Why would ANYONE take a long distance train??

[arrfep]

I once took an Amtrak from Chicago to DC (and back). One way was a full 24 hours.

Why did I do it?

Because the ticket only cost me $16 each way. Amtrak has some rediculous sales sometimes.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: Josh
I am travelling to North Carolina in about a little over a week. I travel there usually once a month and I always fly for around $200-$250...this time I was thinking about taking a train to save some money and because I am travelling with somebody who doesn't really want to spend money a plane ticket. However, while doing research I see that it is around $150 for a train ticket. Why would someone not splurge the extra $50 and save about 13 hours in travelling time??? I just don't understand how trains are still in business, i mean for the obvious fact that some are afraid to fly..but other than that...you don't even get a bedroom with that money - that will run you an extra $275!! Makes no sense to me...

They're not...the government subsidizes them and we aren't electing any politicians to end the frivilous spending.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: Josh
I am travelling to North Carolina in about a little over a week. I travel there usually once a month and I always fly for around $200-$250...this time I was thinking about taking a train to save some money and because I am travelling with somebody who doesn't really want to spend money a plane ticket. However, while doing research I see that it is around $150 for a train ticket. Why would someone not splurge the extra $50 and save about 13 hours in travelling time??? I just don't understand how trains are still in business, i mean for the obvious fact that some are afraid to fly..but other than that...you don't even get a bedroom with that money - that will run you an extra $275!! Makes no sense to me...

They're not...the government subsidizes them and we aren't electing any politicians to end the frivilous spending.

If we'd make more use of the tracks, we'd probably save tons of money/resources, but the trucking industry runs too deep. We need to elect politicians to make an end to trucking cross-country, especially when one train can tow enough cargo for like 50 semi's

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: Josh
I am travelling to North Carolina in about a little over a week. I travel there usually once a month and I always fly for around $200-$250...this time I was thinking about taking a train to save some money and because I am travelling with somebody who doesn't really want to spend money a plane ticket. However, while doing research I see that it is around $150 for a train ticket. Why would someone not splurge the extra $50 and save about 13 hours in travelling time??? I just don't understand how trains are still in business, i mean for the obvious fact that some are afraid to fly..but other than that...you don't even get a bedroom with that money - that will run you an extra $275!! Makes no sense to me...

They're not...the government subsidizes them and we aren't electing any politicians to end the frivilous spending.

Well, to be fair, I don't see the airlines building their own airports and paying for the air traffic controllers and security personnel. Nor do I see the trucking industry paying to build highways. Railroads get no government-funded infrastructure.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: Josh
Hmmm anyone have a recent picture of inside a AmTrak train? I just can't imagine sitting in a seat for 13 hours...yea i know they have a dining car and all that...but still...

Some plane flights take that long or more. It's not like they have a roller disco and tennis court up there.

Agreed, you'd be travelling much further but it's the same amount of time in a seat.

 

[jersiq]

I have taken a train cross-country (both round trip and one way) from Camp Pendleton CA to Hartford Connecticut. It took 3 days, and I didn't have a sleeper car. With that being said, the ticket was just as expensive as a plane flight. However, I was able to move around, meet some different people (atmosphere on a train is much nicer), and actually relax in my seat. I had no problem sleeping 8+ hours in my seat.

I did it mostly to see the country and say that I have been through some states. There's also a "sightseeing car" were you can admire the landscape.

I have also taken a Greyhound Cross Country before (same origination and destination) and that by far was the single worst experience in my life as far as travel is concerened.

I liked traveling by train, but like the OP said it's cost prohibitive.

 

[imported_griffis]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: FilmCamera
Let's see... Why are trains still in business? Well freight trains will probably not go away anytime soon. That is the majority of train traffic. As for passenger trains, some people like the slower paced ride and ability to see some of the country on the way.

+ a massive Federal subsidy

This is true, Amtrak is actually paid through taxes and federal funding. Every passenger car line in America has failed, why? Because they never made money but Amtrak doesn't either, the government pays for it.

As far as freight railroading goes, the past two years has been a huge boom in this business. Since gas prices have gone up, the ease to ship by rail has become more cost efficient

 

[BoomerD]

My wife & I have been talking about taking a nice vacation on this:
http://www.americanorientexpress.com/

It's expensive as hell, but they do things right.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
My wife & I have been talking about taking a nice vacation on this:
http://www.americanorientexpress.com/

It's expensive as hell, but they do things right.

holy sh|t!!! they better do things right.


