Posted on 07/29/2010 6:43:09 AM PDT by Willie Green
What is it about trains that stir the imagination of a bygone era? Taking a train excursion is now an adventure for all ages.
For a glimpse into the golden era of luxury train travel — complete with dining cars, observation cars and panoramic views — a tour to Branson, Mo., is a great place to start. From the window beside your comfortable reclining seat — a seat with honest legroom — you will have a view into history, not just a vista of the cities and countryside along the way.
"Most everyone does a Branson trip by motor coach," said Pat Thompson, program and tour coordinator at the Traverse City Senior Center. "What is so unique about our Branson trip is we are taking the train both ways."
In Grand Rapids, board Amtrak's Pere Marquette, which gets its name from Father Jacques Marquette, the French missionary who founded Sault Ste. Marie in 1671.
Grand Rapids, the second largest city in Michigan, is situated on the banks of the Grand River and the train to Chicago connects the two cities with landscapes and waterways in between. The Pere Marquette travels along the shores of Lake Michigan; the 176-mile trip is considered one of the nation's loveliest short-distance train rides.
Coming into Chicago, the Pere Marquette crosses the South Branch of the Chicago River, famous for its backward flow. Chicago, the nation's third-largest city, is known for its ethnic neighborhoods, as well as its intriguing history. Chicago is one of the largest rail centers in the United States, the first railway having opened there in 1848. Chicago's Union Station, completed in 1909, is the only surviving example of Chicago's great turn-of-the-century train stations. At Union Station you will transfer to the Texas Eagle.
As the Texas Eagle heads south out of Union Station, you'll get a dramatic view of the towering city skyline. In 1885, the first skyscraper in the U.S. was constructed after the Chicago Fire of 1871 had destroyed the entire central business district.
The Texas Eagle also passes through Springfield, the capital of Illinois, which boasts a large number of attractions and historic sites affiliated with Abraham Lincoln. Before the train pulls into St. Louis, the Gateway Arch is visible just to the south of the Eads Bridge. It is the distinctive image of St. Louis. Opened in 1967, the Arch rises to a vertical of 630 feet and is the tallest monument in the United States.
The Texas Eagle enters St. Louis, known as the "Gateway City" and seen as the dividing mark between eastern and western halves of the U.S., in addition to the gateway through which pioneers first migrated west via the Missouri River and Oregon Trail. Named for King Louis IX of France and founded in 1764, it passed to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
"As you disembark in St. Louis, the first night is spent in Fenton, Missouri," Thompson said. "From Fenton we take a luxurious motor coach into Branson the next morning. In the town of Sikeston, Missouri, we stop for lunch at Lambert's Café."
At Lambert's Café, also known as Home of the Throwed Rolls, the waitstaff throws the rolls at you instead of serving them the regular way. If you want a roll, you stick your hand up, and someone from the restaurant fires it at you. You might ask, what if the thrower misses? He just throws another one.
In Branson, travelers will see some wonderful shows — shows by Shoji Tabushi, the Brett Family, Andy Williams, The Twelve Irish Tenors, The Osmonds and Buck Trent. A recent addition to the Shoji Tabushi show is music from some of Shoji's native Japanese culture — the Taiko drums.
The Branson tour includes a visit to Silver Dollar City, with its unique craft shops and Branson craftsmen demonstrating skills in pioneer and Ozark Mountain crafts. Silver Dollar City is a theme park situated at the site of one of the Ozark's oldest attractions, Marvel Cave, designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Last, but not least, is lunch at the College of the Ozarks, also called "Hard Work U." All full-time students work on campus, rather than pay for their tuition.
Branson in November and December has been recognized recently as a "Top 100 Event in North America" by ABA, the American Bus Association.
"Branson during the holidays gets you in the Christmas spirit, because all of the shows are Christmas shows," Thompson said. "Not only do you have Christmas carolers strolling, but the lights and decorations are outstanding — all of Branson is lit up for Christmas. You won't want to miss it."
As Baby Boomers enter their retirement years,
Amtrak tours will become a high-growth industry.
Yeah. And we will demand the government pay for it for us. Maybe we can make it another entitlement.
Please, hundreds of dollars for a trip to Dodge City, not to mention the WHOLE point of taking the train was to see the scenery. But Guess what...Them trains only run a NIGHT!!! Jeez maybe it's different in Missouri shoot I don't know, just more wasted government money
Colorado is railroad heaven with trains such as the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and The Royal Gorge Route.
You’ve failed to mention that the five railroads which operate the passenger trains from “heaven” are all privately owned and not affiliated with Amtrak.
You know, the only tenuously profitable line in Amtrak runs from DC to Boston. I have taken it several times and don’t recall any great landscapes. I just remember seeing a whole lot of spray paint taggers art on every available surface. I guess if you like tag art, you’re gonna love Amtrak.
“Senior Focus: Train travel can be scenic”
But not affordable.
“I took a train through Switzerland one time and that was pretty nice.”
I rode the train from Mannheim, Germany to Vicenza, Italy. Went through Switzerland. One of the things that I hope I never forget in my life. I loved it. Unfortunately I also know that sort of train system just is not feasible in the United States or else I would be an advocate.
I suppose so, but we went in our gas guzzling van to Dodge City and got to see Western Kansas anyway. So it was all good. Amtrack go pound sand
“Senior Focus: Train travel can be scenic”
But not affordable.”
A couple years ago a model train club contemplated making a club trip on the train from Sacramento to Reno over Donner Pass. As a spouse of a club member, I was kind of looking forward to it but the guys, checking out costs, calculated how many locomotive models they could purchase with the fare prices and the trip was off.
You’ve failed to mention that the five railroads which operate the passenger trains from “heaven” are all privately owned and not affiliated with Amtrak.
I didn't mention it because it's not true.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico.
A train is something that takes you for where you are not to somewhere that you will not be.
Mark Twain.
But not affordable.
Although there's been a painful attempt by the global investment community to weasel out of the retirement plans and pension obligations owed to the Baby Boom generation, it's a pretty safe prediction that the Boomers will get their revenge at the ballot box.
...and is operated without subsidy by a private company. Feel better?
...and is operated without subsidy by a private company. Feel better?
And that is going to bring down the exhorbitant prices of train passage how, exactly?
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