Traveling On Amtrak Is An Experience
By KrauseHome
@KrauseHome (36448)
United States
July 8, 2012 11:02pm CST
Personally if you have never travelled this way it is still something personally I would suggest and recommend to people but make sure you allow yourself some extra time and bring extra money for the unexpected. We are here in IL on vacation from Seattle, Wa. We arrived in Chicago and then rented a car just so I could attend my 30 yr class reunion. Overall, this is something I still highly recommend but be prepared for anything.
We were supposed to get into Chicago at 2 p.m or so on Friday. We got there are 12:30 a.m. It was all due to having a Freight train derailment in Montana that created some havoc. What should have been an only 4 he delay turned out to be almost 9 hrs. I was beginning to think I would never see Chicago and major panicky. But we did reach Chicago. One nice thing was Amtrak did have to put us up in a hotel and they put us up in the Hyatt in Chicago which is a really nice hotel.
We had an awesome time here in Illinois for my class reunion and heading back tomorrow. I have limited internet access until I get home but hoping for less adventure this time. Looking forward to sharing more when we return home.
~~TINA~~
4 people like this
17 responses
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
10 Jul 12
When I was little my Dad worked for Amtrak. We would travel by train all the time because it was free for us. That stopped when he went to work for the government but I still took the train as a teenager. We lived a 45 min. train ride north to NY city or south to Philly. Loved the train.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
30 Jul 12
Yes, this would be Fun if you lived that close to either NYC or Philly. I know that we are wanting to do a trip to Minneapolis maybe next yr. on Amtrak if not sooner. To travel Amtrak even when there is a delay is a Fun experience, and worth doing from time to time.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
31 Jul 12
I miss going on the train as where we are now there are no passenger trains.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
9 Jul 12
I haven't tried Amtrak from East to West (or West to East), but we have tried the one that goes up and down along the I-5. It was when I was still working in my previous company where I had to drive up and down the interstate.
The train ride was surprisingly slow!
But the kids did have a great time.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Interesting... An arcade on it? This must have been yrs. ago before all the Cutbacks and such. I can remember 20+ yrs. ago being able to watch movies, play Bingo, etc. on the train and could win prizes, etc. Maybe on some of the nicer trains they still offer more, as in WIFI etc. but not for the Portland to Chicago, or the Seattle to Chicago run.
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
11 Jul 12
I think traveling by train is something I want to do at least once. The thing is it does not go where I want to go, at least not directly. I am definitely going to consider it, though.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Aug 12
Yes that can be a problem at times is having to find ways to get to your destination when it does not go near there. And if you have to switch trains that can add up as well. But overall it is an interesting adventure and worth doing at least once for sure.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
13 Jul 12
I've never traveled by Amtrak. However, it certainly seems preferable to flying these days.
When I travel, I like to go by car. Then, I can meander, check out things along the way, and follow my own schedule. I've discovered quite a few things by wandering off the beaten path and following my own curiosity.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
14 Aug 12
Yes, to be able to travel by Car many times can be the cheapest way to travel as well, and quite adventuresome as well. I know I need to consider this sometime but need more Free time to be able to do so unless it is somewhere close. We are actually trying to plan another trip in November, but will probably Fly instead. Just would take too long on Amtrak and cost more.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
4 Aug 12
Well, I have shared a little more about my trip since getting back. Just probably have more I could share, but many days not having much time to be here, so I spend a lot of my time trying to catch up and eventually resolve some of my older discussions in here as well.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Jul 12
With any mode of travel, there is the risk that things could go wrong during your travels and what you have experienced is definitely something that no one expected to go through on their trip.
