28-Hours on Amtrak Cardinal: Chicago to NYC Epic Journey!

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The Cardinal is definitely on my list of long-distance trips to take in the future. The views going through the Virginias are absolutely stunning! Awesome video, and thanks for the shoutout!

I've taken the Cardinal three times, both in coach and in sleeper (an older Viewliner 1). This is one of my favorite trains. It doesn't get as much love as the western trains, but I think the scenery through the Appalachians is truly gorgeous.

1 cup of coffee is great, but 2 is always better! I couldn't agree more! Great shots of Penn Station at the end of the trip!

I got a rail pass Im ready

Ooh! I couldn’t wait for this video. My next reccomandation: Silver Star!

I would absolutely love to take the Cardinal if I ever go to NYC from Chicago

Worth noting that Thurmond is now only the THIRD least used Amtrak station in the state of West Virginia - Alderson and Montgomery get fewer people! Also there's nothing better than being on an on-time long distance Amtrak trip where you get a ton of random fresh air breaks you wouldn't have gotten otherwise!

I wanted to ride on the Cardinal for a long time and finally got to do so a few months ago. It was a nice trip but I wasn't feeling too well so couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have otherwise.

I rode the Cardinal the opposite way in 1992 when it was still run with Heritage Fleet equipment. Some kind of disruption (I think it might have been a CSX strike) made us have to take the Broadway Limited back. The Cardinal had better views but I’m glad I got to check off another legendary route before it disappeared.

The Cardinal is on my bucket list. I’ve visited the New River Gorge a good many times including rafting the Lower New. The Cardinal would be a different way to see it.

I'm glad you published this video before my trip coming up in mid-April. My wife and I will be in the Accessible Bedroom so it will be interesting to see that bedroom and to compare it to the Accessible Bedroom we will be in for our journey from LAX to CHI the prior week on the Southwest Chief (our 2nd time on the Chief). Assuming Amtrak still has no traditional dining in April, and the flex menu matches the one you had, I would try the same 3 meals you ate. The beef dish and the enchiladas looked pretty good. Since April should have a later sunset than your December journey, I expect to see a little more of the landscape in the daylight and, like you, I'll have my action-cam suctioned to the window to capture our beautiful country! Thank you for your time filming, editing, and uploading this wonderful video!

In January ‘24, the crew did let us eat dinner in the cafe car shortly after leaving Chicago. But most ate (or didn’t) in their rooms. The staff were nice!

An overnight trip in a roomette on the Cardinal is on the future list of train trips for me! Love the reports.

I took the Cardinal just under a year ago and it was pretty good. My only complaint is that they need to get an observation lounge/cafe car on the train (there are some pictures of model Viewliner observation cars similar to the Superliner) since Amfleet windows are a joke and having the opportunity to leave your seat/room is nice. Also, on my eastbound trip, we passed under the New River Gorge Bridge on the south side of the river (left hand side of the train.) It's interesting that they seem to route on either side of the river. Also, also, glad to see Thurmond station got a new platform and coat of paint. It looks pretty nice now.

Did this as the longest segment of my $299 rail pass from Chicago to Washington DC. Probably my favorite train ride thus far. Amazing views, friendly crew, and a really interesting group of passengers make this trip truly special. the second engine on your hospital train from Chicago to Indy #204 did the honors hauling us to DC where we picked up #624. I recommend doing coach overnight someday, you meet more interesting people than just a bunch of old retirees. my seatmate was returning home to Cincinnati after taking the southwest chief from Kansas and behind me was a mennonite family and a college student going home for break. the winter time is probably one of the best times to ride the Cardinal (eastbound) outside the fall because the lack of tree leaves provide a relatively unobstructed view of the river. don't bank on riding the Cardinal westbound though as any lengthy delays could mean passing through the new river gorge after dark.

This brings me back memories. Great video

I definitely love this train ride blog it’s absolutely amazing!

Fantastic Chicago shot Miles! Thanks

I did the Cardinal in 2005 from Indianapolis to DC. It was summer but my Viewliner I roomette was too cold because the thermostat for the AC was broken, and I didn't even think to bring a sweater. Stupid me. Other than that, It was a fun ride! The views are spectacular, especially between Kentucky, WVA, and Virginia. People wave to you when the train goes by. I shared a table in the dining car with people I never met, and it helped make the experience much more fun and special.