Seniors, have you taken the train?

Question

Plans are being made for a 50 year class reunion in Chula Vista, California. We will be traveling from Portland, Oregon. For our forty year reunion we took a pickup and camper, but this year we are talking of going the easy way. Maybe, we'll take the car and stay at hotels, but a train ride would be a new and interesting venture. Have you tried the train, and if so what did you think of it? Then, there is the option of flying and renting a car. We are just planning ahead and thinking of our options. There will be three couples from our area traveling down to California. Thanks in advance for your suggestions and knowledge. Is a 2 day train red fun, or would it be noisy and tiresome?

Answer 1

Canadian - Via Rail.

It was great!

Get your own ''suite'' and enjoy the company of others on board.

Dining car is ok, but don't expect 5 star food.

They do well with what they have to work with. (Something like airplane food.)

But it's the people you meet!

You'll be adding people to your email list after a day or so.

Answer 2

The Coast Starlight from Oregon to Central Calif. is supposed to be one of the most beautiful train rides. And the train itself is supposed to be a fun ride with lots of friendly people eager to make more friends. They get together in the club car and have sing-a-longs and discussions and make you feel at home. There are people who ride the trains regularly just because it is such a social atmosphere and they do get to meet so many new and varied people. I haven't done it but I've always wanted to (and I love train travel anyway--you don't have to think about stuff, don't have to read the maps or deal with the motor overheating or whatever, just relax and enjoy). If you have the time and money (I don't think it's cheap, probably costs less to fly), I'd vote for taking the train--it'll get you into a real warm mood for your reunion and you'll have some beautiful scenery to look at while you travel.

Answer 3

I have traveled by train three or four times in my life. And the most comfortable ride was when I rode

an excursion train like the Vista Dome. An oval glass topped train where you can enjoy the scenery

in plush comfy chairs. Another time, I took the train from Portland, to Las Vegas. and slept in my

seat overnight. That was not a comfortable ride, and I was awake most of the night. I have flown

round trip from Portland, to LA, and it was a comfortable ride. But they no longer serve food in

flight. So you have to eat before you fly, or you have to take your own snack. That flight is about

three hours, with a stop in San Francisco. The train ride to LA, would probably take about two

days to arrive. If I had to make the trip again, I'd fly and be there before I got tired. Then I'd rent a

car and have one waiting upon arrival. Then have a taxi take you to your hotel or motel. I'd hate to

be tired from traveling, and maybe have a function to go to the day of arrival.

Answer 4

The last time I rode a train was in the early 1960s.There hasn't been passenger service around here for decades.There is an old sight-seeing train that makes a four hour trip on weekends in the summer.I don't recommend a 2 day train ride for a trip you could drive in less than a day.I would drive the car and stay in a motel or a bed & breakfast.I do think you would like a short train ride like the one I mentioned.

Answer 5

As a child, many times, mostly from DC to Chicago. I thought it great, we had sleeper cars sometimes, , big bed, upper bunk, and our own bathroom. The dining cars were elegant and one was served the same as in an upscale restaurant.



Rode the train with my three month old son from Dallas to Ottawa KS in 1965, things had greatly changed, had a cot width bed behind a door, the bed had a wider part at the top where the baby slept. Big let down after having the memories of train rides of the 40's/

Answer 6

Many years ago my husband and I went on an Amtrak train ride from Winslow, Az. to Dodge City, Ks. It wasn't bad, but long. We were young then and had a baby. We didn't have a sleeper car, but it didn't bother us for since we were young we could handle it more. I would not do it now. It's noisy and you never know who will be traveling with you. We'd done this twice and the second time we did it was awful. Going back from Kansas to Arizona was long. Our train was late because there was a snow storm. By the time we got to New Mexico it was 13 hours late. The people getting on were drunk and a couple of them were belligerent. Anyway, it was the conductors last train ride just before retiring. He had gotten in a scuffle with a couple of young men and had a heart attack and died. By the time we got to Winslow it took forever for us to get off the train for the FBI were waiting for that train and they arrested the two young men. It was crazy. Never again.

Answer 7

First, I love Portland and the surrounding area. My son and his family live there near Kelly Butte (as well as an old shipmate from Antarctica, and a class mate. Another class mate lives in Salem and plans to move to Portland as well when her husband retires). I've there 4 times so far, and going in February for our anniversary and my son's birthday. I plan to move there in 2 - 4 years when I retire. Took my grand twins for a ride on the Max...the whole route and back. Just for the fun of it.

I've taken a train several times in different countries. Rode from Chicago to D.C., from Naples, Italy to a small village (Torregaveta) by the Mediterranean many times, from Naples to Rome a few times, LOTS of time in Japan (even made a trip on the Bullet Train to Osaka from Tokyo). From Great Lakes Navy training center into Chicago for several months. I'd like to take a LONG train ride some day.

Answer 8

I have taken the train. From west coast to Virginia. The train was so far behind at times that when we got to our last leg they had to put us on a bus and I arrived about 2 am (7hr.s late) and it was dark and the train station had shut down and I was lucky as a Navy guy was there to pick up his wife and they waited with me. He did this because he pointed out guys cruising the lot area to see who would be left alone at the end. He told me it was a dangerous station.

