I got to travel via train last year when we were in Providence and rode up to Boston for the day. It's so much more freakin convenient than having to worry about your car, parking, directions, gas, traffic....

I used to ride the train with my grandmother every summer from FL to TN and back. I loved those trips. We also occasionally rode the Silver Meteor from Tampa to Miami to visit relatives. Great fun. Enjoy your trip. I wish I were going with you.

I am a big advocate for rail, although I believe that most of our rail-infrastructure investment ought to be concentrated in the 300-500 mile market segment for utilitarian reasons.

That being said, I hope Amtrak always operates its long distance and trans-continental services. There is truly beautiful scenery out there that can be enjoyed in the comfort of a windowed lounge car. It's a unique experience that I recommend to anyone.

but starting from here on the east coast.... And I would get a sleeping car roomette. Considering what people around here pay to go down the shore for a week (upwards of $2000 at peak season) or down to Disney World for a week... it would be a bargain given the distance traveled and sites to see.

We really enjoyed the trip, which I can't say about the last plane ride we took.

Have a wonderful trip!

I LOVE trains!

and back! You get to meet lots of people on the train, that's for sure, especially during meal times. The food used to be quite good.

Since i became eligible for a senior discount, I started using the train to make the run from Fresno to Martinez. It's a horribly boring drive in the car, and I have driven it for years. You can't imagine how much I love that train!!
So now I get my employer to let me take the train when I have to go to meetings in Sacramento. Three hours to knit? LOVE it!

I have been on trains in Europe, including the Eurostar thru the Chunnel. Amtrak is awesome.

Have fun!!

in Houston sent me to Chicago for a week-long training course. I just told my boss that I would take weekends and vacation time to travel by the slower rail. Just ask your employer if rail travel is OK if you travel on your own time. That first ride had me hooked!

neighborhood and there is also Olvera Street, literally, 2 blocks, straight out the front door. Olvera Street has some lovely original mission architecture and great taquitos as its focus is on the original Mexican culture that dominated the area before the white settlers arrived. It also has the oldest building in Los Angeles, it's lovely!

Have fun!

Instead of flying and it was a great trip...got to meet some interesting people and had some great conversations.
Fuck the big old jet airliners...comfort and the ability to move around trumps speed IMO.

My family rode Amtrak a few times when I was a kid and it was a blast!

In addition to "all Aboarrrd!" I also liked hearing the engineer / locomotive give two short toots of the whistle acknowledging the conductor's two way radio command that the train was cleared to depart the station. And then the train almost imperceptibly began to glide forward and pick up speed. Clicketty clack. cool stuff like that makes Amtrak travel cool, to me.

Best.

Last fall I took three legs - Boston to DC, DC to Atlanta and Denver to SF. I picked up an amazing price for a roomette for the Denver to SF leg and having all meals included was a wonderful treat.

IMO, if you have the time, it's the best way to travel.

i love trains, too. been ages since i rode one, tho.
i took a packaged tour on the denver zeypher when i was a kid. it was such fun.

hope to do my retirement traveling on the train in a couple years. i'll be goin coach, too.

I love Bluegrass music!

he has a song for EVERYTHING.
he has really kept my head screwed on for the last couple of years. most of his music is on my phone, and when i shuffle it, there is always a song on there for what is going on right then.

have fun. i'm jealous.
lemme know next time you pass through unions station chicago.

about 10 years ago. I've been a fan ever since.

even the songs on that album, which are mostly current events related, still hold up for me.

conductors. Some ore very funny.

I grew up in the northeast, taking the train all the time. I most recently had an adventure from Berlin to Rotterdam and back, and then from Barcelona to Madrid and then on to Seville. Amazing!

layover some of old Los Angeles is right out the front door. Olvera Street, etc....train trips are great.

