Maui to DC, the Long Way ‘Round.
I’m going to be attending NARP’s annual April meeting in Washington, DC, and, as usual, I’ll be flying to the West Coast and taking the train from there.
Hawaiian Airlines will get me from here to Seattle, then I’ll take Amtrak up to Vancouver, BC, the following morning. Next comes my eighth time aboard VIA Rail’s marvelous long-distance train, the Canadian—this time from Vancouver to Toronto.
I purchased my Vancouver-Toronto ticket back in November when VIA Rail had a sale. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I began the rest of my ticketing: an Amtrak Cascades train from Seattle across the border to Vancouver, B.C., and the Maple Leaf from Toronto down to New York City on my return into the U.S.
On that subject, it is heartening to note that Congress has just passed something called the pre-clearance bill, which will become law when President Obama signs it. It’s an agreement that will establish U.S. Customs offices on the Canadian side of the border. In theory, that should speed things up when crossing the actual border.
Furthermore, the timing of this new legislation is fortuitous because for some time now there have been serious discussions about extending the route of Amtrak’s train, the Vermonter, another sixty miles or so farther north beyond St. Albans, Vermont, to Montreal.
It really does seem, with respect to passenger rail, that there is some positive movement in this country. People with actual clout (meaning Southern Republican politicians) are pressing to restore service between New Orleans and Orlando; a private company in Florida is going to be providing rail service linking Miami and Orlando; and in Texas, private money is behind a high-speed train to run between Dallas and Houston. And, in California, Governor Jerry Brown says (and I’m paraphrasing), “Screw the NIMBY opponents! California is going to have a high-speed train!”
Whadaya know! Things may be looking up for passenger rail!
Jim…. it’s all in satire, I was just parroting that idiot in congress Mica, who lost his seat, thank goodness. I love Amtrak, I’m as conservative as it comes but think Amtrak and the rest are a good use of public funds. And I I just bought two copies of your latest book for some friends that have expressed interest in train travel. My little roommate on Amtrak is absolutely the best way to travel and we need more trains!
Understood. Appreciate the two sales! That started four editions ago as a lark, and to my amazement it just keeps going.
Your wife’s plane was late? What is it, some Soviet-style airline? Did they lose money serving up awful food? Did the government have to spend a cent to move the flight along? Why can’t the airline build their own runway and ATC system? Were the the passengers comfortable or were they riding on wooden benches on a drafty DC-3, like a D-Day paratrooper? How dare Americans expect a decent travel experience!
OK, now you force me to rise to the defense of Hawaiian Airlines! I will grant you, however, that it is no simple task to explain why a 22-minute flight can be an hour-and-a-quarter late. Reliable sources gave the following explanation: “Stuff Happens”. Actually, Hawaiian has led the nation’s airlines for on-time performance for several years in a row, with something like 91% of their flights running on time.
And I do recall–probably in 1963 or ’64–flying in a Hawaiian Airlines DC-3 at just a few thousand feet along the coast of Maui … a spectacular view through extra large windows Hawaiian had added.
It seems you forgot about the Adirondack. Because there is a train to Montréal from NYC, it only passes through the Hudson Valley and the other side of Lake Champlain…
Of course it would still be a good idea to extend the line, stopping just miles away from a huge market is silly.
The loss of the International is missed in Chicago and Detroit, I’d guess.
You are absolutely correct and–Boy! — am I embarrassed! I had the post half written and had to leave to get my wife at the airport. Her plane was late and it was 10 p.m. by the tim e we got back here. I rushed ito finish it and in my haste, forgot a train I have taken several times and recommend as one of the more scenic Amtrak trips. I am about to sit down and fix it. Mahalo, Bart!
No worries, everyone can forget something, I was convinced you could not have not known this.
A generous and forgiving reader …I love it!
Jim you mentioned you can not get from NY to Montreal. Unless I am missing some recent news you can take the Adirondack from NY Penn Station to Montreal by Amtrak (~11 hours). Wonderful view in upstate New York, Customs at the Canadian border is a pain.
You are right, of course, Reid. A major screw-up, I know better, of course, and have often recommended that train as one of Amtrak’s most scenic. As I noted in response to another comment, my day yesterday was loaded with last minute rushing around, picking up my wife from the airport, flight delayed, etc. and so forth. The post was half done and when I finally got back to the house about 9:45 our time, I slammed it together, had some dinner and crashed. Apologies. I’m going to post a correction immediately.
Jim no worries, getting train to Montreal through St Alban’s would be excellent. Will look forward taking that trip. Enjoy the Sox and Blue Jays games.
I agree re: St. Albans. And I will indeed enjoy the Sox-Jays games. Mid-April is the right time of year for a covered, temperature-controlled ballpark!