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Post by eddieg on Nov 13, 2021 2:54:45 GMT
In the past 5 years we have taken the Lakeshore Ltd from Boston to Chicago several times. Also the Empire Builder from Chicago to Whitefish Montana, The California Zephyr twice from Chicago to San Francisco & from Grand Junction, Colorado to Chicago. The Southwest Chief twice, The Silver meteor 5 times round trip, The Acela several times, and in March we will be taking the Crescent from Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, NY City, to and from New Orleans, and the Acela from Washington to Boston. We have also taken the Northeast Regional many times. All the long distance trains first class (sleepers), and the Acela business class.
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Post by Adam on Nov 13, 2021 11:48:35 GMT
Not much in the last 2 years but I have taken the Acela from Boston area to NYC a few times. Good for a day trip to the city.
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Post by scoutingdad on Nov 13, 2021 15:57:37 GMT
I'll answer this from a family perspective. Champaign to Chicago is the most frequently used route. From there to either Michigan City or Kalamazoo, MI. This past spring we rode from Portland to Chenault OR on the way to Bend and back again. Longest was Naperville, IL to Raton, NM. Probably cured me of any desire to hop on Amtrak for longer than 5 hours without a sleeper. But we are considering a trip down to New Orleans in the next few months.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2021 16:47:05 GMT
I've never ridden Amtrak before but would like to. The town we live in is the northern terminus for the Amtrak "Downeaster" that goes to Boston. One of these days we will take a day trip to Boston, get some good Italian food and ride home.
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Post by eddieg on Nov 13, 2021 19:33:18 GMT
We live in Portland, Maine and have never taken the Amtrak Downeaster to Boston. The bus is more direct and it is faster. The Downeaster goes in to North Station, and if you have to get to South Station to go south. The bus is non-stop to South Station. Usually we get a ride to Boston. That's even better.
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Post by eddieg on Dec 14, 2021 21:45:17 GMT
I'm surprised that so few people on here ride Amtrak. It's a lot more fun than flying.
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Post by JKP on Dec 15, 2021 1:19:05 GMT
My son and I rode Amtrak 2 weeks ago to the Moynihan Train Hall in NYC.  
Walking to the train for the ride back to the Rensselaer, NY train station. _ |
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Post by eddieg on Jan 3, 2022 21:42:34 GMT
In March I will be taking the North East regional from Boston to NYC and then the Cresent to New Orleans. On the way back I will be taking the Cresent to Washington & then the Acela to Boston.
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Post by josef on Jan 7, 2022 14:30:50 GMT
We did once and only because we didn't want to drive in winter weather, but never again. A 42 hr trip turned into an 80 hr plus trip and the return wasn't any better being at 63 hrs. Engine problems, waiting on track repairs, bad food, 2 transfers, etc.
Might reconsider if they ever build trackage North instead of having to travel east first and transfer. A Bus ride would have been faster and cheaper and more direct, sorry to say.
In my youth and time in the Service, trains was all I used for transportation to my destination and never a problem.
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Post by curtis on Jan 7, 2022 14:49:51 GMT
Several years ago my son purchased a ticket for me on the Acela from Phila to Washington. I was spell bound. After that my wife booked a return trip from Disney on Amtrak. What an adventure. My wife hated it and being the first train trip for her it left a bad taste in her mouth. Got on at Kissamee 2 hours late due to baggage car problems. Then we hit someone (still in Fla.). Next we missed our window on the tracks so got stuck behind a freight train that lost some wheels. Next morning at breakfast someone ask me where we were and I replied Fla. No Way they said. I told them ask conductor since we were in the lounge car eating breakfast. He replied Fla. Boy were they shocked. Arrived in Wilmington DE over 9 hours late. But wait it gets better. I ask as leaving the roomette (that I had upgraded us to), Where is my luggage? Reply inside at baggage pickup. Stepped of train and ask again. Same answer. Why am I asking? Because they are using a coach car for a baggage car and I am looking at the attendant sitting there inside the car. Got inside station. NO ONE AROUND. Find someone to be told no luggage came off train. Had to go back three days later to pick up luggage that went to NY.
