes!
@Jeb Brooks i have found that drinking Chia seeds soaked in hot water is a much easier and more effective way to supplement your diet with fiber than prunes
@Chris OLeary I don't remember the police on the train. I DO remember Cary and Eva Marie riding the train at the end!
Also Steve McQueen chasing the thief to get his stolen-stolen money back and getting off at Alpine to turn around again.
As a friendly introvert, the idea of 3 days on a train where I can hang out alone in my room contemplating America out the window, or venture forth to visit with fellow travelers when the mood strikes sounds like heaven!
Bec
Good job
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Jeb I so much enjoy your videos, I am a 94 year old resident of an assisted living community in Monroe NC and through the videos I can travel the world. My family has included members of the travel community, My grandfather was one of the first engineers on the "Katy" railroad and my brother was a Captain for Pan Am. I did a good bit of traveling when I was younger but since I can no longer do that your videos take me around the world. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing a bit of your story with us. Sounds like you have a wonderful family.
Edited tremendously well, this video made me truly forget everything else in my life for 37 minutes! Thank you Jeb as always!
Haha I had the same reaction! Love your stuff Jeb, this was a truly great episode.
Me too
A 66 hour trip all in 37 minutes, stunning!
Never going to forget riding Amtrak to Chicago, with a friend, as a kid. Killing time and exploring Union Station, while waiting for my friend's dad, who was an Amtrak conductor. Union Station's interior was an amazing representation of a bygone era. Countless times those same trains passed by my childhood home, a few houses from the local rail yards. The horn, rumble and earth shaking vibration all a several times daily experience. It surprises me how much I miss it. This also reminds me of how much I miss my own Dad. I can still see him, on one of his regular strolls down to the corner. Standing and watching this great metal serpent go by. Lost in his own thoughts and memories.
... remembering Dad ...I do too ...
Serpent of joy.
Full marks for going the extra mile to protect the privacy of your fellow travelers.
I’ve made this trip dozens of times! I actually got stuck in Chicago during a major blizzard and the trip last an entire week as Amtrak had to pay for us to stay in a hotel because the tracks were frozen. They give you food vouchers and actually put us in a really nice hotel downtown for 3 nights. For anyone reading this always make sure you get a lower level seat if you can. Much quieter and more convenient or get a sleeper.
Thank you so much for your advice! I’ll choose the lower level seat.
I thought about taking a train from NC to Sacramento, CA area but it would take me up to Wash DC first, then to Chicago, then Calif. I would save up and get myself a small sleeper, as it's pretty expensive. I'd like to see that route on video before making any final decisions, though.
The upper level is not that great at all for a long distant trip, so you are spot on, lower level is better
Guys more than 50% of comments are made by A.I. Bots
@Steve Lee damn
This reminds me of being a kid, watching travel shows on PBS. Great editing and commentary!
Thanks so much!! I really appreciate your kind words!
Interesting trip. The sleeper or roomette are much preferred to the coach section although the coach car did look roomy enough. Being able to wash up and also sleep undisturbed cannot be understated for such a long journey. As a veteran of long-haul flights (14+ hours), cleaning up is so important. 66 hours would really push the need for a nice shower.
Jeb I am just in love with your videos!! Editing is perfect!! I traveled Amtrak as a child and now, 70 years later, I can enjoy all over again!!! I love your soothing voice! And love the minutiae!! Storage spaces, and exactly what food items are available and snacks in the cafe car!!! You had my mouth watering!!! I'm looking forward to watching them all. Hope Southwest Chief is one of them!! You have made my day. Many thanks, Jeb!
Because of this video, I took the Texas Eagle from Chicago to LA, and I agree that it was the most relaxing of all my Amtrak trips. The dining and sleeping car attendants were the best. And, I really loved all the small towns and diversity of the landscape, and cruising right next to the border with Mexico. The hours passed so quickly -- I loved it. Thanks for your videos!
Train travel is everything and so much more! We LOVE Love love train traveling. It is definitely the best way to go! Thank you AMTRAK! We have been on that train and are planning to go again. Thanks Jeb for your great commentary.
You must be one of the most optimistic, uplifting vloggers ever. My mood is always boosted after spending time with you. Thank you so much, Jeb, for your generous sharings.
Wow, thank you!
@Jeb Brooks my first time watching your videos which are great by the way but what is going on with the prune thing....yuck!
