Last trip on a passenger train?

[randybc2003]

About a year ago had a business trip. Took the option to use AMTRACK's Empire Builder: Portland Section; coach. Smooth. Quiet. LOTS OF ROOM. Cheaper than a bus!! Short run w/ turn-around. Competitive w/ airline schedules. Station was closer in to town. I LOVED IT!! Only 1 problem: to appreciate it, you must be a (yaahn) night owl.

And this was the month MR came out w/ the model on the Cover!! ( I had already made the decision to go when I got the mag.)

Randy

[Anonymous]

The only time I have rode a train was last summer up in Duluth, Minnesota on a tourist train. My coach was an ex- Empire Builder car. It was a very short trip, only from one end of Duluth to the other, so I still don't really know how it is to take a city to city trip. I was born well into the Amtrak era, so obviously I don't have much experience in this field.[sigh]

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by deschane

My opinion? You don't need anything more than coach!

I would agree, except I don't want to subject the other passengers to my snoring. [:I]

[Anonymous]

About 10 minutes ago. I take the LongIsland RR to and from work every day

[AntonioFP45]

Rode the Silver Star from Tampa to New York a few years back when F40p.hs and E60CPs were still in command. Enjoyable trip.

My only turn off, when I asked a lounge car attendent for water, and then he stated "Don't make it a habit". I couldn't tell if he was joking or serious, so I "let it go" .

Rode the Tri-Rail from Miami, Florida to West Palm Beach. Enjoyed the ride. F40 cabs on the locomotives came from Burlington Northern F45s. The Double Decker car seats could use some more padding.

[Anonymous]

I took the Tri-Rail about 3 years ago. And in Disneyland (last friday) I rode behind the little 2-4-4, although I would hardly call that a passenger train.

[lupo]

last trip on a train was from Goes to Utrecht, for a visit to "Het Nederlandse Spoorweg Museum" last summer just before it closed down for major renovations for allmost 2 years.

[Anonymous]

I've been on the Coast Starlight, Sunset Ltd. and the Heartland Flyer of Amtrak and did One UP Excursion train a few years back. All have been very good. Once on board the vacation begins and there is nothing but relaxing. Get sleepers for sure they are worth the money. Amtrak rarely runs on time but who cares. You're not cramped or uncomfortable in most cases and the Sightseer lounge is just a hop away.

RMax

[Anonymous]

Was last Dec Cleveland to L.A. on the Capital limited and the southwest chief. cost only 350 in coach. Have over 25,000 miles on amtrak and via.

[Anonymous]

Amtrak from Newport News, VA to New York City. The trip took 9 hours, with a 2 hour layover at Union Station in Washington. The trip back also took 9 hours, but since it was at night, I slept through most of the trip.

I thought the trip was well worth the ride. I had a great time on the train, no screwups, no delays. Everyone I met either at the ticket window or on the train was extremely courteous.

[Anonymous]

I rode Amtrak from Detroit Lakes, MN to Chicago last Nov. Two years before this, I went from Detroit Lakes, MN to Seattle. My opinion? You don't need anything more than coach! The seats are large, comfortable and lay back like your La-Z-Boy in front of the TV. There is a foot rest and I had no trouble sleeping what-so-ever. This way it is optional to go to the dinner, or the lounge car for lighter dinning. I love the train. However, Amtrak seems to have problems making connections. Also, if you get to a station and are in a hurry to make a connection, talk to the "Red Caps" they appear to be the only folks that know what the "H" is going on! My trip to Chicago was a connection stop, I was supposed to go on to Washing DC and then to Norfolk, VA. Amtrk personnel screwed me up and I missed the need to continue on! Amtrak put me up for the night and gave me a bedroom for the trip back home. Even with the screw up, I still like traveling by train better than flying. It's just more restful. You get to your destination ready to go!

[Anonymous]

Septa a month and a half ago from Lansdale PA to Philladelphia.

I usualy take Amtrak 2 or 3 time a year. NJT and Septa 2 or 3 times and Tourist RR 1-8 times (we help out on a local Tourist RR).

[brothaslide]

You won't believe this but we took a Passenger train out of Madrid Spain about a week and half before the bombings. Our train was a few tracks over from where the commuter trains were parked. We took what was called a Hotel Tren (Train with sleeper cars).

It all was very sobering for me after we heard what happened with the terrorist bombings.

