Train Travel

[Kendra]

I have done the Cumbres Toltec and can recommend it highly. Note: if you're going to overnight at one end of the route, take the town in New Mexico (Chamas I think it's called?) and not the town at the other end in Colorado. I only passed through that, but it was not so charming looking as the town on the other end.

Colorado has tons of scenic railroads, I never did get to do them all. Durango Silverton was pretty cool.

[northland10]

What about the Nebraska Zepher through flatland Nebraska?

Been on that scenic tour riding the California Zephyr. Don't remember much except it was really dark in Nebraska and I was dozing off a bunch, likely because it was past midnight.

Couldn't fully sleep as I was getting off in McCook, NE.

[AndyinPA]

Coming and going, it's dark going through most of Nebraska. I've seen some nice sunsets going into Nebraska, though.

[jez]

I was considering taking a two week vacation sometime in the next year or two and just taking a round trip on a train. Point A to B then back again. Just for the scenery. Not sure where to go yet, but it seems like it would be a good ride. I remember the trains in Germany and loved traveling on them.

Question is: How are the bathrooms in the private rooms? Are they as tiny as they look?

[Patagoniagirl]

I was considering taking a two week vacation sometime in the next year or two and just taking a round trip on a train. Point A to B then back again. Just for the scenery. Not sure where to go yet, but it seems like it would be a good ride. I remember the trains in Germany and loved traveling on them.

Question is: How are the bathrooms in the private rooms? Are they as tiny as they look?

Public bathrooms are large and decent.

Just go on a train.

[AndyinPA]

I was considering taking a two week vacation sometime in the next year or two and just taking a round trip on a train. Point A to B then back again. Just for the scenery. Not sure where to go yet, but it seems like it would be a good ride. I remember the trains in Germany and loved traveling on them.

Question is: How are the bathrooms in the private rooms? Are they as tiny as they look?

The bathrooms in the bedrooms are private--and tiny. They also serve as the shower. I've used it, but sometimes I just prefer to go downstairs and use the regular shower. It's also small, but not as small as the one in the bedroom. In the roomettes, you share a bathroom, one upstairs and three downstairs. Most of the time, these are well cared for as each car has a private attendant. If you are in a bedroom or a roomette, your meals are all included. The food is good. Hopefully, with the new money coming from the new infrastructure bill, it will all get better. If you are traveling first class, there are really nice lounges to wait in between trains. Chicago's is gorgeous. LA's is small, but pleasant. Sacramento's okay. The cars can be old, but well maintained. We prefer to put the emphasis on all the wonderful scenery. The journey is the destination.

Most scenic round trips: The California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco [Emeryville]), The Southwest Chief (Chicago to LA), The Coast Starlight (LA to Seattle). A great round trip: Southwest Chief to LA, Coast Starlight to Sacramento, California Zephyr back to Chicago. It's three trains, but the timing is good with an enjoyable place to wait in between.

If you go to www.amtrak.com, you can take a virtual tour of the various cars and rooms.

[John Thomas8]

Back in the mid-80s I was stationed in Germany. We had a "platoon car", an old beat up Mercedes for banging around town (Aschaffenburg) but not really useful for longer trips.

So we'd get 5-10 doods and pick a place to take a long weekend to visit. The trains (pre-highspeed) were clean and ON TIME. We got to see more of the country, and then added to that by going on volksmarches when we arrived.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksmarching

Every weekend we could do it, we'd go. We were privileged to meet many people from all over Europe, found great foods and beers and never had to worry about getting lost or drunk driving because the rail system in Germany back then was a clockwork entity that made things easier.

I miss that.

[Patagoniagirl]

Back in the mid-80s I was stationed in Germany. We had a "platoon car", an old beat up Mercedes for banging around town (Aschaffenburg) but not really useful for longer trips.

So we'd get 5-10 doods and pick a place to take a long weekend to visit. The trains (pre-highspeed) were clean and ON TIME. We got to see more of the country, and then added to that by going on volksmarches when we arrived.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksmarching

Every weekend we could do it, we'd go. We were privileged to meet many people from all over Europe, found great foods and beers and never had to worry about getting lost or drunk driving because the rail system in Germany back then was a clockwork entity that made things easier.

I miss that.

❤❤❤

[jez]

Back in the mid-80s I was stationed in Germany. We had a "platoon car", an old beat up Mercedes for banging around town (Aschaffenburg) but not really useful for longer trips.

