http://reason.com/archives/2005/12/01/amtrak-sucks#slide1
Here's the first page, rest at the link.
Posted on 06/16/2018 5:23:30 PM PDT by US Navy Vet
My wife and I are thinking about going from Omaha to Wash DC and up to NYC and back next May.
Drawbacks include speed. It is slower than a plane, but you know that. (This is partially remedied by the fact that a first time trip on a train is an event itself) The other drawback is that it isn't cheaper than flying.
There are a lot of YouTube videos of people taking train rides, you can get a very good idea what it is like from that.
In the U.S., freight rail has the right of way, and Amtrak is at the mercy of the freight trains.
Thank you, mairdie! That video brings back the great memories we had. You have made my week.
My wife uses it all the time and loves it. She did get bogged down in an accident once involving a car on the tracks and had to wait hours for the coroner to show up. But that is not a usual occurrence.
Mid 90’s I took it from Lincoln IL to Dallas and back. The train route for the first leg was Chicago to StL and it was a Fri night so there seemed to be a lot of students going to St Louis for the weekend or maybe a home visit. So it was fairly full. Once we got to StL most got off so there was plenty of room to spread out.
There was no designated place to park in Lincoln so I ended up parked at the police station. I talked to the dispatcher inside who said it was fine and they’d keep an eye on my vehicle. Small town Midwest good people.
Seemed like it was on time to Dallas pretty much. Coming back I think it was 2-4 hours late leaving Dallas but otherwise the trip was the same time travel-wise.
It is even more of an experience today. Union Station has been refurbished and is the transportation hub for downtown Denver.
Like many things, it isn’t as good as it used to be and it’s expensive. However, it sure beats flying and in many cases driving! For overnight trips, spring for the sleeper car. Very relaxing. We dined with many interesting people in the dining car over the years. I think my favorite was the young Russian couple who were so thrilled to be in America and thought capitalism was the best thing ever! They were really cute.
I’ve taken it several times between L.A. and Colorado. Believe me, if you are in for a long trip, GET A ROOM.
You get away from the cattle cars and have some peace and quiet. You can lay down and read as you wish, plus you either have a private toilet or have one that is shared by very few people. I got a lot of work done and met some very nice people who were in the same car. Meals are included.
You will have delays. Are you in a hurry?
It sure beats the airport energy and crowds.
Many years ago, I took the California Zephyr - Desert Wind from Chicago to LA. Scenery was nice and I recommend sleeper for a long trip. You meet interesting people on a train like that. You have time to talk with your fellow passengers. I don’t think the Desert Wind service is still available, but there are other routes. The service can be unreliable, with late departures, delays, etc. I think it’s a good experience to have, long train ride, being served a meal in the dining car, like the old days.
The first time I took the S-Bahn from Frankfurt to Stuttgart, Germany I was amazed at the smooth, quiet, and FAST ride. It was snowing when we passed just outside of Mannheim and it was like a picture postcard.
Many hugs back. You were clearly one of the great people one would meet on a train!
When I got to Portland, I could take the MAX light rail line to my hotel and to my business destination the next day.
Likewise, on my trips north to Vancouver (BC), if you go business class, your car is the first one off at Canadian customs. Skytrain is less than a block away, and it was only a few stops to my hotel.
I've gone cross country from Philadelphia to Seattle around 7 times. Some trips weren't so good, but most of them were fine. I met a number of interesting people in the dining car, to include an author on a book tour, and a former spec ops E-5 who, when apprised of my military past, told me a few things he probably shouldn't have. (Don't worry; I know the rules about security.)
I've gone from Los Angeles and San Jose to Seattle and back on the Coast Starlight, and I loved the Pacific Parlor Car, which was recently taken off the train for good. That's a shame; I enjoyed the wine-and-cheese parties, and the fact that the overstuffed chairs by the window had a little rack on the window to prevent one's drink from falling over. It was a civilized way to go.
I've taken Pacific Surfliner service from San Diego and Los Angeles as far as San Luis Obispo, and I loved the bar car. On my last trip I had two large bottles of microbrew ale to slake my thirst because I was so dehydrated from the Santa Ana winds. (Yeah, that's the ticket. I was dehydrated.)
On the East Coast, I've taken Acela trains from DC and New York to Philadelphia and back more times than I can count. I've never had a bad trip. Even at 125 mph, you can barely see the ripples in your glass of beer.
I'll take the train to flying any day.
California Coast.
Fun. it’s a novelty. Helps if you’re a train buff.
Get a roomette if your trip is long or longish.
Lots of YouTube videos of Amtrak trips.
http://reason.com/archives/2005/12/01/amtrak-sucks#slide1
Here's the first page, rest at the link.
I used to take Amtrak from NYC to Orlando, Florida once a year, work related. Last time was 2004.
Get the little sleeper car. It is worth it. Meals included in the Dining Car (which were very good).
Your own toilet and seating and in my case pull out beds. I always slept in the upper bunk to get a great view at night.
So relaxing and so much time to read a good book. There was also a little TV that played a movie.
The Porters treat you like gold, at least they did with me. So tip them well.
It is more expensive than flying but a really nice way to travel.
The seats are bigger and more comfortable than airlines, nice and roomy. We like to pack drinks and food to picnic and snack, so we have our favorites. We also like to bring tablets to surf the internet when the WiFi is working, and read e-books when its not.
Time goes by quickly, compared to other forms of travel. I find it relaxing, so you arrive feeling fresher than with air travel. Also, airplanes only pressurize the cabin to the equivalent of 6,000 to 8,000 feet altitude, so the thinner air saps your energy.
I’m jealous-——do it,and have a great time.
(You might take it up to Boston also) :-)
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1994 - I forget the train name - but I went from Harrisburg to Denver. Might have been the California Zephyr out of Chicago.
I don’t fly so I can’t really compare it to anything.
Long trip - but fun.
My most striking impression was approching the Rocky Mountains.
From the time you could frist see the mountains - until you actually got there was a really long time!
Great range of scenery. Entering Chicago was a bit sobering. You’ll see all of America that’s for sure.
Fellow passengers ranged quite a bit in character.
On the trip back I was packing a dufflebag of local craft beers from the I had amassed during my visit to Boulder.
I was anxious to impress my pals at home - but not one of those suckers made to Pennsylvania!
And I also concurr on the bar/lounge car - particularly if you happen to have some barstool skills.
Met some cool people - we had two tables of characters stay kind of late - playing guitars, carrying on a bit - total strangers.
That seemed like good way to pass the time - and make yourself a little tired.
The Trans-Siberian was fascinating!! Hope you do it some day. Crossing Russia and looking out on the white birches and little tiny towns all by themselves was so interesting. We crossed down into Mongolia and the grayness of Russia was gone in an instant!!
The service was good and the seats are comfy. :D
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