(As always: All trolls, flamers, foamers, Amtrak employee wannabes and res agents completely ignored.
Posted by Newtimes (Member # 2037) on :
Headless Brakeman, that appears to be an appropriate name except maybe the Brakeman should be omitted. Peery is asking for hints on rail travel and you spew a diatribe on reasons to disband Amtrak.
You are obviously seeking confrontation by posting your comments on this forum. What ever your reasoning, it is bloated full of supressed energy/emotion and inappropiate as a response?
If you choose to "take on" this forum with ignorant, uninformed unqualified statements, then start your own topic so I and others can avoid you and your opinions. You obviously are one with an attitude who needs to chill. I assume you support building bigger, wider and more expensive highways that are overwrought and obsolete before completed.
I am sure others will respond to your energetic and charged comments. I will not. You want a verbal fight. That is childess and immature. I could respect a comment that was without sarcasm. Sarcasm is suppresed anger and it is intensified especially when expressed in an environment to challenge.
I travel by plane extensively and always take the train when possible. It's my choice. Here are suggestions I offer you:
1) Enroll in an anger management class
2) Learn to express you feeling in outlets other than in forums or emails
3) Always drive or take the plane
4) Don't call us we'll call you
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
Peery: If you waded through "headless's" post, his "handle" is appropriate. He's mindless and blowing "it" out his a**....
On to suggestions...
If you are traveling during a full moon, spend some night time with the drapes to your room closed, all lights off, and enjoy the moonlit nightscape. If you have a low lux camera, see if you can capture some "moonlit" pictures.
On your trip through the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas, try to get to the observation/sightseer lounge car early. The seats fill up fast, and that is the best place to view the mountain scenery. Crossing the Mississippi River is a kodak moment, too.
While you are in Chicago, be sure to see the Union Station hall. It's cavernous and a must see.
If you like the desert, you'll love west Texas, New Mexico, & Arizona.
In the diner, you will be seated with other people. The best opening line for conversation is "Where are you headed?" or "I'm headed to ______".
Enjoy your trip.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Peery - ditto what Mr./Ms. "Newtimes" says -- don't listen to people like the "Headless Brakeman." You will have a great trip -- I think Mr. Toy gave you some valuable advice; he, like many of the rest of us, is an experienced rail traveler, and has a lot to offer.
Concerning your trip and another comment, I suggest you go from San Diego to Denver via Los Angeles and Emeryville -- the scenery you will see on the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Denver, is spectacular!! You will see both the Sierra Nevada Mtns and the Rockies during the day.
Let us know how your experience at the Greenbrier is! I have been past there on the Cardinal several times, but have never stayed there -- I hear it is very nice!
Have a great trip!!
--Rich K
Posted by TALKrr (Member # 683) on :
To Headless (or should I say Brainless):
I don't know why I even bother to respond to characters like you.
First, perhaps we could all arrange for a "pity-party."
Somehow you have been "poisoned"---and there is no serum that anyone can offer you. Eagerly you search for support from anyone and everyone who might lend a sympathetic ear----and are shocked when your thoughts fall on deaf ears. Individuals like you don't seek answers , you seek revenge.
When "push comes to shove" you are a very, very small minority who (fortunately) has no voice whatsoever related to the real issue at hand----BALANCING our nation's transportation needs.
Posted by peery (Member # 2254) on :
Can we forget about Mr. Headless and focus on the original questions I asked, please? I'll respond to him later. Let's not encourage him by responding to him. Just remember that people who are headless are also mindless. :-) Thanx to all of you for your suggestions. I'll reply to them all when I have a bit more time.
Posted by TALKrr (Member # 683) on :
Peery:
As with any mode of transportation , there are "highs" and "lows."
I have absolutely loved every mile of my travels with Amtrak---and to date there are over 100,000. Has every trip been perfect ? Of course not. As with any mode of transportation there are bound to be "glitches." But over-all , my general experience with Amtrak has been positive.
I consider Amtrak to be a wonderful travel option. Long-distance passenger-rail is not for everyone simply because (in this day and age) many people simply do not have the time.
But what a wonderful way to meet people and learn about the history and geography of the country !!
Generally speaking the scenery is breath-taking---whichever route you take.
There are those who will complain about Amtrak service and Amtrak food. I can honestly say I have no serious complaints whatsoever.
Your train may be late arriving at its destination--but Amtrak has no control over that.
The "ride" may be rough in places---again, Amtrak has no control over that.
You may encounter a rude Amtrak service employee or two---you encounter individuals like this EVERYWHERE in the real world. Why would it be shocking to find rude Amtrak employees ?
Keep and open mind, and you will be fine.
I look forward to my rail trips months in advance. I find rail travel very relaxing and educational and love the opportunity. Hopefully, I someday will have the chance to take my grandchildren on a rail journey.
