Source
r/StLouis•
patrickhdj

The Gateway Transportation Center being more gross than usual (reeked of pee) on a day where every train out of STL to Chicago is sold out is pretty funny

I went to Chicago and back over the weekend and every train out of STL and most out of Chicago were sold out. Even as a rail enthusiast it was pretty eye opening. Our station kinda sucks, coaches falling apart, conductors aren't always great, delays... and despite all that there's still crazy demand for rail travel. It's nice there we're finally getting a little investment but more is needed and deserved. (and look at that, most trains to Chicago this weekend are full or nearly full already)

Posted Mar 29, 2022, 10:39 PM UTC

4521
tucktanDowntown West•

That station won some architecture awards and was nice enough when it opened, but it’s definitely been neglected since 2008. It needs a good power washing.

28
ee1234Downtown West•

it’s definitely been neglected since ...

The story of St. Louis, right here. We build nice things that quickly become shitty.

26
tucktanDowntown West•

Deferred Maintenance!

10
thepontiff_KC - Tulsa ⬅️ 64/44/70 West - 55/64/70 East ➡️ Chicago •

It’s amazing how a good power washing can change the scenery

7
ee1234Downtown West•

The fact that there are two pre-dawn trains to Chicago, then nothing for like 8 hours (not counting the Texas Eagle) is pretty annoying.

That and the lineup to board the train. You can't get lost there. Just let us walk to the platforms like civilized, non-American train riding adults.

19
Booomerz•

I like riding the train but Amtrak has always felt exclusively staffed by the angriest people. Even their announcements sound like they're getting into fights with themselves. "Check your pass before boarding. I'll say it again...check your pass before boarding this train. If it ain't the right pass then you need to keep your fucking feet off my god damn train you hear me?!" Also for the first time in ten years riding I was told I can't sit in the cafe car unless I'm actively eating something. Apparently the days of enjoying a cup of coffee and chatting with the other riders are over.

It feels like the staff are there to make sure if you had any optimistic expectations of enjoying yourself those will be squashed.

16
patrickhdjOP•

Yeah sometimes it's funny when the conductors act like that but a lot of the time it's just really rude and off putting. On my way there they were loudly talking shit about passengers.

I assume the café car restriction is a function of covid and the trains being full. I sat there on my way to Chi but couldn't at all on my way back.

10
LarYungmannMidtown STL•

One of my fav. things about train travel is playing cards and having some beer in the cafe cars.

4
KitKats_and_Ketamine•

Yet they won’t kick people off the train for smoking cigarettes in the bathrooms. It’s all talk

3
BUFFWarthog•

Our train system is pathetic compared to what most of the rest of the world has. The bullet trains in Japan were pretty sweet. Even the ICE trains in Germany are light years ahead.

16
turtleengine•

I take it you weren’t on one of the new venture cars.

9
patrickhdjOP•

😞 I booked 306 specifically to get them, but apparently the were pulled from service. They can't come soon enough. My business class Amfleet was ok but my Horizon coach on the way back was terrible.

13
tipsycup•

I rode in one of the venture cars about a month ago. My first thought with the automatic doors was that that was a lot of stuff that could break really easily. Then while using the restroom the door unlocked and opened itself as I was on the toilet and proved my theory correct.

10
turtleengine•

Well I was hoping to hear good news. I guess I played myself. Damn that’s depressing.

3
binkerfluid•

Then while using the restroom the door unlocked and opened itself as I was on the toilet and proved my theory correct.

Why would anyone design this this way?

2
tipsycup•

I assume it was a sensor contact issue? To get it to close properly to finish peeing I had to push the button three times and it was like how an elevator door opens if it senses something it won’t close, but I think the thing it was sensing was the movement of the track because when we were on a smoother piece of rail it finally shut. I assume the new design is for accessibility reasons? It is push button automatic doors for the bathroom and maybe motion for the doors between cars. I took some pics if you want to see.

1
FungusBrewer•

Shitty!!

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3
tipsycup•

On the Texas Eagle northbound, not so much the others.

2
According-Fix9073•

I wish they would make a train from St. Louis to Chicago with no stops in between. It just needs to be one train maybe early in the morning. I'll even take a STL to Springfield to Chicago Just a major city/town stop. I would love to get there and back fast.

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