A Story I Can Relate To

[smokepaw]

I was alerted to a recent New York Times article that I instantly had to read. I highly recommend others to take a look, read the report in its entirety and take a reflective look. This is an article that I personally can relate to, and not only because I travel by train at every chance that I get. It speaks of a truth beneath the headlines about

Comments

[keovi]

I've had some of the most interesting experiences riding trains up and down the east coast, and the subway in HK/China. I miss those rides.. it sucks that taking a train along the coast here tends to be much more expensive than driving, and is often delayed severely or cancelled in the winter :(

I once got delayed in DC..for six hours! Which was actually great, because that was six hours I got to explore the city in.

[smokepaw]

On the contrary, I find that train travel when going by coach is often cheaper than driving when going for long distance when you factor in not only fuel, but lodging if the trip required an over-night leg and simple wear and tear on your vehicle. Not to mention you have the advantage of pit stops for food and restroom, as well as the ability to be mobile and to socialize with your fellow travelers, without having to actually stop to do so

[keovi]

Any time I've looked to ride a train up or down the coast, the fare is at least $100 more than gas (we usually stay for free at a friend's house or do the drive in one stretch). :(

I don't mind late trains, as you say, that's just how they are. But last year, a friend couldn't go to FC because his train got cancelled after several hours of delays e_e So summer travel I'm sure is fine, but winter up in OR can be tricky.

[skorzy]

Just out of curiosity, I calculated the fare for a "superliner roomette" round trip from Los Angeles to Seattle, which would make an interesting vacation... Almost $800.. per person. Compare that to the cost of a 2 week drive across the entire US in 2005: a shade more than $500, including gas, lodging, tolls, meals and incidentals (coffee etc.). So.. call it less than $1000 round trip for 2.5x the distance.

Cost for the train drops dramatically if you want to sit in a coach seat for 40+ hours.

Personally, if I want to do a sight seeing tour long distance, I'll always choose driving. Helps that I LOVE driving, and love having the freedom to see something and go "huh..that's cool!" and stop whenever *I* want!

This is why I've never travelled long distance by train, and probably never will. Local hops, like San Jose to LA, then its cost effective, as the inconvenice and fare cost is reasonable.

I'd love to try a long distance train journey, but the cost is just way extreme IMHO.

[wolphin]

I did the trans-Canadian rail trip, from Montreal to Vancouver with a brief side trip to Calgary. Originally I was in coach class, but I upgraded to the cheapest sleeper which was well worth the money. It was a nice trip, excellent food, spectacular views and as the article says, you actually get to meet and talk to the people. It did however, cost more than my round-the-world airfare. :}

[smokepaw]

I completely hear you on VIA RailCanada's The Canadian. I've been on it too, just a little over a year ago and the experience is certainly one for the record books. But in my case it was one leg of many in a cross-continent travel booked entirely by rail. Unfortunately it is no longer offered, but I did all my travels under what was the North American Rail Pass program, where I paid a base fare of $630 for unlimited travel in coach for one month with up to 15 different legs, and then had the option of paying for the upgrade to sleeper (first) class. I did such an upgrade for the trans-Canada portion, probably to the same type you did: upper Pullman bunk. And the best part? The upgrade only cost me a flat $300. :P

Best investment I've made in a very long time and I'd jump at the chance to do it again. HIGHLY recommended!

[wolphin]

I booked it originally from Australia and got a Can-rail pass, but I was leaving from Toronto on the booked pass, so I had to get from Montreal to Toronto and they only seat they had available on the right train was a first class single cabin, which did a lot to blow my budget. (Although it did provide memorable images of watching the suburbs of Toronto pass by from the comfort of your own loo

[iisaw]

I love train travel! I've done the California Zephyr a few times and the Coast Starlight many times. The train from here to Fresno costs about half what gas does and I've done that a couple of times. The only reason I drive at all is that I get to spend more time at home on the weekends that way. If the train schedule was more convenient, I'd never drive.

I've met so many fascinating people on the train... usually in the dining car. Carol and I have discovered "Economy Sleepers" for long trips. One person only pays coach fare and the other gets the room. Not too expensive considering meals for both of us are included.

[smokepaw]

Absolutely. If you are traveling overnight, especially with two people, then upgrade to roomette sleeper class. I did a huge amount of travel by train in 2008, probably to the tune of over 12,000 miles. You, Carrol, myself and anyone else who has had the pleasure knows there is no comparison to traveling by rail in other modes of transportation.

I find excuses to travel by train any time I can. I love the experience and if I were not already entrenched in my profession as a firefighter, my next choice would be a career working as a railroad man. Hmm... I'm considering a trip that one leg is by plane (I have a ticket that is going to expire in May to use,) and the other is by train in April. I wonder if I should consider stopping over for a period in your neck of the woods on the rail half?

[iisaw]

You'd be more than welcome!