Across the USA for $213

That was cool, thanks for posting.   My recent trip to the great northwest paralleled the train, Fort Collins, Colorado to Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois to Chicago, via I 80, though I was going the other direction. No doubt, a great experience that you can not get from a flight.  The Prius, to eventually Glacier National Park, by way of the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone and back to Pittsburgh, PA used $280 in fuel, round trip, and a few tolls. Nothing like the tolls driving in the Northeast corridor to Boston. You gotta add two hotel nights, trip west and at least two hotel nights, back.  800 + Miles a day. Part of the return trip, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan northern peninsula would have been the Great Northern Railroad from East Glacier, MT. I believe the Amtrak, Empire Builder, follows that route to Seattle, Washington.

You get to see a lot of one of the greatest countries in the world either by train or car.   

I've got several thousand miles of Amtrak riding under my belt. I agree that it's a relaxing, sometimes spectacular way to see the country. The older I get, the worse my back condition gets, and that prevents me from sleeping in a coach chair.

Tim, that was informative and interesting. The price certainly is right and it's worth it not to get "body-patted" by TSA as well. Thanks for showing.
Ray.

I notice that he made this trip in December 2011.  I'm assuming that the ticket prices were from that timeframe, also.

 

If so, anyone have an idea what the equivalent September 2015 journey would cost, same class, same trains?  (I'm just assuming that, like most everything else, prices have risen in 4 years.)

 

Just curious.

 

Thx,

KD

Tim,

Thanks for posting!  That was great!  I would like to travel someday.

That will be an awesome trip to take one day. Thanks for sharing. 

You wouldn't believe how much I paid last year for my family of four to go across Canada on VIA.  Of course, it was first class.  

 

 

Kent in SD

One day I'll have to do this. Of course, I'm going to have to splurge for a sleeper. I watched too many of those 1950s travel short reel films where they brag about the rooms/vista domes/meals.

I suggest splurging for the sleeper. Not only can you sleep horizontally it also includes all meals. I will only say because of some rough track that it's the only time a bed tried to throw me out of it while trying to sleep. 

 

The food is actually rather good but limited choices.  At the end of three days you'll have tried just about everything on the menu.  It's kinda odd when you get tired of steak! 

I just priced tickets for the same journey at $366.

I've done it by car, and by plane, time to do it by train...wonder if there are round trip

tickets out of Chicago, how much, and where would you leave your car in Chicago....

thought about doing this for a TCA convention once, but there was the car problem.

Thanks, I enjoyed that travel report very much! My last long distance train trip was on the Empire Builder, and Capitol Ltd. in 2010. Also did the Superliner California Zephyr (Denver to Glenwood springs), Lake Shore (heritage fleet), and Capitol Ltd in pre-superliner days. As the author said dining can be the luck of the draw with unknown seated company. I often try to make friendly generic conversation which works most of the time. Many fellow diners have been very nice.  But I always have "the very uncomfortable apprehension" as I approach the table. Also there is one thing that gets to me which I noticed in the picture of the superliner lounge. Maybe it shouldn't. It's passengers putting their feet (shoes) up on the wall, table or chair back like they are in their dorm room or dumpy bar....the "wild west" train ride. Airline travel also has its share if there is enough space....or not.

Thanks, Dennis!!  Still a pretty good deal, I'd say, as long as you can tolerate the no-frills accommodations.

 

I'm afraid that as a septuagenarian I'd be obliged to pony up for a sleeper, though.  My chiropractor would probably agree, too!  I did the 'lazy boy'-type rail travel back in the middle of the last century.  But, then, when I go 'camping' anymore, it's in a cushy Class A.

 

The OP's link reminds me of one of my favorite childhood books..."The Wonderful Train Ride", a Rand McNally Elf Book. (Still have it....with all the other childhood books!!) Two young kids, Bill and Kay, traveled from a visit with their aunt in New York City back home to their parents in LA.....unescorted!!!(NOT in THIS day and age anymore!!!).  Although the train names were not mentioned, the artwork clearly defined the NY city-Chicago being on the New York Central 20th Century, pulled by a gorgeous Dreyfuss Hudson.  The Chicago-to-LA leg was on the equally gorgeous Santa Fe Super Chief, pulled by the warbonnet diesel.

 

Say what you will, those WERE different days with rail travel having a romance of its own.

 

It would be fun to do again, though....

 

KD

It would be really cool is Amtrak entered some agreement with the carriers of old whereby they could run the classic liveries on these classic routes, IE Warbonnet paint on the Chicago to LA. Would really add to the experience, I think.

OR...they could run it through with steam, and REALLY get my attention.

Take sometime and travel, and don't wait for tomorrow. Many cases tomorrow never comes. We live in a country that affords us very good transportation, all with a degree of safety that we take for granted.

WOW!! Corn and wheat fields for ever and then those beautiful mountains.  As I mentioned before probably the greatest country in the world.    

One night in coach is fine. After that you have to get out and sightsee or spring for sleeper accommodations.

Modern sleepers are ok, but they cannot compare to Pullmans.  Be prepared to have difficulty in bathrooms, which are smaller than Airbus bathrooms and have unregulated water pressure - difficult to wash your hands or brush teeth.  Still, much more pleasant than non- rev airline travel.

 

Older Pullmans had wider and more comfortable seats - new sleepers are redesigned so that you have to face your companion - sitting together is tight, even for skinny folk.

 

My next time will be a compartment.