The last time from LA to Chicago with an economy sleeper. Wonderful trip. And with a sleeper, you get treated like royalty. For one, meals are included in the ticket price -- yes, it is a bit pricey. But the food onboard is universally wonderful. And yup! You meet all sorts of nice people. For one, when you eat in the dining car seating is limited so you will be seated with strangers. I found that to be a universally pleasant experience.

Have fun!

In fact, I have the tickets for my next trip, coming up in about a month. I always go from San Bernardino to Chicago and then either take the Blue Water to Michigan or the Capital Limited to Pittsburgh, depending on which relatives I'm going to visit.

I enjoy meeting people in the dining car, as well. Everyone is so friendly! The whole experience is so completely different than flying. So relaxed and fun. I've had people ask me why I would want to take so long getting to my destination when I could just fly but the train trip is part of my vacation and a part I really enjoy.

From Montpelier to D.C. For cherry blossom time.

Not in the most expedient fashion. There are some very strange hiccups along the way as the train needs to change between tracks and switch engine types. The roadbed is often a bit patchy. The incessant announcements about the weirdness gets old after 10+ times.

I've also traveled a bit in Europe (many years ago) and think that the US system could stand some improvement. However that improvement is contrary to the corporate interests that run congress (and funding) - not unlike why we can't have a decent postal service (with public banking included?).

have a safe trip !!

What an adventure. If you're not in a hurry Amtrak is great. I took your trip in reverse several years ago. Your post whets my appetite for another train trip.

before you took yours, but never got to do it.

How are trains for disabled people? Just wondering as I would love to do something like this someday. Looking forward to your pictures.

When you board at the station in most larger cities, there is someone with a golf cart to ferry you and your luggage to your coach, and back to your station upon arrival. On the double decker Superliners out west, seating and H restrooms are provided on the lower level. Also, when the attendant comes around for meal reservations in the dining car, you may request to have your meals served at your seat (at no extra charge, although a tip is appreciated). If you book a bedroom on an overnight train, one of the bedrooms in each sleeping car is just for disabled people. Follow these links for more info:

http://www.amtrak.com/train-travel-plan

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/

Hope this helps!

I'd love to do the chicago to la run some day.

train system across the nation. Would love to avoid airlines and cruise ships. If I were a multi-billionaire I would start one. Think of the jobs it could create...from steel, to textiles, to luggage and baggage etc. I would require everything used to be made and manufactured within the USA. Lots of well-off seniors out here have the time and the money and the interest in spending time touring via trains but the current system is not well suited for this. A luxury land-liner would be great!

Forgot....enjoy your vacation!

in this country, and Amtrak struggles along because our politicians for the most part wouldn't think of riding it themselves, and therefore won't invest in it.

Back in the 1980s I took the train from LA to Las Vegas. It took 10 hours because we had to keep pulling onto side tracks to let freight trains go by. Passenger train service no longer exists on that route, so people travelling between those cities now have the choice of airport hassles, driving a car, or taking a bus on the increasingly congested highway.

I wonder what visitors from parts of the world with modern, efficient train transportation think when they try to get around the US on Amtrak. Probably something like, "Wow, I never knew the US is so backward."

All that said, I agree that the OP should treat the experience as an adventure and make the best of the vacation.

went against their moneypockets desires.

I'm pretty sure that a lot of DC and other politicians actually ride the rails (whether AmTrak or Metro or local rail.) But they don't want to fund something that their donors can't make money off of. Remember how LA lost its local rail lines?

Aren't rickshaws enough for the common people?

wouldn't be Sheldon Cooper would it?

In my Montana youth in the 1940s & 50s, the Great Northern Empire Builder was literally our line to "civilization."

In 2013, my husband and I, who had flown to Oregon for a family mini-reunion on the Oregon coast, then took Amtrak from Portland to the little mountain town of Essex, MT to spend a few days in the Rockies near Glacier National Park. After our stay, we took the train back to Seattle, returning home from there by plane.

