What a wonderful time for you and your grandmother

What an amazing memory to have of your grandma, I have a similar one with my grandfather and it was his last big trip too, which I feel was such an honor to get to share with him.

I'm a Senior Citizen, now. I was stationed at Ft. Ord, CA in '78-'79, (Monterey Bay/Cannery Row) B4 getting Orders to go to Germany for 3 years. I didn't get to see a whole lot of CA, B4 heading back East to spend 45 days with my Family, B4 having to head to the Port to drop off my "Mustang" II B4 boarding a Military Flight to Europe. My daughter was conceived after I met, dated, and, married the kids "Dad" (she calls him, "the sperm donor" ... All 3 of us do, as far as I know, my son doesn't speak to his sister and me). My daughter will be 42 B4 the end of '24, and, she and I have been talking about taking a train trip (for the past decade). The European's have such an AMAZING TRAIN SYSTEM, that she wants to experience a Train Trip. She's a High Functioning Autistic, and I prefer to be available for her, when she gets to take a train trip. The kids Dad and I took a train trip from Aschaffenburg, Germany, to Kopenhaven (Copenhagen), Denmark to get married in February, 1981. Everybody who gets on that particular train, is heading to Copenhagen to get married. It's a VERY LONG TRAIN. The train starts out at the bottom of the boot shape of Italy, and, winds it's way all the way through the Europe, their Train System is such that, if the Schedule says that the train will stop for 30-45 SECONDS, you had best be prepared to grab all your suitcases, etc B4 the train stops, because, the train WILL BE STOPPED for 30-45 seconds !!! I can only IMAGINE how long the ride will be, if you catch the train much closer to the beginning of the route, because, we got on relatively late; in the Northern HALF of Germany. Heading N Germany is the last Country B4 getting to Denmark, and, there's still another few hours to go B4 reaching the only part of Germany with an actual Seaport, where they Break the train into sections, and, load up onto this ENORMOUS Ferry. There's 3 pieces of Track on the Ferry, and they load the train 1st, and, then, cars and trucks in the spaces in between. To give you an idea of how long the trip is, it took 12hrs, to get from Frankfurt to that Northern Seaboard. We had found it very difficult to find an un-occupied (at a loss for words for proper description;) a sleeping birth (sp ??). So, when we did find one that was un-occupied, we settled in, and, woke up AFTER the Ferry had left the shoreline area. We got up to the "Sundeck" of the Ferry, just in time to see land disappear behind us, so, we walked towards the Bow of the Ferry, and were waiting there for the appearance of land in front of the Ferry for 20-30 minutes (The time might be off; it WAS February 1981, what can I say). When we first woke up, I lifted the curtain at the window to see where we were, and, said, "I think we MUST have missed our stop; it looks like we're in a warehouse." My soon-to-be husband, popped up and, looked, and, said, "Nope, we're not; come on, I'll show you !! " So, we hopped up, and de-barked the train, and, saw what I already described about the about how the Ferry was loaded. We were pretty much dead center of the vehicle area; almost straight ahead of us was a single solid door. Up 1 flight of stairs was a Duty-free Cigarette Shop, a Duty-free Liquor Store, and, a huge, empty, Buffet area. One more flight of stairs and we were on the Sun Deck. When we were closer to the up-coming Landmass, we headed to down to the train, for another two or three hours B4 we reached the Capital City of Copenhagen. HERE starts the FOOT RACE ACROSS THE TOWN SQUARE was City Hall, where EVERY PASSENGER ON THE TRAIN PLUS A WEEKS WORTH OF LUGGAGE EACH HAD TO MAKE A "MAD DASH" to get to it 1st, to fill out the paperwork to get married. The only REQUIREMENT to get married in Denmark, was that you had to be a "Resident" of Denmark for 3 days. In those 3 days, after doing the paperwork, we were free to do whatever we wanted, all marriages were Free of Cost, and, were held everything Thursday , so, when you get finished filling out the paperwork, all one had to do was tell them if you wanted a morning wedding, or, an afternoon wedding. The college students all got Thursdays off, if they went to the Rathaus (GERMAN for "City Hall", also Danish for City Hall, it was just spelled differently from the Germans. We toured Copenhagen on foot, much like I had toured Paris; just over a year B4, with a girl I had been Stationed with in California B4 we both got Orders to go to Germany.

