Southwest Chief: Surviving two days and nights in coach (and loving it)

Did this in May as the 1st leg of a 7500 mile Amtrak trip, all in coach. Used the $499 Railpass. Here was my itinerary: SURFLINER SAN-FUL. SW Chief FUL-CHI Capital Ltd CHI-HFY (Harper’s Ferry) Capital Ltd HFY-CHI Empire Builder CHI-PDX Coast Starlight PDX-Oxnard Surfliner Oxnard-SAN I had just turned 80 and did it as my 80th birthday present to myself. Why Harper’s Ferry? I have a sister who lives there. Every American should take at least one cross country train trip in their lifetime! Thanks for the video. Brought back great memories.

You are a travel warrior! Unlike all of the prissy travel vloggers on YouTube who are about traveling in the top class just to look awesome, you traveled like how actual people travel and conveyed those very real experiences to us. I have traveled across country in coach (but broke up the trip somewhat), and it is indeed a grueling experience. But it is also a very rewarding one (while being much more economical), and so I hope you enjoyed your well-earned treat at the end of it. I also hope that you celebrated with a deep dish pizza or an Italian Beef sandwich at your destination! Well done!

I traveled from chicago to LA Had a Sleeper car. My train ride originated in NYC. I connected with the Southwest Chief in Chicago.This was an awesome ride. I plan to ride this train again when I retire.

Instead of going non stop on a long distance Amtrak train, stop and spend a day/night at any of the stops on the route. Doesn't matter whether the town is small or if the city is large, there is always something to do if only to spend the day at the local fishing hole... I have been riding the Texas Eagle from LA to Chicago every year and spending a day/night at either one or two different spots each year. Believe it or not spending a day/night in San Antonio or Springfield or Alpine isn't boring. Not only see America riding Amtrak, but also EXPERIENCE America... I am sure with the Southwest Chief doing likewise would be just as wonderful at any stop...

Next trip. Travel pillow with a fleece throw blanket, washing wipes (either baby or fresh brand), those little plastic toothbrushes with a scope bead in the middle, and a hat that fits over your face to black out the car. These and beef jerky are my Amtrak coach must haves.

This trip reminds me of my camping days. Bring food, water, blanket, and TP. Use grungy facilities, get lousy sleep. Then get home have a long warm shower and get great sleep in my own bed.

Earplugs! I always bring several pairs when I take Amtrak, or fly anywhere. Even when I take a bus or light rail in Seattle, where I currently live. Earplugs are sooooo nice. Screaming babies don't bother me anymore. 😅

I've seen a lot of Southwest Chief videos on YouTube--you are the FIRST to show the inside of Albuquerque's train station and I thank you for it. Just as cool inside as outside!

My daughter and I rode the SW Chief going the other way last year. We also rode coach. I had tripped on a sidewalk in Chicago and was recovering from a concussion - this made me happy to stay in my seat most of the time. We got to LA and did the bus/San Joaquin line back to Emeryville and home.

The sundial and grandfather clock setting notes were appreciated! My experience has been that most Amtrak conductors and other passenger-facing crew have good humor. Love the train travel!

Excellent video. Made the round trip with family in 1967 on the Super Chief/El Capitan in coach. I clearly remember the Chicago to LA trip, but remember nothing about the LA to Chicago trip. I was only 12, but my love for trains and geography was enhanced for life. Thank you Dad.

I’m doing this same trip but in a roomette next June. I’m from the UK and have always wanted to take a long train journey through the American West. I’m particularly looking forward to the day spent in the desert SW, which you captured beautifully.

One thing I found about surviving and Coach that works really good is bringing a full size bed pillow. Hefty bag stuff it in. I was amazed on the Capitol limited to DC how much it made a difference Comfortable on the shoulder during the daytime and nighttime slept like a baby in coach

My girlfriend and I rode this train in 2010 after I retired. We started in Washington, DC on the Capitol Limited in coach. On the SWC we had a roomette. We enjoyed the trip especially talking to people in the lounge car.

Great video ! I appreciate your comprehensive and ( very ) honest review of travelling in coach on Amtrak. I understand why you did it, but I still give you A LOT of credit travelling in coach for multiple nights because I doubt I could do it. I took my first trip on Amtrak last month aboard the " Empire Builder", "City of New Orleans" and the "Crescent" in a sleeper car and it was a lot of fun so I'm looking forward to doing it again. Thanks again for another great video- keep 'em coming Jeremy !.

So far, I've only watched sleeper-car Amtrak videos but I've often wondered about your alternative. Wailing babies would drive me nuts and I'm not sure how I could cope with the sleep challenge, being a rather older goddess these days. It might be fun to spread the trip out so one could spend a day or two in certain towns. My inner wanderlust is pumped, ether way. Another great one, Jeremy!

After watching so many train/Amtrak videos I bought 3 USA RAIL passes over the last 2 years. I enjoyed many trips all up and down the East Coast,...and was considering being bolder and going out West. However,..after so many delays,..inconsiderate passengers,.....ridiculously inconvenient schedules etc,etc,...I finally said no more. It was a unique adventure,...but,.... I finally threw in the towel. To be fair I only traveled coach,...never a sleeper.

Back in the 30s to the 50s it was the train of the stars. Los Angeles to Chicago and then to New York. It was the ultimate luxury train and all of the Hollywood celebs traveled on it.

This the best documentary on the Chief I have ever watched. Well done! I ride this often between KC and Albuquerque.

That second to last stop, Naperville, is the site of a train mishap that is a major cause of the US lacking widespread high speed rail, with many tracks even today being limited to 79 MPH.