Have you ever been to nz?(trains,nosleepers) love your journeys.thanks... from a kiwi
Yes I agree! @Jeb Brooks got me through some dark times during covid. I watched many videos from the before times during covid and they were always so positive and refreshing.
Earlier this year, my wife, 11-year-old daughter, and I took a similar 3-day train trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. We enjoyed the time adventuring together. I enjoy your videos. Cheers.
Totally inspiring! Been over a decade since I last visited your beautiful country and your video has woken me up to the fact that I have to return ASAP and experience one of these magnificent rail journeys! Now 70 years old, I must wake up and smell the coffee while I still have the time! Thank you, thank you! Paul UK
You can't help but love this country when looking at it from a seat on one of these trains. Because it's so immediate but you see such a great variety of landscapes. You can disconnect from all the craziness in your life too.
These train adventures always look like so much fun.
Being from TX I found your video both familiar and exciting. We do proudly fly our flags and some of them are huge. It's a great state, enjoy!
I've taken almost all of Amtrak's long distance routes over the years. In 2014 I rode the Sunset Limited from LA to New Orleans, and I loved going through the desert. I kept expecting Gene Autry or Roy Rogers to ride up next to the train!
I would think of Butch Cassidy, Jesse James, or the Dalton Gang!
This is why I travel by train whenever I can. I first discovered Amtrak by taking the California zephyr from Sacramento to Denver Colorado. It is so relaxing and beautiful! I really hope that, over the coming decades, we see an expansion of rail options, high speed rail, more roots, and generally a larger embracement of this more relaxed way of getting about :-)
I found it takes forever to get out of Texas, but that was by car. On the train back in the 50th's I traveled from California to New York and it was wonderful. My dad worked for Santa Fe and we traveled for free. What a great time we had!! In between cars as I walked I saw a tornado to my left, but really didn't know it was dangerous, all I knew about was earthquakes. Thanks for the return ride!!
Your amtrak videos helped my mother and I pick which route to take for an upcoming trip- it's been her biggest travel dream to take a long train journey like these. Later this month, my mom will take her first flight at 61 years old as part of the trip as well. Your other videos have helped easy some of her flight anxiety!
Have a great trip!!
Hey Jeb, you have sparked my interest in taking an overnight trip on the train. I really believe that you could make a 4 day car trip with rambunctious kids interesting and inviting. Thanks again.
The year before Covid, I took a trip almost this long. Atlanta -> Washington D.C. -> Chicago -> Denver. It was three nights on the train and three full days. It was actually kind of cool that we had several hours in both D.C. and Chicago to do some sightseeing (for sleeping compartment passengers, you can use the lounge in the stations to store your luggage.) It was a great way to see the "flyover" states up close. One memorable moment was having dinner in the dining car at sunset as we crossed the Mississippi River. Loved that trip!
Stumbled upon your channel today and watched this video. I must say, this was a better blog than I have ever seen on KZclip, PBS, etc. The quick cuts between camera views, clean voice overs, streamlined script... it all flows VERY well! You can hear the excitement in your voice and I cannot wait to check out your other videos as well! Great job!
Wow! Thanks so much!!
The only problem with the quick cuts is that you're looking at cool scenery for only one second per shot. Every single time it's just one second. You're looking at it and thinking oh wow, that's cool, then aww damnit! and it cuts back to inside the train! Lol.. No but seriously this was a really great video, I watched the entire thing, glued to the computer screen. It was an awesome trip.
I’ve always wanted to do a cross country train trip on a sleep car and next month I finally will be. I found your videos while researching and just wanted to say how well done they are and they give me major Marc Summers Unwrapped vibes! Well done and thanks for the great info
Really great video. As a Brit I can only dream of experiencing a rail journey so epic, so thank you for sharing yours.
Come for a visit, Andy!
Yet another fantastic video! And being a (european) train driver, I very much appreciate you mentioning the various staff that keeps the trains running. Btw, if I lived in the US, I would most definitely work for Amtrak 🙏
Great video! I would love to do a train journey like this. I’ll be honest and say I haven’t had good experiences with Amtrak on the Coast Starlight (running out of food, unhelpful conductors, etc) but I know that’s not the norm and I encountered wonderful Amtrak personnel as well. Also was on an Amtrak about 1/4 mile from home and the train hit a pedestrian. Yikes! But I digress…..I think a long journey on the Empire Builder, Sunset Limited or other long route would be awesome! My great great grandfather was a conductor on the Illinois Central with a route from New Orleans to Chicago so I’ve always loved trains…..must be in my DNA!