What a wonderful memory. I'm sure your grandma couldn't have been happier. Thanks for sharing your story.

04/30/24: Who wants to tell this dear man that it was all a dream, and that he fell asleep on the basement couch next to his enormous HO train set?

Sounds like a wholesome, good time.

@@donreed I'm good either way. It's a lovely anecdote.

On my short bucket-list

How can anyone get any sleep when the train horn blows at EVERY RR crossing? Tried Amtrak once and besides being very late, the noise was horrendous.

My dear wife is a quad. and she does enjoy travel videos.

😅

@@christianleconte5466 ?

You said "was" and "used to" and "would have". Has he passed?

Hope she came back to you😊❤

Thank you for posting this! I was going to ask this question but I'm glad I read the comments...

Did this on the Sunset Limited recently. They assigned us a roomette on the lower level and I thought I'd put in a bid for a bedroom. Had a winning bid and got upgraded. The added space was okay. The ensuite is overrated (very small, even compared to the shared restrooms). The bench is underrated. Perfect for taking naps on.

POOR BID

How low are we talking?

Would have just purchased bedroom outright.

i did that for auto train once

Which side of the train would you recommend sitting on about to take it?

@@damonblak9108 usually one side on way there and switch on way back. Usually there is someone on the speaker to give highlights to look out for. Make sure your on the river side when you go through moon valley! Lol

As a single, elderly woman, I feel the same way.

@Cyke101: don't mean to be a downer here, I had an extremely negative experience the last time, I had the honor and privilege of riding my Amtrak. It has been about 7 years now. My husband passed away February 2000. So I began to just book trips when I could, then once I retired I traveled quite a lot. My favorite routes were up and down the West Coast and from Oakland to Chicago. it's about a 10 minute ride from Jack London square to Emeryville station, where I would have to change trains, this particular trip, when I went inside Emeryville, to wait for the California Zephyr, as I walked into the station, I noticed that the station decor had changed from the last time I'd been there, one of those things was an area set up to make purchases, so I placed my luggage down and proceeded to that area, intent on maybe finding something for my grandchildren, but as I approached the area, there didn't seem to be an attendant there, so as I looked across the room to where the ticket booths were, I just happened to see a couple sitting on the end seats just across the aisle, and the twin unmistakable venomous looks I received from both of them, gave me such a feeling of unease, but also rose my ire. I decided to forego my intent of souvenir hunting and returned to my seat, and forgot about the nasty couple, that is until that evening after I was seated in the dining car, across from me was a very nice interesting young man, who to this day is now a very good friend not only to me but 2 of my 3 sons and my daughter as well. The young man and I had been having a few moments of enjoyable conversation, when Lo and Behold of all the people to be seated was the, I'm guessing wife, who promptly gave a sound of disgust as she glared at me, then as the man entered and saw who he was to be seated next to, the wife said to him, I will sit there and you can sit here as if to say she'd make the sacrifice of lowering herself to sit beside me. I was beyond humiliated. The young man and I had already introduced ourselves and was exploring our occupations, so he knew who I was. I had no intention of removing myself from what was promising to be a very unpleasant encounter, but that young man became my hero and my champion. He beckoned our waiter over, told him that, myself (calling me by my occupational title) and himself would rather go have a hotdog downstairs in the cafe lounge, and to send the bill to his room even though we'd not ordered anything as yet. The looks on their faces as we left has remained with me all these years. Now don't think for one moment that couple had any negativity toward my decision to forego any traveling, it's just that 3 of my 4 children seem to have developed a need for me to be granny daycare for my grandchildren. So until I get a chance to travel the rails again, I live my dreams through videos such as this one. It's almost as if I am actually traveling myself. I even watch the railcams daily, especially the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr

@@toib.7143 Do you have any idea why that couple was so turned off by you? Was it some kind of a racial thing? When I ride on Amtrak, I am prepared for any and all types of encounters with other passengers. There are all types of people on Amtrak, from the good to the bad. Most seem to be good.

