For some reason, for the past few weeks I’ve had a strong urge to go to Raleigh and board an Amtrak train for a weekend getaway. I can’t really explain it. It may have something to do with my viewing of 3:10 to Yuma the other day.
Anyway, I’ve never really taken a long train ride. I have been on trains at Tweetsie and Dollywood, and just a few months ago I went up to New Hill to ride the New Hope Valley train. And I love riding the subways in big cities (the coolest one I’ve been on is the suburban trains in Chicago) when I visit. But never anything over a few miles.
I’ve been researching vacations lately that involve the Amtrak system. It seems pretty reasonable, actually. At least cheaper than an airplane, and part of the fun is in the experience. From Raleigh you can get virtually anywhere, from Boston to New York to Miami and Orlando, for probably half the price of a plane ticket.
I’m just a little hesitant because, one time, my dad and I took a bus to New York City to watch a Yankees game. The time in NYC was great, but the bus ride was awful. I’m guessing that a train is much more confortable, though.
Do any of you have any train trip stories you’d like to share? What was it like? Was it worth it, or should I just splurge on a plane ticket?
8 responses so far ↓
Kim Pritt // February 19, 2008 at 11:56 am |
Right after high school, my best friend and I rode the train from Rochester, NY to New York City. It was an estimated 7 hour train ride that ended up being delayed and was actually a little over 8 hours. That train stopped in all the small towns along the way. It was a nice experience — you can get up and walk around, go to the dining car for something to eat, and meet lots of interesting people. You also get to see a lot of the country side. I saw towns I had never seen before or since! It was comfortable and enjoyable. I’ve also taken bus trips and can tell you there is no comparison!!! Long bus trips are TORTURE – uncomfortable, you’re pretty much stuck in your seat, the ride is rough, the smell of diesel fuel – YUCK!
On the other hand – my sister-in-law traveled from Charlston, SC to Pennsylvania with two little kids once and had a HORRIBLE experience! They were delayed several hours because of weather conditions and there were several other children on the train — all of which, including her own, were irritable and frustrated cause they couldn’t run around and play!!! The downfall is, you do get to meet a lot of interesting people, but you are also confined for however long the trip is with some you may not want to be confined with!!! BUT – you can always take a walk and go to the dining car or something – with two little kids, she didn’t have that luxury!
I would recommend it — if you want a leisurely ride somewhere and are not in a hurry to get there – you can probably count on delays, so don’t do it if you get overly frustrated over those types of things! It is less tiring than driving and less expensive than flying and more comfortable than a bus! BUT- it’s not fast!!!! If you do try it, I hope you have an enjoyable experience!
ckellner // February 19, 2008 at 3:15 pm |
Train trips are lovely, I’ve done a bunch. The people you meet are good-crazy (as opposed to the scary-crazy ones you tend to meet on Greyhound — and if you do meet scary-crazy ones on a train, there’s a lot more flexibility in switching seats). You feel like you’re in some 1950s Alfred Hitchcock movie, and you really get to see the countryside, so it’s a lot of fun.
But yeah, you’ll get there at least an hour later than they say you will, probably more like two or three.
I say go for it.
Byron // February 19, 2008 at 9:21 pm |
I took a 6-hour train ride in Dillsboro, NC. They have a vintage train that takes you up a mountain and back with a charming lunch in between. This trip was also the first time I met my wife’s parents. Literally I met them as we were boarding the train and then endured over 6 hours of getting to know one another.
When I moved to Raleigh I had to leave my car here and drive a U-Haul back from Charlotte. I decided to ride a Greyhound from Raleigh to Charlotte (usually a 2.5 hour trip). It took 5 hours. I thought the bus wouldn’t be that crowded, but it was packed. When we stopped in Greensboro, a bunch of people got off and I moved across the aisle so I could have an empty seat next to me. I was sitting next to a perfectly nice regular-size kid. When I moved over I noticed the exact number of people boarding the bus as there were leaving. On passenger in particular was a 397-pound giantess who found the empty seat next to me desirable. The rest of the trip I was pinned against the window of the bus as my new seat neighbor took over 1.5 seats.
Airplane all the way baby.
Irene // February 20, 2008 at 2:07 pm |
Take the train!
Go to the mountains and ride the Great Smoky Railway for beautiful scenery and an old-fashioned train experience, and possibly less Amtrak slowness.
OR, for a real adventure, go to Namibia and take the Star Line south from Windhoek to Keetmanshoop. The economy class ticket is a bargain at 2 American dollars. Understand that you’ll get what you paid for, and the departure time listed on it is a rough estimate. At a distance of 285 miles, the total travel time can be anywhere between 10 and 20 hours, depending on luck and how many beers the conductor downed before taking the wheel (or whatever it’s called). Highlights of the StarLine include group sleeper cars that seat 6-8 comfortably, and up to 15 if you allow for random passengers passed out on the floor. Expect to be charmed by doors that don’t shut, windows that don’t shut, and fold-down beds that don’t fold down, or fold down and then fall off their hinges.
All that ambiance is worth it, though, because you’re guaranteed to see wild animals and fantastic sunsets over desert landscapes, and you have all the time in the world to drink wine and finish an all-night boggle tournament (or some other, much cooler activity).
Born and Bred Ed // February 21, 2008 at 3:06 am |
New Orleans would be fun to train to, I think.
What we really need to do, though, is get a group from Sanford together to ride the train to a Panthers game in the fall.
jonbowens // February 21, 2008 at 3:10 am |
Like on trading places, Ed
Tammy Hebert // February 21, 2008 at 6:24 pm |
My father did Amtrak from fayetteville to California – he hates to fly and wasn’t up to driving it this time around. He had the sleeping car and said it was great. He said the food was awesome and the scenery was cool. You do have delays but that is life. He had a 6 hour layover or stop in DC so he did the mall area and had fun.
I have always wanted to do a train and after spending the last two days in the car with 3 kids up to Virginia and back man I really wish I had taken the train:)
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