I ride Amtrak within North Carolina about every other month -- at least five or
six times a year. These trains mostly operate with state-owned equipment, but
with Amtrak crews.

On the whole, the travel experiences have been positive, and the crews have
been reasonably friendly/helpful, though I generally do not amke any special
demands on them, as I know my way around. But, I do watch how the crew
interacts with other passengers.

During the past two years, there were two incidents where the Piedmont train
I was on was substantially late. In once case, there was about an hour delay
caused by NS signal problems (computer crash at the dispatching center); in
the other case, the train had to operate at restricted speed for a substantial
distance because of a flash flood watch after very heavy rains. In both cases,
the crews provided some information on the PA. (I travel with a scanner, so I
have somewhat better insight into what's going on.)

The NC trains are also usually staffed by volunteer train hosts, which takes some
pressure off the Amtrak crew, in terms of responding to traveler questions.


My all time favorite POSITIVE Amtrak experience came on the CZ several years ago
while traveling from Denver to Provo, Utah. The weather was really bad, and
Provo only had a very basic shelter in the middle of nowhere at that time. (I
understand the facilities have improved since.)

The train was running late, so we were getting into Provo in the middle of the
night, and it was still raining fairly hard. The conductor was concerned about
my getting off and possibly not finding transportation to my motel.

So, as we approached Provo, he got on the radio to the UP yard office and asked
them to call my motel. Within a few minutes of my getting off the train, an
employee from the motel came by to pick me up.

On my return trip to Denver several days later, the train had the same crew.
The conductor remembered me and even asked if the transportation arrangements
had worked out.

Yes, there are Amtrak people who go beyond what is absolutely necessary. And,
yes, I did write a letter to Amtrak headquarters commeding this employee.


The CZ condutor did not know anything about who I was. A few of the Amtrak
employees in North Carolina do know that I have worked as a freelance journalist
and have written for a wide range of publications about rail travel.

-- Ernest