@@fiddlyphuk6414 unfortunately I am almost certain it was racial, I'm black. At my age, not so difficult to pick up on the signals, although I admit, at the Emeryville station, I didn't realize that's what it was, and never thought about them again until the dining car encounter. Overall though, I can only recall 2 other negative encounters on the train, I think one may have been racially motivated, I don't recall exactly where thìs incident occurred, but returning to California I boarded my train alongside a young man who walked with what to me, was the most impressive staff I'd ever seen, he also carried a bible, but no luggage. I'd decided to ride coach, this time, I was seated in the very last seat of the first half of the last car on our train, I felt so fortunate, just about everyone in that section was very friendly, we laughed and joked, everyone began calling me moms, even paying for my meals, it was so fantastic, but later as it grew dark outside people grew quiet and began to doze off, this young man with the staff came into our car, I could hear him speaking in what some churces including mine call "speaking in other tongues" he stood just inside the door, and he was staring down at the couple seated in the first seat, they appeared to be asleep, so he then moved to the next couple, continuing to speak in toungues, the man began to stand so did his wife, this young man pushed the man down, and spewed some of the foulest language I'd not heard in ages, telling them to sit back down, as he walked the aisle he seemed to target only caucasians, with hatred filled profanity. He stopped at my seat and continued to speak in other toungues, I raised my hands, just as if I were at church, and smiled at him, he moved on to the second part of our car, one of the young men in the seat in front of me, came and assisted me downstairs, telling me to go lock myself in the restrooms that had the sofa in it, and not to come out until he came for me. Just as I started for that door I heard a loud shout, a loud, loud Crack, and a man scream and then begin to cry out, it was obvious a pained cry, I knew then that whomever the victim was he'd been hit with that staff, it was terrifying, I locked myself in, but I could clearly hear the shouting and battling above my head. I admit it, I was terrified, but my heart broke at hearing the poor victim sobbing in obvious pain. Finally the young man came and told me to come out, the police wanted to speak with me, I hadn't realized we'd stopped until then. I was asked what race the man was, what he wore, I described the young man, his beard, the hat the multicolored shirt, the sandals, the staff, and what I observed from first encounter to me ĺocking myself in. The young man was handcuffed and restrained by several officers, they asked me to identify if they had the correct person in custody, he r looked directly at me and began to speak in toungues again. I shouted at him to shut up, and stop playing with God. He grew quiet, and fell forward as if he passed out, but it looked orchestrated to me, he stopped straightend up, and made not another sound. His actions broke my heart, but even more heartbreaking was seeing that passenger, being led down the stairs still sobbing in obvious pain, his jaw broken, placed on a gurney. Later learning that my four young hero warriors were headed back to The University of California, Berkeley. I was never more proud. I do wish to apologize though to you and to Jeb Brooks, not my intent to detract from the I love every one of his videos, some I even watch again and again.

@@toib.7143Wonder what their problem was! Nice to know your family made a new friend, you never know who you’ll meet while traveling. Edit here, I’m so sorry about those people and your experience along with the victim whose jaw was broken. Take care.

@@ginasmitasin479 The couple were clearly not fond of black people, but at my age, I hadn't encountered overt bigotry for a very long time, so at Emeryville station, I actually thought they were staring at me so intently because they were sure I was about to shoplift something from that unattended area. But looking back, even that was offensive. But at dinner, I then understood. As for that poor man, I can still hear, that poor man's cries to this day, it was heartbreaking. I was told that the attacker was observed smoking something early on, I can't confirm if it was true, I only saw him when we boarded, then when he came into our car. I sure hope he was punished as harsh as legally possible. To be perfectly honest though, my favorite mode of travel has and probably will always be via the rail system.

"The best meals"? Try "VIA Rail" in Canada. The service is better all the way around! ✌️

That sounds like an amazing dream to me!! I haven't been served like that since being an infant. I wish i were childless temporarily to try that ASAP!!

@laurenrzempoluch2569 You want to know the next best thing about that trip? The night I was supposed to leave, there was an accident on the tracks between me and my destination, and that changed my scheduled plans for when I was to get there. I was waylaid for in a strange city in a strange state, and I had to make emergency accommodations. When the trains were running again, Amtrac booked my bedroom... for free! They refunded every penny I'd paid for my ticket! I think that added to my blissful sleep on board. 😴

Sounds amazing!!😻

@@auntieem2978 It was amazing! 🥰

I did coach from OR to San Fran to Chicago to Roch, NY No $ for food, just bottles of water and fasting alot plus a few things I had brought also The no shower for days was worse than no food. I changed clothes daily n washed my face n teeth 🤷🏼‍♀️

Wait! What?!? Who’s peaking in a roomette on yootoob??? 💦🤣

That must be on the OF channel. 😜

Peek*

Need low bed due to age

My fiance and I took our first Amtrak trip last November in a Roomette from Florida to NC and found the space available to be more than adequate. We never felt like we were on top of each other. We preferred the Viewliner II, but would gladly take the Viewliner I car. It was a great trip! At no point did we use our phones or electronics. The view and conversation was delightful and we have been trying to find a way to squeeze in another trip.

