Life Anyone ever ridden Amtrak? - Page 4

**Rain Man** · 04-29-2010, 09:57 AM

What's it like? Would you go on a long trip with it? Are the seats like first-class aircraft seats or coach, or something completely different? Is it worth the large extra charge to get the sleeper car? Is it more like the luxury train cars of yore with good food and china and table linens in the dining car, or is it Greyhound on rails?

**007** · 04-29-2010, 11:55 PM

I would rather fly.

Jethopper · 04-30-2010, 12:25 AM

If Amtrak is the little Lebanese boy from down the hall........then no....I haven't

Hog's Gone Fishin · 04-30-2010, 05:36 AM

I had a buddy that liked to jump out in front of trains and make them slam on the brakes.

It never really worked and he's dead now.

**ChiefGator** · 04-30-2010, 05:55 AM

Gotta say, I love the Amtrak. Sure, it's slow but it is nice to see the country without having to drive. I took a train from Albaquerque to Milwaukee and back several years ago. And last year I took the amtrak from Chicago to San Francisco, and then San Francisco to LA. Bring stuff to do, and bring your patience and it is a very chill way to travel. Oh yeah, and you can take the Amtrak to Yosemite from San Fran for like $40 round trip or something. Great deal so you don't have a rental car sitting at your campsite for a week that you are paying for.

Last summer we got sleeper rooms both times. Hadn't really planned to on the last leg, but it was cheap ($100) upgrade. I definitely recommend it. I think total for my girlfriend and I was $820 from Chicago to San Fran. But, that was 52 hours of beautiful scenery and that $820 included all of both of our meals. When you add in the meals, it is really a decent deal to upgrade to. Always bought the cheapest sleeper room where the two of you face each other.

If you are travelling alone, though, probably doesn't make sense.

You also meet some interesting people on the train, especially during dinner when they seat you with other people.

And the observation car and lounge car are cool. The Coast Starlight down the western seaboard even has some wine tasting.

Definitely bring your own booze ( wine in my case ).. it helps.

View Poll Results: You and Amtrak: What's the Story?
Amtrak is great. I'd do a long trip in an Arlo Guthrie hearbeat.	8	12.70%
Amtrak is decent. Beats flying if you have the time.	16	25.40%
Amtrak is sketchy. Short trip maybe, but not a long trip.	14	22.22%
Amtrak is hell on rails. I'd rather hitchhike in drag.	2	3.17%
I've never ridden Amtrak.	21	33.33%
What's Amtrak?	2	3.17%
Voters: 63. You may not vote on this poll

04-29-2010, 09:57 AM
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-572449 VARSITY	Anyone ever ridden Amtrak? What's it like? Would you go on a long trip with it? Are the seats like first-class aircraft seats or coach, or something completely different? Is it worth the large extra charge to get the sleeper car? Is it more like the luxury train cars of yore with good food and china and table linens in the dining car, or is it Greyhound on rails?
Posts: 145,366

04-29-2010, 11:55 PM	#46
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12200126 VARSITY	I would rather fly. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,734

04-30-2010, 12:25 AM	#47
Jethopper A Great Pick Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $9696008	If Amtrak is the little Lebanese boy from down the hall........then no....I haven't
Posts: 1,761

04-30-2010, 05:36 AM	#48
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1499523	I had a buddy that liked to jump out in front of trains and make them slam on the brakes. It never really worked and he's dead now.
Posts: 40,646

04-30-2010, 05:55 AM	#49
ChiefGator Can these boys not play? Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northcentral Florida Casino cash: $6452956	Gotta say, I love the Amtrak. Sure, it's slow but it is nice to see the country without having to drive. I took a train from Albaquerque to Milwaukee and back several years ago. And last year I took the amtrak from Chicago to San Francisco, and then San Francisco to LA. Bring stuff to do, and bring your patience and it is a very chill way to travel. Oh yeah, and you can take the Amtrak to Yosemite from San Fran for like $40 round trip or something. Great deal so you don't have a rental car sitting at your campsite for a week that you are paying for. Last summer we got sleeper rooms both times. Hadn't really planned to on the last leg, but it was cheap ($100) upgrade. I definitely recommend it. I think total for my girlfriend and I was $820 from Chicago to San Fran. But, that was 52 hours of beautiful scenery and that $820 included all of both of our meals. When you add in the meals, it is really a decent deal to upgrade to. Always bought the cheapest sleeper room where the two of you face each other. If you are travelling alone, though, probably doesn't make sense. You also meet some interesting people on the train, especially during dinner when they seat you with other people. And the observation car and lounge car are cool. The Coast Starlight down the western seaboard even has some wine tasting. Definitely bring your own booze ( wine in my case ).. it helps. __________________ - Mark
Posts: 4,705