I have received a lot of texts and messages from friends asking how it was, if I would do it again, what it was like. So I figured I would recap the experience and give you some insight on how we felt about our train travel to Omaha.
Lets start:
We arrived in Salt Lake and stayed over night knowing that our departure was roughly 3:30am. Everything that I had read prior to our trip was that trains often run late, and hardly ever are on time so knowing that we felt prepared. Before we laid down tot go to bed I check the status around 10pm on Wednesday and sure enough there was already a 2 1/2 hour delay. Every time I called Amtrak the customer service people were very friendly and so helpful. This was the case again. The lady I spoke with looked up the reason as to why they were late getting out of California for us so we could try and figure out if they would be able to make up time.
Before the train ever took off in Emery ville, CA they had a 2 hour maintenance delay. She ensured me that most likely they would not be making up much time and to call back again around midnight to check the status. So I set my alarm for every two hours to wake up and call customer service.
Around midnight I woke up quickly called Amtrak and once again the lady I spoke with told me not to stress too much and try and get some rest because they were now running 3 1/2 hours late because they had to put on 4 private cars at Reno. We got a little side tracked and started talking about why people would put on private cars (SOOOO expensive). She was pretty funny, but needless to say I was so tired and she told me to call again at 2am.
By the time 2am rolled around it was a quick call and again she said that the train wasn't going to be at the station till 7am and not to worry because they weren't going to make up time so off to sleep I went. By the time 5:30 rolled around Ben and I were up packing the car, getting dressed and putting the baby in the car to drive to station. Just a quick 7 minute car ride downtown and he dropped me off to get checked in.
Grant was the old gentleman who checked up in at the Amtrak counter. So friendly and full of lots of jokes. He asked why I needed to check our Stand Up Paddle boards and I tried to explain that we were just going to have some fun but he insisted it was because we were going back to Nebraska where all the floods were and we would need a mode of transportation. Haha!
We got all of our checked bags (2 per person free of charge) and 2 carry ons free of charge. We had a total of 8 bags all which were free. HUGE BONUS!!!
We parked in long term parking (free) walked to the waiting area (outside) and let Bridger run off some steam. The one thing with taking the train is that you must be willing to talk because you never know when someone with strike up a conversation. This was true our entire trip.
I don't have an exact time when we loaded but we were car number 10 and Bridger was so excited to run to the train. We got in the train walked up to the second level where our seats were. We sat down. we had a row to ourselves and one behind it. Bridger sat right next to an old lady who was thrilled to have a little partner join her. This was such a theme throughout our trip. He would spark conversation with anyone who was willing to even just look at him. Such a character.
The train took off we settled in and within an hour the row across from us unloaded at the next stop so Ben moved over and we stretched out. Between the space and quietness of the car we started off on the right foot.
We headed to the sight viewing car. Which was amazing. We sat till Bridger fell asleep around 12noon and then went back to put him to sleep. He slept till 2pm and then we were off to last call for lunch. Joyce was our waitress and she was so great with Bridger. Ben and I both had hamburgers and Bridger had spaghetti. We ended with a strawberry cheesecake which was delicious. Since we were last call it was nice to take our time and Bridger didn't have to be so quiet. Although a little pricey the dinning car was an experience and one that we highly recommend.
Later we went down to the bottom of the sight viewing car and the conductor was down there and chatted with us for a long time. He told us that when he was three years old his mom would but him on the California Zephyr and the conductor was in charge of all the kids and they would go to Provo to be picked up by his grandma. Now he is the conductor, however they don't allow kids to ride the train unattended. :) He let Bridger put on his hat and they were two peas in a pod. So fun.
Throughout the afternoon we watched Frozen on the Ipad, read stories, walked around the cars and visited the snack car that had a mini bar! Mom and dad enjoyed a view drinks while people stopped down and chatted it up with us. So many little stories that took place.
The train had a lot of little stops that consisted of 3-6 minutes and then some longer stops at bigger stations where people could get off and take a leg break/smoke break. Although we never got off for these we did at the last stop in Lincoln.
We made last call dinner reservations again on the dinner car and this time we we sat with a English man from England and Ben was wonderful in carrying the conversation. I was a bit exhausted from taking Bridger to the bathroom every 10 minutes and he was getting tired since our dinner reservation wasn't until 8pm. Unfortunately, sitting in coach class you don't get the first reservation times so you have to take what you can get. It worked out and Ben was able to sit little longer and have some down time with the guy while I took Bridger back and got him ready for bed.
Shortly there after I stopped our car attendant and asked him if we could move down to reserve (lower level) to avoid the possible misery of a two year old tired and exhausted and crying. He told me that he had to check his books to make sure that there was no one loading in at Denver. By the time we reached Denver he told us that it was okay to move down there and that was by far the best tip.
There were 12 seats with a door and a bathroom located on the main level and it was VERY quiet. It was us and an older lady and man who were down there. We were all able to spread out, sleep and enjoy being away from all the people who were coming and going off the train.
Would I do this again.....yes!
What was the best thing about the train..... the scenery and the experience of something new.
What was the worst thing about the train.....the delay.
Is it a good thing for kids...... yes, as long as you are willing to roll with the flow.
One thing you must keep in mind..... do not stress about time. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time then the train is not going to be your best option. Most people we talked with said that the delays were very unusual and most of the time it is never this late.
We loved the experience and this is definitely a great option for long travel with kids. I can't even imagine what the car ride would have been like with a two year old. By far great decision and allowed for alot of movement and was extremely nice to have both parents available to help with the Bridger.
Have a great Saturday!
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