@@grayrabbit2211 ia

honestly the coach rate isn't much more than greyhound and greyhound is hell on earth from what i've seen.

I just couldn't sleep in coach. Even worse if someone's sitting beside you. Spent a day in Glenwood Spings- Fantastic area!! Going thru Glenwood Canyon and Gore Canyon takes your breath. I stood in the door at the back of the last car looking out the window going through Gore Canyon and got the best view ever. The Conductor didn't mind me doing that and we had a good conversation. Amtrak tickets are cheaper on some days. I saved $80 by going on a Monday.

@@fiddlyphuk6414 My strategy in coach was to stay awake as long as possible. The longer I tried to stay awake the easier it was to just doze off. And then I would wake up several hours later in another state. From Chicago to Denver westbound, and from Salt Lake City to Denver eastbound, there were passengers in the adjacent seat. We had nice conversations and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery together. As for looking out the back window, I made a video for a few minutes while eastbound out of Glenwood Springs. It's on my channel. And I am still amazed that my Zephyr came to a stop in Emeryville just 8 minutes after its scheduled arrival time. I know that isn't everyone's experience, but it certainly solidified my positive opinion of Amtrak.

​@@MrSGL21Greyhound isn't comfortable.

🤣🤣🤣

That scam only works on cruise ships LOL

whatz the scam?

@@DommoPA Getting up early and putting a towel on a chair to reserve it for later.

A very annoying, inconsiderate, and selfish thing to do no matter what the venue. Guys at the gym would try that stunt with the showers by putting towels on the doors and running the water with no one in the shower to make it sound like someone was in there. I would turn off the showers, take the towels, and put them in the used pile.... thus opening up those showers for anyone to use. At gyms, locker room bench space is at a premium and some guys would leave their very large gym bags on the benches to _save_ that spot for themselves. I would take the bag and shove it in a random locker and leave it up to them to find out where their bag is. I can get pretty confrontational with people that pull that stunt while they're out enjoying some other part of the ship or gym and denying access to someone else that also paid to be on this same cruise a place sit and enjoy the pool. Like the original commenter said, I'll take their stuff and turn it in to the front desk and tell them someone left their stuff at the pool. Sometimes I'll go back to the pool and and sit where I can watch it all happen when they come back. I feel the same about inconsiderate A-Holes that intentionally take up two parking spots and you can tell when it's done intentionally and not due to poor parking abilities. Okay, I feel better now that I've _vented._

I'm a no-fly person too. I puckered up and took a flight from MD to FL. The flight was good, but I didnt like being off the ground. My next trip will be by train. Plus, my wife can't fly due to health reasons. The train looks like a wonderful way to see the country!

The handicap room was a very good option for someone with limited mobility. It is downstairs and the room is crosswise, however the beds are lengthwise (as opposed to regular rooms), so you can see out both sides of the train. You CAN have your meals delivered if getting up to the dining car is a problem. Unfortunately, the viewing car is also upstairs, but at least you have views out both sides of the train. It IS kinda strange having the toilet out in plain sight in the room, but it does have a curtain to pull around it when in use. And if one is needing the accessible features, it isn’t anything you haven’t experienced before. We have learned to adapt get around places we want to go. And there is less swaying motion on the lower deck of the train as well. If she can get around and into your car, she should do just fine. The porters are also very accommodating. I hope you get the chance to do this! You will need a doctor’s note, though my husband’s handicap card for parking was enough for us at the time. Plan ahead. There are a limited number of handicap rooms. It is also wise to assume there WILL be delays and plan accordingly! Happy rails to you!

We would enjoy seeing that also….hubby has some mobility issues.

How's the wifi?

