Has anyone taken the train cross country

Steve S · #1 07-05-2009, 12:36 AM

My wife and I are thinking about taking a train from Seattle to New York City. We've flown to the eastcoast but never have gone through the country. What are the pros and cons of doing this? Will we be able to get off the train at some places?

Snakeman1066 · #2 07-05-2009, 12:51 AM

It can be a very fun thing to do....but keep this in mind....you will be trapped on a train...with nowhere to go....the cool thing is there is usually an observation car that allows for fantastic views...usually the train doesn't stop long enough to really see anything other than the stations it stops at. But depending on the type of tickets you buy, you can get off someplace you really want to see and catch a later train....

just be sure you can't stand your wife for days on end as it is likely to be a long ride...lol.....one of the kiddos was concieved on a long train ride....lol

UnsungZeros · #3 07-05-2009, 12:58 AM

It's a long, slow ride. It would probably be faster and cheaper to go by car or to fly.

undeadbass · #4 07-05-2009, 01:01 AM

My best friend did a round trip from NYC to Seattle last year. I know for a fact he had a layover in Chicago, so you'll at least get to hang out there a little bit. Other than that, he said the views were fantastic, but didn't really like the cramped in a train for a few days thing. But he's terrified of flying, so it beat screaming across country!

nortonrider · #5 07-05-2009, 01:04 AM

when going through cities, you'll get to see a lot of alley ways, loading docks, backs of buildings (dumpsters, ect).

RWP · #6 07-05-2009, 07:22 AM

I took the train from Washington DC to Florida once. It was a rough ride.

Steve S · #7 07-05-2009, 08:26 AM

Hmmm...this doesn't sound too promising. How long would this trip take? We are thinking about staying in a compartment. Would that improve the experience?

bigtexashonk · #8 07-05-2009, 08:27 AM

Took the 'fam from Dallas to LA once. The trip was a beating - you get very tired of Amtrak pizza, the inefficient ac in the summer, being constantly behind schedule and the smell of the restrooms wafting through the upstairs seating area.

Once we arrived in LA and travelled to San Francisco (Oakland) on a different line, it was a completely different story. Much better and enjoyable.

RWP · #9 07-05-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve S

Hmmm...this doesn't sound too promising. How long would this trip take? We are thinking about staying in a compartment. Would that improve the experience?

We got a little room, what ever you call that. The ride was so rough there was no way to ever sleep and the air conditioning was broken. Amtrak is run by the government and it shows. Sort of like DMV with wheels. However, if you are a train lover and are willing to overlook some discomforts, for me it was a good 'once in a life time' type of thing. Hope you are not a smoker.

MJ5150 · #10 07-05-2009, 09:32 AM

It would definitely be an adventure, but there is no time to stop and get out along the way unless you factor that in on your schedule. You'll for sure get to see America.

-Mike