I’m often asked what makes a really good sleeping car attendant on one of Amtrak’s long-distance trains. I really don’t know what Amtrak’s employee manual says, but here’s what I...

Traveling in coach is fine for a daytime trip. But just imagine spending the night trying to sleep sitting up, and the person assigned to the seat next to you...

Amtrak ordered new Viewliner dining cars months—no, years ago and for some time now, a prototype diner making trial runs has popped up as part of a working consist. In...

I have had countless numbers of delightful encounters with fellow passengers in Amtrak dining cars, many of which I’ve chronicled here. Friday night was no exception as I found myself...

One of the questions about train travel that keeps popping up usually comes from someone who’s planning a long-distance train trip and wants to know if it’s better to use...

I just received an email from an old prep school classmate with a couple of interesting observations about an extended trip he and his wife recently took on Amtrak. They...

I’m usually not attracted to places that are completely dedicated to tourism. That’s why I live in an area of Maui that’s off the beaten path for visitors to our...

I recently received an email from someone asking if I recommend using a travel agent to book rail travel. Good question! My answer was (and is), “That depends.” There’s really...

With ridership numbers that have increased in 19 of the last 20 years, Amtrak has a pressing need for new equipment.  Many of the bi-level Superliner cars still being used...

It’s interesting how often I’ve picked up tips from train travel veterans that make a long-distance train trip a little more comfortable or a little more convenient. For instance …...