Travels with Kev
I've been riding Amtrak trains since 2012, using their long-distance and regional travel services. I created this website to help others plan an Amtrak adventure with expert articles and communication. Safe travels and happy planning!
Chicago Union Stations, Amtrak's Borealis & Heartland Flyer, Plus More
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, Welcome back! Chicago Union Station is receiving significant upgrades on the train side of the station. To accommodate these improvements, boarding procedures may differ from what you're accustomed to. Your line-up could change from visit to visit, and Metra may not be using its usual tracks. If you have a trip to or through Chicago, bring a bit more patience and understanding. Hopefully, once the work is finished, Chicago Union Station will...
Learn about the Southwest Chief, track work ends early and more!
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, Welcome back! 5 Fantastic Reasons to Ride Amtrak’s Southwest Chief This fall, I’m going to ride the Southwest Chief. I’ve ridden this train multiple times, in Coach and a Roomette, and I never tire of the experience. It’s a journey that combines relaxing travel with breathtaking scenery—and it’s one of the best ways to see the heart of the American West without needing to get behind the wheel. Whether you’re a first-time rider or simply dreaming...
It's Track Repair Season, A Travel Tip, And More
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, Welcome back! This is just a friendly reminder that these emails are sent out every Thursday morning! If you don't spot one, check your spam folder. A Planning Tip from Ruth: Use Google Maps to Help Plan Your Amtrak Adventure! Big thanks to Ruth, one of my awesome readers, for the reminder that Google Maps can be a fantastic tool for planning your Amtrak trip—I use it all the time! You can search for Amtrak stations across the country and explore...
Kev Covers Special Amtrak Stops, Real IDs, Booking Trick, & A Little More.
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, Welcome back! As a reminder, these emails are sent every Thursday morning. If you don't see one, please check your spam folder. Not all Amtrak stops are created equal.... Tickets can be booked for getting on or off the train at most stations; however, a few stops impose restrictions that limit regional traffic. These “receive only” and “discharge only” stops help minimize congestion from local passengers, especially where alternative transit...
What I Know About the New Amtrak Mardi Gras Service
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, Welcome back! Happy Birthday, Amtrak! Today, marks the anniversary or birthday of Amtrak. A Quick Ride Through Amtrak’s HistoryAmtrak, officially known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, was founded in 1970 and began service on May 1, 1971. Congress established it to ensure intercity passenger trains continued operating as private railroads wanted to start phased them out. Beginning with a combination of routes from various rail...
Updated Amtrak Flex Dining Menus, On-Time Performance Updates, and a Luggage Storage Idea!
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, Welcome back! This week, new menus, an option to store luggage when you travel, and more. Updates to the Flex Menus While updating something else, I noticed that Amtrak recently updated its Flex Dining menus. These meals are currently offered on the Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited, and Texas Eagle. If you want to check them out, take a look at my Flex Dining Page, where I have them available for you. There are rumors...
Learn about Amtrak's Cardinal, Correction, and More
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, ALL ABOARD for this week’s newsletter! Have you ever taken Amtrak’s Cardinal? Otherwise, you might miss one of Kev's favorite—and underrated—long-distance Amtrak routes. I might be biased, though. The Cardinal operates between New York City and Chicago three days a week, traveling through the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. It’s a winding journey...
A new article is out this week, and Amtrak has three lines back on track and more!
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, ALL ABOARD for this week’s newsletter! Three Amtrak Routes Are Back on Track! 🚆 You may remember that a few Amtrak routes were temporarily sidelined when they pulled Horizon cars due to safety concerns. But the good news is that they are back on track! The Cascades was the last route to return. Other updates: The Borealis is back to using Superliner coach cars The Cascades now has Amfleet trainsets The Hiawatha is running with available cars, they...
🚄 Amtrak Upgrades, Disney by Train & What I Am Up To
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, ALL ABOARD for this week’s newsletter! New Amtrak cars are coming. You may have heard that the new Amtrak Airo trains are set to launch in 2026, offering a modern and more comfortable experience for train travel across the U.S. These state-of-the-art trains will replace equipment on key routes, featuring larger windows, enhanced seating, faster acceleration, and improved fuel efficiency. Passengers can also anticipate improved lighting, upgraded...
Amtrak Temporarily Sidelines Horizon
The Travels with Kev Newsletter Hello Reader, ALL ABOARD for this week’s newsletter! Amtrak Temporarily Sidelines Horizon Cars, Affecting Several Routes Amtrak has temporarily removed its Horizon railcar fleet from service after routine inspections uncovered corrosion issues. Consequently, several routes—including the Downeaster, Hiawatha, Borealis, and Amtrak Cascades. If you’re traveling on one of these routes, you may notice fewer trains running or be placed on a bus instead. While this...