Thank you for your travels and comments. We are going on a train trip with a 9 year old soon and your travels are inspiring and informative! Keep up the great work!🤗
As a Texan. It is such a shame to see areas of Texas STILL attempting to recover from the massive hurricane of Harvey a few years back. And even more recently the deep freeze. Both of which ravaged communities. Sadly, most of our smaller towns and slightly more rural areas, are stills truggling to recover.
Damage from the freeze yes, but only the southernmost had Harvey Damage. I’m in Houston. We have the most Harvey, next to Corpus Christi..and I think it was mostly spared even.
As a non American your video was enlightening on so many aspects of train travel. Wonderfully put together and really enjoyable.
Not sure how I stumbled across this channel but love the content. Just took my first Amtrak from Chicago to Kalamazoo with my teen daughter and we are now looking for more opportunities to travel by train!
Dear Jeb, your KZclip videos are magnificent, informative, and detailed. I love your descriptive style and your ever-positive, smiling face. Great going, bro!
Keep up the fantastic work!
I love when he says "the scenery is less dramatic..." while the train is going past areas that could be considered slums.
The common sight from a train. Railroad tracks don't exactly attract 7-figure homes.
I didn't see any "slums": stop exaggerating. Just some abandoned/slightly run down homes or unkempt acres of land.
Heartbreaking to see so much poverty along the tracks in the south. Compare to farms and small towns of Midwest as you travel on Zephyr.
@Eva Balga It's not that, really. It's that train tracks are almost always going through slummy areas. Nice areas are not developed near train tracks for obvious reasons (noise). But yes, there is a lot of poverty. You don't usually see it though because who wants to visit those areas? No one.
@Trevor Jameson You are probably right, I just saw contrast of slums versus farms, silos, fields and small houses of Midwest along the tracks.
You consistently do a great job of making your viewers feel like we really are there with you! Keep up the great work!
Just found ur channel and absolutely love it!! I am a born Texan and hv nvr seen so much beauty in this huge state! You really hv inspired me to schedule a Amtrak trip this summer!!
Thank you
My husband and I are traveling home to Texas from Orlando. Thanks to your videos, I knew to look for the Metropolitan lounges. They are life-savers on lengthy layovers. Thank you, thank you
Seven years ago, I took the Sunset Limited from Hoiuston to LA. It was a great train journey. I did get off at San Antonio to watch them join the trains together for the rest of the trip and got a photo of the Hemisphere Tower off in the distance. I have to say the coffee was kept available in my sleeper car all the times I used it, which were a lot!
I loved going on Amtrak from WV, to Chicago to make a connection to CO, and I never used the Greyhound again. The scenery on the trains are fantastic, and I love the gentle rocking motion.
I’ve never gotten motion sickness with any form of transportation, but flying gives me severe anxiety and a major nervous breakdown.
My last flight was from DIA to WV, and the only way I was ok emotionally for once, was because my cat was with me in her carrier, in the cabin on my lap. For the first time, I enjoyed the trip because I was more concerned about her than myself. She just curled up in her carrier, on my lap, and slept.
The connecting plane tried to roast her. They made me put her under my seat 💺, with the heat on high since this was severe winter. My foot got hot as hell very quickly🥵 , and I grabbed her carrier up on my lap and turned her carrier up on end and flipped the cold 🥶 air on. The flight ✈️ attendant tried to make me put her under the seat, but I refused until they turned the heat off. My cat hated any air blown on her face by me, but she stood up, put her face under the cold air and stayed that way until she was okay. It was my last trip by airplane ✈️.
I grew up in Washington DC, but have been living in Southern California since 1961. In the year 2001 my high school class was having its 50th reunion. Since I was now retired with plenty of time I decided to go by AMTRAK. That convinced me that for me airline travel was a thing of the past. Since then I have been back every year until 2021. Usually I go from here to Chicago, then the the capital limited to DC. Since two of my kids live in Boston sometimes I AMTRAK it there and then down to DC. Coming home I reverse the route. I have also taken AMTRAK from DC to New Orleans and from there the route through TEXAS back to LA. I have taken every route from LA to Chicago including the route from Seattle. Two years ago. the number of orbits the earth has made around the sun with me as a passenger started getting to me so I haven't made the trip since. Then I discovered site like this one where I can again feel the joy of travel. Thank you all so very very much for helping to make and old man feel young again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your passion for rail travel really shines through in these vlogs. I love your unbiased, objective views of America, as an Australian this is a rare opportunity to see America’s’ “backyard”…I can’t but think of the countless stories behind so many towns and places, thanks for sharing 66 hours of really interesting train travel👏
I really enjoyed the quiet, meandering pace of this video. It made me feel I had time to soak up all the atmosphere of train travel and the American landscape - oh and the yummy Amtrak meals.