I then came back across and it was not a good experience.

BUT, that said, I think the trains that go up and down the east and west coast are a great experience. It seemed to me cross country is not.



Last Christmas I took my grandson on his first train ride from Mt. Vernon,WA. ( I drove up) and we took the train to Tacoma and had the day for lunch and sightseeing. He loved the experience and it was wonderful.

My local train station is in Kelso,WA. It is not a manned station but the police station is across the street and it is clean and safe appearing.



I would suggest the train for the west coast. When I lived in So.Ca. we took a day and went to San Diego for dinner and it was lovely.



It was nice from So. Ca. to seattle on another trip.



When I saw your question I didn't think I had so many train rides!

Answer 9

Because it is always something I wanted to do I took a trip from Houston to Los angeles. Got a small sleeper. Service was bad, the pot was not cleaned the entire trip. Food OK, help got kind of insolent toward the end of the trip. Even given all that, it was a real success because, he**, it was an adventure. You pull into these towns and you are a TRAVELER. Mark Twain talks of taking a Steamboat somewhere and having maybe 15 cents in his pocket but leaning on the rail as the boat was taking on freight in this small town. Twain said he felt so good, so superior to the shore folk because he was a TRAVELER.

Answer 10

Took Amtrak from Newark, NJ to Chicago, changed for the Southwest Chief, grabbed a Sleeper.

Awesome trip, no mishaps, no complaints, a few delays (especially at night) due to sharing track w/freighters.



Few weeks ago, drove cross-country from NJ - Berkeley, Cal., via I-80; southern route back to NJ. Saw more than we would have via train (not knocking the rails), i.e. SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Pacific Coast, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Four Corners Monument.



Quite an adventure; would do it again.

Answer 11

Only in Europe and my home state. My friend took the Amtrak from NC to Chicago, and then went on out to California. She said it was very uncomfortable, that the seats are folded somehow into beds. I think a train ride would be nice if I did not have to sit with my knees under my chin like on an airplane. Driving is a good way to see more on the way, though, if you are not in a hurry.

Answer 12

When I was about 9, the family took the train to see my aunt. It wasn't that long of a ride, but it was very fun. I wouldn't mind doing it again. I got to see the country side from a different angle that in the car.

Answer 13

Its a loooong ride with a lot of stops. I would rather fly & spend an extra day in the SanDiego area but that is me. Doesn't either JetBlue or Southwest have flights from Portland to SD?.

Answer 14

well i took the train from nc to va and it had no dining car like the old days. it smelled funny and when i would get off the train the conductor did not always place a stool there for me and when i came down from the steps it hurt but i recovered. someone told me he took the train from nc to washington dc and he was miserable. he di not like the constant stops the train made. in the 60's and back the dining car had a full menu and waiters. no more it is like a canteen with sandwiches and some alcohol and soft drinks and they had no perrier when i asked for they said they did not carry it. all in all i saw scenery but i was glad to get off. that is just mu side and there are many sides to a story.

Answer 15

I have taken the train 5 times each roughly a 24 hr trip..the last 2 trips we had a sleeper and that is the only way to go..It is a great way to travel, food is good, porters are helpful, passengers are friendly..we thoroughly enjoyed our trips.

Answer 16

In 1959 my class went on our SR.Class trip from Ohio to NY City by train .it was a fun trip. Then we went by bus to Washington DC,then in a few days back to Ohio by train. Both trips were mostly at night,and not much sleeping done. I would say Go for it ,because if you don't you may always wish you did.

Answer 17

Never for a distance you will be covering.

Probably different in US,but here,it's often cheaper to fly than get the the train.

Answer 18

I had friends, a couple, who traveled frequently for her work. They went everywhere by AmTrak. They swore by it. But they were a particularly sexually active pair of alcoholics. They'd get their own sleeper compartment, get drunk and go at it like a couple of bunnies the whole trip. Only emerging from their bunny hole to eat now and then.

Answer 19

I have taken a train but only for a short distance , I think it would be a beautiful site to see. I say go for it.

Answer 20

I have traveled on Amtrak cross country. I would STRONGLY suggest you purchase "sleeper car" tickets. Sleeping sitting up on a plastic seat is no fun. Otherwise, I found it very interesting to see country I've never seen before.

Answer 21

I love to ride the train!

I have taken the train to New York, and Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh Pa, I love to travel by train~



I love the comfortable seating, and the dinning car, its fun!!! love it!!!!!

Answer 22

I have taken Amtrak fro. NJ to Boston and Washington, DC many times, and have been to Chicago and back twice as well, and it is very relaxing and enjoyable. I would highly recommend it.



Go for it, and pack light.

Answer 23

>>Yes I have taken one to Florida and Alabama several times when I was afraid to fly...Now I got over that and fly to see my family about twice a year.

Answer 24

Yes I have. Daughter and Grandkids are coming Sat on Amtrack.