Essex was where the Great Northern Railway lodged railway employees, keeping kept extra engines to help freight trains over the Continental Divide. Some employees/engines are still kept there for the same purpose, but now by BNSF. Where the employees were formerly lodged became a small hotel, the Izaak Walton Inn (http://www.izaakwaltoninn.com/) and thus Amtrak still makes a scheduled stop there, although it no longer makes a stop in my home town, as Great Northern did in my youth.

Like you, we rode coach, which is actually very comfortable. That trip, in particular, is quite scenic. From Portland, we basically followed the Columbia River and connected with the train from Seattle at Spokane before continuing eastward. (http://www.amtrak.com/northwest-train-routes)

I recommend purchasing food for the journey in advance, however, because the dining car options leave somewhat to be desired.

Our trains were once lifelines connecting our country and unifying it in many ways, helping to dissipate regional differences and/or make them more understandable so that we realized that ALL Americans have a shared destiny and a stake in one another no matter where we live. That shared destiny concept is sadly lacking today.

If we ever want to become a major unified power once again - instead of remaining factionally, regionally, and politically divided - we must reinvest substantially in infrastructure, and especially in means of mass transportation so that all citizens, not simply those of us with means, can know our own country and all of its people and not simply remain mired in our own parochial enclaves, perspectives, and belief systems.

In this as in so many ways, Europe is light years ahead of the US! In fact, Morocco, where I performed Peace Corps service in the 1960s and community development work in the early 1980s, is but one developing country whose train service can still give our own a run for the money.

Things like this genuinely startle visitors to the US.

Twice I took the train from West Virginia to Cut Bank, Montana, to visit family, and once continued on to Seattle. The views are magnificent and the trip is so relaxing.

But your post reminds me of all of the trips I made to visit the Montana relatives. They considered Glacier Park their own personal playground, so we would day-trip to the Park to hike or boat or drive over Logan Pass. The Isaak Walton Inn was a favorite place to stop for lunch or supper (if Grandma hadn't packed a picnic lunch).

I want to go back (though not this time of year -- I've visited Montana in the months of May, June, July, August, September and November, and I've seen it snow there in the months of May, June, July, August, September and November!).



My recommendation to train travelers -- bring books or some other form on personal entertainment. I used to pack half a suitcase of books for the cross-country train trips. Today, I'd simply load my tablet with a nice variety.

The LONG train ride across eastern MT to the foothills of the Rockies isn't the most scenic, but it certainly gives an idea of the expanse of Big Sky Country, which is still just a portion of the immense US border with Canada. Good reading is indeed a necessity and tablets are wonderful for that!

Those of us from north-central & northwestern Montana especially are like your Montana relatives in considering Glacier as our own personal playground. My father loved the area so much that he built a retirement "cabin" in Essex. It became the family gathering point from then on, giving us, our children and our grandchildren wonderful memories not only of Essex, the Izaak Walton Inn, and Glacier Park, but also of Flathead Lake, the Mission Mountain range, Kalispell, Whitefish, and the wonderful Big Mountain ski area.

After Dad passed in 2004, my sisters and I inherited the property. We are now far-flung, but still gather there whenever we can so that our children and theirs can have an idea of what beautiful wild areas are. They all love the place. Sadly, the once massive glaciers of Glacier have receded significantly in the past 30 years and continue to do so at alarming pace, but the wildlife and spiritual fulfillment of the area (sacred to the Blackfeet) are still amazing.

One part I loved about the trip from Essex to Seattle was after the train enters Bellingham, WA and follows Puget Sound to Seattle, with a view of the Olympic Mountains in the distance. On a clear day, that's simply magnificent.

Btw, my husband was born in WVA. How on earth did our states end up with such idiotic politicians in charge?

When traveling aside the Columbia River, you can imagine what the pioneers faced in their covered wagons. Very cool.

Hope the weather cooperates.

This really sounds like fun!

Last edited Sat Feb 21, 2015, 04:33 PM - Edit history (1)

I love trains too! Ever since James West & his fancy train.