With each video I watch, a train trip is looking more and more fun, and something I might think about doing!
Come to think of it, he’s the only aviation blogger that actually has or expressed gratitude for being able to do what he’s able to do.
This reminded me of the 2 train trips my wife and I travelled from Los Angeles to San Antonio. Our favorite part was the meals. We were 2 people and so shared a table other passengers. Train travel is a social event.
In the 60's my family and I traveled on the Rock Island line from Iowa to Phoenix. I was young but I remember how cool it was! Here I am nearly 60 years later still loved that trip!
Well done Jeb, I’ve travelled over 40,000 miles by Amtrak and you capture it perfectly. I think the Coast Starlight is naturally your next route to take….
I had fallen asleep watching a train video, and woke up to this one playing. You did a great job on it! It made me even more excited about the upcoming Amtrak ride my son and I are taking in October. We will be taking the Heartland Flyer, Texas Eagle, Capitol Limited and the Silver Meteor to get to Orlando for our Disney vacation.
Beautiful shots and great video sir. I'm doing an Amtrak epic voyage this Apr/May. 5800 miles. I hope that I can document it as good as you. I appreciate your love of train travel!
I've ridden on the Texas Eagle 5 years ago and enjoyed my ride. Beautiful scenery!
When I lived in Baltimore I used Amtrak constantly. The old reliable NE Direct and others. Super convenient. One thing though....on any future overnight trips I'm definitely getting a room. Great video as always Mr. Brooks. And the truth is I prefer the train to planes anymore. Much more relaxing.
Really nice video!.....I always enjoy in depth coverage/reviews of great rail journeys! Planes are great...but there is really something special about a long train journey!! And you can't argue with the kinds of views/sunrises like the one at 25:31 🙂
These are some of the only videos on youtube i can watch from beginning to ending without skipping anything. While I never experienced a long term train ride, just taking the train from NY to Philadelphia did inspire me to want to try some longer interstate train adventures. These videos inspire me to make it happen. Thank you!
Great video! Texas is a fun experience. I am Canadian, but I have family in west-central Texas. The land there is flat, but my family has driven through the mountains going to the border, and it is some of the most awesome scenery there is.
BTW, have you ever gone to Toronto? Union Station in Toronto is one of my favourite buildings in the whole world. It was built probably around the same time as the one in your video, so it has that feeling of stepping back in time, and the architecture is phenomenal. It runs trains all over Canada: westward to the Prairies to Vancouver, southwestward to Windsor, and eastward to Montreal and Atlantic Canada.
But it is also the hub of almost a literal underground city, called the PATH. You can get to the Rogers Centre for a Blue Jays baseball game, whatever they call the Air Canada Centre these days for a Leafs or Raptors game, or to the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is astounding.
Thanks for this video (and all the others) they are really helpful as I’m from the UK and I’m planning a big adventure across the US next year with my family. Keep up the great work
Hello from Washington State🇺🇸
I LOVE your Amtrak
Train videos !! This one was even more special to me because you took the longest train possible!
Your calming and relaxing to watch and I enjoy all your videos but the train has a hold on me!!
You get to see places no cars travel and see interesting sites along with beautiful ones!!! I’ve been on the train many times but never an overnighter !!!
Thank you for all your videos and insight on them all!
I will never get to travel much anymore but go with you guys!
Please take care and I will see you either
up in the sky or on the tracks down below!!!
Kathy
been binging your trip vlogs and absolutely itching to get on Amtrak for trip. Really excited to see what comes from ConnectUS and all of the improvements the new locomotives and cars are going to bring. Has me excited for a more rail-accessible America in the future
I love sleeper trains, I wish we had more of them in the states. I remember my first time on one in China, it was some of the best sleep I ever had with the white noise of the train and the rails rocking me like a baby
Loved your videos Jeb I'm currently in the process of getting hired for Amtrak and this video makes me more excited than ever to join them
I love your videos and even though I know you'd love to have one of your friends or Suzanne traveling with you. I really like it when you're going solo. It's like we have you all to ourselves,! Love your description of the areas and your good humor. Thanks for taking us on so many journeys
Hi Jeb and greetings from Scotland. As always I love your videos they are fab. The Texas Eagle was my first encounter long distance with Amtrak travelling from San Antonio to Chicago and it was a great experience. I met so many friendly people and saw parts of the US I never would if I had taken the plane. The service on the Texas Eagle seems to have sadly changed though as there is no traditional dining now between Chicago and San Antonio and also no sightseeing lounge. A true shame as I really enjoyed my time in the sightseeing lounge as it was a real opportunity to meet fellow travellers and many of them taught me a thing or two about Texas. Thank you again for another wonderful video. Best wishes, Brian
Looks like an absolutely wonderful way to do a cross-country trip. I have been looking into a LA to Fargo trip in December (63 hours), but getting a roomette for two is really expensive! I'm always shocked as to how much train travel is in the U.S.
