Chose a mode of transportation???

[Jane B.]

It looks like it is time to follow LoveBlue to the train. I have been seeing report after report of cancellations by airlines but NOTHING about train problems! Maybe LoveBlue can give us some hints about the most enjoyable way to take advantage of that!

 

[shel90]

What's going on with the airlines? I am reading of so many cancellations. Staff shortage or people getting sick with Covid19 at the same time due to its highly contagious nature?

 

[LoveBlue]

Amtrak is having its issues, too, due to staff shortages. And car shortages due to staff shortages at the maintenance facilities. 7 or 8 cars just went out of service with yesterdays derailment (due to a dump truck being on the tracks which the train hit at 90 mph). Even if the cars can be repaired quickly, they won't be until the NTSB is done with their investigation and most, if not all, legal matters are taken care of. I'm assuming the cars that derailed in Montana last year are still "in storage" for the same reason.

I still think train travel is safe and I still enjoy taking the trains.

Google is your friend for finding info about traveling by train. I do suggest NOT using Amtrak Vacations. They are not affiliated with Amtrak other than being allowed to use Amtrak in its name. Its a travel agency and I've heard bad things about them.

 

[zephren]

I remember many, many years ago finding out about a program where you could travel around the country by train and get on and off anywhere along the way at a fixed price. I really wanted to do that but when I researched it, it was only available to foreign travelers. I still travelled by train when possible but the fares kept going up to ridiculous fees and the stations also kept closing. If I have to drive 90 minutes to get to a station with a train going where I want to go, and from there the train travel would take longer than just driving there (by several hours), it doesn't seem worth the effort.

 

[LoveBlue]

I remember many, many years ago finding out about a program where you could travel around the country by train and get on and off anywhere along the way at a fixed price. I really wanted to do that but when I researched it, it was only available to foreign travelers. I still travelled by train when possible but the fares kept going up to ridiculous fees and the stations also kept closing. If I have to drive 90 minutes to get to a station with a train going where I want to go, and from there the train travel would take longer than just driving there (by several hours), it doesn't seem worth the effort.

They have the rail pass available to anyone.

Amtrak Rail Passes | Amtrak

Take multiple rides with one train ticket using Amtrak Multi-Ride Tickets, California or USA Rail Passes for convenient and flexible hop-on, hop-off train travel.

www.amtrak.com