I was hiking up near the Flatirons last summer on Spring Brook Loop (Colorado) & I thought I heard an engine behind me. Sure enough, snaking along the Flatirons was the California Zepher. It's was a fab site! I'm trying to get a group together to take a weekend trip up to the mountains this summer, via the Zepher.

Can't wait to read your trip report! Have fun!

on edit: What a great thread with all the train stories!

I swear, one of these days.

and, I agree, it is a damn shame America neglects this important mode of transportation for people.

I've taken the surf liner from Ventura to San Luis Obisbo. Some incredible views. Have fun!

We do sleeper cars tho, and in them you CAN bring your own beverages to enjoy! A nice glass of scotch in the evening, after dinner in the dining car (empire builder has great food!), sheer heaven!

Have fun!

Have fun.

to visit my son in Portland, OR. Boarded in Lamy, which is about twenty miles south of Santa Fe. The Southwest Chief. It was overnight to Los Angeles, then the Coast Starlight all the way to Portland, another overnight. Altogether I was on a train for almost exactly 48 hours.

I booked a sleeper for both segments, and it was well worth it. As others have pointed out, meals are included. I was less than wowed by the meals. It's pretty obvious that everything has been cooked ahead of time and is simply heated up.

But the staff were all wonderful and I had a grand time talking to other people and roaming around. The Coast Starlight has a separate lounge car for the sleeper passengers, and you can take your meals there if you'd like. The selection is a bit different from that in the regular dining room and seemed to be of better quality.

Be forewarned that on-time performances aren't common. The Southwest Chief, the day I took it was about an hour late into Los Angeles. They build an extra hour or more into the schedule at the very end. It shows arriving in Fullerton, the last stop before Los Angeles at 6:34am, then an 8:15am arrival at Union Station. In reality that would be about a twenty minute run, so they can make up quite a bit of time at the very end. Somewhere along the line my sleeping car attendant commented that we were the closest to on-time that train had been all summer. And we were 90 minutes late leaving Lamy.

What was especially interesting was that while the Coast Starlight train was in position and we boarded on time, it wound up being held for passengers connecting from the Sunset Limited! That train had been delayed about five hours because, if memory serves, flooding along the track somewhere in Texas.

I was quite impressed with Union Station. Skycaps with golf carts met the train and brought passengers and their luggage to the terminal. As a sleeping car passenger I spent my time in the lounge there, helping myself to coffee and a pastry, and chatting with some other passengers who'd be on the Coast Starlight. When it was time to board, skycaps came to the lounge, rounded up passengers and luggage, and brought us to the train.

I tipped both the two different skycaps, the sleeping car attendants, any and all who served me on the train. Do budget for that. Another interesting thing was that the Coast Starlight was full enough that they took meal reservations from the sleeping car passengers first, then the coach passengers, until they ran out of time slots. There is also a snack car, so if the dining car fills up, you won't go too hungry.

I want to do another long distance trip by train. It was completely relaxing When we were late and losing time on the Southwest Chief, I initially stressed out about it, because if I missed the connection the next train would be the next day. After a while I just decided to relax, and if I wound up spending a day in Los Angeles, not a problem. In the end the connection was just fine. We left late (having held for inbound connecting passengers) and remained about an hour late all the way up the coast. When I got into Portland it was late afternoon, I took a taxi to my hotel, then called my son.

I actually flew back home, the first time I'd flown in seven years. I just have no patience any more for flying, and even less for the TSA. I'm a former airline employee, who started working before any of the security nonsense, and just don't want to put up with all that crap. The only reason I flew home was that taking the train would have meant an overnight stay in Los Angeles, and I didn't want to fool with that. Actually, I booked myself first class coming home. If you reserve far enough ahead, first class seats sometimes aren't all that expensive (depending on your definition of expensive) and I'm willing to pay a little extra for the space and the occasional meal.

Have a WONDERFUL journey!

