Who uses Amtrak?

[TheMightyFavog]

I'm not just doing this to be a copycat, I'm actually serious here.

I'm thinking of using Amtrak in the event I score a job interview some distance away, as my car is in no way up to a very long road trip.

[taterguy]

1. I used to use it to go from Greensboro NC to DC

It depends on the route but this one was great. The train left in the morning and got me to DC by the evening, just an hour or so longer than driving but instead of being stressed out in traffic I could read or hang out with other passengers, some of which were very cool.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. I did NYC to Normal, Illinois

From NYC to DC then DC Chicago and Chicago Normal. I was able to get a private bedroom for the DC-Chicago bit that was dirt cheap. When you get sleeping accommodations, you get your meals for free. Food was actually not bad. I loved the ability to watch the world go by.

I have always wanted to go coast to coast on amtrak.

[Wapsie B]

13. I was always wondering about the private bedrooms on trains

and how much they went for. If I was traveling any distance at all, outside the Midwest I'd want one. A cross-country train trip is on my big To-Do list. I'd love going through the rockies on a train.

[Sequoia]

22. I took the Amtrak from Los Angeles to Grand Junciton, CO

and wished I had a sleeping compartment. But it was beautiful through Colorado and wouldn't you know it I'm watching an old b&W movie with Jimmy Stewart called "Night Train" and lo and behold there he was on a flatbed car and it was the same route that I took because I recogonized the river and mountains! Then I took the train through Truckee over the tracks that were laid back in the day and it was great.

[CreekDog]

32. The trip near Truckee along the cliffs and snow tunnels is incredible

I took it during a snowstorm, it was awesome.

Did the trip from Provo, UT to Oakland. Was great except lonely Nevada was mostly at night in the dark.

[malta blue]

3. My stepdad uses it all the time.

In the past six months he has done NY to SF, NY to DC, NY to Chicago. He can afford to fly, has no fear of flying, but prefers and enjoys the train. :shrug:

[MANative]

4. I use it frequently, especially for trips in the Northeast,

like between NYC and Boston or Providence, or to DC or Maryland. Much more relaxing than driving, way less hassle than flying. Reasonable prices. If you're going to big-city stops, the schedules are pretty good.

[Patiod]

19. You said it all

Clients have made the assumption that I'd FLY to DC or NY, and they're out of their minds. I can get there just as quickly (if not faster) on the train because there's no lines and no long waits.

Plus lots and lots of leg room, and if you get up and walk around, no one thinks you might be a terrorist highjacker.

On the downside, they've eliminated commuter discounts in order to free up more seats for those who use it sporadically for business or tourism, so it has become VERY costly to commute via Amtrak

[mainegreen]

5. When I go to Boston I do.

We finally got passenger rail again about three years ago, and who'd a thunk it, but it's been a big success and they've added even more trains to the schedule.

I love the train. When in Holland you use the train and the tram all the time. Much better than stupid cars.

[meegbear]

7. Me too ...

There's a line from NYC to Montreal. I wish they would run it from Boston as well.

[stuntcat]

6. do it, do it

I've used it a lot and never had a problem.

[Catchawave]

8. I love it !

But allow yourself more time than a road trip.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

9. Depends on where you're going...

If you live in Coleman, you've got a road trip just to get to the next station. I think Mosinee is the closest to you.

P.S. Kugel's Rocks!

[TheMightyFavog]

24. I think it's actually Wisconsin Dells

I did hear talk of them running a line between Green bay and Milwaukee, but only for Gold Star package Packer games.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. I used to use it to go from Portland to Seattle, and in 2005, I went

from Minneapolis to Chicago. It took nearly all day, but it was relaxing and scenic, and I ended up right in the middle of downtown.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

11. I used to, all the time

I love LOVE the train. I used to commute to LA from San Diego a couple times a week and I would take the train - I got to know the regulars and I loved just watching the CA coast rock on by.... When I lived on the E.Coast I used the train constantly. I took it from D.C. to NY and back frequently - I loved it. If you can - pay the extra for business class - it is a little nicer and usually you are void of the tourist with kids factor.

