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Who has taken Amtrak recently?

Triumph

Triumph

Lifer
I'm thinking of going from DC to Wisconsin over Thanksgiving and I abhor the idea of flying during that time period. I enjoy train travel and even though it will take forever, the stress and comfort versus flying at this time of year is almost worth the tradeoff. The Capital Limited line goes straight from DC to Chicago, but how reliable is it? That is my biggest concern, delays of hours and hours and hours on top of an 18 hour train ride, would suck. Price isn't the best but it's not the worst either. Any thoughts?
 
Last December. Washington state to California. almost 24 long fucking hours in one of the most uncomfortable seats I've ever put my fat ass into.

Of course, I'm cheap and opted for "coach class" instead of a sleeper berth...which would have also gotten me access to wi-fi on the train.

Personally, I doubt I'll ever do it again...and would rather fly. It's faster, cheaper, and not as uncomfortable.
 
I did am LA to SF trip last year, if you don't get a sleeper, it's really not worth it. The nice thing about a sleeper is that you get dining room privileges with it for no extra charge, at least on the upgrade I got.

If you want to do it as an experience, go for it, I'd do it again, but only with a sleeper.
 
Depending on where you're going in Wisconsin, Amtrak could be the more convenient option.
Pricing for train vs. plane are both ~$300 round trip: DC to Milwaukee.
Schedule delays along that route are probably minimal.
Note: there's also the option of the Cardinal train that takes 23 hours going between DC & Chicago. Either train option would then require a change of trains in Chicago.
 
<-- Only once on a train, at least for any kind of long commute. Erie, PA to Chicago, IL.
The train was well over an hour late, and the trip took an hour longer than expected. I don't know how long you'd be looking at for Wisconsin to DC.
I was cranky at the time because it was scheduled to get to the station at the convenient time of 1:36am. So I was also trying to sleep on the train (9hr trip, scheduled), butI don't sleep well in unfamiliar places, particularly in coach seats, or with a lot of other people nearby. It was also not a smooth ride like a jet tends to be (in my experience anyway) - more like having mild turbulence for most of the trip.
That aside, I still thought that coach class in the train was luxurious compared to a jet. Plenty of room, you can recline without crushing the person behind you, nice big windows with curtains, and you've got a 120VAC outlet. You can also walk around pretty freely, and there's probably going to be some manner of dining car available on a trip that long. You can bring two bags onboard, "...each not to exceed 50 lbs, 28x22x14 inches." The "security check" consisted of someone looking at my ticket, glancing at my luggage, and then that was it.
Bring your own pillows or blankets though, as they've reportedly stopped offering those freely. It was rather cold on the one I was on.

If you do choose the train, I think that getting a private room would be a good idea, if you're ok with the cost. Having your own room might help you ignore any delays. AmSnag can help you get good tickets, if any are left - Amtrak's prices vary a lot for the rooms, depending on how many are remaining, and which pricing bucket you're left with. If your travel date is locked in though.....you get what you get.
I believe that getting a room also automatically pays for three meals a day. And watch for the type of train you're on. It looks like the Superliner's roomette has no toilet in it, but the Viewliner does have one. (If you're sharing the room, you may want to step outside while the other person's using the toilet - it's just kind of stuck there in the room.) I would hope and assume that there is adequate ventilation in there as well.

People have posted videos to Youtube of what the inside of these rooms look like. Just search for Amtrak bedroom. Amtrak's views on their own site are not very good.



Or, if you're as rich as everyone else here on ATOT, just arrange to have your own private railcar added to the train.
 
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August. Took the train from Vancouver to Portland. I enjoyed it; pretty relaxing and was far cheaper and easier than flying, though it obviously took longer.

KT
 
Just over a week ago, from Sacramento to Santa Cruz. The first.train I went on was the Coast Starlight, pretty mediocre with coach class (about as comfortable as a cheap flight), and somewhat smelly. The Capitol Corridor, on the other hand for my return trip, had excellent coach seats. Nearly luxury in comparison.

So quality seems to vary depending on the train in question.
 
Been a few years since we traveled by train in the US, but plan on doing it again when we have the extra time. Keep in mind except for big cities many train stations have no rental cars etc., and I would think book up early for the holidays as some refuse other travel methods.
 
Triumph said:
I'm thinking of going from DC to Wisconsin over Thanksgiving and I abhor the idea of flying during that time period. I enjoy train travel and even though it will take forever, the stress and comfort versus flying at this time of year is almost worth the tradeoff. The Capital Limited line goes straight from DC to Chicago, but how reliable is it? That is my biggest concern, delays of hours and hours and hours on top of an 18 hour train ride, would suck. Price isn't the best but it's not the worst either. Any thoughts?
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my parents went from chicago to way out west somewhere. said the trans were ok but they didnt enjoy the long rides, and there were some very long (1 and 2 hour) delays.

sounded not worth it, i got the impression they wouldnt do it again.
 
The sleeper cars aren't that great either, especially if you are running on freight train tracks. I had the top bunk on the upper deck, so I was at least 14' off the ground. I kept swaying back and forth. If you do use a sleeper, get something to knock you our completely
 
I've done VIA Rail long haul from Halifax to Toronto. I enjoyed it. Had my own private sleeper cabin. Very relaxing, food in the dining car were good, staff were nice. The best part is just the lack of hassle. You show up, check any excess baggage, and you're off. No security, no great long lines, no surly airport staff. It's a more civilized way to travel IMO. Flying today is the equivalent of being prodded and shoved into the back of a cattle truck. Taking the train is like a land cruise. If you do it, make sure you bring some books and a laptop/tablet with movies. Most trains have outlets at the seats now.

I can't speak for Amtrak though. VIA's rolling stock is old but well maintained. I've heard mixed things about their American counterpart.
 
Something I've always wanted to do. Longest I did was Chicago to Detroit and back.
Driving would have been far faster (took some 9 hours). Upside was the cooler of beer I brought on board.
 
mmntech said:
I've done VIA Rail long haul from Halifax to Toronto. I enjoyed it. Had my own private sleeper cabin. Very relaxing, food in the dining car were good, staff were nice. The best part is just the lack of hassle. You show up, check any excess baggage, and you're off. No security, no great long lines, no surly airport staff. It's a more civilized way to travel IMO. Flying today is the equivalent of being prodded and shoved into the back of a cattle truck. Taking the train is like a land cruise. If you do it, make sure you bring some books and a laptop/tablet with movies. Most trains have outlets at the seats now.

I can't speak for Amtrak though. VIA's rolling stock is old but well maintained. I've heard mixed things about their American counterpart.
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Bus services like Megabus and Bolt Bus are cheaper, nicer, and faster than Amtrak for most travel city pairs.
 
drnickriviera said:
The sleeper cars aren't that great either, especially if you are running on freight train tracks. I had the top bunk on the upper deck, so I was at least 14' off the ground. I kept swaying back and forth. If you do use a sleeper, get something to knock you our completely
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Ah, that was probably the problem then.

The trip to Chicago went through some lovely industrial areas, complete with some rather unusual smells I had never before encountered. Bumpy, and plenty of places where it felt as though we were trying to dodge animals sitting on the tracks.
 
I don't get the problem with flying. So much faster, and therefore, ends up being more comfortable because you get off the vehicle sooner.
 
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