I'm looking to travel around the US by train sometime in Jan, Feb, or Mar for 2 weeks with a USA Rail Pass. I have done this a few times before and have got a number of trains left that I haven't travelled on. What I want to do is to prioritize those most interesting - and feasible within 2 weeks!

These are the trains I have yet to travel on, or wish to travel on again:

1. Texas Eagle (pref. east/northbound)
2. Empire Builder (Portland segment)
3. Coast Starlight (LA - SFO)
4. Vermonter
5. Montrealer (?)
6. Pennsylvanian
7. Lake Shore Ltd
8. NEC: NYP - Boston
9. California Zephyr (westbound this time)
10. *Possibly* Silver service NYP<->Miami

Is the north east covered in snow in Jan/Feb/Mar? If so, does it affect trains much?

So, any ideas for a trip that is worth doing at this time of year?

Thanks

Geoff Mayo.
 

I have traveled over most of the routes you want to consider , and thus can answer any questions you might have regarding them.

The route of the Zephyr is one of my very favorites---either direction. The train is scheduled so that most of the spectacular scenery is available during daylight hours, which is nice. So I would suggest that route for ANY time of year. It is especially beautiful during the winter months. The train is usually not effected very much by the snow, as a huge snow-plow is available to clear the tracks.

I also enjoy the Portland segment of the Empire Builder. The trip thru the Columbia River Gorge is spectacular. BUT, you want to be careful what the time of year is ! During January or February (and Standard Time in general) you want to go WESTBOUND through the gorge to Portland, because the schedule places the train there during DAYLIGHT hours. Eastbound during the winter months, it would be totally DARK thru the gorge and you would miss everything.

I am not too crazy about the route of the Eagle from LA to San Antonio. Most of the scenery is similar in nature.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me directly. I would be delighted to offer you more info.

Regards, JOHN
 

And, a possible trip idea (I assume you are starting in New York, but this is circular in nature so you could start at any point):

Vermonter up to Burlington and back to New Haven
Local NEC train to Boston
Lake Shore Limited to Chicago
Zephyr to San Francisco, Coast Starlight to LA, Eagle back to Chicago
Pennsylvanian (or 3 Rivers) back to New York via Philly

This would probably fit within the two week limit, and would cover all of your routes of interest except the Empire Builder and Silver service. The entire trip is supposed to be scenic except the Lake Shore Limited and short NEC portion.

How much does the USA Rail Pass cost, out of curiosity?

Good luck and hope all this helped you!

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Peace,

Jack S.
Chicago, IL
 

Thanks

Geoff.
 

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