Pricing Categories

$ B
Early
Bookings
180 days
prior
Vintage Pullman $4,490 $4,190
Single Sleeper $5,490 $5,190
Parlor Suite $5,890 $5,590
Classic Presidential $6,190 $5,890
Grand Suite $6,490 $6,190

$ C
Early
Bookings
180 days
prior
Vintage Pullman $4,670 $4,370
Single Sleeper $5,710 $5,410
Parlor Suite $6,130 $5,830
Classic Presidential $6,440 $6,140
Grand Suite $6,750 $6,450

$ D
Early
Bookings
180 days
prior
Vintage Pullman $4,290 $3,990
Single Sleeper $5,330 $5,030
Parlor Suite $5,750 $5,450
Classic Presidential $6,060 $5,760
Grand Suite $6,370 $6,070

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi

Originally posted by: Dunbar
They don't, that's why Amtrak loses money every year.

They can't even get people to work for them; it's kinda sad. At a career fair this past spring Amtrak had a table among a bunch of other engineering firms. Almost all of the tables were packed except for the Amtrak one, which had nobody. Even the other railroads had people talking to them. I ended up going over to the Amtrak table and wow those were some of the nicest recruiters I've ever talked to. A shame that they work for such a lowly regarded company.

its crappy managment. did you know it takes 4 hours to get to austin from houston using greyhound, 2.5 hours via car, but 7+ hours from amtrak. its crazy. i would have prefered amtrak too but those tims are a doozy.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: BoomerD
My wife & I have been talking about taking a nice vacation on this:
http://www.americanorientexpress.com/

It's expensive as hell, but they do things right.

holy sh|t!!! they better do things right.


Pricing Categories

$ B
Early
Bookings
180 days
prior
Vintage Pullman $4,490 $4,190
Single Sleeper $5,490 $5,190
Parlor Suite $5,890 $5,590
Classic Presidential $6,190 $5,890
Grand Suite $6,490 $6,190

$ C
Early
Bookings
180 days
prior
Vintage Pullman $4,670 $4,370
Single Sleeper $5,710 $5,410
Parlor Suite $6,130 $5,830
Classic Presidential $6,440 $6,140
Grand Suite $6,750 $6,450

$ D
Early
Bookings
180 days
prior
Vintage Pullman $4,290 $3,990
Single Sleeper $5,330 $5,030
Parlor Suite $5,750 $5,450
Classic Presidential $6,060 $5,760
Grand Suite $6,370 $6,070

Hmm that looks nice!

 

[vailr]

Originally posted by: narzy

Originally posted by: Tom
I don't know how to get them, but apparently it's possible to get much lower train fares, kind of like it's possible to get discount air fares.

really? if someone could enlighten us I'd be forever grateful. (well maybe not forever...)

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
Example: Chicago to Seattle (one-way): $92.70

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: vailr

Originally posted by: narzy

Originally posted by: Tom
I don't know how to get them, but apparently it's possible to get much lower train fares, kind of like it's possible to get discount air fares.

really? if someone could enlighten us I'd be forever grateful. (well maybe not forever...)

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
Example: Chicago to Seattle (one-way): $92.70

Nice! now I just have to check everyweek for a deal from kentucky!

 

[vailr]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: vailr

Originally posted by: narzy

Originally posted by: Tom
I don't know how to get them, but apparently it's possible to get much lower train fares, kind of like it's possible to get discount air fares.

really? if someone could enlighten us I'd be forever grateful. (well maybe not forever...)

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
Example: Chicago to Seattle (one-way): $92.70

Nice! now I just have to check everyweek for a deal from kentucky!

AFAIK, the 2 Amtrak routes thru or close to Kentucky are:
The Cardinal (Chicago-Cincinatti-Wash.D.C.)
The City of New Orleans (Chicago-Memphis-New Orleans)
The train serving the Louisville to Chicago route quit operation due to low ridership.

 

[d3n]

Originally posted by: vailr

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: vailr

Originally posted by: narzy

Originally posted by: Tom
I don't know how to get them, but apparently it's possible to get much lower train fares, kind of like it's possible to get discount air fares.

really? if someone could enlighten us I'd be forever grateful. (well maybe not forever...)

http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/WeeklySpecials
Example: Chicago to Seattle (one-way): $92.70

Nice! now I just have to check everyweek for a deal from kentucky!

AFAIK, the 2 Amtrak routes thru or close to Kentucky are:
The Cardinal (Chicago-Cincinatti-Wash.D.C.)
The City of New Orleans (Chicago-Memphis-New Orleans)
The train serving the Louisville to Chicago route quit operation due to low ridership.

I have hit the D.C. to Chicago route. Its pretty nice. The only problem is that it only runs about twice a week. Never when it would be convenient to grab a ride.

 

[Punter]

I went from Salem, OR - Chicago - Virginia - Kansas - L.A. - Salem over the course of a 1.5 weeks on Amtrak with a soccer team. One of those stints would have been interesting but I would never do that whole trip again. The novelty disappears quickly. Especially after getting delayed for 2+ hours in the first 20 miles outside Salem! Better than a bus though.

Greyhound is the armpit of America.