Tips about Rail Travel

Long distance train travel is a barely surviving icon of American transportation history.  Air travel virtually made long distance trains obsolete, which is a shame.  By the late 1960s, the major railroads were bent on destroying passenger travel, so they made it so unpalatable that it became unprofitable, opening the door for them to claim it was financially unviable.  The government stepped in and created RAILPAX, which would eventually become AMTRAK.  The National Rail Passenger Corporation is actually doing a very good job, not only in the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor, but on many long distance routes. 

You can help.  Give train travel a chance.  We have an excellent opportunity since we have a long distance route running through Anniston, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.  Take the train next time you travel to New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York or Boston.  Other great routes include Los Angeles to Seattle, San Francisco to Chicago through Denver, Los Angeles to Chicaho, Seattle to Chicago, New York to Miami and Washington to Chicago.  Go to www.amtrak.com to check it out. 

Some tips:

1. AMTRAK is not cheap if you get a sleeping car, but that is the best experience.  It is like a hotel on wheels, with your meals provided as part of the fare.  They give good AAA discounts. 

2. Don’t expect to be on time.  That is a bonus. 

3. You sit with people you don’t know at meals.  That is part of the fun. 

4. The lounge car is a great place to enjoy friends and family or fellow passengers with a big variety of refreshment.  Card games are a great way to pass the time. 

5. Bring your computer or DVD player.  Power in the sleeping cars and at the coach seats means you can be productive or you can wile away the hours with your favorite show or task….

– Bill Murray