As for me, it has been about 12 yrs. It was just for about 30 miles but I still rode Amtrak! [:D]
Where’s the “never” button?
Right next to the ’ any key’.
-Stu
I fixed it.
In the past I have ridden once every 2 years or so on average. Not a whole lot. But 3 weeks ago I rode the Pacific Surfliner up to LA and I will likely ride it more often as the PS service is much better then most other routes I have taken.
Amtrak lost me on merit! Their service up here [B)][censored][banghead][
][X-)]and, it is getting worse! CSX[}:)] has a hand in this, but the trains are often late,dirty, ill-provisioned, and have Amfleet cars that are very overdue for an overhaul, if not replacement![xx(]
Never, bit because of my loacation i dindnt vote. Although i have traveled on Countrylink, our version of amtrak
I’ve never been on a train south of the border…Someday I do plan to ride the Empire Builder, but that’s not going to be for a looong time…
Yeah i wouldnt mind going on the Empire Builder
I voted “6 to 12 months” because I was a weekly commuter between Philadelphia and Jacksonville FL for most of 2004 and 2005.
I would take the Silver Meteor (or Star if more convenient) down on a Monday, then return North on Friday evening.
Overnighting in both directions was a comfortable (viewliner compartment or bedroom), civilized and convenient way to travel.
“Comfortable” with drinks in the cafe’ car, dinner and breakfast in the diner. I would always sleep like a baby – there is definitely a lot to be said for that rocking motion – which is actually better in the small compartment, because your bed is lengthwise to the car.
“Civilized” because nobody ever wanted to pat me down, search my briefcase or step over me to get to the aisle.
“Convenient” with 30th Street station in Center City and Jacksonville’s station a 50% closer cab ride to their downtown.
I Always travel Amtrak every Year about 5 Times From Latrobe to Philly,Pa then to Atlantic City, NJ and we go on 1 or 2 Big Trips in the Sleeping Car.
A couple years ago, I rode Amtrak from Reno, Nevada to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and boy was it fun! I have also ridden from Burlington, Iowa to Galesburg, Illinois a few times.
I’m sad to see that a new forum format and there’s still plenty of Amtrak bashers. Yes, it’s not the Orient Express but considering that most people are either apathetic or outright hostile towards Amtrak (which consumes far less of our taxpayer dollars than many government boondoggles) we’re lucky to have ANY intercity passenger trains in America. That’s not to say we should just accept ANY level of service, but people seem to just bag on Amtrak because it’s not the 20th Century Limited. Sorry, those days are gone and aren’t coming back. I am just hoping to keep what we have left.
I rode the Amtrak more than a few times, more times going from Flagstaff to Winslow to see my relatives. I have taken a longer trip from Flagstaff to Los Angelos in 2001, and loved every second of it. I still had to get used to the freights passing by the window when I went to sleep. A couple of times it really startled me
Next year I am hoping to get back on an Amtrak going back to Flagstaff, from Palatka Florida. Taking the long way though, from Palatka, to Altanta, DC, Chicago, then back down via the old 66 rail line. Now that would be awesome!
Sorry for the double post…darn connection
I’ve ridden Amtrak twice in the last year. Last year my wife and I made a Philly to Seattle run on three different trains. I took the opportunity to compare types and levels of service. First the Pennsylvanian from Philly to Pittsburgh was in coach class. Better than airline or bus seats, but it was what made my decision to travel business class if offered. Next was Pittsburgh to Chicago on the Capitol Limited. Since it was overnight, we opted for a Roomette. Not a lot of space, but since it was just the one night it was easy to take.
We stayed and toured Chicago for a couple days (for some reason my wife insisted on getting off the train occasionally. Go figure). From Chicago to Seattle we rode the Empire Builder. Since this was a 46 hour trip we opted for the full Bedroom. This was just after they refurbished the equipment. I couldn’t have asked for a more relaxing, pleasant trip. The on-board staff was GREAT.Since we were in one of the sleeping cars, we were considered First Class and our meals in the Dining Car were included. The food was fantastic, so much so that I gained four pounds on the trip. We were less than a half hour off schedule arriving in Seattle. After touring Seattle and Vancouver BC for a couple days, the low point of the trip was flying home (my wife only had a week vacation). It really emphasized the train being a more civilized method of travel.
In early July this year, we went from Philly to the other Washington (DC). This gave me an opportunity to ride the Acela. We took the Acela down and the Regional Service back. The Regional Service is Amfleet coaches pulled by an AEM7. We had Business Class seats on both trains and I must say, the Acela rode MUCH smoother over the same tracks. Since we traveled down on a Sunday, the train wasn’t crowded and we easily got seats at one of the tables on the Acela. The trip is too short for the higher speed of the Acela to make much difference in the travel time, but the service levels make it easy to see why Amtra
In the last 365 days (from last Thanksgiving to now) I’ve been on Amtrak 9 times, going back and forth between school in Pittsburgh and home. A couple times I got a ride out and Amtrak back, that accounts for the odd number. I love the Amtrak idea but even I’m pushing my limits. Of the 9 times I’ve been on Amtrak 42/43 its never been on time or even close (by close I mean under an hour). Still better than driving, the trip over the curve and the middle division make it bareable.
Amtrak has a captive market and treats people worse than any railroad trying to discontinue service ever did. Crappy service people and even worse service. Want to go to Philadelphia from Chicago? Here are your choices. Take the Capital Limited to DC and eventually they will put you on a connecting train with usually a two hour wait or longer. Take the Lake Shore to New York and do the same thing. Don’t forget to purchase a new ticket for that ride down to Philly. Get off in Pittsburgh at 4AM and wait for the Pennsylvanian with a four hour layover. Total time on any route almost 24 hours. Or you can jump on Southworst and take the train from the airport into downtown and be there in three hours for half the cost of a coach seat. Those of you riding the west coast trains have no idea how bad the service is east of Chicago and don’t even try to tell me that Philadelphia is a hick town on a secondary route. You can only get there if you are willing to be abused and used. I doubt I will ever ride Amtrak again. I’d rather put up with the chance of Arabs on planes then the known agony Amtrak inflicts.
Wow ndbprr, you need to learn to use the Amtrak website. Philly to Chicago:
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Cardinal, leaving Philly 10:15 AM arriving Chicago 10:40 AM next morning.
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Regional Service Philly to DC 12:30 to 2:45 PM, layover to 3:55 PM (1 Hour 10 Minutes) and catch the Capitol Limited to Chicago arriving 8:30 the next morning.
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(the way I went last year) Pennsylvanian Philly to Pittsburgh (I wanted to ride thru Horseshoe Curve) 11:45 AM to 7:05 PM, layover in Pitt until 11:45 PM and catch the Capitol Limited to Chicago. Not the way I’d recommend, with the long Pitt layover. There is NOTHING in that station or nearby, especially on a Sunday night.
Like I said 24 hours in the first instance. Check the schedules returning and see what the layover is. I tried to get my wife to Lancaster and the only option was to get off in Pittsburgh at 4am and wait until 8am for the Pennsylvanian. No way is she or I doing that. Last time I rode the Capital I wanted to get off at Hammond. The lazy a** conductor hearded everybody on the train who wasn’t going to Chicago into one coach so he didn’t have to walk. Result - every time the trains stopped everybody in the coach got woke up all night long and climbed over. The restroom door wouldn’t stay shut or locked and the entire crew had an attitude. Like I said three hours on Southworst is better than 24 hours on an Amtrak train looking at slums through eastern cities.