Riding coach on the Capitol Limited

The Capitol Limited will take me to Washington, D.C.  The train is longer than the Texas Eagle– three or four sleepers and at least as many coaches.  Still just one café car.

Riding coach.

I’m in one of the coaches.  The seats are comfortable enough for sitting or reclining.  They are marginal for sleeping.

When we board, about 6 pm the dining car is closed.  The coach attendant says there will be an announcement when the diner opens.  After two hours, I walk back to the diner.  The cook explains they are busy serving the sleepers first, then they will open to coaches.

At last the café opens at 9:45 pm. I order a hot dog and eat it slowly, reading the news. I make a few notes.

Back in my seat after a quick supper, I lie back and think about sleep.  I’m uncomfortable.  The head rest meets my head wrong, and my neck bends awkwardly.  There are no amenities in coach any more.  No heat, no blankets, no pillows.  I could bring a blanket and pillow, but that would require another piece of luggage.

I can’t get comfortable.  I quickly give up on sleep.

I look out the window into the blackness.  I see scattered lights shining down on isolated houses.  I’m near Lake Erie.   I see moon reflected in wide waters.

I write in my journal.  I pull out the ipad and start figuring out alternate train routes, combined train and plane routes.

Eventually I walk back to where there are two open seats together.  I lie down across them, squirm around, and fall asleep.

At last, the sun rises.  I stretch and drag myself back to the cafe.