Train Travel

[PaperDoll]

I would have to bring a suitcase full of books to keep myself entertained for a 20-hour train ride. I can't even fathom what it would take with kids. Also, you can't hop off when you want like on a road trip. I appreciate the potential memories, but I hope you fly.

 

[Songbird]

Even flying is stupid unless you go first class ... with stupid meaning you're packed in like sardines.

 

[Azrael]

Even flying is stupid unless you go first class ... with stupid meaning you're packed in like sardines.

True.

But in this case you're trading 20 hours of potential travel troubles for 6 or 7 hours of potential travel troubles.

And as a frequent rider of trains I agree with everyone here that it's a terrific way to go - but wanted to add the necessary caveats.

 

[justgladtobehere]

Took Amtrak from Philly to Miami when I was very young,


Actually a good point tangential to yours:
There seems to be a lot of murders, mysteries and spy chases on long train rides
I don't think I'd want my kids around that

Have to watch out for grifters playing dice, too.

 

[Azrael]

and cardsharps

 

[Spartan Squad]

and cardsharps

View attachment 4492

Careful you don't cut yourself...

 

[User 149557]

When I was young I did Chicago to San Diego and back. Took more than 50 hours. I can sleep like a baby on a train and didn't have kids to entertain, though.

 

[Buck]

As long as they are older than 18 months, kids do well with benadryl and a shot of Wild Turkey.
Warning: they do not like the taste of Wild turkey.

 

[swingline]

Warning: they do not like the taste of Wild turkey.

Speak for your own kids.

 

[Vombatus]

Maybe we should start a new thread:

“This Will Not End Well For... Jake Taylor”

Damn, doesn’t rhyme.

 

[justgladtobehere]

Y'all missed this.

Amtrak Writers' Residency

 

[playthrough]

Y'all missed this.

Amtrak Writers' Residency

Pretty cool. Though I got a chuckle out of this:

Management to ensure that under-sold service is utilized for residency travel spots.

In other words, enjoy your trip to Walla Walla!

 

[DanOregon]

Oddly enough (yes I know this thread is old) I shared lunch with a guy who wrote for theater - a playwright I guess - aboard the Coast Starlight today. First long train ride since a trip from NY to Boston and back years ago. If you are contemplating going by train and the timing works for you - I highly recommend it. Very comfortable seats, only took about 7 hours more than driving direct (and I used that time sleeping and catching up on my reading and Netflix). Air travel is fine once you are in your seat, but between getting there on time and dealing with security lines and checking in etc. - train travel is much, much easier. More room for your stuff and easier to get to. I figure parking is a lot cheaper as well.

 

[Liut]

Oddly enough (yes I know this thread is old) I shared lunch with a guy who wrote for theater - a playwright I guess - aboard the Coast Starlight today. First long train ride since a trip from NY to Boston and back years ago. If you are contemplating going by train and the timing works for you - I highly recommend it. Very comfortable seats, only took about 7 hours more than driving direct (and I used that time sleeping and catching up on my reading and Netflix). Air travel is fine once you are in your seat, but between getting there on time and dealing with security lines and checking in etc. - train travel is much, much easier. More room for your stuff and easier to get to. I figure parking is a lot cheaper as well.

Glad you brought this back to life, Dan.

Do you know if it's still OK to bring your own beer onboard?

 

[DanOregon]

There was this guy who was walking up and down the aisle trying to find his jacket because he had a bag of weed in it - I imagine you can bring it on board as long as you don't consume it in a common area. Bringing your own food on board is another plus.

 

[Cosmo]

I loved taking the train between Richmond and NYC. That's the only (not subway) train trip I've ever taken in the U.S.

The trains in England were way better, though. So damn easy to get around, and fairly inexpensive, too. I think a roundtrip between London and Brighton was only like 18 pounds.

 

[Huggy]

Very timely return of this thread for me: Mrs. Huggy and I are heading to Scotland and England in July and we are planning on taking the train from Glasgow to Liverpool and after a couple days there from Liverpool to London. Looking for any and all advice about the best sites to visit for deals and info etc. so we can build it into the budget. From a quick look over the weekend some online sites won't let you book into July.