Train Poll:

[Rita]

I went from Bonifay to Miami once about 10 years ago. It was an hour late to start and several by the time we made it to Miami. The seats leaned back but not quite enough to be comfortable. It was freezing in the car - after an hour (some rule?) the attendant finally allowed us a blanket.

Our destination station in Miami was in a "shady" part of town. Since we were late, the public transportation from the station had already made it's last run. No taxis, no buses, no working phones - we dragged our luggage about 4 blocks. Really an unpleasant end to a long, long ride. I would never do it again unless I had a sleeper car and no particular schedule to meet.

On the good side, the food service car was really nice as was the "solarium." We met many nice travelers from Europe and Australia.

Timeliness is a problem on routes between here and Chicago also. I think this is partly due to the freight trains having priority and since they share the rails Amtrak has to wait. This problem would have to be addressed or people would not be as inclined to use the rail system as often. I'm sure it would be addressed.

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[Beach Runner]

Two times. About 6 months before our wedding, the doctor at Tulane Health Center told me I was pregnant.

Big D and I wanted to tell Mom in person that we'd have to move the wedding to an earlier date. We decided it would be romantic to take the train from NOLA to ATL. It was absolutely gross.

Before we arrived in Atlanta, I found out that I wasn't pregnant. So we just had a nice visit with Mom.

 

[Winnie]

Timeliness is a problem on routes between here and Chicago also. I think this is partly due to the freight trains having priority and since they share the rails Amtrak has to wait. This problem would have to be addressed or people would not be as inclined to use the rail system as often. I'm sure it would be addressed.

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Freight trains were the biggest delay. Once you begin late, you have to pull along side and wait for the scheduled freight lines to go by. I'm fairly certain they schedule the passenger trains to miss the busiest times, but after getting an hour off, the end of the trip was more stops than goes. Particularly the last 4 hours.

 

[Lynnie]

Growing up in GA, every house I've lived in has been within 1/2 to 1 mi. of a train track. We would run out and put a penny on the track then threaten to turn each other in to the authorities for defacing US Tender.

Where I live now in Atlanta is very close to a track and I rarely hear the 'whistle.' But, on those early mornings, wee hours, that I am not in a deep sleep, the trains are moving through SoBuc about every 30 min.

I used to think it came through around 5:30AM only.......I have heard them as early as 2:30AM. Soothing~~~~~and, efficient for moving cargo!

I wonder what it would cost for a private conglomerate to take this on and lease the tracks from CSX, AMTRAK or whomever that entity might be.

It's a great idea for Spain. But, again we have to keep in mind the land mass here. The Eastern Seaboard has much greater coverage than the MidWest and West Coast!

I hope this is something we do bring into the US! I love train travel!

 

[Bob]

there's no choices between 2 and 20

 

[Lynnie]

there's no choices between 2 and 20

You're right. Just create one.

 

[Bob]

You're right. Just create one.

ok, 10!

 

[Lynnie]

ok, 10!

Have you traveled by train in the US ten times?