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I can’t exactly say that I woke up this morning!  I did get snatches of sleep and had a few weird dreams!   But when I decided there was no more sleep to be had, I opened my curtains to look across vast flat plains stretching as far as the eye can see. I was glad of my completely self-contained bedroom, which stretches almost the width of the carriage, save for a corridor to the side of the bedrooms, as well as down the centre of the rest of the carriage housing the roomettes, half the size of the bedrooms, and with no en-suite.  There is an advantage to roomettes.  They are half the cost, and meals as well as access to the Metropolitan Lounge are included.  I shall have to learn to travel more lightly!

I just love American locomotive whistles. In the U.K. over-use of the train’s horn (I used to be a driver, and for the life of me, I can not remember the correct terminology!) my career would soon be terminated if I complied with U.S. rules, whistling at every crossing and other potential hazards. This is mandatory even through the night.  I don’t remember being so severely disturbed on previous long-distance Amtrak journeys only two years ago but doubt the rules have altered since 2022. 

Missed it!  I have just seen a derelict power car from the old Chicago South Shore and South Bend R.R., which was still running, and I travelled on in August 1969.  Is it earmarked for preservation?  We can’t be far off Chicago. That was just after leaving Elkhart, which I assume is in Indiana. (I have checked; it is.) My phone tells me it’s 09.10 hrs E.S.T. In Chicago, it’s an hour earlier. I doubt that we are still 90 minutes late as the open country becomes increasingly developed.  We have just arrived at South Bend. Ye Gods!  A freight train has just taken priority!  I need the return journey on the Lake Shore Limited to run even later. Arrival at Buffalo is around 8 a.m., 7 am. Chicago (Central) time.

We are still an hour late, and once again, back into open countryside. 

Breakfast was another “cardboard affair.”  There was oatmeal on offer, prepackaged in a carton and prepared with boiling water.  There was also a tiny bowl of branflakes with sultanas and fresh milk.  A ham and cheese bap was the stomach filler.  Coffee is aplenty!  With luck, I should be able to stay awake for the rest of the day. 

I was pleased to find my room converted back to a spacious day compartment.  We are now in Central Time. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this overnight journey from Washington D.C. on board Amtrak’s Capitol Limited.  It’s now 09.33 C.T. and the skyline of Chicago is not yet visible.  Selfishly, I wanted a late arrival, and it looks as if Amtrak has obliged, more than likely due to the freight services “bagging” priority.

All of a sudden, Chicago was ten minutes away.  I was all packed up and soon on my way to picking up my checked-in luggage.   A taxi took me straight to the hotel I had stayed in two years ago. My room is on the 19th floor with the same view a enjoyed last year.  

I had every intention of making it to the Grant Park Music Festival. but I was starting to feel the effects of not sleeping too well on the train.  I took a?”power-nap,” and that seemed to revive me.  I decided to actually support the Grant Park Festival by purchasing a ticket. Unbelievably, a local lady offered to give me a spare ticket, which her friend could no longer utilise.

This year is special.  Grant Park Music Festival is in its 90th year.  It is also the farewell season for its conductor/director, Carlos Kalmar. 

The tiredness dissipated as I became pleasantly caught up with other attendees, one of whom very kindly gave me her spare ticket. She would take any money for this ticket.  As you can see from the programme, it was a beautiful concert. Much to my abject disappointment, they are playing Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand.  This will be fabulous, but I can not be there.  My evening was perfect.  I enjoyed the concert along with the conductor’s comments prior to each work.

I really do need to catch up on some sleep

Many thanks for reading,

David,

in his hotel room at Chicago.