Having taken my first train trip in ages today, I will definitely take trains over planes and automobiles. it took about 3 1/2 hours from Portland to Seattle, and the trip was relaxing and quite enjoyable. Even the restrooms on trains beat the hell out of those on planes. I'm looking forward to my trip home tomorrow. Seattle, on a sunny day, is beautiful.

Hey, you too !?

I used to love driving cross-country; still do, but got rid of my car. So, for several years, I used the bus or flew.

Well, I hate flying. Nervous as heck every time. Can't handle the idea that my life is dependent upon some schmuck having tightened one or two bolts, or a high-pressure hose clamp to the correct torque. That, and a natural, deep-set fear of falling that just doesn't jive with flying.

ANYWAY... two years ago, I had to go to from Ottawa to Montreal, and somebody suggested I take the train.

It was like a freakin' revelation.

It was a WONDERFUL trip. Not the cheapest; I coulda got a plane ticket that day for less (sometimes seat sales are crazy-cheap) but like I said, I won't fly... and the train ticket was barely more than a bus ticket. Talk about a no-brainer; a bar car, an observation car, a restaurant... NO bus has THAT stuff.

Then I took a train ride (bought by my Dad) from Winnipeg to Calgary, in a sleeper car. Again, not much different cost than a super-cheapo flight (which would have involved horrendous car-commutes anyway) or a bus ticket, but SUPREME comfort, comparatively.

It makes me wonder about trying the super-class cross-country trip... quite expensive, but 1st class accomodation the whole way; a week and a half of site-seeing on the tracks, the mystique and romance of train travel, for a few thousand bucks.

You're right, Slammr; trains rule.

I'd like to take the train. When I checked, the place I go most often would take 3-4 days by train and would have many changes in conveyance. It would actually be part taxi, part train and part bus. There is no train or trains between here and there. By plane, it takes 2 hours and is direct from here to there.

I'm back in Portland after returning home by Amtrak. What a fantastic way to travel. I loved it. It was quiet, smooth, and fast, and I could get up and walk around.

For an extra $16, which included a $3 food coupon, I came back business class. While coach was comfortable, business class was worth the extra. In coach, there are four seats in a row, two on each side of the aisle. In business class there are three seats in a row, two on one side of the aisle and one on the other side. I sat in a single seat without anyone beside me, and I didn't have to wait in line for seat assignment. Free WiFi and an electrical outlet by your seat for your computer if you need it.

I want to do it again. It was the first time since I can remember when that traveling was fun.

A little video I took with my IPad. Watch it to the end for a surprise. It surprised me, at least: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU7NsJkIii0

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU7NsJkIii0)

Very nice video, Slammr...How lovely and green it is there...And I love the rural nature of the landscape..Nice old farms and such...I too hate to fly...and love to drive...The train sounds great...It's a super way to cut down on CO2 in the environment..Much of the rest of the modern world has a wonderful mass transit system...What happened to us?

Thanks Jackie

After watching that it makes me want to take a trip, by train of course.

Thanks, River

butterflyjack (imported) wrote: Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:17 am Very nice video, Slammr...How lovely and green it is there...And I love the rural nature of the landscape..Nice old farms and such...I too hate to fly...and love to drive...The train sounds great...It's a super way to cut down on CO2 in the environment..Much of the rest of the modern world has a wonderful mass transit system...What happened to us?

Thanks Jackie

I was surprised how popular these trains were. They run four trains a day between Eugene, OR and Seattle, WA, and the one I took on Sunday was oversold. They also run one train a day from Seattle down to California. The places one can go by train, without connecting by bus, are limited, however.

My family and I are recently back from two weeks in Japan, where we rode train and subway regularly. They are fast, efficient, and inexpensive. Japan completed its first high-speed rail line in 1964 and has been expanding the system ever since. The original line, between Tokyo and Osaka, is about the same length as the distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the West Coast, or between Boston and Baltimore on the East Coast. The trip takes two and a half hours and trains run every 15 minutes. While reserved seats are available, it's easy to just buy a ticket from the machine at the station and walk on to the platform.

The Japanese are currently building a MUCH faster parallel line between Tokyo and Osaka to cut the travel time to about an hour and a half. Where is American technology???

The Romney's of the world sold it to China.

River

The only problem I have with trains is that they don't go a lot of places. I wish they would. We'd be so much better off (here in the States) with more of them.