-
Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Who here has traveled long distances by train before? Is it just like the movies?:P
It comes out of an intense dislike for airplanes, which I already do enuf of.
It's like 25 hours to Chicago, then 8 hours to Pittsburgh, then another 8 to NJ.
Would you do it?
I'm really interested to hear people's experiences! P.S. No I will not be paying the $440 xtra dollars to upgrade one train ride to a "superliner roomette" w a reclining seat.....
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
K, My hubby would die to do what you are describing...he has this INTENSE love of trains, and yes he'd totally do it, and by default, I would go too, out of curiosity.
I've taken longish train rides before, 4 to 5 hours, and it was nice. I'd say do it!
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
I've done 30 hours on a train from Ontario to New Brunswick. It was awesome!!!! You see some great sights and its kind of relaxing.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
When I was in grade school my mom took me and my sister on a non stop train trip from Massachusetts to California. It was FUN and I'll never forget it. I'd do it again. You'll meet interesting people I'm sure. Or you'll get lots of reading, internet, etc done.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
I love riding the train! When I was living in Europe, I took a train ride from Western Germany all the way down through and across Northern Italy. Passing through Switzerland was the best part.
I've never taken the train here in the US (besides the BART), but I would definitely travel by train again. :)
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
I've only been on a train for 8 hours round trip. It was from Sacramento to Monterey. It was lovely. Me and my mom got to see the parts of the beautiful CA coast.
It was alot of fun! I so rec. to people who like trains. Its fun to do because its much better than being stuck in a car for that many hours. Sure its a longer trip than a plane but so pretty.
Quick funny story: We had to stop once because there were actual cows on the train track.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Be jealous. I can ride em every day if i want! hahahaha!!!
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
I took the auto train from florida to i think it was maryland. I thought it was a nice trip, but i prefer flying.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
I love it and would recommend it! Especially the suggestion about upgrading once on board. Its a good chance to see the country, relax, read, etc. If you don't like spending a lot of time alone though, it might get lonely.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Damn again. Now I want to ride a train too. *kicking rocks*
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Guys! Thank you so much! I can't tell you how cool this is, so far everyone has been %100 positive about, that rocks. I was totally leaning towards it anyway, today I finalize the arrangements!!
I'm totally a loner, love to spend hours and days reading, yet a target for weird ppl ALL THE TIME.>:( I'm super excited and will just be xtra confident in my ability to say fuck off or change the scenario, or just cling to the interesting ppl, if the weirdos present themselves and I know they will....
Thanks so much LSM....I was wondering if that was a possibility! I'll def have to hunt him down, other ppl will prob think the same thing....
So excited! I'll come in here and post pics when the time comes!
More stories!!
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Here is a blog about a train ride from my town blog (if anyone's interested lol)
And while I was searching for that link, came across another article about the Albuquerque "Amshack" station lol....guess it looks ugly in there. I don't care, it's just the station, and believe me I've seen URBAN. (not here of course haha) But this was in the article:
It is a fact that last year President Bush "zero funded" Amtrak and the Congress had to step in. Amtrak's current lease for the so-called station is only $1 per year, and it is difficult to convince them that they need to pay more money. The deal is just too sweet. The city apparently tried to talk them into sharing the Greyhound station which is right next to the Alvarado Transportation Center, but negotiations broke down. "It came down to dollars and cents.
Amtrak didn't have the money to pay a lease."
Now that's fucked up!
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
I took it once from Southern Oregon to Chico, Cali and had a pretty good time, although it was at night so it was more boring. I did have a good time though. Be prepared for it to take a lot longer than it says it will though... On my way home from Chico 2-3 hours were added on due to a couple of different delays. Including one only 20 minutes from my house!
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
^ha, true enuf!
Lol that is so funny about cattle on the tracks!
Man, I can't tell you how super excited I was to drive cross country for the first time....and what a huuuuuuge letdown it was! What was I thinking? These are still Jack Keroauc times? I wanted things to be "not on the map" and to run out of water in the desert. Boooo. :( I guess those were the days of old.
From what you guys r saying, this train ride will be the I-40 of my dreams, and that's pretty cool!
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
All of this is in reference to Amtrak & I always travel coach.
