Amtrak Coast to coast?

[hayden]

I take the commuter train everyday from WV to Washington DC and it's about 90 to 95% on time, but when there are issues, delays can be really bad. I normally get home at 6:30, but there have been times when it was 10, 11 even 12. Keep in mind that you are used to taking the Acela which is passenger train rail only. In several parts of the country, Amtrak shares the rail with freight and regardless of what anyone says freight trains get precedence as that is where CSX and others make their money. The train I take uses CSX rail and our train can be delayed if a freight crew runs out of time, a freight with hazardous material goes into emergency (passenger train can't go around a freight in that situation), or other situations with freight trains.
I think I would go for a cruise or a mountain type excursion on a train. I think the cross country train trip will be more stressful than relaxing, but then again if you have your own personal space it might not be so bad.
About 2 weeks ago, they shut Union station down in DC for police investigation. It was closed (Gate A area where most commuter trains leave) for about an hour. People were standing everywhere and others couldn't get to other Gates to board their trains.

I agree. Even with the occational delays, the Northeast Corridor between DC and NYC is probably the fastest and most punctual line in the US (it's really pretty darn good). But don't expect that anywhere else in the US. After you've ridden them, you'll see why nobody uses them when they actually need to get somewhere.

 

[PhilNH5]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate them.

Hazmat - Thanks for the links. I looked at via rail in Canada. Seems very nice but no shower in any of the bedroom arrangements. I am at the point in my life where that is a priority. I also looked at the luxury train. I had seen a PBS special on it. But the trans canada trip is $25,000 per person.

Amtrak has showers in their bedroom suites. I am leaning heavily towards them.

Again thanks to all for the info.

Phil

 

[hazmat]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate them.

Hazmat - Thanks for the links. I looked at via rail in Canada. Seems very nice but no shower in any of the bedroom arrangements. I am at the point in my life where that is a priority. I also looked at the luxury train. I had seen a PBS special on it. But the trans canada trip is $25,000 per person.

Amtrak has showers in their bedroom suites. I am leaning heavily towards them.

Again thanks to all for the info.

Phil

When I was looking into it, I seem to remember a canadian trip that included stopping at hotels every evening so that 1-you wouldn't miss any scenary, and 2- nicer accomodations. Might have been 3-4 days, 2-3 nights to traverse the rockies.

 

[Tom_H]

Check out the luxury 8 day trip that does a bunch of western national parks. It starts in Salt Lake City and ends in Albuquerque, goes through some beautiful canyons in the Rockies, to Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, more. I've seen TV shows on this trip and have thought it would be great.

 

[Wesdor]

Looks like I might a bit late in replying to this thread. I can't speak about the East coast to Chicago, although someone else suggested you fly to Chicago and that sounds like a good idea to me.

We have taken the train to Seattle 3 times in the last 7 years (actually, we get off at Wenatchee which is the center of Washington).

Unless they have changed the schedule recently you are supposed to leave Chicago, Union Station shortly after 2:00 p.m. You go up the lake and into Wisconsin and then cross the state just north of Madison. You go through the Mississippi River valley just at sunset (at least in the summer) and arrive in Msp St Paul about 11:00 p.m.

By morning you are at Devil's Lake, North Dakota and spend the day going across the northern part of the USA. I find that area to be beautiful, but some people just think it is desolate.

If you are going in the summer, you get to the south edge of Glacier National Park before sunset. We have had some wonderful views of the mountains north of the train track. You arrive in Spokane about 1:00 a.m. and they split the train. One part goes the southern route to Portland and the other part goes to Seattle.

We have always found the food somewhere between acceptable and very good. The service has always been excellent, both in the dining cars and throughout the train.

The big problem for us is that sleeper cars are very expensive, thus we have gone coach. That means no easy sleeping and no showers for 42 hours (I really don't like that!).

If we could find a sleeper car for not a lot more than airfare (let's say in the $500 - $600 range), I would never fly to the west coast again. We find the trip to be relaxing and enjoyable. Be sure and take along some books to read. I also take my computer and know where the 110 plugs are even in coach. If you get a sleeper, each one has a plug.

What time of year are you planning to travel? I know there have been some major delays due to snow storms in the winter. Remember, you are pretty far north and there isn't as much daylight up there in the winter.

Best wishes for an enjoyable trip. Please report back to us how things go.