However, I do know that I would really like to have the opportunity to truly travel by train at some point in my life. The thing is that we would actually have to travel to even be able to have that option because there is no AmTrak in Kentucky.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Aug 12
I thought a train did go thru Kentucky? If not, that is a shame, but I know sometimes you have to drive a ways to reach one.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
24 Jul 12
Yes, it was quite an experience. I am sure we would do it again, but you do begin to wonder when everything is not going as planned, and it ends up costing you about $100 more than you originally were planning for almost a day less. It can be quite annoying when things like this happen, but I know God was in control.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
2 Aug 12
It is a great experience even with the problems we had with getting into Chicago so late the first night it was fun. Where else do you get a chance to relax and see some wonderful sites. I did also get to know a couple of people we are hoping to keep in contact with. The only drawback was being uncomfortable when trying to sleep.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
9 Jul 12
I traveled in the USA on Amtrak trains and found them enjoyable, comfortable, amusing and interesting. Twice they got me to my destination five hours late. I found their time keeping very much offbeat. Amtrak offered me a hotel bed or a taxi to anywhere I wanted to go. I chose the taxi and it took me on a 40 dollar journey which Amtrak payed for. They got me into LA at midnight and it felt quite dangerous. I took the bus to Santa Monica. Yes, Amtrak can give quite an adventure.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
25 Jul 12
That is a lot better than what they offered me, and they have told me I need to really get compensated somehow better than I was. Around noon when I was asking Amtrak personal on the phone about I will be loosing my Car rental for the night and the Hotel room I had reserved I was told they would get me to the Town my hotel was in no matter how late it was, and help me make sure I would still have a Car rental, etc. but then later they were reluctant to even give me a voucher for the hotel I did stay in. So I am curious to see what they will say.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Jul 12
I've been on a train just once and really liked it. Is it cheaper than flying or driving? I think if more people were able to take trains it would be much nicer than flying. I hate all the hassle of flying. I guess Amtrak lost money on that trip with the hotel and stuff, too bad. I know it's slower than flying but I just like the idea of riding on a train and being able to move around, go to the dining car, etc.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Jul 12
Well even with the lost money due to the Train being later than scheduled it was a good trip, and personally something I would recommend others trying sometime. It does take longer than flying, and even if it more than Driving would cost you do not have the wear and tear on your Car and still have to worry about sleeping, etc. if it is a long trip. People just need to be willing to take the extra time traveling, and do their homework first with Hotel rooms, etc. which is the cheapest way to go.
@celticeagle (166761)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jul 12
I love to ride the train. When I was young I would go places with my grandmother. I did travel to Walla Walla once on the train too. Glad you reached CHicago and it must have been really nice to stay at the Hyatt. I will look forward to hearing more about your trip when you get back home.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Well, there is really a lot more I can post about things. Trying to take some time while I can and post back to some of the other discussions though that I seem to still be behind on as well.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
9 Jul 12
that sounds just wonderful. i had no idea that trains still carried people. i rode a train way back in the late 60's. i looked into it when i lived in florida and we could not find one except in the big city. and i figured those were hardly ever available any more. it would be a fun vacation i bet. thanks for sharing that adventure with us.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
30 Jul 12
It was a nice experience, and at the time cheaper than I could find a plane fare for. Now you do need to check and see where one goes, and plan if it is a longer trip to sleep in the chair unless you can afford a sleeper car, but you do get a chance to get up and move around if you wish. But it is a Fun experience for sure.
@TremendousMachine (779)
• Canada
9 Jul 12
I really should try using Amtrak. I believe there is a Seattle-Vancouver route. I wonder how much that would cost? I guess I should do a mylot search.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Jul 12
Yes, there is a Seattle Vancouver route. It should not cost that much if you mean Vancouver WA. We have done short trips like that before as well. It is the longer trips when you really get a chance to experience the Fun of it with the views of the countryside etc.
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
9 Jul 12
I'm glad you had a nice experience. I tried it once and never again! A friend and I took a train from Pgh. to New York and it was horrible! The train from New York to Boston wasn't as bad, but we flew home stand by instead of using the return tickets.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
27 Jul 12
Well, if it is cheaper in the long run doing that, than this might be an option. Even with the issues going there, we still would take a Train again from Seattle area to Chicago. Just would explore our options a little more and try out different routes maybe next time as well.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
9 Jul 12
I don't have amtrak here in Montreal, I only traveled on train once and that was when I was very young.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Jul 12
I know there are parts of Canada that Amtrak does go into, as they sell tickets here all the time. Riding on a train is an adventure and I still would recommend those that can at least try it once.
@TeamCholent (2832)
• United States
9 Jul 12
Awesome on the travel. I used to take a train in Europe form country to country. Allowed me to soak in the sights and not have to drive. What made you choose Amtrak and not fly in etc?
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Jul 12
Well, the reason we chose Amtrak over flying is cost... Since we were not staying in Chicago, etc. we could not get a good package deal on everything like if you are flying into and staying in a Big city. Since we had to deal with finding a hotel in the area of the class reunion, plus Car rental it was cheapest doing it this way. But it was overall an interesting experience.
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
9 Jul 12
I remember years ago travelling long distance to visit
my family and my oldest grandson was just a baby and I
took him with me...I really enjoyed the travel..But I
think any time you travel you should always have the
availablity to extra money..
I often think about 911 when so so so many people were
trapped from travelling back home and had run out of money.
It was so say havinng to talk to so many people who was
in a horrible situtation...I was working for an airline
at that time..It was just a learning lesson thats not
easy to forget, always be prepared for the unexpected...
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Jul 12
Well, we were prepared as there were some setbacks and such, and hoping somehow Amtrak will choose to compensate us a little on the setbacks. I have heard they will if I continue to pursue it, so that has been what I have been in the middle of doing the last couple of days. But money was never an issue for us Thank Goodness as we were prepared for the just in case.
