I’m thinking of getting a North American Rail Pass, good for 30 days of travel in the US & Canada.
I’ve traveled in Europe by Eurailpass & it was great. But I’m not sure if Amtrak & VIA (Canada)
are all that good. Have you traveled on a train lately? Advace please!
Thanks, Carl
SDMB’s 2d oldest
poster
Why Amtrak? Fuel prices got you down? 
I’ve only taken the Amtrak for short trips in Southern California, but I thought it was a very pleasant way to travel. Clean, modern, efficient.
My wife is visiting her son for a month, so i’m looking for something
to do for a month. A leasurly trip around NA might be fun! But, I’d like to hear from ones who have tried it.
I hate holidays!
You employed folks
get the day off, too!
I took the train from Rouses Pointe, NY to Rhinebeck to visit my sister when she was in college, and enjoyed it. However, it did take longer than a bus would have, because of the frequent stops. But I pitched my camp in the two seats in the front of the car that face backward, and had 4 seats to myself to spread out in. I liked it a lot.
It might be a pretty neato vacation, if that’s what you’re looking for.
DON PEDRO: Your silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you; for, out of question, you were born in a merry hour.
BEATRICE: No, sure, my lord, my mother cried; but then there was a star danced, and under that was I born. -Much Ado About Nothing, Act II, Sc: i
I’ve only taken it from DC to NY/NJ but have done so on numerous occasions. It’s much more relaxing and enjoyable than a plane ride (and I won’t bother to compare it to the shudder Greyhound). However, if you want to use it as a sightseeing vehicle rather than just plain old transportation, I dunno- the DC to NY corridor is fairly unpalatalbe to look at.
Well, I have taken Amtrak twice now, both times to go visit my brother and family up in Wisconsin (we live in San Antonio,btw). The first time was in '90, the second was June’99. On the second one, my daughter(14) went with me, and we both had a great time. I enjoyed looking at all of the scenery, and we met some really wonderful people on the train. It was coach, and I would’ve loved to have had a sleeping car, but we did just fine, a little cramped for my legs at night, is the only thing I’d really complain about. Well, that and the food wasn’t great, just okay, and a bit pricey for me.
All in all, I’d do it again, in a minute. The price was great, compared to driving, and my husband didn’t have to worry about me being on the road somewhere broken down or something.
So, if you’re thinking about hopping a train as a way to see NA, I’d recommend it, Carl Berry. Two thumbs up!
Don’t make me come down there.
God
I don’t know how safe I’d feel on Amtrak. There was an Amtrak train going from Chicago to Los Angelos that just derailed in Carbondale, Kansas Tuesday. (not close to where I am but it’s still in Kansas). 29 people got injured but luckily there were no deaths. The track was just inspected a month ago and supposedly passed. I guess, all in all, taking a train is just as safe as driving or flying.
That John Denver’s full of shit man!
You can ride the train for free. Just run real fast & hop on.
…and we find out handy is actually the only wired Hobo at the oil-drum campfire.
DON PEDRO: Your silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you; for, out of question, you were born in a merry hour.
BEATRICE: No, sure, my lord, my mother cried; but then there was a star danced, and under that was I born. -Much Ado About Nothing, Act II, Sc: i
I ride Amtrak at times, but almost all of my travels have been in the Northeast Corridor (Boston-New York-Philly-DC or New York-Albany). I think it’s a great service, particularly here in the Northeast. However, the service to other parts of the country is a lot less regular than the service in the Northeast.
Generally, the trains are clean, comfortable and quick. They are the quickest and easiest way to get to Philadelphia from New York. And riding a train across the country is always something I wanted to do.
I rode Amtrak for the first time last summer, New Orleans to Chicago, round trip. I have absolutely no complaints. The train was pretty open, I had two seats to myself. The seats are HUGE for someone whose butt is used to flying. I had my own little party in the front. They also have a “scenery car” which is full of windows. It was great. I hope to do it again soon.
A hush fell over the courtroom, killing six.