Shanghailander
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 202
- Location
- Pennsylvania
A trip to the Dakotas
I was born 60 years too late. I wish I was alive for the Golden Age of travel – the 20s and 30s. Nevertheless, I try to take the train whenever possible, and so when I headed out to North and South Dakota, I decided to take Amtrak’s Capitol Limited from Philadelphia to Chicago, and then the Empire Builder to Fargo. Here I am in the Philadelphia First Class Lounge
When your train is approaching the station, you take an elevator (visible to the right of the photo) directly down to the platform. For the trip out, I had what is called a sleeperette, which is an updated version of the sleeping berths you see in old movies, or in Some Like it Hot. There are two armchairs, with a table in the middle, and at night a pair of bunk beds are made up. When the beds are down there is hardly room to stand in the compartment, but it can be done. Meals are in the dining car, and you can have a snack or a drink in the bar car. West of Chicago there is also a window lined observation car with swivel chairs; it is a very pleasant spot. Unfortunately, you cannot open the windows, there is no platform at the back of the train, and Amtrak will not let you off on the station platform if you are not disembarking, except for a few, rigidly controlled “smoking stops” (no smoking on board!) where a conductor rides herd on those who step off the train with all the ferocity of a marine corps drill sergeant. Here is a shot of my compartment on the Capitol Limited.
In Washington, DC’s Union Station I got my shoes shined – these spectators are a great walking shoe – the leather is very supple and the crepe soles make them as comfortable as sneakers.
We pulled into Chicago about five hours late, scotching my plans to see some of the sights – I made my connecting train with five minutes to spare. But the ride was comfortable, the food good, and company in the dining car great.
The Dakotas were great, too. Here I am at the famous Wall Drug in South Dakota, riding one of those famed giant Jackalopes you sometimes see out West.
In addition to the jackalopes, bison, prairie dogs, mule deer, pronghorn, and other animals, there were, of course, a lot of cowboy hats.
On the way back, we were late again, and my layover in Chicago was reduced to about forty minutes. I spent it in a mad dash around downtown, looking for a corkscrew for the bottle of wine I had in an ice bucket in my compartment – now a larger “bedroom” with larger bed, sofa, and private toilet and shower. While running around downtown, my wind cord saved my hat from blowing into the Chicago River. I did see one other real hat in the city: a Panama, at the corner of State St. and Wacker Drive.
.
I was born 60 years too late. I wish I was alive for the Golden Age of travel – the 20s and 30s. Nevertheless, I try to take the train whenever possible, and so when I headed out to North and South Dakota, I decided to take Amtrak’s Capitol Limited from Philadelphia to Chicago, and then the Empire Builder to Fargo. Here I am in the Philadelphia First Class Lounge
When your train is approaching the station, you take an elevator (visible to the right of the photo) directly down to the platform. For the trip out, I had what is called a sleeperette, which is an updated version of the sleeping berths you see in old movies, or in Some Like it Hot. There are two armchairs, with a table in the middle, and at night a pair of bunk beds are made up. When the beds are down there is hardly room to stand in the compartment, but it can be done. Meals are in the dining car, and you can have a snack or a drink in the bar car. West of Chicago there is also a window lined observation car with swivel chairs; it is a very pleasant spot. Unfortunately, you cannot open the windows, there is no platform at the back of the train, and Amtrak will not let you off on the station platform if you are not disembarking, except for a few, rigidly controlled “smoking stops” (no smoking on board!) where a conductor rides herd on those who step off the train with all the ferocity of a marine corps drill sergeant. Here is a shot of my compartment on the Capitol Limited.
In Washington, DC’s Union Station I got my shoes shined – these spectators are a great walking shoe – the leather is very supple and the crepe soles make them as comfortable as sneakers.
We pulled into Chicago about five hours late, scotching my plans to see some of the sights – I made my connecting train with five minutes to spare. But the ride was comfortable, the food good, and company in the dining car great.
The Dakotas were great, too. Here I am at the famous Wall Drug in South Dakota, riding one of those famed giant Jackalopes you sometimes see out West.
In addition to the jackalopes, bison, prairie dogs, mule deer, pronghorn, and other animals, there were, of course, a lot of cowboy hats.
On the way back, we were late again, and my layover in Chicago was reduced to about forty minutes. I spent it in a mad dash around downtown, looking for a corkscrew for the bottle of wine I had in an ice bucket in my compartment – now a larger “bedroom” with larger bed, sofa, and private toilet and shower. While running around downtown, my wind cord saved my hat from blowing into the Chicago River. I did see one other real hat in the city: a Panama, at the corner of State St. and Wacker Drive.
.
