What's your opinion on travelling by rail?

Question

I'm planning to travel to DC by Amtrak. I'll be by myself, and the trip is about 14 hours. I'm very excited - this will be my first trip via train - but I'm also nervous. I've heard there can be some pretty sketchy people on trains. What's your opinion? Is it worth it? Any tips or ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

I can tell you from experience there are a lot more "sketchy people" on a bus than you will ever find in a train. (except the head end crew)

It is a nice way to travel, it is not as fast a plane but you see more things. Pack some good snacks, bring a good book if you like to read, plan on relaxing and when you arrive at your destination you will be ready to go and not all jet lagged out.

I hope you enjoy it, if you are a type A personality that cant relax, you will hate it. If you can kick back and relax it is very good.

Answer 2

If you do not value your time or schedule travel by train along with the 1% of people like you.  Count on the 14 hour travel time estimate being off by as much as 3 days (yes there are many horror stories), and likely about 3 or 4 hours will be added to your trip as you wait for a freight train or repair to the neglected tracks. If you have time to kill, you should take the train at least once in your life just for the experience– in a few more years you probably won't have the chance – trains have mostly been replaced by better transportation methods (just as trains displaced stage coaches).  Just be sure to be prepared.  

As far as safety, trains often derail because of neglected track conditions.  The average fright train only goes an average speed of 14mph, and not many complain if coal gets jostled around, so the freight train track owners don’t care much if the tracks aren’t up to passenger comfort and safety standards.  Don’t worry to much about a derailment, the train will likely be going so slow that only a few will be injured or killed if it derails.   Also take a can of pepper spray if you are female  -- there have been several rapes reported on sparcely loaded trains where security is often lax.  

As far as being able to see more – yes you can see much more by train.  Most of the time you will be able to see:

The side of a cut through a hill;

The worst neighborhoods in the world – covered in graffiti and litter (no one wants a RR in their back yard);

A hedge row planted to protect residences from the horrific noise of a train;

Tumbled down stations frequented by bums and derilicts looking for a handout from the few passengers that the train lets on or off. (and the train stops for a minute or two in every little station so you can get a real good look at what is generally the worst part of every little town you go through.  

After a couple hours of looking out the window (if you are lucky enough to get one clean enough to see out of), you will probably realize that the most interesting scenery is inside the train.  The 1% of the population that train travel appeals to are often very colorful and opinionated personalities that will entertain you for hours with tails of their particular version of reality.  

In the winter you will be too cold (or occasionally too hot), and in the summer too hot (or occasionally too cold) – the HVAC on most Amtrak trains is terrible.  Be sure to dress light AND take a coat and sweat pants for an extra layer if needed – your will probably be taking them off and putting them on often – so defiantly opt for the larger seats).

Also plan on taking your own food – the train food is generally way over priced, and of variable quality and selection.   (take your own drinking water – many get sick from drinking water from trains (or aircraft) – or pay the hefty premium for bottled water) – make sure to check the seal!).

150 years ago traveling by rail was MUCH better than using muscle powered transportation, so after their introduction in the US in 1828, and by 1910 trains had acquired a 90% market share of intercity travel in the US because trains offered most people greater value than horse powered modes.    

The introduction of low cost automobiles and later airlines offered far greater market value for most people, so presently less than 1% of travel between cities takes place by rail.   Now airfare usually costs less than train fare (in spite of HUGE subsidies for rail), and air travel takes much less time (the average person in the US values their time at about $15/hour).  

Most people (99 percent of US travelers) do NOT want to travel by train between cities (but 1% still like it and insist that the 99% who do not travel by train be taxed to pay most of the huge cost of intercity train travel).

Answer 3

Its worth it and there are sketchy people everwere. enjoy the ride and stop worrying 99.9% of the people are nice

Answer 4

While Amtrak never receives the proper funding it deserves; indeed, if you enjoy a very relaxing, comfortable, and enjoyable experience while traveling, going by train, intercity (which have almost no sketchy folks on board [they are usually found on commuter trains or subways), you should be perfectly fine), is a great way to go! :o)  Having said that, please make sure to plan your trip accordingly.  Because Amtrak operates its intercity trains over the private freight railroads which tends to delay them, anywhere between 30 minutes to several hours (although the latter is usually rare).

In any event, have a great trip, I'm sure you will enjoy it very much!

Answer 5

My hubby just moved from there and we traveled by train up north all the time.  We always spent a few extra bucks for business class...I highly recommend it for the long ride.  Bigger seats, some tables are available too.  You may even want to consider a sleeper if you can do it.  Amtrak has a tendency to overbook (at least from Penn Station..not sure if you are traveling from north or south) so in some places for a distance we would hear the conductor announcing standing room only.  We loved the trip...always had fun.  We can get lost in a deck of cards though. :)  Observing people can be fun but we never ran into really sketchy people.  Once, we saw a guy get busted for not having a ticket and they escorted him off at the next stop.  A few times we saw people being told that they couldn't be in business class with a standard ticket and a few people make a scene but that's it really.  Tips...pack in bags that you can lift over your head, the storage is above you most of the time, bring some food for munchies, the snacks and meals are pricey.  For your way back, consider leaving from a station other than Union station.  It's a busy place and a lot of people get on there so by getting on from a station or two before (not after) and just hanging for the layover, you'll avoid some headache and get a better seat.  People will be getting off there too so you can suck up a bad seat for 30 mintues and get settled into a better one once the crowd leaves and before the next on gets on. :)  You'll have an outlet so you can hook up a computer or portable DVD.  Bring a good book, some Sudoku or cross word puzzles and enjoy your trip!

Answer 6

Given the choice, if I had the time, I'd always travel by train.

You want to talk about dodgy people on trains - you should have seen the people I met going from Marrakesh to Casablanca :-)

Perhaps the only place I'd consider train travel, but be worried is in Russia. They appear to have lots of kidnappings on Russian trains. Although that reputation may be out of date.

I once rode the Indian Pacific (First Class) in Australia - Sydney to Perth & it was out of this world.

Answer 7

I've been traveling by Amtrak now for over 10 years. I'll never go back to plane travel. The trips take much longer than plane travel, but are quite relaxing and allow you to walk around, play games, watch movies, etc. Everyone I've met on the train has always been very friendly and relaxed. I would not recommend the coach seats however, if you are planning to sleep on the train. I found them comfortable to sit in or read, but not to sleep. I'd spring for a sleeper car if possible. Also, the food on board is only adequate. You may want to consider bringing some snacks along to supplement the over-priced food. Also, be aware that the Amtrak shares the tracks with the freight trains. This means they are frequently behind schedule. As long as your plans are flexible, and you are not in a hurry, you will have a great time!

Answer 8

I'm on the opposite Coast (California), and I ride CalTrain daily as a commuter and ACE monthly as a tourist... I haven't ridden AMTRAK in a few years, but I would consider it SAFE.

The problem with AMTRAK is the delays... The Coast Starlight was SEVEN hours behind schedule !! I hope on the EAST Coast they are closer to schedule.

I write frequently to my State / Federal reps to get this FIXED... but why mess with the highways and airlines is their concern.

Again... safey has never been a concern on MY rail travel.

Answer 9

in the past i had used the rail when i wasnt in any rush to get somewhere. it takes a lot longer the lets say driving. i cant get comfortable in a bus but they are lots faster[about 4 hrs faster] my choice is flying.. there some great rates now and you will be there in a few hours...

   good luck and enjoy d.c.