Thinking about taking Amtrak for the holidays

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I'm thinking about taking Amtrak on a long trip to visit relatives. Anyone done it? Lots of horror stories on the web about rude employees, etc. Is it that bad? I thought it might be a cool experience.
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I've only been on one train that wasn't purely tourism in my life. I rode in the engine car where my Grandaddy had me on his lap and I got to help pull levers and blow the whistle, so nobody was rude to me on the train.

    Then on the tourism trains - that's their sole purpose so they're very friendly.

    No clue what it would be like to actually travel on one but if you've never done it, you might as well have a new experience if you have the time for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

    I'm thinking about taking Amtrak on a long trip to visit relatives. Anyone done it? Lots of horror stories on the web about rude employees, etc. Is it that bad? I thought it might be a cool experience.
    Some coworkers recently made it sound like the ones in chicago are nice. I have only been on like a mid line, and maybe one of the better trains in western europe. THEY were nice. THAT was over maybe 1-2 thousand miles. The other similar ones, like trams, metros, subways, etc... may have only been a couple hundred miles tops.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      As a kid my family took the train from Albany to NYC all the time.
      As an adult I've only taken the train once (again from Albany to NYC). I thought the employees were great. But the bartender made one hell of a gin gimlet so I may be a little biased. I know I was really, really, drunk when I got off the train
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    • Profile picture of the author joe golfer
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      Some coworkers recently made it sound like the ones in chicago are nice. I have only been on like a mid line, and maybe one of the better trains in western europe. THEY were nice. THAT was over maybe 1-2 thousand miles. The other similar ones, like trams, metros, subways, etc... may have only been a couple hundred miles tops.

      Steve
      Some things about the US are strange. Like why aren't our trains as good as Europe?

      And in Norway you can buy a soda out of a machine with your smartphone.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

        Some things about the US are strange. Like why aren't our trains as good as Europe?

        And in Norway you can buy a soda out of a machine with your smartphone.
        Yeah, it would be nice if we still had standards, etc.... Regarding the soda machines, at least credit card ones are starting to get popular. But if you ride the train, let us know how you liked it. I THOUGHT about taking it on my last contract, and should have, but I didn't.

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
          Went on Amtrak from Houston to New Orleans and back this year and last year. Loved it. Much cheaper than flying, no driving, restaurant was good, has a high up, high volume windowed car up top you can go and sit in an sun yourself and take in the scenery.

          Comfortable seats, don't know about sleeping, went in the day time and 8.5 hours each way.

          Lots of middle aged and retired couples use it for long, slow tours around the US. Best buy a ticket that allows you to stop at places you like and pick up another train when ready.
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          • Profile picture of the author rondo
            Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

            Went on Amtrak from Houston to New Orleans and back this year and last year. Loved it. Much cheaper than flying, no driving, restaurant was good, has a high up, high volume windowed car up top you can go and sit in an sun yourself and take in the scenery.

            Comfortable seats, don't know about sleeping, went in the day time and 8.5 hours each way.
            I've slept on those seats on overnight trips and it's not too bad (I travel cheap!)
            The observation cars are great aren't they. Good chance to chat with people too.
            Plus, the Amtrak hot dogs are delicious.

            Andrew
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
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        Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

        Some things about the US are strange. Like why aren't our trains as good as Europe?
        I agree, you'd think in 2014 the US would have one of the fastest trains running coast to coast. Better yet, a fast maglev which has to be far safer than an old school train that can easily leave the tracks..
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  • Profile picture of the author rondo
    I've done a few trips on Amtrak over the years and I really enjoyed it. New England, Mid West, West Coast. A great way to see the US countryside. It's good value too.
    Where are you planning to go?

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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

    I'm thinking about taking Amtrak on a long trip to visit relatives. Anyone done it? Lots of horror stories on the web about rude employees, etc. Is it that bad? I thought it might be a cool experience.
    Joe,

    I was an early employee of Amtrak, Seaboard Coast Lines (now CSX), Silver Bullet from Miami to New York and back. I was a cook.

    Rode the train all over the country. If you are coming to Ohio, from CA, it is a long trip, make sure you bring plenty to read or do. I think you should chronicle and detail your trip...use to

    A) Write a script,,,Hollywood loves train tales
    B) Special Report on HOW to and what to do...seems to be a market? at least of one for now.

    C) Talk to people, especially old timer railroad people.

    Having slept above nuclear reactors, and huge diesel engines, the rhythms of the rail car helped put me to sleep...however, noise sensitive people who get seasick could have some problems.

    Bring a camera, take as many pics as you can...could be useful, maybe even create some pics, video, which people may want to buy from you. Stock photo and stock video are a good niche, why not create some on the way.