It is expensive, but your room and your meals are included. Think of what you would spend on motels and meals on a driving trip.
I’ve been thinking about taking Amtrak from Chicago to Dallas. This video showed me what to expect. Great job editing your videos. Really enjoy your work. 👍
this video feels even more special than most of your other videos, Jeb. truly one of the most enjoyable things i’ve ever watched. the Lionel Ritchie joke cracked me up too
Very impressive. I think that Amtrack is a true experience for any traveler. It’s also funny how this route on aircraft only takes in time in a matter of hours versus days. Glad to see some different content on the channel!
In Europe the plane and train are legit proven better than the car compared to the US. The sleeper trains there can go much faster than Amtrak's
There is a reason why Congress created Amtrak in the first place. Even the US government itself with the USPS chose to fly the mail long distances a half century ago. Hours instead of days as you noted... No longer do passenger trains in America have on their consists a dozen or more mail cars... America is a large nation, not a TINY nation like Germany or France...
New to your channel and this video. Well done ! I really, really... enjoyed it. I love trains and it's history. I also enjoy experiencing things I would otherwise not have experienced in my life. Thank You ! 👍 👍 💯
Thank you for the lovely video! I am new to your channel, and really enjoy your content! This video was so beautifully filmed and narrated, I really enjoyed it...I felt like I was travelling with you! I don't get to travel much myself, so this is so much fun to watch. I'll be on the lookout for any of your videos in Canada (as a Canadian), although I do have family in NC in the US (one of whom is a travel agent)! Thanks again!
In the mid 60s I rode a passenger train with my grandmother from Louisiana to Chicago to visit my aunt. I remember that huge Chicago Union Station.
Great video! Loved the scenery and experiencing the train. ❤
Just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed watching this video it gave me so much peace watching this seeing life without all the fancy stuff just good old nature and the basics I love it man keep doing what you do safe travels to you may you enjoy life to the fullest!
I love how you sell your experiences, whether it be in the air or on a train. Also great editing and storytelling. Love this channel!❤️👍✈️
Thank you so much for this video Jeb. Made me feel like I was there. Texas gets a bad rap overseas (even in the US I think) and I don't know why - seems one of the greatest states if you ask me.
It’s mostly because of the Texas government, that’s what gets Texas a bad rap, but the people are some of the friendliest I’ve ever met
As a Texan I concur: it’s the politics. People are usually friendly.
Oh, and the summers are miserable at times.
Love these train trips - I get to see places I may never get to see in person!👍
I have NEVER had a problem with the Amtrak personnel! The Amtrak personnel have always been extremely professional, in my experience!
I took the train from Chicago Union Station to Longview ( roundtrip) a few times. I loved it! Modern and up-to-date? Not really. Comfortable, relaxing YES!! I would love to take it to Los Angeles. Thank you - great video!!
Hearing the name of some cities, reminded me when I was living in the US: Chicago, St Louis, Dallas, Austin (where I was actually studying), San Antonio and El Paso. Thanks for this long video. I loved it. 👍🏻
Don’t care what anyone says, but these Amtrak videos are extremely fun
I'm taking this train down to meet my partners in Texas from Battle Creek to Chicago to Austin so grateful for people like you that show us how the train is and everything I have extreme anxiety and am also disabled so want to know what I'm getting into before I actually get on the train these videos help a lot with the uncertainty!
Blown away by this trip!! Never been on a train. Told my girlfriend i want to do this same route next fly into Chicago a day before trip and end up in LA. What a great way to see our country that you normally can't see by car. Thank you so much!! Love this very informative video.
Really well put together video, I love it! I took the Texas Eagle many, many times when I worked in Chicago and lived in SA. Unfortunately we hit and killed someone who ran a signal as we pulled into SA on my first trip and that kind of tainted my feeling about Amtrak. I always got a roomette and it's a really decent, worry-free ride. Happy rails!
