Amtrak! good or bad?

Question

Amtrak! good or bad?

Answer 1

Yes, Amtrak is the only option for most intercity travel but for the most part they do a pretty good job, considering their low level of funding.  If you're considering train travel I would highly recommend it.

Answer 2

Amtrak is very reliable and affordable I rely on you.

Answer 3

good , going from o side to la they got a booze cart,

Answer 4

I think a distinction needs to be made.

Amtrak operates three general types of services:

Northeast Corridor Service (NEC)

General Corridor Service

Long Distance Service

The Northeast Corridor is Amtrak's primary route, and where it shines.  The corridor begins in Boston at Boston's South Station, runs through RI, CT, New York City, and down through to Washington DC.  I'd also now consider the "Keystone Corridor" from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to be part of the NEC.  The NEC is fully electrified and (almost completely) owned by Amtrak.  It is the most modern passenger route in all of North America.  Almost everywhere has 3 or 4 tracks across.  Trains reach a maximum of 125 MPH on regular services and 150 MPH with Acela service.  Delays are minimal, travel is highly reliable, and my personal experience is that its the best way to get around between Boston and DC.  Sure, it doesn't put a candle to European high speed rail, but in this country, I'll take what I can get.

Other corridors, on the other hand, are not electrified and the tracks are not owned by Amtrak (there are one or two exceptions to Amtrak ownership systemwide, but by and far they aren't).  They are powered by diesel locomotives, and most don't have speeds over 70-80 MPH, but the rare areas offer areas of service up to 110 MPH (the maximum speed of Amtrak's P42DC diesel locomotives).  Service is almost always on time or fairly close to it, and service is generally reliable.

Long distance trains, on the other hand, are notoriously prone for delays and are less than reliable.  I've arrived as much as eight hours late on an entire long distance route, with an average of 3-4 hours.  However, they offer some of the best views one can ever see in this country, and when I have the time, there is no better way to travel the country.  Sleeper service, while expensive, is absolutely fantastic.  There's nothing like going to sleep in one state and waking up in another - and having a full bed to stretch out in!  However, just plan for some delays and you'll be fine.

Overall, I think there is no better way to travel the US than by train, even if its a far cry from rail systems in other countries.  If you are going a long distance and need to be there quickly, fly (however, flying is prone to its own delays - which I can attest to, as I work for an airline).  If you have time, take the train.  However, if your on the NEC, take the train unquestionably!  It's a far better experience and many times competitive with air travel (depending on the city pairs).

Answer 5

For what?? moving freight..

Answer 6

Depends a lot on how far you want to go.  Some of the pluses are:

1) Most of the train depots are in or near the downtown sections of the cities

2) The seats are more comfortable than any airplane seats I've sat in

3) You can look at the scenery

4) You can get up and walk to another car (exercise)

However, there are some minuses:

1) No car rental places at the depots

2) Takes longer to go from point A to point B

3) Layovers

4) Not as many locations to board a train as there are airports to fly into/out of.

Answer 7

good if you don't get motion sickness

Answer 8

Amtrak is good, they have lots of nice quality cars, not the best routes or scheduling but that is because we dont give it enough funding.

Not as good as some other countries that have a better vision for public transportation, we have elected representatives that only see as far as the next election but with the cost of fuel, it may change.

The best we got for now.

Answer 9

Not cheap, but it gets you where you want to go.

Answer 10

It's not like you really have a choice...  If you want to ride the rails, Amtrak is the only way to go for most of the USA.

Answer 11

Good, high quality rides at a reasonable rate and good timing.