I have taken the Texas Eagle many times before i retired to visit my grandchildren.

The bathrooms (on the lower level with a winding steep stair) get very dirty. The rails from Chi to St. Louis are uneven so a bumpy, sometimes slow, ride. I always went coach and took a pillow and light blanket on top of my suitcase. They provide a pillow but it is miniscule and their blankets are not free. The seats pulled out so you can lie back with your feet up.

The train was always at least 2-3 or more hours late. One time going home they unhooked the pullman cars from Los Angeles somewhere southwest of Dallas so the coaches could make up time. I think the coach train at Dallas was 4 or 5 hours late, heaven knows where the pullmans were.

My daughter always called amtrak before picking me up in Dallas - the first time she and family waited forever before we pulled in.

The worst time was at Xmas. Terribly overcrowded, long stops at stations, crying children, FILTHY restrooms, long waits standing at dining car. Never again Amtrak at Xmas.

I would never get on that train again. I now drive from Michigan, 1 night on the road in Sikesville MO. My children also drive, take portable TV and kids stuff.

Flying would be faster.