Travels with Kev

01/05/2025

🎉🚆 Happy 54th Birthday, Amtrak!🚆🎉

On May 1, 1971, Amtrak hit the rails—and 54 years later, it’s still going strong, connecting over 500 communities across the U.S.

If you’ve ever dreamed of kicking back and watching the country roll by, there’s no better way to travel than by train. Whether it’s your first ride or your hundredth, Amtrak offers something for everyone:
🚉 Scenic routes
🛏️ Roomettes and Bedrooms
☕ Café and dining cars
💺 Comfortable coach seating

As an Amtrak travel expert, I enjoy assisting people in planning their first (or next!) rail adventure. If you're curious about what to expect, how to book, or which route might be right, I have resources to help.

🎒 Start your journey at TravelswithKev.com

Here’s to 54 years of unforgettable views, friendly crews, and miles of memories.
Let’s keep riding! 🚄

26/04/2025

What fun!

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service has firmed up this year’s Trails and Rails program, which features volunteers offering commentary and one-on-one discussions with passengers aboard regional and long-distance Amtrak trains. “We’re 25 years strong, and looking forward to our upcoming sea...

21/04/2025

FYI!!

21/04/2025

I updated my page about the on-time performances of Amtrak Long-distance trains.

Discover essential insights into Amtrak's long-distance train performance for February 2025, including on-time metrics and tips to manage travel expectations.

15/04/2025

FYI

🚂 Pullman Railroad Days are almost here! Discover historic railcars, food, music, and family fun at Chicago's biggest rail-themed event on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18 at Pullman National Historical Park.

Tickets are available at bit.ly/PullmanRRD

American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners, Inc.

10/04/2025

I love traveling by train, but sometimes, I need to fly. There are several ways to connect from railways to runways in Chicago, so explore your options.

Getting to local airports from Chicago Union Station is manageable with proper planning and a clear understanding of the process.

08/04/2025

Heads Up, Heartland Flyer Riders! 🚆✨

Due to track work by BNSF, Trains 821 & 822 will have some schedule changes from April 7 to and14, 2025.

Here’s what you need to know:

🔹 Train 821 (OKC to Fort Worth) will now end in Gainesville, with Bus 3821 covering the rest of the trip to Fort Worth.
🔹 Train 822 (Fort Worth to OKC) will start in Gainesville, with Bus 3822 taking you first from Fort Worth to Gainesville.

Updated schedules are already live on Amtrak.com, so check your travel plans! Thanks for your patience while this work is done to keep things running smoothly. Safe travels! 💙

08/04/2025

🚨 Heads up, Lake Shore Limited riders! 🚨

If you have a reservation or plan a trip on Amtrak Trains 448 or 449, some important service changes are coming due to track work. Don't get caught off guard—check out the details here:

👉 https://www.amtrak.com/alert/lake-shore-limited-trains-448-449-track-work-affects-service.html

Whether you're traveling soon or making future plans, it's worth a quick look. Safe travels, friends!

Track work being performed by CSX will affect Trains 448 and 449 between Albany and Boston on Monday through Thursday, March 31 - May 1, 2025 as outlined below. The schedules listed on Amtrak.com have been updated to reflect this change.

15/03/2025

Amtrak has updated the menu for the café cars on its long-distance trains. Check out this menu and the other menus in my cafe car post, which I have in the comments.

14/03/2025

Keystone & Pennsylvanian Service Affected by Track Work
🚆 March 17 – June 13, 2025

If you're riding the Keystone Service or Pennsylvanian this spring, keep an eye on schedule changes! From March 17 to June 13, trains will run at reduced speeds between Paoli and Parkesburg due to track maintenance.

What You Need to Know:
✅ Trains will slow down between Paoli and Parkesburg.
✅ Westbound Keystone riders at Coatesville & Parkesburg will board/detrain on Track 1.
✅ Some departure times may shift up to 25 minutes—check Amtrak.com for the latest schedules.

Plan ahead, check your train times, and enjoy the ride! 🚆

14/03/2025

Amtrak has announced schedule adjustments for its Texas Eagle service starting March 20, 2025, due to infrastructure work by Union Pacific Railroad. Here's a simplified overview:

Northbound Service (San Antonio to Chicago):

March 21–25, April 1–8, 15–22; April 29–May 6, May 13–20; May 28–June 3, June 10–11:

Train 22: Operates as Bus 3022 between Fort Worth and Marshall, stopping at Dallas, Mineola, and Longview. Continues as Train 1022 from Marshall to Chicago, departing two hours later than usual between Marshall and St. Louis, and two hours and fifteen minutes later between St. Louis and Chicago.

March 19, 21, 23, 30; April 2, 4, 6, 13, 16, 18, 20, 27, 30; May 2, 4, 11, 14, 16, 18, 28, 30; June 1 and 8:

Train 422: Terminates at Fort Worth; no alternate transportation is provided beyond this point.

Southbound Service (Chicago to San Antonio):

March 20–24; March 31–April 7, April 14–21; April 28–May 5, May 12–19; May 27–June 2, June 9–10:

Train 21: Operates as Bus 3021 between Marshall and Fort Worth, with stops at Longview, Mineola, and Dallas.
Train 1021 departs Fort Worth for San Antonio on March 21–25, April 1–8, April 15–22, April 29–May 6, May 13–20, May 28–June 3, and June 10–11, running 30 minutes later than usual.
March 21 and 23, April 1, 4, 6, 15, 18, 20, 29; May 2, 4, 13, 16, 18, 27, 30; June 1 and 10:

Train 421: Originates at Fort Worth; no alternate transportation is provided to points north of Fort Worth.
For information and specific departure times, visit Amtrak's official website. A link is in the comments.

08/03/2025

Amtrak Trains and Daylight Saving Time – March 8, 2025

Trains departing today that travel overnight will have temporary number changes. For example, the California Zephyr, trains 5 and 6, will be listed as 1005 and 1006 today. Amtrak adds "10" as an indicator of a temporary change, in this case, due to Daylight Saving Time.

If you're interested in how Amtrak handles Daylight Saving Time, check out my article in the comments!