So we'd get 5-10 doods and pick a place to take a long weekend to visit. The trains (pre-highspeed) were clean and ON TIME. We got to see more of the country, and then added to that by going on volksmarches when we arrived.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksmarching

Every weekend we could do it, we'd go. We were privileged to meet many people from all over Europe, found great foods and beers and never had to worry about getting lost or drunk driving because the rail system in Germany back then was a clockwork entity that made things easier.

I miss that.

Oh, that brings back the memories. We, too also, were in Germany in the 80s, but early 80. Dad was stationed at a radar site between Grafenwoehr and Vilseck. I remember one trip from Graf to Nuremburg for the Christmas Market (school trip even) in particular. We had a bunch of fun. Sadly, I was a bit underage to go do the drinking thing and banging around, though I did get to taste a bit of beer at Oktoberfest in Munich. My Dad and I took a trip, just the two of us, to Salzburg via train. That is when I fell in love with mountains.

I think my Dad might still have the medals we got from all the Volksmarches we did. Loved those when I was young and had energy.

I miss those days. Hopefully train travel for pleasure will become more of a thing here in the US. Just being able to sit and watch the scenery would be fab considering I hate flying.

[Volkonski]

After all the interesting posts about Colorado scenic railroads we have booked a trip on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad the day after Christmas which we will be spending with our SIL's parents in Colorado.

https://www.royalgorgeroute.com/

We have a 2 hour trip beginning at 12:20 pm and will eat lunch on the train.

[Kendra]

After all the interesting posts about Colorado scenic railroads we have booked a trip on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad the day after Christmas which we will be spending with our SIL's parents in Colorado.

https://www.royalgorgeroute.com/

We have a 2 hour trip beginning at 12:20 pm and will eat lunch on the train.

I did that one too. Loved it.

[Quinno]

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[Tiredretiredlawyer]

My dream is West Express, based on romantic story

Welcome aboard, Quinno!

[Frater I*I]

My dream is West Express, based on romantic story

Welcome aboard, Quinno!

I have to think about doing a train trip with Third Grandma sometime in the future...

But then again I gotta look at their smoking policy

[AndyinPA]

But then again I gotta look at their smoking policy.

If it's Amtrak, you can't smoke on the train, but there are designated smoking stops every few hours and they let you know ahead when they are coming up. If you don't smoke, all the cars are smoke-free.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

My dream is West Express, based on romantic story

Welcome aboard, Quinno!

I have to think about doing a train trip with Third Grandma sometime in the future...

But then again I gotta look at their smoking policy

Depends upon what you are smoking.....

[AndyinPA]

Off the train, at the next stop, if it's the really good stuff!

We've heard the warning announcements, and we've seen them put people off. Even if you're in a state where it's legal, you are on federal property on the train, so still a big no-no.

[notorial dissent]

After all the interesting posts about Colorado scenic railroads we have booked a trip on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad the day after Christmas which we will be spending with our SIL's parents in Colorado.

https://www.royalgorgeroute.com/

We have a 2 hour trip beginning at 12:20 pm and will eat lunch on the train.

I can't speak to either the food or what the train will be like, but the scenery will be incredible. I don't think there is anything like it anywhere else in the US.

[Maybenaut]

I’m thinking about a trip to Los Angeles in January. The omicron variant has me a bit spooked, so I’m thinking about taking the train. It will likely be much less crowded then an airplane, but it takes three days to get from here to there. I could get a roomette so I wouldn’t have to be masked up the whole time, I’ll be in contact with fewer people, and it would be more comfortable. Yes, I think that is what I am going to do.

[AndyinPA]

Lovely trip! We felt very comfortable traveling by train across the country in June. You won't need the mask on in the roomette. As of now, the dining cars are open again (not sure about the Capitol Limited), and it's fun to meet people that way, but maybe not so fun with covid. You can be served your meals in your room if you prefer.




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[TimJanson]

I enjoy traveling by train as well. Unfortunately, in the United States, people prefer airplanes or cars, but I am hopeful that this will soon change. When I was traveling in Germany, I was absolutely amazed at how much and how frequently people travel by train. And they rarely use cars. They just check up any trip they want on https://www.dbauskunft.com/de/ and can travel anywhere. It's very comfortable. Maybe people in our country will realize that this is a very practical way of travel.

[Foggy]

Welcome to our raucous little playpen, TimJanson.

[Patagoniagirl]

I enjoy traveling by train as well. Unfortunately, in the United States, people prefer airplanes or cars, but I am hopeful that this will soon change.

Train travel enthusiast here too, Tim. Welcome aboard!

[AndyinPA]

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Bien venido TimJanson!!!!