I guess I'm the only one raining on your parade, but I wouldn't take a really long trip on a train. I regularly take a train to visit relatives (roundtrip about every 3 months). I take 1 train for about 40 minutes, then I have an hour layover, then I take a connecting train for somewhere between 6-8 hours (usually in the summer the tracks get hot & cause things to move a lot more slowly). I usually find the whole thing a bit frustrating & can't wait to get off. I always travel solo though & tend to get a bit bored. They used to have movies playing in the bar car but now they rent these stupid handheld things for $20 bucks to take back to your seat. I used to like to check out whichever movie seemed okay just to move around. I don't have the inclination to sit in the bar car by myself & get hammered so rarely go there. If you are traveling alone & it's busy you may be forced to sit next to someone incredibly annoying/smelly/(insert adjective here) for many hours. Plus I don't eat in the dinner car because you have to sit w/ a stranger if you are alone. So, yeah that's me the girl who finds being alone on a train for a day very draining. Add to that the fact that there's not any nice scenery on this particular trip.
Upsides. You don't have to worry about your car breaking down, falling asleep at the wheel, etc. The seats are pretty roomy (moreso than the greyhound or airplanes seats I've ridden in).
Amusing tidbit on the last ride I took I witnessed an elderly Amish man return from the bar car (drunk) yell at one of the train employees, then abandon his wife for hours to return to the bar car.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Oh god that's so funny--drunken Amish guy. My dad lives in Amish country, the true deal in upstate NY, and he's always going to their stands, talking to them, he even went to an auction where they were selling mostly farm equipment, he bought a dwarf Amish guy's hat.8) But when I was visiting and buying a rug, the lady was telling me about how her daughter had a horrible and expensive injury so they took the train to Mexico. I know they don't fuck around---I wonder what Amish law thinks of getting drunk on the train, guess his days of Rumspringa are sorely missed!
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Yea, buddy! I'm doin it!!!
So I have a layover from like 10-3 one morning in Chicago....this means I can like, get out and do Chicago things? Anyone have any suggestions?
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
I'd do it.
Trains are good places to do tons of reading and journalling and catching up on life.
Also you can meet crazy/interesting people on trains. I was once proposed to by a crazy man on a train who told me my soul was beautiful, and another time I met this old couple who gave me all kinds of retired-people travelling advice.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
If you are gonna be in Chicago, check out Filenes Basement!!
Personally I'd rather not lose a day and a half sitting on a train. I'd rather take a flight and be in my chosen destination same day. But have fun!!
Oh!! and go to the Lush @ Macy's WaterTower.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
To all my friends I bid adieu.
I hope money has lots of nice ways of finding you.
If my Amtrack should fall off the track, please know that I think all of you have very nice racks.
(Sorry for the dumbass limericks, and I'm not leaving till Wed. but I was thinking of dumb Amtrack shit just now and also I'm in a horrible mood bc I fought with my bf this morning.)
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
^oh now that's HOT! Let's DO that shit ! What a great idea, uh stop giving me ideas, etc., 2008 does not appear to involve any "living at home in my own apt" time really....
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LatinaRose
If you are gonna be in Chicago, check out Filenes Basement!!
Personally I'd rather not lose a day and a half sitting on a train. I'd rather take a flight and be in my chosen destination same day. But have fun!!
Oh!! and go to the Lush @ Macy's WaterTower.
I think there's a Filene's in Manhattan on 14th street Alaska if you liked LR's suggestion and don't have much chicago time.
I wouldn't do the train I just think I would chafe at the thought of how much time I could have "saved" by air. I wish I wasn't like that, maybe I could overcome it though as the train seems like it could be relaxing and a nice way to get some serious kickass reading and such done. And I am thinking of driving around the country again this summer when I get my new convertible, the first time I did it I did it all wrong! This time I'd get it right! I do have an interest in seeing more of this country, although I've seen a fair amount already.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
hehe too late! i depart on the southwest chief wednesday afternoon!:joke:
i have come to pretty much loathe driving long distances. i even tried it 'the right way', and wouldn't you know it, i was still filled with that sense of impatience and horrible body cramping postures that drive you up the wall.
the train will be so chillaxing, like spending a few days mostly in my bedroom, but with nice scenery! no fucking perverts i'll kill a hobo.
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alaska
no fucking perverts i'll kill a hobo
Wow, I'm seriously considering a sig update...
-
Re: Thinking of taking a train from N. Mex to N. Jerz---I'm crazy?
Hey that doesn't sound like such a bad idea as long as you plan out everything beforehand and know what to do in case of anything. I probably couldn't do that on my own, but with a friend would be more fun.