Back a bit in the comments, a European asked why the horn is used on US trains...the car/train collisions that occur (anyway) are traumatic for rail workers too...Americans, use common sense...possible train coming when U see tracks!! Europeans have almost NO accidents compared to US..☹️
One so often hears reviewers speak highly of Amtrak's traditional food service that it's worth mentioning that much of the tradition comes from the Fred Harvey Company as provided by the ATSF, pre-Amtrak. My family traveled extensively via Sante Fe and I fondly recall the white linens, polished table service, a fresh rose bud for each table's vase... the impeccable, dignified service from the waiters. The food was cooked to order and if you had the right table, you could observe a bit of the kitchen staff at work. Not all of that survived either time or Covid restrictions (and who knows how much will come back anytime soon), but what remains continues to impress. If only we could get into the WayBack machine and see how good it has been.
Had to edit: I did a bit of looking around and found some mementos of a trip from 1968, on Sante Fe's Super Chief. It was the 'flagship' of the railroad even as train travel declined in favor of air travel. Great memories.
What an excellent video. Your videographer skills and detailed coverage of your trip is second to none. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to share your Amtrak experiences!
Back in 2004 I did a five day four night 12 state train journey on Amtrak. I did have two transfers though LA & NOLA. All of it in coach class.
I have also been in the Chicago station, which like many big city stations of old that have been kept up or like LA restored, is beautiful.
Thank you for allowing this Aussie to glimpse what I have never been able to do . I loved the way you showed ‘raw natural beauty ‘ and not touristy places. I miss my late Chicago husband and seeing this video made me remember him.
I’ve never been to W. Texas. It’s such a beautiful place. I going to have to take this trip. I love trains. I need to go to N. M. Being a city girl…. I’m amazed with all the open spaces in the west! Amtrak is an adventure of a lifetime. 💫
Wow, that's much better scenery than I expected! Thanks.
I’m new to your channel and find your Amtrak vlogs extremely informative, entertaining, and relaxing! Not sure how anyone can travel without at least a roomette. I understand cost but the need to stretch out, sleep, and have privacy would be a must have for me.
Plenty of people take greyhound with no issue
@k m I would be fine taking Greyhound. I commute via bus on a daily basis and enjoy the ride. Greyhound seems to not only have more comfortable seats but amenities too. Just would need to stand & stretch from time to time.
Excellent. Enjoyed every minute of watching. Haven't been to the USA since the 80s. Absolutely loved it that time. Very like Australia, but with quirky, pleasant surprises along the way. Once Covid quietens down a bit I want to go back; and some Amtrak trips are certainly on the agenda.
Another spectacular video a always Jeb! Love watching them and riding Amtrak!
hey jeb i was a sailor for 35 years made my first train trip on the texas eagle.enjoyed it very much i was really inspired by your video on the texas eagle i put in on my bucket list .love your videos keep up the good work.
Terrific presentation during a long train trip. As you moved further into Texas I wondered what was the geology of some of that landscape. I think some of those hills and rocks might be remnants of ancient lava flows! Anyway you did a splendid travelog . Thank you. 😊
Thank you Sir for sharing our travels on this LONG route, 😌. I totally agree with you all in all a train ride experience is SO unique. May God be with you in all of your travels.
I was actually hoping you would have added a shot of Southwest University Field close to Union Station in my hometown of El Paso, Tx. I used to work for the company that transported train crews to and from trains. I come from a railroad family so it was so much fun working with the train crews and being able to communicate with my dad on the radio when he would be servicing the trains with the car department. I have so many fond and beautiful memories with that job. Great video and I hope to have my turn on Amtrak soon.
Texas is the most amazing state to travel through, whether by train, bus or car. So many great towns and cities to see. Visited here in 2013, fell in love and now it's my home.
I did this trip in 2010, it was a wonderful journey. Sweet memories
Hey Jed love your vids I worked on the railway In the UK for 40 years so I did a lot of work on freight and passengers trains and lot of travelling in Europe I have been to the US about six times travelling all over by car .Great country JP
I ride all the time from Spokane, Washington to Tampa, Florida on Amtrak! You just have a nice short little hop and sometimes my trip takes up to six days! Trip is totally worth it, you just need time, patience and a little money...🤗
I love your videos Jeb. You’re very engaging. If I had the money I’d take every Amtrak route in a bedroom.