@@gamb155 Amazingly good! Though when you get out into the really wide open spaces it can be patchy, but that is train wide , nothing to do with where you are sitting . The one problem with any of the accommodations is that someone has to be able to sleep on the top bunk. That means being able to get up into the top bunk in the first place! Or, more importantly, get DOWN from the top bunk! (Or up from the floor after you miss!). Another option I read about recently was getting 2 roomettes, right across from one another. Cost is about the same as a regular room and no one has to deal with the top bunk!

This is great advice, definitely noticed a lot of horn action our night in the bedroom.

I’ve been on the Zephyr many times in both coach and roomette. Even in coach I wondered why the people paying the most for their accommodations were closest to the horns. 2 long, 1 short, and another long for every grade crossing!

​@@johnmcqueen4883That is odd.. On the Silver service the sleepers get put at the end of the train and you can hardly hear their horn.

​@@grayrabbit2211what is Silver service? Where in the country?

@@RonWrightwrites Florida up the East Coast to NYC.

It wasn't part of Amtrak pre 1970.

I love train travel and I subscribed to this channel after their SA train excursion so I am definitely happy for another train review.

Ditto!

I had a hell of a time trying to sleep in coach. Just really couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep. Even worse if you have someone sitting beside you.

I have only gone coach from PDX to Chicago. I slept fine and did well. I could afford that.

I have the room was a little crowded, but okay. I preferred the roomette, when traveling alone.

😂

About five years ago I took the Amtrak from Montana to Seattle. The trip was beautiful but the bathroom was horrible. The tanks had not been emptied and the reek was terrible every time the door was opened or when you needed to use them. I hope that this has been dealt with. I would love to use the train to travel to see my family without having to drive.

Thanks for watching and the kind words🙂

I agree, she’s ok, I guess…. 😂

I think she's cute !

Great video. I have always want to take the train to travel. I normally drive my car and stop at nice hotels.

"Suzanne somehow doesn't feel like an addition to your channel, but more so like she's always been a part of it. You're a unit and I now can't imagine the channel without her. I love watching both of you" As said from behind the corner of a building with one eye peering around the edge.

Which side would you recommend sitting on?

@@damonblak9108 If in California, the ocean side. Other than that, I'm good with either side.

My first cross-country trek included the Empire Builder and the Zephyr. I considered it not only an adventure train but also an educational train. Growing up in educated in Asia and Europe this was a great introduction to the topography of the USA when I came for university!

While Amtrak's rolling stock might no be "luxury" in the 5 star sense, the experience and service we had on our first trip last year absolutely was. So relaxing. The only more relaxing is going by private plane, provided I'm not the one flying it. Amtrak staff were great across the board. Boarding was fantastic and I liked that the station agent personally walked all of the sleeping car passengers to the right spot on the platform. I also appreciated him NOT calling it First Class. Both trains were overnight and I felt bad for those traveling overnight in coach. The meals in the dining car were great too.

i think the way to approach it is this: Its not cruise ship. its way better than the bus You don't have to drive you get to see stuff you can't see from a plane.

I did that trip in my own in 2021. It was fantastic and I met some of the coolest people these. Make sure to get to the observation car. The views are amazing!

So how was it? They definitely give this video sponsored by Amtrak vibes.

My wife and I went from Connecticut to Florida last July for our daughter's wedding. I thought the roomette was pretty tight but your experience gives new meaning to that! Even with the tight space, it was a great trip.

For me, I prefer the upstairs because I take in more of rhe view end of course there is the observation car. But on the SF to SEA run there is rarely a viewing car. The downstairs is also a great sell for any disabled passenger! ❤

I like the lower seats/roomettes also. More privacy, easier on/off fresh air stops and opportunity to reach to clean your dirty window from the outside.

My wife and I are thinking of making a scenic SF/SEA run a mini vacation, any quick tips? Thanks.

@@wingnut4217 The Coast Starlight travels between Emeryville and Seattle with very nice hotels across from stations. Save money by taking coach and use lounge car for scenic views.

@@Homer500 We were planing on using the sleeper coach to include the whole train travel experience, thanks.

This route is epic!

The roomette is the more bang for the buck. When first I came to the USA I criss-crossed from NYC to the West Coast down and back again. Roughly 72 hours to see the nation! You should make a plan to do so and buy the tickets early for the greatest value!!

