The Texas Eagle. One of the oldest long haul trains in the Amtrak fleet.
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel from Michigan all the way to San Antonio Texas. The Texas Eagle runs from Chicago’s Union Station all the way to San Antonio Texas with stops along the way. While I started in Michigan, I didn’t actually get on to the Texas Eagle until after arrival at Chicago Union Station.
The Texas Eagle started in Chicago’ Union station with an early afternoon departure. The train was ready for boarding around 1pm and left shortly after. For this trip, I took the opportunity to choose a roomette cabin. This was the first time on a long haul trip, and having at least a roomette seemed like a great choice. I traveled all the way to the end of the line on this train, going to San Antonio, TX where the train ends at the depot before departing to it’s storage location and turn around point a few blocks away. Throughout this article, I will cover different topics such as cost, age of the train, meals, observation car, and even the trip time.
Cost
Amtrak isn’t known for being the cheapest solution in the world, especially coming from Michigan, but what I have found is that the cost of a roomette (even taking the Michigan train to Chicago first) is comparable to a First Class flight from Detroit Metro Airport to San Antonio, TX. The main difference, the time you are on the train verses the time in the air. Yes, you can get from Detroit, MI to San Antonio, Tx in about 8 hours with layovers and time changes, but the train takes about 32 hours. However, the cost is almost identical between the train and an airplane in First Class. The main reason we compared First Class pricing on an airline to this Roomette is because the “First Class” accommodations on a train are considered roomettes and bedrooms. You also get First Class amenities by having these types of rooms on the train. The trip from Durand, MI to San Antonio, TX was around $600.00 one way.
Age of the Train
The Superliner cars are definitely an older class of train car. These train cars tend to show their age with carpet being discolored and hard matte. The roomettes only contain 1 power outlet, and the heating and cooling controls as well as the music and announcement controls do not work. The cars themselves seems to continue functioning where it counts. The beds folded down as needed and the bathrooms worked throughout the trip without any incident. But it is clear that these train cars need to be retired and new cars are needed to be put into service. The first car I was placed in the AC didn’t work in the car. This resulted in moving to the next car back. While the next car had A/C, it was warmer than I would prefer and the controls in the car did not work. My attendant never did change my room over to a bedroom or back to a room at any time during my trip. The beds were never made, so I can’t speak to the quality of aging bedding.
Meals on Board
This, by far, is probably one of the most impressive things about this train. While the train no longer operates like it did pre-COVID, the meals are equal or better quality than you get during a First Class flight in the air. In the gallery below, I have included the meals throughout the trip. Upon getting on the train, the first meal is served as dinner at 5pm. This is a sit down style dinner. The attendant takes your order before dinner and asked for a dinner time from you. At the time you selected, you come to the dining car and sit at a table with your food and drinks ready for you. It includes an entree, salad, dessert, soda, and an alcoholic beverage if you choose. The following days breakfast and lunch are served cafe style in the dining car, but includes just as much food. Finally, the final dinner is included sit down style again. While these meals are all included, the Cafe car always has beverages and food avaliable through almost the entire trip. While some people complain that it is no longer a “sit down restaurant style”, I personally was very happy with the quality of food on train during my trip.
Observation Car
The sight-seeing car is the link between First Class and Coach. The top level of the sight-seeing car is for observation and has glass windows throughout. However, the windows are not cleaned any time during the trip, including before the trip. This leaves cloudy views for those sitting there. The lower level of this car provides the Cafe area and there is no seating in this area. There isn’t much to say about this car other than it’s a mixed area with seating. I have included a gallery below.
Trip Time
Personally, I enjoyed the trip and the time it took to get where I was going. One thing that I have read in many other reviews of this train and any other long haul trains is that people are impatient and want to get from point A to point B as fast as possible. When taking the train, you have to remember that the train is part of the experience and part of your vacation. Take those 30 hours and relax. Enjoy the downtime and take the time to check out from the world for a little while. This was the most relaxing trip I have ever taken. The airport stress is gone, the TSA lines don’t exist, and overall, this was one of the most relaxing travel events I have ever had. I personally would take the train over flying any chance I have. The trip time has to be built into your vacation and you have to consider the train as part of the trip time. If you look at the train as it’s own vacation, then the time goes by quick.