Sean

[Anonymous]

Other than 14 years commuting on the CNW-METRA, it was the old
Pennsylvania Broadway Limited-Chgo to NY

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Eriediamond

Often wonder if it's that expensive to actually run the trains or because government operated.

I'm sure that high fares have been a major cause of reduced demand for train travel, and that really is a shame. Amtrak has been forced to compete with the deck stacked against them. Roads, airports and air traffic control are all paid for by the government. Passenger trains have to pay their own way except for a very small per-passenger subsidy. If Amtrak received the same support that other modes of transportation receive, the fares would be much more competitive.

[Anonymous]

Mines was Amtrak's Coast Starlight with an Aunt from Simi Valley to Seattle It was a cool trip SO EVEY ONE DO IT IF YOU EVER GET A CHANCE also roadtrp Good Luck with you wife wanting to fly instead of taking the Train

[CP5415]

My last trip on a passenger train was behind 2816 last year on CP's coaches, not the GO Train.
My last & only VIA trip was in 98 from Brockville to Oshawa after delivering a car to Morrisburg for the dealership I worked for at the time.

Gordon

[Eriediamond]

1960, From Buffalo,NY to Charleston,SC. Enroute to first duty aboard a minesweeper after bootcamp leave in the Navy. Had to travel a couple of years ago from Charlotte,NC to Elkhart,IN. Bus was cheapest, but 23 hours to get there, air was about 2 1/2 hrs and train was same as bus 23 hrs but twice(almost) as air so, no train ride. Often wonder if it's that expensive to actually run the trains or because government operated. Naahhh, couldn't be.[(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D] Or maybe someone running Amtrak is building a model railroad???? HHHMMMMMMM

[Anonymous]

I love travelling on the train, Sadly, I have not had occasion to do so recently. My last few trips were on VIA between Ottawa and Toronto. Travelling first class (VIA 1) is great, with the meal and so on. Even though it is a 4+ hour trip, flying between Ottawa and Toronto only saves about 10 minutes, due to preboarding, plus travel times to and from Pearson airport, which is about 1/2 hour outside of downtown Toronto.

The only overnight trip I have done was again VIA from Ottawa to Sackville, NB svereal years ago. Nothing beats eggs benedict in the dining car after a nights sleep in a private room... At least, that's what I have been told. We opted for the "sleep in your seat" option. The eggs were good though... [;)]

Andrew

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jetrock

I noted you're getting a standard bedroom rather than coach. Keep in mind that this is the equivalent to traveling First Class on an airline (meals included, more privacy and convenience) and so comparing it directly to basic airfare isn't exactly fair...

Jetrock,

You of course are correct, and that is the reasoning I'm using with my wife. If you value 4 nights of lodging at $100 per night, and 4 days of meals at $75 per day, the price difference of $700 is easily accounted for. (We'll forget for the moment that the lodging is a 40 square foot room with a shared bathroom down the hall.)

Personally, I think $700 is a price well worth paying just for the experience of a long-distance train trip. But of course I'm a train freak and my wife isn't. [:p]

[Jetrock]

Mine was last month, the "California Corridor" train from Sacramento to San Francisco. I rode the local Light Rail line to and from the train, and rode many trolleys while in San Francisco. Round-trip fare for two on Amtrak was $56, the San Francisco trolley was $1.25 for a 4-hour transfer, and Light Rail was fifty cents one-way.

I am planning on a trip to Chicago from Sacramento--round-trip fare for coach will be less than $300. I noted you're getting a standard bedroom rather than coach. Keep in mind that this is the equivalent to traveling First Class on an airline (meals included, more privacy and convenience) and so comparing it directly to basic airfare isn't exactly fair...

[Roadtrp]

When was the last trip you made on a passenger train and where did you go?

Mine was about 20 years ago... our family took the Amtrak Northstar from St. Paul to Duluth and back. Sadly, that train was discontinued long ago.

I am currently trying to talk my wife into taking the train on our next trip to Orlando. We would take the Empire Builder to Chicago, then the Capitol Limited to Washington DC, finishing with the Silver Star to Orlando. The fare with reserved coach to Chicago and Standard Bedroom for the other legs of the trip is $1,234.00. Airfare would be about $500. So far, my wife doesn't like the numbers a whole lot...

Wish me luck! [:)]