Travelling by train in US

thorsoak

Has anyone ever travelled by train in USA - Amtrak?

We've used the "commuter" routes in & around NY, but are thinking of doing a bit of a tour around - NY, Washington, Philadelphia, WV, possibily Florida too. Don't fancy driving - (wrong side of the road & roads are, frankly, awful! - plus the traffic lights/turning right/left etc) - so we are wondering about using the trains & both being able to watch the scenery.

Has anyone any experience?

neilbond007

thorsoak wrote: »

Has anyone ever travelled by train in USA - Amtrak?

We've used the "commuter" routes in & around NY, but are thinking of doing a bit of a tour around - NY, Washington, Philadelphia, WV, possibily Florida too. Don't fancy driving - (wrong side of the road & roads are, frankly, awful! - plus the traffic lights/turning right/left etc) - so we are wondering about using the trains & both being able to watch the scenery.

Has anyone any experience?

Can't comment on trains but driving in the US is MUCH easier than in the UK.
I've plenty of holiday driving experience (NY, boston, LA (which is the worst city to drive in).
I live in the US now. The drivers are much more patient! Traffic lights strangely enough use the same colours Just you can turn right on red (unless you are told you can't).

Take the dip. You won't regret it!

Pssst

Ive done the NYC> Boston train route on the Acela express. Great journey and lots of nice scenery too once your out in the country.

Longer routes across time zones should be fine if you have plenty of time on your hands.
Theres a network map on the Amtrak website. As you can see ,the network isnt that extensive since car is king in US but you could work something out.

thorsoak

neilbond007 wrote: »

Traffic lights strangely enough use the same colours Just you can turn right on red (unless you are told you can't).

That's the bit that freaks me out! Plus the HUUUGGE lorries/trucks on the Freeways - experienced that in a thunderstorm on the Boston/Connecticut freeway last year - and have NO wish to repeat it

ferf1223

we took Amtrak a few years ago from Champaign, IL to Chicago...not that far of a journey, but our experience was that the quality of the service compared to the UK was far superior and prices were dirt cheap.

Agree with all of Pssst's comments and since almost no one in America travels by train for leisure purposes, routes and schedules are very limited...so you may have limited options to travel from place to place and it may take quite a long time to get from place to place.

I find it amusing when people find driving in the US scary - I grew up there, sure...but driving in the UK is (in general) far, far more terrifying. In the US, once you get out of the city, it's an absolute breeze. I can understand not wanting to take the chance of ruining a holiday by planning to drive and then being scared doing so, but I wouldn't take one experience in one city as an indication of what all US driving is like.

thorsoak

The potholes in the road from NY through to CT were horrendous!! Far worse than those encountered on M-25!

I'm used to motorway driving, also country lane driving, and although the speed restrictons are lower in the US (60 seems to be top speed) thre doesn't seem to be much consideration given to other road users - and trucks and lorries can be in any which lane they choose - and they are only subject to the same speed restrictions as all other traffic.

As I'd be the only driver, think we will go by train ....am looking at their rail passes which allow travel on all their lines with 8 stops/starts in 15 days for around £250. Will have to check it through.

gedebage

Apart from the Acela trains area lot slower than the UK. They tend to run late as well. Having said that if you are not in a hurry they are a pleasant way to travel.
The staff are friendly and attentive and you will always strike up a conversation with a fellow passenger.

Pssst

Driving in the US is a piece of gateaux.

Just remember to bring a decent sat nav such as Tomtom with USA maps.

As someone said,the highways around big cities such as LA are like a busy day on our motorways except they are maybe six lanes wide and they pass either side.

Once out of the cities,its like a Sunday drive in the UK.
you can cover a lot of miles in the US with ease.
Roads can be a little worn in places but that happens here also.
Drivers are more considerate,dont tend to speed,arent fighting to overtake and its just so relaxed.
USA roadtrips..yes..recommended.

gedebage

Ha,ha!! I guess you are right, however I really was thinking of European trains in general. I travel a fair bit by train on the continent and they are usually on time.

To be fair I have not been on a late running train here for awhile.

I travelled across the US by train and being an hour late was the norm. The frequencies there are may'be only 1 or 2 trains a day between major cities, it was fun though.

WolfSong2000

I spent almost 5 solid days on an Amtrak train (going from Atlanta to San Diego...had to go via Chicago and DC becsuse the tracks in the South had been damaged by a hurricane.

All I will say, is if you're doing an overnight trip is GET A SLEEPER CARRRIAGE. Sorry for the caps, but I made the mistake of doing the journey without booking these and it made what was otherwise a lovely trip absolute hell. lol. My back has never been the same.

Aside from that, it was a lovely way to see the sights, and I highly recommend it. Mind you, I don't reckon driving would be that bad, either (don't drive myself so can't really comment)...more dangerous if you're trying to cross the road, as cars still come at you, even when lights say you're safe to walk. lol.

Rosie75

I travelled from Washington to NYC, and then from NYC to Boston using Amtrak a few years ago. It was fine - I was quite surprised as I'd previously been told that trains in the US weren't very good. The seats were comfortable with lots of legroom, and you have the added benefit that - unlike the UK rail network - they don't sell more tickets than there are seats available.