Amtrak Trips

**KKCondrey** · 11-09-2003, 12:06 PM

DH wants so bad to go on an train trip out west via Amtrak. When I'm not surfing around on the Village he is plotting trips on the Amtrak site...lol

Have any of you ever been on an trip and traveled by Amtrak, or do you know anyone who has?

If so how was it and would you (or they) do it again?

TIA

**aylasmommy** · 11-09-2003, 12:52 PM

I've travelled on Amtrak when I was really young. I loved it from what I remember

**Sara Noel** · 11-09-2003, 01:08 PM

In my late teens and early twenties I traveled amtrak quite a bit between NY and FL and NY and NM. I've purchased sleeping quarters and also traveled with just having a passenger seat.

I took the same route often enough that I was friends with some of the crew and got to spend time in their rail car playing cards etc. It was neat seeing the behind the scenes of things.

I enjoyed my trips, but have to admit it isn't something I would consider doing now for trips that distance. I rank it quite comparable to riding greyhound. (which I did a lot of traveling on as well)

I met a lot of interesting people though. (Many foreignors and a lot of young people)

The ride is fun and can be scenic in some areas. The Chicago station is insanity.

What I liked about it is that it was something I had always wanted to do, so I did it when I had the opportunity. Trains have a way of separating you from the "outside world" for a time. It's exciting and different.

**SewCrafty** · 11-09-2003, 02:17 PM

After having worked on a railroad for 20 years, I probably would not do this myself.

But my sister went to see my other sister out west a few years ago. She calls it her train ride from hell!

It was supposed to take 3 days and ended up being 5 1/2, they got stuck behind a derailment and had to wait it out. She also said the porter was very nasty (which is unusual) and requested a different route to come home. Well enough people complained about him that they put him on another route as well, the same one she got on the way home!

Depending on where you want to go, I would look into using VIA Rail up in Canada. I have heard good things about them. I personally don't trust the rails now, the RR's just aren't putting the money into them to maintain them properly. JMO

**Missy** · 11-09-2003, 02:50 PM

I went from Bangor maine to Boston via bus...then from Boston to Denver by Amtrack..and was supposed to return the same way. I would never ever do it again. it was horrible. The return trip was the worst part of it. They got to the station nearly six hours late...missing my bus by three and a half hours. They were very unsympathetic and downright rude about it. It was the last bus of the day...on a friday, no busses till monday. They expected me to find a motel room for the weekend and buy myself another bus ticket back up to Maine. I ended up getting a taxi and a plane ticket to Bangor. I was not a happy camper at all. I would never ever do it again..ever. never.

**fernykins** · 11-09-2003, 02:52 PM

I have traveled 2 by rail.I loved it. I went from San Bernardino to VA and from San Bernardino to Mo. Both trips took me 3 days. I met a lot of nice people and the redcaps were very helpful. I send my kids up north that way 2-3 times a year. I even took my 2 year old grandson with me on one trip. He had a great time.
Fern

**voodidit** · 11-09-2003, 03:21 PM

Kathyrh has joe been talking to Jody?? He was on the same kick last year, he even sent me to Gastonia to the station to pick up some schedules, but as you know we never went anywhere..lol.

**KKCondrey** · 11-09-2003, 03:57 PM

LOL as far as I know he hasn't been speaking to Jody, but he has his plans, the only problem is that his vacations are for 7 day's and the shortest round trip is for 8 so he would need a 9 or 10 day vacation...lol.

I think he is going to wait until he is a GM to do it though (I hope).

**guest2** · 11-09-2003, 07:41 PM

I've traveled across Canada from Montreal to Vancouver on the train and from Spokane, WA to Anaheim, CA. Both times we had sleeper cabins. On the last trip that we took shortly after 9/11 my parents had their own stateroom, my hubby and 2 of my sons shared a family cabin and my other son and I share the smaller sleeper cabin. We absolutely loved the trip! We had access to the whole train and spent lots of time in the lounge car (free pop, water, wine tasting, treats) meeting new people. Our boys enjoyed the onboard movies and spent lots of time looking at all the changing landscape. The food was delicious and all the staff were gracious and fun to be with! We're planning on doing another trip in the future!

**PrairieRose** · 11-09-2003, 11:37 PM

I've never done it but would love to.......I don't know if I'll ever convince dh though.

**KKCondrey** · 11-09-2003, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by PrairieRose
I've never done it but would love to.......I don't know if I'll ever convince dh though.

lol....

with us it was the other way around. He didn't think he would ever be able to convince me. I'd love to, now whether or not we are able to do it, that is another story.

**dz_blonde_girl** · 11-10-2003, 07:47 AM

I've taken the train 2 or 3 times, from Omaha to Deland FL, with ds. We really liked it. We got a sleeping compartment for the night time part of the trip. It is very difficult to sleep in coach. I planned outings for our stopovers in Chicago and Washington DC. The trains ran late most of the time, but we weren't in any hurry and having a good time.