    Make it an adventure, meet people, see things, and enjoy it.

    Railroad cooks are some of the most creative and fun people to meet. Ask if you can observe during a meal...which could last for hours...our breakfast started in Miami and ran all the way into S. Carolina before lunch started.

    So, go for it, have fun, make it a fun and profitable experience.

    My RR ID got me free rides all over N. America. Fun times, me and Woody Guthrie types, and Boxcar Willie fans...riding on the train: New Orleans.

    The Silver Streak, Bullet, Express, silver something would be fun...maybe.

    gjabiz

    PS Old timer travel secret. I'd ride the train to Ohio, the do a drive away car to FL, NY or back to CA. Some people send their cars via train, ride along and deliver it to them...like a free trip.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Hey, Joe.

      I pick my brother up from our local Amtrak station twice a year every year and he doesn't have a problem with it at all. He rides from Missouri and Michigan and back again.

      He likes it. Well, I guess that is sort of obvious since he continues to do it twice yearly, lol!


      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Tom B
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        Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

        Hey, Joe.

        I pick my brother up from our local Amtrak station twice a year every year and he doesn't have a problem with it at all. He rides from Missouri and Michigan and back again.

        He likes it. Well, I guess that is sort of obvious since he continues to do it twice yearly, lol!


        Terra
        When I came back from Europe, I took Amtrak from Chicago to Michigan. Loved it. No worrying about driving or traffic. I just sat back and relaxed the whole time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    I've thought about doing one of those "board and disembark anywhere" tickets, just to see what it's like.

    Question: Don't most Amtrak runs have wifi these days?


    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Joe,

    That's interesting. My home connection is twice that. But then, it's a fixed, wired connection.

    I wouldn't be using it for much that mattered but occasional emails anyway. And based on how I do my travel computing, it'd be very low volume. I have a private mailbox for that, and it only gets direct personal email from people I know I want to answer. If I were going to be on the road longer than 2 weeks, there are maybe 20 people who'd get that address.

    Still, nice to know it's an option.


    Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Paul,

      I didn't think about Amtrak having anything like a Eurail pass. I'll check it out.

      Are you going anywhere specifically or are you thinking about just "striking out" for a couple of weeks?

      Joe Mobley



      Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

      Joe,

      That's interesting. My home connection is twice that. But then, it's a fixed, wired connection.

      I wouldn't be using it for much that mattered but occasional emails anyway. And based on how I do my travel computing, it'd be very low volume. I have a private mailbox for that, and it only gets direct personal email from people I know I want to answer. If I were going to be on the road longer than 2 weeks, there are maybe 20 people who'd get that address.

      Still, nice to know it's an option.


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Joe,

    Just a "walkabout," but without the walking.

    Every once in a while I get cabin fever and just get in the car and go. Sometimes it's for an afternoon, sometimes a few days. Occasionally a couple of weeks. I don't plan anything when those happen. Just drive until something looks interesting and stop to see what's there.

    I find some of the best diners that way!

    Doing it by rail seems like it might be fun. Less "what's over there," but more conversation.


    Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author George Wright
    I've personally had some very pleasant train trips, however the best one I know of was a trip taken by my two oldest daughters when they were much younger.

    In their early twenties they just HAD to see New York, but they only had a peanut butter and jelly food budget for the trip. (Literally) Once they got to New York there were plenty of relatives and friends to make their NY stay very pleasant.

    So here in Los Angeles they bought their tickets, packed their clothes and their Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and water.

    Unknown to me, two hours out of Los Angeles in the middle of nowhere the train broke down. With flash lights in hand crew members went from car to car informing the nervous passengers of the problem and assured them that help was on the way.

    After about 4 hours the train was moving again.

    Over the loud speaker a voice announced, Ladies and Gentlemen we are very sorry for this mishap. To compensate you for your trouble, all passengers who were on the train during the breakdown, show your tickets when you order any meal, food, snack or drink and it will be comped to you for the remainder of your trip.

    My girls ate and drank first class all the way and had one of the best times of their lives, arriving in NY happy as could be with a bag of stale Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, making the pigeons very happy too.

    George Wright
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  • Profile picture of the author sonata789
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by sonata789 View Post

      I thought it might be a cool experience
      I see you've written a fairly random response in nearly all of the threads beneath this as I look at this time, probably to boost your post count. It must be ever so frustrating though when you realised that posts in the off topic forum are not counted.

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  • Profile picture of the author Benaiah21
    Would be amazing i am sure because i have heard of it a lot and certainly it would keep you quite decent in also in many ways entertain you.
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