I'm currently in Austin - will be here through Sunday, then leaving Monday morning aboard Amtrak headed back to Fort Worth. I'm currently sitting at Juan Pelota Cafe at Mellow Johnny's enjoying a mocha before heading off to do some more stuff, and thought I'd take the time to share a few photos I've taken thus far from Friday and today.
__________________ Fort Worthology | Hello Panther
"I'll probably be some kind of scientist,
building inventions in my space lab in space."
Just over four hours. The train was bang on time - actually, we left Fort Worth right on time and pulled into Austin two minutes early. I was very impressed, considering Amtrak's usual rep (which is usually due to circumstances beyond their control - uncooperative freight companies). Most of the track to Austin is BNSF, though, which are pretty friendly to Amtrak (unlike UP).
__________________ Fort Worthology | Hello Panther
"I'll probably be some kind of scientist,
building inventions in my space lab in space."
I love seeing photos of our city from a visitor's perspective.
Kevin, per Amtrak the trip from Fort Worth to Austin is scheduled at 4 hours 20 minutes at a fare of $31.00 each way. The cheapest fare on Southwest right now is $49.00 each way, so that's a pretty substantial savings.
The southbound train into Austin arrives at 7:00 pm and the northbound train out of Austin departs at 9:31 am.
I've always wanted to take the train to Dallas, but have always flown instead because the Texas Eagle used to be notorious for running late.
Atomic Glee, did your train depart and arrive on time?
Edited to add: Never mind - you answered my question about being on time as I was asking it.
How close to downtown is Fort Worth's train station? I had wondered about the trip times, because I heard on the news the other day that the trip usually takes up to 6 to 7 hours sometimes. That seemed really odd considering you can drive it in 3 1/2 hours.
The ITC is in Downtown Fort Worth, on the eastern side, a couple of blocks from the Convention Center at the eastern terminus of 9th Street. It's a very easy walk from the ITC to the core of downtown Fort Worth, especially when you take into consideration that downtown Fort Worth's blocks are only 200' by 200'.
Most of the delays you'll see on Amtrak are due to freight trains, not really any failure of Amtrak's own doing. Lately, the freights have not been such a problem - the Texas Eagle's on-time performance of late has been substantially better, from what I understand.
__________________ Fort Worthology | Hello Panther
"I'll probably be some kind of scientist,
building inventions in my space lab in space."
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