I think you will have a great time. Be sure to share your experiences with us when you get back----both pro and con.
Posted by royaltrain (Member # 622) on :
You said you are going to book a standard bedroom. If it is in your budget, you really should try for the deluxe. I too usually travel alone, and I find it is worth the money for the wonderful extra space, and the fact that you will have washing and toilet facilities in your room. Going down the hall is for the birds. I will concede that for a very short overnight trip or for a day-only trip the standard bedroom will do, but you will soon find that on any longer trip you will be very glad that you have a deluxe. But as I said before only if the budget will stretch that far, otherwise I would still take the trip, and I'm sure you will enjoy yourself.
Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
It sounds like you've given yourself the luxury of time. Good. Your going to see a lot of great country. Here's some of my advice. I'm sure it echoes that of others:
1. Head into Denver via the California Zephyr. Its a more scenic trip than the Southwest Chief to Raton. Take the Southwest Chief back to LA.
2. Be sure to get a seat early in the sightseer lounge when there is one.
3. Limit yourself to one meal in the dining car a day. You can feed yourself pretty heardilly in the Lounge Car for a lot less.
4. Be patient. Delays will occur. I hate to agree with Headlessbrakeman, but give yourself 2 to 6 hours leeway when it comes to connections and post travel engagements. Usually crews are good at keeping passengers informed about delays.
5. The worse times to go get something to eat in the lounge car-right after the train leaves a major station.
6. If power(lights/fans) all of a sudden seems to cut out-don't worry-they might be adding or dropping cars (extra box cars) or changing out locomotives.
7. If seats are assigned-see if the attendant will give you a seat away from the stairwell. But, in your case you won't have this problem being in a sleeper compartment.
8. Leaving Los Angeles--going back to San Diego-be sure to sit on the east side-this will turn into the west/ocean side once it pulls out of LA.
Hope this helps. Good luck on your trip.
------------------
Patrick
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
quote:
3. Limit yourself to one meal in the dining car a day. You can feed yourself pretty heardilly in the Lounge Car for a lot less.
Of course, if you travel in a sleeper, the meals are included in your ticket, so cost is not an issue. You can take your meals at either the diner or the lounge cafe. Be sure to tell the lounge cafe attendant you are a sleeping car passenger. They will usually have you sign for you meal and take down your car and room number. Dining car servers usually know you are a sleeping car passenger from the direction you enter the dining car.
------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy
Posted by daisybumble (Member # 855) on :
Not only are meals included for sleeper passengers, but being in the sleeper also gives you access to free beverages and snacks. What you get depends on supplies and your attendant, but I have known them to have coffee, tea, cold drinks, cookies, Ghiardelli (sp?) chocolates, and pretzels available. Sometimes, if the train is late, something special will be done for sleeper passengers. For instance, on the Capitol Limited, we were about 3 hours late...this would put us in DC long after lunchtime. This train normally did not serve lunch, but our sleeper attendant brought around a lovely tray of sandwiches, garnished with cherry tomatoes and pickles. This wasn't leftovers slapped together...it looked like something from a caterer.
Train travel is not perfect, but no method of travel has ever been perfect (not even the Golden Age of Trains!). If you're delayed on a train, you still will be able to walk about, use the bathroom, eat and drink, and use your cel phone and laptop...try to do that on a jet that is sitting out on the tarmac! Even today's Amtrak is far more civilized and comfortable than even first-class air travel. The only drawback to taking the train is time...and that isn't even a drawback if you consider the travel to be part of your trip, and not just a means of getting from A to B.
Posted by 20th Century (Member # 2196) on :
Daisybumble,
You couldn't have written it any better. That's what makes rail travel so much better!
I just wish I could do a lot more long distance rail travel in a sleeper. It beats first class on an airplane.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
quote:
Originally posted by daisybumble:
Even today's Amtrak is far more civilized and comfortable than even first-class air travel. The only drawback to taking the train is time...and that isn't even a drawback if you consider the travel to be part of your trip, and not just a means of getting from A to B.
Well put, Daisy! That is the perfect, concise response to those who argue that train travel is obsolete in the jet age.
------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy
Posted by vincen47 (Member # 2201) on :
I couldn't agree more. The train should be factored into the entire trip. My vacation last month to Texas began when I stepped aboard the Eagle, not when I reached my destination. This is the mindset one must have to get the most out of their travel experience.
Posted by Charles Reuben (Member # 2263) on :
As a writer, you will probably be writing on board the train and you must prepare yourself for some nasty terrain. If you are lucky, the tracks will be welded together and the roadbed will be well-maintained and you might very well experience a smooth ride. However, there will, no doubt, be some jarring areas that will make you wonder how the train manages to stay on the track. As has been noted, Amtrak rents right of way (for the most part) from the freight companies and sometimes they are neglegent about keeping up the tracks.
