Train journey across the USA!!

[Paul_Boland]

Hi Folks.

I'm currently planning a holiday to Los Angeles on the west coast of the USA, however I'm considering making it a special holiday in that instead of flying Ireland to L.A., I am considering flying Ireland to New York and then getting on a train and going across the USA. I have done research on this. The train journey would be with Amtrak and it is New York to Chicargo, Chicargo to L.A. The total train journey time is three days so I'd get a sleeper car. The journey passes through some fantastic locations, including Cojan Pass which we've all driven through in MSTS 1 and Rail Works. Have to admit I'm really worked up about doing it.

I was just wondering has anyone does such a trip? If so, what was it like? Any tips, advice, photos !!

[terrycunliffe]

I did a similar trip across Canada last year.

Ottowa to Toronto
Toronto to Jasper (3 days, 2 nights on sleeper)
Jasper to Prince George
Prince George to Prince Rupert.

You need to enjoy travelling! The VIA Rail sleepers although rather tired and cramped, are clean and are as comfortable as you could expect in sunch a confined space. Each compartment has two easy chairs which are stowed away at night to make way for 2 single bunk beds. You've your own loo and sink, but there is only one shower at the end of each car. We spent very little time in the compartment, except for sleeping, spending the majority of time in one of the many observation dome cars... or eating! The restaurant food was superb.
I think it was 4 or 5 time zones that we crossed during the journey.
The scenery was, as you'd expect, breathtaking, however it was split into 3 distinctive bands. The Canadian Shield which was just Lakes and Trees, The Prairies, and the Rockies. We went in Spring, which according to many, is the best time to go....... The snow melt was still fuelling the rivers, and the predators such as bears had only recently come out of hibernation and we saw dozens of them in all, all searching for food.

If your USA trip is only half as good, you'll enjoy it!

The only down side was the tax and tipping policy. All prices in restaurants and bars were minus tax.....
You'd to add VAT, then a seperate local state tax, and to cap it all, tipping was expected at around 15%.

[AlistairW]

Sounds like an amazing trip Paul, I’m excited for you.

My experience of a journey time similar to yours was the Trans-Siberian from Moscow – Irkutsk, it took 3 days and 4 nights. As Terry said you’ve got to have an interest in travelling. Personally I travelled as part of a group so a lot of time was spent playing cards and talking in the evenings. If you're travelling alone make sure you're comfortable with this. Saying this I’m sure people are pretty open on such trains and making friends wouldn’t be a problem, especially being Irish and travelling through America.

There will be planned stops but if the train is late remember that what was a 30 minute break may soon become a 5 minute stop. If you’re on a budget then I’d recommend investing in plenty of food before you board.

Other than that I can promise you that it will go quicker than you expect and you’ll be reminiscing about your time on the train for weeks and months to come!

Let us all know how you get on!
Cheers,
Ali

P/S – At least with the timezones when you wake up and its 10am you can put your watch back to 9am and sleep for another hour guilt free! Or alternatively if you’ve had a few too many and its 1am put your watch back to midnight, a far more respectable time.

[Paul_Boland]

Thanks very much for the replies, much appreciated. From both your descritpions of it, it sounds even more exciting then before! LOL!! Thanks for the info about prices, didn't know that. As for travelling, I don't mind travelling and doing a train run across America is something I've always considered doing so now's my chance. The only real obstacle is the holiday duration, it doubles it because it's four days of travel to fly verses ten days of travel by train!!

Thanks again, it's great to get some insight into the trip .

[AlistairW]

The journey is the destination.

If you haven't already be sure to check out http://www.seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm for tips and other info.

[oldrocker]

The journey is the destination.

If you haven't already be sure to check out http://www.seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm for tips and other info.

You beat me to it Ode Pal !

One of the great sites on the web !

I've been all over the world without leaving me chair !

One day maybe, Wolverhampton to Mumbai by rail ! I haven't checked that one yet I suspect Pakistan might be iffy !

Wolverhampton to Beijing is pretty straightforward tho' !

[Paul_Boland]

Thanks very much for the link to the travel site, much appreciated!!

[philabos]

It might be surprising, but one of the most beautiful parts of your journey will be right at the very beginning. The Lake Shore Limited operates on the former New York Central
route and the trip up the Hudson River Valley fron NY to Albany is stunning. While most people expect scenery in the west, IMHO this is perhaps the nicest part of the journey and the train is scheduled
to enjoy it even at this time of year - assuming it operates on time! Get your fill of it because the next day you will see cornfields for hundreds of miles broken by a pleasant stay in Chicago Union
Station - still in mostly the classic form. Enjoy your trip!

[bavli]

Check out the on time performance for the Lake Shore-just that you are forewarned. My own tuppence-Denver to Frisco is spectacular,particularly Denver to Glenwood Springs and also the Donner Pass. Food on board is very good out west. Enjoy our weak dollar, (we sure aren't)courtesy of our politicians.
I did go thru the Cajon 30 years ago-it is a very nice trip,but no 90MPH running nowadays. There is 150 MPH for short stretches on the NEC near Boston.
New Yorkers and people out west are generally very friendly and helpful.Enjoy.

[Paul_Boland]

Cheers!! Thanks, much appreciated.