Anyone take a TRAIN lately?

[Jerry]

When I was in the Army I once fell asleep standing in formation, so I should be able to sleep in just about any position.

I always enjoy meeting new people so that aspect should be fun, but I like my alone time too. I get a little freaked out sometimes when people are surrounding me, so I think the room is a must...I can't handle 2 days of that!

The time thing is a good point though, I'll have to keep an eye on that when I'm ready to buy my ticket. I definitely want to see as much as I can.

Hopefully I can make it happen this year, but I'm doing this at some point regardless. If I can't swing the trip by myself this summer, I'll wait until James can come with. It would be nice to have him there anyway.

No TSA = BIG win for me. What's in my pockets is my business!

 

[Paws]

in my own bedroom complete with bathroom and shower

Such lovely decadence.

 

[Jerry]

Such lovely decadence.

I thought so!

 

[RhyRhy]

I just thought of something, you will probably be taking one train the Chicago (The Empire Builder) then a corridor train north? If so if Business/First Class is offered on the train north pay the extra $10-20 it's worth it. Less seats in the car, and iirc rarely is anyone under 18 allowed into Business/First Class or at least that's the way it is on the KC to STL train. And since they are probably using the older Heritage/Amfleet cars in Business/First class there is a row of single seats there which is nice if it does fill up you don't have to crawl over someone every time you want out of your seat!

 

[Jerry]

I just thought of something, you will probably be taking one train the Chicago (The Empire Builder) then a corridor train north? If so if Business/First Class is offered on the train north pay the extra $10-20 it's worth it. Less seats in the car, and iirc rarely is anyone under 18 allowed into Business/First Class or at least that's the way it is on the KC to STL train. And since they are probably using the older Heritage/Amfleet cars in Business/First class there is a row of single seats there which is nice if it does fill up you don't have to crawl over someone every time you want out of your seat!

Good point. As I understand it, I would be taking a 'connector' train from here to Portland, then the big train right to Milwaukee. I fully intend to upgrade the seat on the connector train, as it only costs about $10-15

 

[JayHawk]

Damn you just had me waste about two hours planning out train trips... lol... it is fun to dream a little

 

[Jerry]

Damn you just had me waste about two hours planning out train trips... lol... it is fun to dream a little

Hahaha I spent most of the evening the night I posted this thread doing the same thing. It is fun to dream, ain't it?

...Sorry, Jerry—it's Kevbo's fault...

It's cool, I already know he's a trouble maker

 

[desmond]

You can take a connector to PDX, it's a beautiful trip along the Sound, and then you get to see the Gorge before nightfall. You can also depart from Seattle through Wenatchee, the Portland train meets the Seattle train in Spokane in the wee hours and they hook together for the trek through the mountains and across the Prairie.

 

[RhyRhy]

Haven't you ever been On the Atchison Topeka and the Santa Fe? You'll have to turn in your queer card.

Sorry, Jerry—it's Kevbo's fault.

OK, back to topic.

I've got 4 or 5 generations of ATSF blood flowing thru my system, and when I worked for BNSF it was on the same subdivision as the rest of my family has worked. I miss every minute of it!

 

[Thad1527]

Yup, I'm a railfan too.

Next weekend I'll be riding commuter trains and trolleys with a bunch of my railfan friends. Granted, some of these trains are the ones I ride to work or for errands every day. But I always see new things with these informed and interesting people! (If anyone is in greater Philadelphia and free this Saturday or Sunday and wants to come along, PM me!)

But Amtrak doesn't discount. US rail fares are high compared to other means of travel. Especially with the new discount bus lines. I went round-trip from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh last November for $5.00.

Even so, I'd like to take a long train ride, The longest I've taken was long ago from South Carolina to Birmingham, AL, on the old Southern Crescent. It was beautiful, passing through Southern forests and little towns - and Atlanta! And I have ridden all of Amtrak's Northeast corridor from Boston to Washington (and the spur to Springfield, MA).

Oh, I almost forgot: the avatar is me on a train. In Pittsburgh.

 

[RhyRhy]

Yup, I'm a railfan too.

Next weekend I'll be riding commuter trains and trolleys with a bunch of my railfan friends. Granted, some of these trains are the ones I ride to work or for errands every day. But I always see new things with these informed and interesting people! (If anyone is in greater Philadelphia and free this Saturday or Sunday and wants to come along, PM me!)

But Amtrak doesn't discount. US rail fares are high compared to other means of travel. Especially with the new discount bus lines. I went round-trip from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh last November for $5.00.

Even so, I'd like to take a long train ride, The longest I've taken was long ago from South Carolina to Birmingham, AL, on the old Southern Crescent. It was beautiful, passing through Southern forests and little towns - and Atlanta! And I have ridden all of Amtrak's Northeast corridor from Boston to Washington (and the spur to Springfield, MA).

Oh, I almost forgot: the avatar is me on a train. In Pittsburgh.

Glad I'm not the only railfan on here!