oooh…I’ve got a question.
How does Amtrak do in the winter? I’m traveling to Milwaukee in mid-December, and contemplating buying a ticket. Should I worry about delays or cancellations more/less/about the same as I would for a plane? The chances of snow are very high and I’ve never traveled on Amtrak before, so I’m not sure what to expect.
I’ve traveled from DC to Chicago and back during the holidays a couple times and didn’t experience delays or cancellations, even in the Pennsylvania mountains. The worst you’d see is probably someone being forcibly removed for being too disruptive.
The only train travel I’ve ever done is between DC and New england, which isn’t a train with roomettes so I don’t have any experience there. It was a little late, but pretty comfortable. Much better than Greyhound (I have a plethora of experience in traveling cheaply) and I actually felt like I had a lot more room than most planes I’ve been on. They had a little snack car, and the food (sandwiches, mostly, IIRC) was a little pricey, but tasted pretty decent. The swaying was fairly sleep-inducing, and I napped comfortably. Walking around and going to the bathroom were a little interesting, though.
We have been talking for a few years now about taking a trip out west, and have discussed taking the train. I think it would add to the sightseeing qualities of the trip. I picked up a guidebook at the local library about Amtrak travel and there was a ton of really good information. It goes through each line and station, gives you some tips on what to look for if you want to see the sights, and there was a pretty lengthy chapter on what to expect from eating, sleeping, showering and luggage arrangements. If I can think of the author’s name I will provide link.
I just started a job as a yardmaster for amtrak (two months ago, so some of you are probably more knowledgeable than I am). Most of our trains tend to make it out on time. Sometimes i’m surprised at the success rate because one little thing can snowball pretty quickly. Oddly, if I try to take amtrak TO work it turns out to be running late.:smack: But they did hire me so I can’t make any promises for the future.
Any one know if the long haul trains have plugs in coach? I’m going from PA to GA and the 14 hrs would be much nicer if I could use my laptop.
Hopefully I’ll be taking the California Zephyr to Reno pretty soon. One of the nice parts is that I’d pick up the train in Iowa in the evening and get to Denver in the morning, so I can sleep through Nebraska and eastern Colorado, while being awake for crossing the Rockies, then back to sleep for a big portion of the flat brown desert. Might splurge and get a real room, only stay in Reno one night for the family stuff, then take the train back. Still cheaper than flying and staying in a hotel.
I wish Nashville would get an Amtrak station.
Don’t know what you’d call “often”, but Snookie and I have gone out east on Amtrack 6 or 7 times in the last couple of years. Love it. On time? hell the fuck no. Not even close. The Capital LImited is often delayed at Chicago, we hop on in Toledo. Have gone coach, and it was comfortable enough (and definately more comfortable than a car) but the last couple times have opted for roomette on trip out (it can be pretty full by the time it gets to Toledo and we have had difficult time getting seats together). Roomette comfortable enough for trip out, we have a blast either way. This way, our vacation starts in Toledo. We sit, dine, drink, enjoy each other’s company and all, I bring a mini cd player and force him to watch Law & Order reruns. Works for me!
:eek:
Um. I’ve always joked about “if you hear about an old couple getting ejected on Amtrak…” I’ll have to make sure we behave next time.