I went from High Point NC to New York City - and on the next morning on to Montreal - and back again.
Another time I went all the down to New Orleans.
Train travel is the best for all the reasons you describe, and when you decide to have the rant about how we are gypped by not having trains taking us everywhere we need to go I will join you.

Being from Europe, this is especially inexplicable to me. My brother lives in a German city with his wife and 3 children. He just got rid of his car for good. He says between the bicycles, a motor scooter, the street cars, the buses, and the trains he simply does not need it.
He also says if he must he can inexpensively rent one of the cars for rent on large intersections. He goes on line, finds the one closest to him, pays, gets the code, goes and unlocks it with the code and drives off. Parks it wherever he wants when he is done.

All aboard!!!!

I remember taking the train in the 60's. Back then you were outside when going between cars. It's a great way to travel and see the sights. Hope you have a great trip.

to Seattle a few years ago. That route swings up from Chicago to the Twin Cities, and ends up more-or-less paralleling the route of Highway 2 until the train divides at Spokane, We took the southerly branch, along the Columbia River.

To be honest, 3 days and 2 nights in a coach car can be a bit of a strain. Nevertheless, we loved the trip, and we often take Amtrak from Tomah to Chicago to visit kids. That's just a 4 or 5 hour run, and very convenient for us.

I'm sure you'll love the trip.

If automobiles and airplanes were discouraged as the most common modes of transportation I believe the world would be a much better place.

we were still in elementary school, & my parents wanted us to experience travel by train. We had connecting rooms in the sleeper car & they opened them up so we had one larger room to ourselves. My brother & I slept in the upper bunks. When it was meal time in the Dining Car, they sent a guy around to announce it. My brother & I "helped" him.

I remember so much from that trip & would love to take another one on Amtrak, but the prices for the sleeper car are outrageous.

The scenery is amazing as it runs along the Pacific Coast.

For example Gaviota Trestle:


(California Coastal Records Project - http://www.californiacoastline.org/)

Also, from Los Angeles to SanDiego, the "Surfline" provides frequent ocean views and stops at several beach communities that make excellent day trips. If the Surfliner schedule does not fit in, there are also Metrolink trains (also cheaper).

http://www.metrolinktrains.com/

my favorite train trip was from sacramento to santa barbara on the starlight/surfliner. met wonderful people.

I also looked into do something with the Trans-Siberian although now with what Putin is doing with Russia, maybe not today.

Have a wonderful time!

Along with some nice pictures:

http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/what-long-distance-trains-teach-us-about-public-space-in-america


Hope you all get your train ride soon.

We traveled the rails from San Francisco to Albuquerque once, and no matter what your official accommodations (room, coach, etc.) you have run of the train and can hang out with and get to know people who sharing the adventure with you.

====================

http://www.seat61.com/

This shows worldwide options.

to Philadelphia to spend the summer with my grandmother. I loved the train.

Then many, many years later as an adult, I decided to take the train to visit my sister and her husband at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. Rather than fly I wanted the experience of the train once again. I got a sleeper which was wonderful as I had privacy and my own bathroom.

I envy you as I would love to travel cross country by train. Have fun.

That sounds like a lovely trip. I fell in love with trains the first time I rode one back when I was 8 years old. I have since ridden numerous trains all over the world and it is still a favorite way of mine to travel, even if it involves riding in box cars. Enjoy!

The Starlight conductor let us have our own sleeper room (it may have been an accident instead of an upgrade) since we weren't actually spending the night on the train. Got champagne! Then we had a layover in LA for a day, which was our first time to that city, and had the craziest Russian driver take us on a whirlwind tour of all the famous spots before heading east on the Chief. It was relaxing to be be able to see the western landscape rolling by without having to worry about the driving. We hung out with friendly people, ate good food, sipped wine while watching the sunset, made some friends....

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Train travel is amazing, even in this country's pared-down down infrastructure.