Most recently, we took our 2 kids to Disneyland and used the train - It was fun and what's not to like about being able to buy a cocktail and listen to the iPod while venturing up and down the coast?

[auburngrad82]

12. I've done it quite a bit but not recently

I used to go from Atlanta to Charlottesville, VA and back a couple times a year. That way I could sleep (or read or whatever) and leave the driving to someone else.



Liberal bumper stickers

[electron_blue]

14. I did once and loved it. Only drawback was that it only passes through my town

at midnight and 5am.

[Initech]

15. I take it to San Diego every once in a while.

It's a great ride. I can sit back, relax, drink a beer, not have to worry about the traffic...

[SteppingRazor]

16. I've done it a few times, long distance.

The longest was Denver to Portland, and then Portland to Havre, Montana.

I like train travel. You meet interesting people. On some cars, you can smoke in the lounge. There's a sense of comraderie that you don't find in bus travel, and that the speed of airplane travel simply doesn't allow for.

[JitterbugPerfume]

17. I went from Indianapolis to Chicago by Amtrak

a few years ago , and it was the most misserable trip of my life . I will never go by Amtrak again.

[Parche]

18. Amtrak

Amtrak is the best, and we need to keep it going
If they can send $190 billion more to Iraq, they can certainly keep Amtrak


I do sell my share of Amtrak when I can..........

:hi:

[Patiod]

20. The one thing that will save it is the number of lawmakers

On the North East Corrider who use it who would be MAJORLY inconvenienced if they had to fly.

[Gormy Cuss]

21. I rode it to NYC and DC from Boston when I lived there

and would do so again now that flying is such a pain in the neck. If Amtrak ran trains between SF and LA I'd use it here too.

Years ago I traveled the country on Amtrak using a rail pass and it was great because so many of the routes went far off the beaten path through truly gorgeous rural areas.

[tandot]

23. Almost every day to and from work (40 miles and 1 hour one-way)

I have a monthly ticket for $148 (my work pays $18 and deducts the rest as pre-tax).

We still have issues with trains not being on time too often. Part of the problem is that Union Pacific owns the tracks and freight traffic slows down our Amtrak from time to time. Also, you'll have idiots driving around crossing gates to beat the train and getting hit or people walk in front of the train. This usually results in a two-hour delay.

[XemaSab]

25. Arrive the day before...

You don't want to show up 6 hours late. :P

[patsimae]

26. My son takes it home every weekend from college

Lincoln IL which is in central Illinois, to Chicago, about three hours.
Leaves on time but usually comes in late at least a half hour.
I think the aforementioned freight trains are to blame.
He gets a ten ride commuter ticket, which is pretty reasonable.

[pstokely]

27. People who are smart enough to avoid Greyhound if possible

[TK421]

28. I've used it a couple of times going from Philadelphia to Sebring, Florida

no complaints...loved it, actually.

[jberryhill]

29. Once or twice a month

From Wilmington, DE to either NY or DC.

[EstimatedProphet]

30. I would, if it didn't cost as much as a plane.

[hedgehog]

31. My kids use it Buffalo to Syracuse and Albany to Syracuse.

The train coming from Buffalo tends to be late because it gets caught by customs at border at Niagara Falls. Sometimes the trains are on schedule, other times they can be 3 or 4 hours late. Here in Upstate New York they often they get sidetracked to allow freight trains to go past. Weather conditions can be a problem because the drivers will slow down if visibility is bad.

[ThoughtCriminal]

33. Whenever I can

Love it. Mostly because traveling by train is much more social. You meet people, learn about them.

Just one thing. For a lot of long distance trains, do not expect it to arrive anything close to on-time. If I have a business meeting, I plan for an arrival a full day before. Riding on the Sunset Limited, I arrived in L.A. 11 hours behind schedule once.