Haha West Palm used to be my home now we live in NC. Spent half my life In Florida and the other half in NC! I love Amtrak as a kid from Massachusetts to Florida. It was in the 60s. We had seats and sleeper bunks at night! The Autotrain along a similar route was a blast at 12 years old.

I believe every fare on the auto train includes meals. I’ve taken it about 10 times but the price has gone so high I haven’t been in about 6 years.

As Jeb noted a roomette is sufficient for two well acquainted people, although a bedroom has more room but costs twice as much...

​@@ronclark9724We took our first Amtrak trip last year on the Silver Star after seeing Jeb's videos. The Roomette was more than enough room for the two of us. Granted, we were in the Viewliner cars, the much have more height. But we never felt like we were on top of each others and always had plenty of room. We've felt more cramped in business class on the airlines.

A man of culture I see 🧐🧐 OH HELLL YEAHHHH

Agree 😋

@@29035ft are you a woman of culture as well? OH HELL YEAHHH

When Suzanne was describing the benefits of the larger bunk she said: "It is nice to have this larger bunk to kind of hang out in a little bit before bed or maybe (pause)." I wonder what she was really thinking? 😊

@@harryd9579 But, she said the walls are thin so you hear everything, so . . .

@@Jeffrey_Lew I took a roomette once and the couple in the next compartment went for it. Room steward was not pleased. They tried to be quiet but it was still obvious.

@@iamcoreilly Thats what I am talkin about

My first train ride was Tampa to DC. I was in coach. There was a couple with a 5-6 year old in my car. The kid was running around screaming ALL NIGHT and the parents were fighting. Ugh! About 1:00 am, I asked the attendant if there were any open roomettes and thankfully there was one. They had to wait for the next stop before I could move. Finally, around 1:30 am, I moved into the roomette. Ahhhhh! What a difference! That was the first and last time I rode coach! I changed my accommodations for the return trip as soon as I arrived in DC. From then on, it was roomette, bedroom, or find another way. Also, the common restroom in coach had urine all over the floor. I get it - it’s a little difficult to aim with the train shimmying back and forth - but even the common restrooms in the sleeper cars were clean.

Sparks is my hometown - super exciting to see it in a Jeb video!

Thank you so much!!!

As someone who turned my career into tourism marketing I do not prefer first class when I have to pay for it. It is simply snobby and rarely worth it. Of course I take the upgrades because it is common based on the business that I am in but I really don't care to pay people just to kiss my **** 😂 Train travel has always been my preference and unless I'm crossing water or really really limited on time I take train (on three continents!)!!

I joined after one of their train treks. When I fly it's all about work, I don't care about first class amenities even when I get them. But I want to see more train travel videos!!

It's a matter of value, even for Congress. When less than two percent of Americans have ever rode Amtrak overnight either in a sleeper or coach, there isn't much political pressure to expand and improve Amtrak. Especially when Congress knows more than eighty percent have flown at least once and one hundred percent have used the highways one way or another, if only to push a wheel chair across it... I do wish for Amtrak expansion of former railroad routes, the Pioneer, Desert Wind, Texas Zephyr, Twin Star Rocket, and finally the return of the Floridian... These five trains with up to eighteen train sets would provide Amtrak better overall nationwide services allowing people to go to more places... Those trains involve respectively: Portland to Salt Lake City via Boise, Los Angeles to Salt Lake City via Las Vegas, Denver to Houston via DFW, Minneapolis to DFW via Kansas City, Chicago to Miami via Nashville... Probably less than $300 million to acquire 18 train sets consisting of a transition sleeper, sleeper, diner, sightseeing lounge, and two coaches, six cars each...

Maybe if we spent more on rail travel availability instead of sending all that money to countries that hate us we could all have at least some level of passenger service. many of us have no access at all.

Amtrak needs more frequent service. Only a limited part of Florida gets service to begin with. Tampa only gets one northbound train a day...which leaves in the evening and leads to all sorts of awkward arrival times. 2am/3am arrival times? No thanks. We'd love to take the train more but it just doesn't work. Likewise, Amtrak needs to restore the Florida to New Orleans line. They used to and it was one of the busiest services they had. They discontinued it after Hurricane Katrina, but the line has been rebuilt for almost 19 years now and the service has not returned.