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 Expert
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Location: Never in one place long | My Mom and I are thinking of taking a trip next September from Kansas to California.... we want to get off a few places in between (Albequerque and The Grand Canyon) and then ride the train from Southern Cali to Northern Cali (getting of at different spots... heard the ride is beautiful!! I'm just wondering on the logistics of it....
If anyones ever made an across the country trip via train please let me know your thoughts! Is it better to drive, fly or train money wise, sight seeing opportunities etc??? Time isn't a huge issue in this case. probably a 10day trip.
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | I think it sounds fantastic. It's Americana. I've always wanted to take a train trip across the Canadian Rockies. Ever since I was a kid I loved trains. What you are planning is on my bucket list. |
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Veteran
Posts: 150
Location: Okla |  I took am track once from Ardmore Ok to Calif, stopped off there then on up to Wa state,,,what a trip, beautiful scenery, but the food was very expensive, When we got to south Texas (it went to Waco then across), our box car got 'dumped' literally in some hick town some time during late night hours, we all woke up to find ourselves stranded for over 5 hours until the next train came and hooked us up--scary--sad part we also saw lots of poor animals that had gotten hit on the tracks including a dairy herd they just left there and did not dispose of the poor animals...its a super slow ride, I swore my horse could have made it alot faster...It was an experience tho, but do not ever intend on doing it again...Hope I dont scare you off-oh yea, there are alot of changing to other trains along the way too, and like airports, time is limited, so you have to about run to find your next connecting train....Will keep good thoughts for you if you decide to travel this way.... sorry to be so negaitive about it.. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
Location: East Texas | Like the idea. So I am waiting on the replies as well. I thought about taking the train north to watch a baseball during the summer. Getting the family bedroom and going overnight. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | old timey barrel rac - 2013-11-20 1:59 PM
I took am track once from Ardmore Ok to Calif, stopped off there then on up to Wa state,,,what a trip, beautiful scenery, but the food was very expensive, When we got to south Texas (it went to Waco then across ), our box car got 'dumped' literally in some hick town some time during late night hours, we all woke up to find ourselves stranded for over 5 hours until the next train came and hooked us up--scary--sad part we also saw lots of poor animals that had gotten hit on the tracks including a dairy herd they just left there and did not dispose of the poor animals...its a super slow ride, I swore my horse could have made it alot faster...It was an experience tho, but do not ever intend on doing it again...Hope I dont scare you off-oh yea, there are alot of changing to other trains along the way too, and like airports, time is limited, so you have to about run to find your next connecting train....Will keep good thoughts for you if you decide to travel this way.... sorry to be so negaitive about it..
I'm interested in hearing the good and the bad!! Thanks for letting me know! I think it's one of those things I'd like to do at least once but probably not several times! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1515
Location: Illinois | I took it from Illinois to Colorado last summer. It was mostly during the night, so there wasn't much scenery except for in Colorado. On the way out we experienced a 4 hour delay due to weather. Once the track temps reach a certain high the train must slow considerably and we were moving around 30-40 miles an hour depending on the spot. The trip back only was about 20 minutes late. The food service is nice, the dining room a bit expensive & reservations can be difficult to get if you board later in the day. There is a snack car though with frozen pizzas and such they will heat for you. I suggest bringing a pillow & blanket if you will be sleeping on the train. The pillows they give are worthless. And if you have plans after you get off at your destination they do suggest making them an hour later to give leeway room for the train to be late, as they tell you it is rarely on time. But if you don't mind being in no rush and just relaxing through the ride, it is a very good experience. It was a great way to see the Colorado Rockies from a new perspective as I have taken almost every driving road through them already. |
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Veteran
Posts: 234
| We use to travel by train from CA to TX when I was a child (57 now) it was wonderful. Have done the train up and down the coast of CA and it is a beautiful trip. Never got off. I would think of renting a car at the layover sight seeing stops esp if time is not a factor. Sounds wonderful to me and the trip over the Canadian rockies is on my bucket list |
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  Dog Piling Expert
Posts: 5868
Location: Elkview, WV | I've taken the train from WV to Chicago twice. It's an overnight trip so I mostly sleep. The food is VERY expensive as someone mentioned. I pack a lot of snacks. My husband talked about doing the trip they offer where you ride around the country and can get off and back on wherever. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | So those of you that have taken long trips... what do you do with all your luggage when you get off to visit places? Do you find a hotel? are ther lockers to put your stuff in??? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| I used to ride the train all the time! It was only for short trips (KC to Galesburg, IL) but here's what I can tell you.
There is way more space than any car or plane, so you can stretch out/lay down and not have to worry about being in other people's way. It's nice being able to read/watch the scenery/sleep without having to drive. It IS expensive though, but you can pretty much pack whatever you want, so just bring snacks!
Plan your day trips so that you can get off and take a shower at least every other day....trust me. I sat next to a girl from England who was riding the train all the way across the US. She was an awesome person to talk with, but she had only been on the train for a couple days and I could definitely smell the B.O. You will meet some wonderful people though! |
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | I have never done a real long train trip but when I was in chiropractic school in Kansas City we would take Am Track to St. Louis for weekend trips. I loved doing it. The seats are big and roomy - we could sprawl out, it wasn't crowded, you can get up and walk around while on the move. We packed snacks in our bags, so never bought any food. The scenery was pretty. The only real downside is that it was actually slower than driving because the train stopped in so many towns.
If you aren't in a hurry I think it is a pretty relaxing way to travel. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| I didn't read the other replies, I've taken the train and it was great fun. Just know you will be late. and by late I mean the Amtrack running thru our town is typically a half a day late or more most of the time.
I wouldn't let that stop you, just know that's "train time." |
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 Expert
Posts: 2159
Location: NW. Florida | I went from NW. Florida over to New Orleans and then up to Colorado. We paid the extra money to get guess it's called a birth. We had our own small shower, potty, and it slept two comfortable. I would do it again. It was a good experience. |
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 Living on the edge of common sense
Posts: 24138
Location: Carpenter, WY | I used to take it from San Diego to mom's house in Santa Barbara and really enjoyed it. The tracks were along the coast most of the way and you could sit in the bar car with the windows up over the top and see everything. The constant motion of the tracks and the noise was very relaxing...well maybe it was the tequila and tonics
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Sideways Riding Expert
Posts: 11371
Location: ND--it snows, it floods, it snows, it floods | If you are going to be traveling for a few days by train get a sleeper. With a sleeper your food is included except for what you might buy snack wise in the club car. When my mom and I went to OR via Amtrak it cost us $750 each round trip for the sleeper so equal to a flight when I was looking. We really enjoyed ourselves and will travel that way agin if we get the chance. One note I booked directly with Amtrak which made it easier for me. |
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 Strong Willed Woman
Posts: 6577
Location: Prosser, WA | That sounds like a lot of fun. I would love to do something like that. When I was a kid we took a train from Washington to Montana to go see my great grandpa. That was one of my most memorable trips. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Thank you for all the replies! This gives me a way better idea what to expect and what to do!! I know it will be a LONG trip but I want to experience it at least once! I have taken a train from KS to MI before but never on and off trip. This will be interesting!! |
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Anyone travel on the Am track train???