My wife and daughter took Amtrak on a vacation several years ago. Carolinian from Charlotte to Washington DC, then another train to Chicago (visiting a friend), then the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle to spend a couple weeks visiting her aunt. They loved it. Service was good, no airport hassles, the scenery was stunning across Montana in particular. Unfortunately it’s expensive to get a sleeper setup, which you need on a trip like that.
}:-)4
“took Amtrak on a vacation several years ago”
Yep. Loved it too.
Amtrak to Florida back in the day when I first stopped flying.
Lots of fun, great people, real easy trip.
Still don’t fly. Like NYC Yellow Cabs in the air. Duct Tape and Bondo. At least smoking on a plane helped to show the cracks in the fuselage.
Haven’t used Amtrak in quiet a while. With gas prices now, maybe .. ?
Yes, trains are great. I don’t give a hoot what majority FR says.
But, Amtrak has been scaling back services for years, so you get a “box lunch” and no dining cars.
That would be a shame. Last I rode at all was long distance to Chicago, 19 years ago. (Local WI commuter service after that.). The stay is so nice. Sleepers definitely more expensive but worth it to avoid annoying coach neighbors.
A fully loaded Amtrak Train will stop 1 1/2 miles from the point where the engineers apply the air brakes.
Hope no one from the La Plata railfest was on the train.