SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, responding to those who associate pleasurable dining car service only with the “Golden Age,” I reminisced about the positive experiences I’ve had rid- ing Amtrak. But, lest you think everything has gone smoothly as I’ve made my way around America, taking in both the dining car and dinner trains, here are some of the bumps I’ve experienced. An Eruption at Mount Shasta: It’s
been my experience that, with the normal jostling one gets from trains running at any speed, it is at times difficult to tell for sure whether a patron is merely unaccustomed to walking about on a moving train, or has had too much to drink. So it was, one evening, on the ex-Shasta Sunset Dinner Train, that a woman of a certain age made her way down the aisle to the restroom at the far end of the car with mild difficulty. It wasn’t long before patrons at their tables became aware of a ruckus that was taking place in that vicini- ty. Turns out the woman had felt compelled
And the Down Side?
to completely disrobe before attending to her bodily functions, and then had the misfor- tune of getting inextricably wedged into the commode. The train’s female crewmembers were able to get the woman out of her dilemma and back into her clothes in time to turn her over to the police at the next grade crossing. On the Broadway Limited: At one time
I could board Amtrak’s New York-Chicago Broadway Limited at Lewistown, Pa., and, if it was summer, enjoy dinner in daylight as we climbed through the Allegheny Moun- tains west of Altoona. One evening I was seated with a convivial man who appeared happy to have company. My better nature was immediately aroused by the apparent disability he exhibited — tremors and slurred speech. Plus, he was having a terri- ble time trying to get the French salad dressing spread evenly on his dinner roll. At some point part way through our dinner he hailed the waiter and ordered a cocktail. The waiter hurried away on his mission, re-
Southern Pacific Lives on... Rail Fans! Come along with us...
As we explore the history of one of the great western railroads through our periodicals, books and annual meetings
Your regular annual membership includes four issues of our award winning Trainline Magazine
Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society
1523 Howard Access Rd., Suite A, Upland, CA 91786-2582
www.sphts.org
Join us today as we journey through the Golden Empire
Annual regular US membership is $40. Visa & MasterCard accepted. For an easy way to apply for membership or renew you membership go to
SPHTS.ORG and select Baywindow Mercantile.
www.railfan.com/onthemenu
10 OCTOBER 2012 •
RAILFAN.COM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70