Next adventure was Acela (used voucher from Fla trip) from Wilmington Delaware to Washington DC Round trip. Business class to and coach back all on Acela. Business was great as was the meal and the conductor. He even offered a free upgrade to business on the return if we would move to a two hour earlier departure. Sadly we could not.
The last trip for me was an unexpected one. In October of 2021 my sister came from Austin Texas to visit. Arrived Saturday night at 8:30 pm. 9:30 am on Sunday I got the call her husband had passed. I flew (which I am scared to do BIG TIME) with her to Austin and stayed 5 days to help her out. I came back by train. Texas Eagle from Austin to Chicago in a roomette (all they had available other than coach), The Empire Builder from Chicago to Pittsburgh PA in a room (FANTASTIC by the way, even had shower which I used), and finally from Pittsburgh to Phila via business class. 3 days of actual heaven. What a trip. I loved it. Just wish my wife could have been with me.
Ironically, before COVID she was planning a trip cross country by train. We were going to visit several places with a lot of them being trains either real, historic or HOBBY SHOPS!!! Hopefully we can still go maybe this year or next.
SO YES, I have rode Amtrak and experienced both ends of the spectrum. Train from hell and train ride of fantasy dreams.
And I ACTUALLY enjoyed all of them but wife sure did not enjoy the first one! (I did and would do it again even with lateness and lost luggage).
Curtis
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Post by eddieg on Jan 8, 2022 3:24:46 GMT
The Empire Builder doesn't go to Pittsburgh. It goes from Chicago to Seattle.
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Post by curtis on Jan 8, 2022 4:40:32 GMT
eddieg
Correct you are. It was the Capitol. Forgive me for forgetting. It did not sound right when I typed it but my fingers typed it anyhow. I went and looked at the ticket which I still have. Point is I had a blast. Train travel is definitely the way to travel albeit time consuming. Also Amtrak almost Ever makes it on time to anywhere. But I am a train nut so I love it. The wife is still on the fence. We, Americans in the USA, seem to be in such a rush these days in this country. Especially people in the Mid Atlantic states. We really need to slow down and enjoy the beauty that God gave us.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Feb 8, 2022 6:25:06 GMT
I only had the chance to ride Amtrak twice. First on Father's Day 1998, Amtrak was having a half price sale that day. Basically a free return ride. We rode it from Philly's 30th Street Station to Harrisburg, Pa. When we got there we walked across the foot bridge to the ballpark to catch a Harrisburg Senators game.
Second trip was June 2006 on the Acela from Wilmington, De. to Boston South Station. Went to Fenway Park to see the Phillies play the Red Sox. It was a treat walking around Fenway.
My next trip will be on The Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. I'm really looking forward to that trip!
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Post by dlagrua on Feb 25, 2022 22:45:38 GMT
We,ve taken many Amtrak trips cross country and North South. We have traveled to Seattle, Whitefish, MT, Flagstaff , AZ, New Orleans, Chicago, Kansas City, Omaha, DC and to Sanford on the Auto Train. We probably have taken 50 trips always in a bedroom. Only once did we get in 12 hours late but Amtrak put us up in CHI and we went out on the Capitol Ltd the following day.
Routes traveled: Empire Builder, California Zephyr, S.W. Chief, Cardinal, Capitol Ltd., Crescent, Acela and NE Regional trains. Each one numerous times. Train travel is great if you wish to see the USA and if you are not in a hurry. Its a relaxing low stress way to travel.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2022 4:02:20 GMT
Some years ago I would ride the San Joaquin from the SF Bay Area to Fresno. The coaches are older, but were always clean and a good ride. When I lived in San Diego, I would enjoy riding the Pacific Surfliner. Great scenery and some great train stations along the way. The coaches were newer and noticably quieter.
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