Comments

I agree tom: we have via-rail1 here.. !! its sookewl.. better then flights !! I get a table, poweroutlet and I can work with a lot of leg room ..not to mention the beverages and snacks are much better then just peanuts and coke !!

Posted by /pd at January 14, 2005 11:40 AM

Same here. Recently took Amtrack Cascades for first time from Seattle-Vancouver(Canada)-Seattle. 30 min longer, but with onboard dining cafe, room/comfort to spare, and views to die for along the way I'll be taking it again.

Granted that coming back home we were delayed for an hour because of a mudslide right on the track -- guess it is kinda hard to just take a detour like we'd do in a car ;)

Posted by Russell A. Hatfield Jr. at January 14, 2005 11:56 AM

I've made the NYC to Philadelphia and Washington trip too many times to count. The good thing is that the train always leaves from the same gate (almost anyway) so you can just stand in line there in advance of the announcement (usually 15 min prior) and get down to track and the seat of your choice. I don't usually travel in First, but I always shoot for the table.

Posted by Jonathan Greene at January 14, 2005 12:28 PM

Coming to NY from the UK next month. Then one or two east coast cities before heading to LA. Was looking into flights for the short hops. Now I'm going to let the train take the strain. Must remember to carry a few 20's. Thanks for the idea.

Posted by Matt at January 14, 2005 1:07 PM

by the way, Tom. Next time you're in Europe, if you have the time, take a rail trip. You won't regret it. Switzerland and France look much better at ground level. Just don't take a train in the UK. Especially not a Virgin train. If you've already had the pleasure (?), you're probably as terrified as the rest of us at the prospect of Mr. Branson sending tourists into space.

Posted by Matt at January 14, 2005 1:13 PM

In my coutry (Bulgaria) the longest trip with a train is from Varna on the Black Sea to the capital - Sofia. The cost of the ticket in 1st class is USD 9. Imagine what will happen, if somebody shows 20 bucks to a Redcap - he will carry you on his shoulders for 500km, and (if you'd like to) additional 500km to Belgrad for another USD 10!

Posted by Todor at January 14, 2005 1:26 PM

My son had to travel backwards and forwards from university using Virgin trains. He reckons they're called that because "they don't go all the way"!

Posted by Stuart Jones at January 14, 2005 1:33 PM

Tom,
have you heard about limoliner.com? It's a luxury tour bus for exec travel between NY and Boston with seatside power outlets, unlimited Internet access, clear and constant cell phone reception, an onboard attendant, and worktables for meetings.

I haven't used them yet but it's worth investigating.

Oh yeah, and it's less than $150 round trip :D

Posted by Bronson at January 14, 2005 1:45 PM

Generational, Tom? Perhaps not. I'm 25. I adore taking the train for business/pleasure. Airports tend to drain the humanity from me... trains are inspiring and afford me lots of time to work and take pictures along the way.

Posted by shua at January 14, 2005 1:47 PM

London to Paris is much, much better by Eurostar through the tunnel than flying. Sit down at Waterloo and get off at Gare du Nord. Just much more pleasant than travelling to/from airports, baggage dealing etc. On the French side, you really rocket from Calais to Paris (France also has great railways including their super-fast TGV trains).

Posted by Tim Almond at January 14, 2005 5:25 PM

Bronson, Wow! and Thank you! LimoLiner is a real find at http://www.limoliner.com/tour.html.
The diva in me was a little skeptical when I heard "bus" and thought of the college days of travel via Peter Pan and the less-than-desirable "rest room" facilities. So I went for a tour. What a great surprise--"Fresh flowers in a sparkling clean washroom. LimoLiner's signature touch"--with a photo to confirm the claim. This beats the many shuttles I have flown recently from DC and NY to Boston area where early warnings alerted passengers that the "rest room" facilities would not be in service--I always ask if they will be providing us with catheters...
In a day when air travel from Boston area to NY can take four hours between early check in and landing, this is a great alternative. Plus you don't have to take off most of your clothes, shed your watch and belt, dissemble your briefcase, and, at times, offer yourself up for being wanded and patted down. Thank You!

Posted by Pam Brill at January 15, 2005 10:37 AM

I hope limoliner makes its way down to DC.

Unfortunately, Acela is still more costly than a BC flight but less stressful than the NJ turnpike.

The best train trip in the US is LA to Seattle.

Try it soon - it won't last another four years.

Posted by kilo at January 16, 2005 11:02 PM

I'll have to try it!

Tom, am I earning a reputation as the whiner pointing out bad service? I guess that's ok with me!

Posted by Steve Yastrow at January 17, 2005 12:21 AM