================

between Dragoon and Benson AZ! especially to the north/right hand side as you are traveling west

(stops at Lordsburg, NM and Benson possible)

You will be passing through the ranch from mp 1049.5 (on the right hand side) through about 1037. On the other side it starts about 1047 (big steel powerline crosses the tracks there) and ends down around 1040, I think. (note that 1045 to 1044 is only about a half mile because they took a horseshoe curve out back in the 60's)

they are working on the tracks near Benson right now so there may be delay there too

If I am out and about tomorrow, wave to the ugly dark dodge pick-up!

Have fun! I am jealous. Haven't been on a train in AGES.

edit - watch for Sandhill cranes on the playa just after Willcox AZ - take some pix of that too! there is water on both sides this year (maybe they are on the playas of western NM too, I am not sure)

if it is on time. If it's daylight, I'll try to get some pics. And thanks for the info about the Sandhill cranes. I'll keep watch for them, and wave if I see you!

Conservatives hate passenger rail; so it's a conveyance that gives pleasure in so many ways!

many a time when I lived in SB! Great train route.

across this great country from the south to the west to the north to the east. What a great trip that would be.

I think 4 weeks would be about right for a sojourn.

Are you able to step off and get back on a day later?

I'm jealous as hell.

Melissa Fair has a song/poem about riding the rails from Florida to Alaska, I forget the name of it but it's way cool.

although I had a wonderful time going back and forth from Virginia to Boston twice recently, at a mere $76 each way, the food and alcohol was pricey as hell-- and not deluxe dining room fare. Guess that is how they make up the difference. At least on a cross country trip when you splurge, the food is good. Enjoy! Send reports from the trip.

If you discount my hopping on a wheat train for a mile or two before jumping off when I was a teenager. It was just across Kansas from Kansas City to Garden City, where I was a guest at a friend's family reunion. Didn't get to see much since it was at night, but it was still fun, and the seats were nice and roomy (especially since the train wasn't full). My sister and I plan to spend a Saturday riding the train to St. Louis and back again sometime.

TlalocW

Enjoy your trip!

My life has been based on the railroad, born right next to the tracks in Chicago. The transition from steam to diesel was my childhood (loved the steam, easier to hear them coming). My mother started working in an engine house during WWII and went being an office worker after the war as the job she was hired for was a "man's job". She retired in 1987 at the age of 60 with 44 years and 9 months railroad service. I started in 1972 after bouncing around the country as an aircraft mechanic for 3 years. I was told that I was a real jinks as three companys I worked for went bankrupt (who here remembers Nixonomics) I retired from Amtrak in 2008 with 36+ years of service. In 1987 I married a reservation and sales clerk, she started in 1980 in May 2011 with 31+ years of service, buy the way her father was a retired railroader.

Again enjoy your trip as I think also that the rail trip begins when the wheels start to turn. Even as two retired Amtrak employees we still paid $1600 for a room one way from Chicago to San Fracisco, at least the cost of the meals was included.

PS while you are on the Sunset when you are near the US-Mex border watch your cell connection because at times you will get your signal from Mexico and be charged an overpriced roaming fee!

I live in Europe and trains here have priority over vehicles, buses, pedestrians and bikes. Our vehicles are waiting in LA to be shipped over and we've used public transportation for five months now. I can't wait to get the car but seriously will not use it as often as the trains.

So does my grandson.

I can't wait until we can travel from San Diego to British Columbia, Canada straight the entire way up the coast on the train without any buses.

I'm dreaming. The coastal route is not in the works yet. But I would love to see it happen.

For the time being, I just enjoy riding on the trains. Lots of leg room. Much easier to navigate the aisles than on a train. Great views. There is a lot of noise at times, but still trains are so much less stressful than planes or even cars if you are traveling for a few hours.

Trains are probably as cheap if not cheaper than car travel for one person. If more than one person is traveling, car may be cheaper. I tend to travel alone regularly a two-hour route. The train is reasonable for me.

Check on special deals. I get free miles but I have to travel a lot for it. Since I visit close family, frequent train travel makes sense.

It reminds me of this song: