Anyone take a TRAIN lately?

[Jerry]

I was talking with a friend last night about visiting WI sometime this year and, since he's such a huge train enthusiast, he recommended taking a train.

I looked into it and it looks like I can get a BEDROOM WITH A BATHROOM! for about what it would cost to fly first class ... and if I pick the right day, even cheaper!

So now I'm kind of excited about this idea, going from WA to WI (2 day trip) in my own bedroom complete with bathroom and shower ... Meals, coffee, newspaper, etc. included in price of ticket. You see a lot of things from a train that you wouldn't otherwise see in a car (so I hear), and talk about riding in style!

Just wondering if anyone else has done this, what your experiences were, etc...

 

[Beachguyj]

for about what it would cost to fly first class ..

How many working people can afford that?

I'd rather drive to see the country, but that is more expensive than flying coach.

 

[swerve]

Not to mention that you'll be traveling through the most BEAUTIFUL part of the country!!!

Take lots of pictures and be sure to tell us about it...

That is a trip I have always DREAMED of making!!!

 

[Jerry]

How many working people can afford that?

I'd rather drive to see the country, but that is more expensive than flying coach.

I can't really afford it either, but the cost of the ticket from here to WI is (on the right day) about $650. If I drove the Mustang, I'd easily spend that in gas/food/lodging. Besides, I've driven most of that route before and, while it is quite beautiful in areas, it's hard to really appreciate the sights AND the road at the same time!

Not to mention that you'll be traveling through the most BEAUTIFUL part of the country!!!

Take lots of pictures and be sure to tell us about it...

That is a trip I have always DREAMED of making!!!

I'm pretty excited about it! I'll have to save up some cash to make it happen, but I think it'll be well worth it. And I'm thinking maybe someday James and I can take a nice train trip together since he won't be able to go this time.
I will DEFINITELY be bringing my "fancy" camera and taking LOTS of pictures!

 

[MoufOfKhaos]

Just once, to visit a former boyfriend in the mountains where he lived.

I remember the mountains more than I do the train, to be honest.

 

[ChickenGuy]

Day trips to Portsmouth in October, to London in October and December, also a very short trip to our pre-Christmas walk and lunch, and finally to Haywards Heath earlier this month.

But all of these journeys are nothing so romantic or scenic or luxurious as the big American engines and coaches travelling the wilderness of the continent.

More like cheap British electric rolling stock, like the metropolitan commuter 'trains'. Little more than four large bus coaches on rails.

Even so, I still like taking the trains. A fascination I've had since childhood.

 

[JayHawk]

I love taking the train in the UK. Just sayin.

I used to ride from the east coast around the Hampton Roads area of Virgina back to cincinnati... it was the same as a flight with layover times but you were always comfortable and had a drink in hand. The unnerving portion that you will have to adjust to is doing 70 and entering a tunnel. Your eyes are looking out at a vast wilderness one moment and the next you are looking at a brick wall. I about shit myself the first time.

I imagine the bigger western routes would be even nicer...

Cars are faster though. Interesting side story. The last trip I took via train I left my wallet on the counter the morning I was to depart and so missed the train. So we found out where the next few stops were and raced the train to West Virginia and got me back on the rails.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

can do trains very nice

but me hear folk got steal bank use um plot lands

wish folk livin with moron adults in cahrge there plot lands good feet ins da 21st century wot many studyyy great economics so can show how not add up

-

anyway toot toots

 

[refujiunderground]

i ride the subway to nyc every week, does that count?

 

[rareboy]

We take the high speed trains through Europe.

But the last time that I did an overnight trip on a train was as a student travelling the continent.

My partner wants to do the cross Canada trip by train so maybe in a few years we'll get to do this.

 

[Jerry]

My partner wants to do the cross Canada trip by train so maybe in a few years we'll get to do this.

I bet that would be a beautiful trip!

 

[RhyRhy]

The Empire Builder is an awesome trip, especially if you get the lower level bedroom. Sure you are down by the public toilets BUT your bedroom spans the entire width of the train and you can look out of both sides of the train with huge windows. Also make sure to get early call in the diner to make sure you get your first choice of what you want, and be prepared they set you with strangers in booth. I didn't know that the first time I traveled long distance on Amtrak.

 

[Jerry]

I love taking the train in the UK. Just sayin.

I used to ride from the east coast around the Hampton Roads area of Virgina back to cincinnati... it was the same as a flight with layover times but you were always comfortable and had a drink in hand. The unnerving portion that you will have to adjust to is doing 70 and entering a tunnel. Your eyes are looking out at a vast wilderness one moment and the next you are looking at a brick wall. I about shit myself the first time.

I imagine the bigger western routes would be even nicer...

Cars are faster though. Interesting side story. The last trip I took via train I left my wallet on the counter the morning I was to depart and so missed the train. So we found out where the next few stops were and raced the train to West Virginia and got me back on the rails.

A car would definitely not be faster, at least in this instance. There's no way I could make a 2k mile trip by myself in 2 days.

I am kinda hoping to experience that tunnel thing now though hahaha

 

[frankfrank]

Not to mention that you'll be traveling through the most BEAUTIFUL part of the country!!!

That is a trip I have always DREAMED of making!!!

Not to mention that, depending on the time of year, more than one-half of the scenery will be LOST TO NIGHTTIME if the traveling is done during the colder time of the year. You may miss the ENTIRE Rocky Mountains if you cross them at night.

I haven't been on a train trip (farther than within a single metropolitan area) since the 1970's, but I think I'd also enjoy the kind of trip mentioned here.

 

[Jerry]

The Empire Builder is an awesome trip, especially if you get the lower level bedroom. Sure you are down by the public toilets BUT your bedroom spans the entire width of the train and you can look out of both sides of the train with huge windows. Also make sure to get early call in the diner to make sure you get your first choice of what you want, and be prepared they set you with strangers in booth. I didn't know that the first time I traveled long distance on Amtrak.

That's good info, thanks!

I was thinking the upper level would be the way to go, but maybe I'll have to reconsider.

 

[Ryuukie]

I would love to travel by train. I've always wanted to take a train trip across the USA. But, alas, I just don't have the time to do that.

My mother and sister traveled from Philadelphia to Tampa by train once -- and they didn't like it.

 

[frankfrank]

Not to mention that you'll be traveling through the most BEAUTIFUL part of the country!!!

That is a trip I have always DREAMED of making!!!

Not to mention that, depending on the time of year, more than one-half of the scenery will be LOST TO NIGHTTIME if the traveling is done during the colder time of the year. One will miss the ENTIRE Rocky Mountains if crossing them at night.

I haven't been on a train trip (farther than within a single metropolitan area) since the 1970's, but I think I'd also enjoy the kind of trip mentioned here.

I've never been on a train overnight.

 

[RhyRhy]

That's good info, thanks!

I was thinking the upper level would be the way to go, but maybe I'll have to reconsider.

When you want a view, go to the lounge car, the top level is almost surrounded in glass for the most part.

 

[RhyRhy]

I guess according to Google somehow I lucked out and got an "accessible bedroom" which would explain why it was larger.

 

[Jerry]

I guess according to Google somehow I lucked out and got an "accessible bedroom" which would explain why it was larger.

Ah, that makes sense. I saw that bedroom on the Amtrak site, and it is HUGE compared to the other rooms. I am a disabled Veteran, but I don't have any trouble ambulating so I guess I don't qualify.

The pic you posted looks awesome though, really makes me want to do this even more ... and not just to start up a conversation with that blond boy hahaha