Back to the writing part. If you are using a laptop, you will probably have a limited supply of battery power. Having studied a little bit about electricity in school, I'm not sure if I would trust an expensive laptop be powered by the juice coming out of those refurbished 70's-era outlets, but its your call. Personally, I use an Alphasmart3000 for writing. Three AA batteries and I'm good for 700 hours.
I don't fly. Period. Gave it up over five years ago. I have a bit of an ear problem and don't care to undergo an operation to fix it. However, I don't miss flying at all. From what I hear, post 9/11, flying sounds like a nightmare. Train travel, on the other hand is quite a hoot, and this is coming from a 45-year-old guy, not a so-called "railfan" (though I seem to be evolving into one).
To me train travel is a necessity and I have taken the train all over the place. Over 12,000 miles in the last year alone and I love it. The food is great. The service is great. Everything about trains are great. People who are nasty and impatient probably should fly and make train travel easier for the rest of us.
Amtrak does a fantastic job with the crumbs that have been thrown its way and the only advise I would give you is to follow the golden rule, especially after using the bathroom. Stick up for the overworked conductors, especially if they are being abused by discourteous passengers. And cut Amtrak some slack when you are writing your piece. They need all the help they can get and, as I said, they are doing a fantastic job with what they've got.
Posted by RRCHINA (Member # 1514) on :
If you are "new " as a travel writer you have been given some excellent advice by " most " of the prior respondents.
My suggestion, if you are to educate prospective train travelors is to know, or learn, something about the history of the regions, and routes, you take. While the train trip may provide substantial material for the transportation portion of your story,
The cities, towns and other features of the
trip will be desired by those who may choose to read what you decribe. These are some of the most significant factors which make a good and enticing travel story.
Of course, if you are an experienced travel writer then you have probably already done this "homework".
Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
I guess riding in Coach is an entirely different experience. I've traveled thousands of miles on Amtrak and never new meals are included in the Sleeper fare. Hmm? Wow! You learn something new every day.
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Patrick
Posted by daisybumble (Member # 855) on :
rrchina's post made me think of something else that Peery should keep in mind.
Amtrak is not just about travelling from city to city. Whenever you can, take a good look out the window at the station stops. Some are cities, some are college towns or suburban areas. Still others are little towns where Amtrak is the best choice for travel...the nearest major airport could be hours away. These people need the train to get to cities, colleges, and wherever else. It really gives you a different perspective on life in this country, especially if you come from a populous area where many resources are within an hour radius of home.
Posted by CG96 (Member # 1408) on :
Well stated, Daisybumble. I've had the opportunity to take the Empire Builder from RDW to visit my relatives in WI, and you bring up points that I've had some difficulty articulating to them. Sure I could take my car, but then I'd have to deal with the usual headaches associated with driving. One serious regret that I have regarding the Builder is that there has been no successful effort to get the train re-routed through Madison. It's poosible, yet not feasible
. Again, well put.
Posted by peery (Member # 2254) on :
Thanx to all of you for your suggestions and comments. I've now got my tickets and I'm ready for this nearly 7,000 mile adventure. My only regrets so far are a bit of double-tripping on the Crescent and having less than 24 hours in New Orleans on Mardi Gras eve. Everything else looks great --- if the weather holds. I talked to three different people at Amtrak reservations and every one of them was very helpful, as well as highly knowledgeable. FYI, I did a comparison and on a cost per mile basis, the difference between a multi-stop airline ticket from San Diego to Denver to Charlottesville to San Diego compared with the Amtrak routing amounted to the difference between 12 and 20 cents a mile. Not bad, all things considered. I was a bit shocked to find out what a deluxe compartment cost. Having a private shower might be nice, but not at an additional cost of some $600! I'll have a complete report when I get back. Ciao! And thanx again.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Can't be sure it would be good enough for Laura Landro ("upscale only" travel writer who does a travel column for the Wall Street Journal entitled "the Finicky Traveler"), but the community shower is good enough for me.
As for showers on Amtrak, I'm "batting a thousand". They have always "worked".
Posted by daisybumble (Member # 855) on :
Peery, the public shower is not all that bad. There are plenty of handrails to steady yourself on, and dry places to put your stuff. The attendant should have a good supply of washcloths and towels. Bring along a pair of cheap flip-flops or aqua-sox to wear before/during/after your shower...you'll be glad you did.
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
Only problems I've had with the public shower are: running out of towels (only once though, and it *was* late morning...), and getting very stuffy in the bathroom so you can't dry yourself properly. But other than that, they're great!
Geoff M.