I'm scared to death of taking a Amtrak for vacation.?

Question

My fiancee and I will be going from Illinois to Oregon. Im scared to death! Ive never been on a plane or a train before. I keep on thinking, "what happens if terroists blow it up", or "What happens if it derails". How likely are any of these things to happen? Is derailment common? I mean Ive heard that it could happen because Train travel is hurting for money and they cant afford to keep up maintenence of there tracks. Also ar there alot of trains traveling long distances every day?

Answer 1

you have a better chance of getting in a automobile accident, the chances are very slim! it happens yes but not that often, more people get struck by lightning! No matter how you travel it is Gods will when you go!

Answer 2

there are probably more car accidents in your area in one day, than number of train accidentsin the entire US in one year

Answer 3

Trains are great, it's as dangerous as any other form of transportation, sure there are risks but the chance of anything happening is nominal.

Relax and enjoy the ride.

Answer 4

Indeed, trains, and Amtrak, are a very safe and reliable form of transportation (and being that Amtrak operates is intercity trains on Class I rail lines, it means you are riding over the best maintained railroad tracks in the country), and I certainly wouldn't worry over taking one (as others have said it is just as, or nearly as, safe as flying not to mention that if you are in accident your chances of survival are far far better in train derailment than plane crash).  To answer your last question, no, there are not that many intercity trains in use today, just what Amtrak hosts (in terms of overall main line miles in the country).

Answer 5

take a sleeping pill find a comfy seat snuggle up and quit worrying

Answer 6

It's much more dangerous to drive than to take a train or a plane. The risk of being in an accident in your own car is a lot higher than in a train or plane.

Answer 7

If you are afraid to fly, and of de-railing, you won't have any other options other than by bus or driving yourself.  Millions of people have flown by plane, ridden by train or otherwise without any incident.  

You can see your doctor before this trip and explain that you're anxious about your trip and perhaps he/she can prescribe something that will take the edge off so that you can enjoy your vacation.  If people worry all the time about "what ifs," then they would never go anywhere.

Answer 8

Quit living in fear! The terrorists love people like you, it means they win.

Trains almost never derail, and more people die every year in auto accidents than ALL total aircraft related deaths since man started to fly. And that includes air combat losses.  

Flying and rail travel are the safest, most secure and fastest ways to get around.

Do you get scared while driving, too? How do you even leave your house? What if a psycho is hiding in your hedges, waiting for you? What if a speeding car hits you while you are crossing the street? What if a heavy branch falls off a tree and hits you as you walk under it? Your chances of those happening to you are much greater than a train derailment or terrorist attack. I would venture to say the chances of all THREE happening to you in the same day are better than your fears coming true.