Amtrak River Runner : A nice journey along the Missouri River

By law, passenger trains DO have priority over freight trains in the US. However, that law is nearly impossible to enforce, and the freight railroads know it. They flaunt the law as a matter of routine protocol.

I'm glad you had a good trip on Amtrak. I'm an Amtrak Conductor, used to be stationed out of the St. Louis station. 314 gets delayed often there due to the train tracks only being single main on that subdivision. Under normal circumstances, Amtrak is the only Eastbound train on that subdivision as the Eastbound freight traffic is north on a different sub. After Jefferson city, it goes to double main track, so much easier for 2 way rail traffic. Also, trains over 1km is a gross understatement. Union Pacific is routinely putting longer and longer trains on their tracks, longest I've seen was almost 5km long. I hope to see you in the future on more of our trains!

As an Aussie, I had my first ride on Amtrak back in 2018 when I took the California Zephyr from Emeryville (San Francisco) to Chicago. You’ve gotta make this trip. The scenery was sensational, as was the train and the Amtrak staff. Hats off to my sleeper car attendant Anthony who had a great sense of humour and made an already great trip better. It was the most enjoyable train trip I’ve ever taken, and I’ve done a few. You’ll love it.

Here’s an answer to wonder that may have come to mind: “what was with all those extra cars if the train is only meant to be 3 coaches?” It’s a simple reason, they are old, worn out baggage cars (ones built in the 40s-50s) that are used to add extra length to the train because on Union Pacific tracks (for some reason) crossings require a minimum number of axels in order to activate.

I've ridden Amtrak many times since I was a kid (around when they were first founded!). Many of their trains are actually really crowded, and not just in the NEC... their long haul trains sell their sleepers out months in advance, for example. It's these regional state-run trains that are lightly traveled like this. Amtrak trains technically do have priority over freight - this was one of the conditions of Amtrak taking control of the now freight-only companies' passenger trains in 1971. But it's really hard to enforce that, especially because congress (who oversees Amtrak) doesn't seem interested in punishing the freight railroads given the role they play in the economy. I recommend trying out Amtrak's long haul trains as well as their Acela Express service, because both are pretty unique experiences. You seem as interested in legroom as I am (as a 6'4" guy) - the legroom in a long-haul Amtrak coach is massive, and of course even better than that in a sleeper! Oh, as for the windows - you're riding in a Horizon coach here. These are converted from 1970's commuter trains, where window size wasn't really a big issue. If you look at Amtrak's newer train designs, like the Acela Express and Viewliners, they have much bigger windows :)

Welcome to the USA and our joke of a train system! Just a few things to note from your video: Even though the NEC can be crowded, it usually isn’t a problem finding a seat. Longest it’s taken me to find a seat is 5 minutes, and that was two years ago during Thanksgiving. Second, the seats are in such good shape because they’re only a few months old at most. Amtrak is refurbishing all their cars, so these seats are now the new norm for Amtrak seats (old ones were good, but not great) Another thing: Amtrak trains are supposed to get priority over freight trains. It is stated in Amtrak’s charter that they must get priority, however freight railroads are not incentivized to follow this, so they don’t The shallow windows are in order for them to be used in an emergency for people to get out, and because it could be to support structural supports for the car Enjoy your time in the US, and looking forward to your other US reports!

The Missouri River Runner should be extended to Omaha, NE to open up a new connection with the California Zephyr.

California Here I Come! I was 14 and headed to California for the first time in 1959. My train trip started in Orlando, Florida and I changed trains at Kansas City Union Station where I boarded Santa Fe's Hi-Level "El Capitan" to LA. I'll never forget that fabulous train and station. When I passed through Kansas City 45 years later in 2004 at 60 most of the colorful trains had gone with the wind and the station had been resurrected as a museum. I missed the hustle and bustle of the busy train station but I'm thankful the grand old building has survived. Thanks for sharing.

It used to be quite popular with children and teens to throw rocks at passing trains. Amtrak started making the windows on a smaller scale to help make it harder for the launched rocks to land blows to the windows. That's one reason for smaller windows.

This Amtrak's train is so good, good for social distancing.

A few years ago before they reduced it to only the 314 in the morning and the 313 in the evening our family rode to KC on the 311 in the morning ate lunch at the station and returned on the 316 in the evening at Christmas time. The decorations and displays at the station were fabulous and seeing the Christmas lights in the early evening along the route back, was a joy to see.

Finally someone recorded one of these SC44s idiling. Thank you, thank you! Great video as well.

Jeeeej the first American trip report. Nice! It's funny to see how different trains are in different places across the world.

My favorite time to visit Kansas Union Station, is December. I take the Southwest Chief to KC, then transfer to the Missouri River Runner. The station is decked out for the holidays, it is great!

Horizon fleet cars are aluminum bodied, not stainless steel. The train's total consist would be the Siemens Charger unit, however many coaches, cafe car, plus several empty cars to bring the total axle count to at least 30 axles. Couple host railroads require this of Amtrak. Minimum consist would be the locomotive and at least 7 cars. Per glimpse of St Louis' regional light rail, Kansas City also has a much smaller version, a downtown streetcar line. KC is also noted for recently making its entire transit system fare free.

During the winter months, bald eagles gather along the river and are easy to spot on this route.

I live in Jefferson, Mo when that tornado happened, it did not damage the capital building, it was just being repaired like it is once every 20 years. I love the Mo, river runner though.

Welcome to the USA! I hope you like your time here. I have enjoyed your European rail videos for some time. If you have the time and money Amtrak's western routes are very scenic (California Zepher, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief). All these originate in Chicago and go west. A roomete or bedroom is a very comfortable way to see the western USA and all meals (a sit down dining car) are included with the ticket. Welcome and sorry for the crabby Amtrak conductor. Jim.

I live in downtown KC, I hope you enjoyed your visit. I have taken the amtrak to chicago from Union Station in KC.

We've been to this building a few times while in that part of KC because of the adjacent parks, museums, and shopping. It's indeed an Art Deco wonder!