This scene has played out multiple times over the years. Perhaps it’s a talkative cab driver, often it’s someone sitting next to me on a flight to the mainland. But it starts when they ask me where I’m headed. It happened again on a flight to Oakland a month ago. Just to make conversation, my…
What is it that makes a long-distance train ride such an enjoyable experience? Seeing the country is the big one, of course. It’s simply not possible to appreciate how varied this country is until you have crossed it several times on several different Amtrak routes. I still enjoy the incredible scenic variety this country has…
On one of my first long-distance overnight train rides—I forget where we were going—the on-board service crew included a Chief of On Board Services, an Amtrak employee in white shirt and tie, grey slacks and a navy blue blazer. His job was to supervise all the other on board Amtrak employees and assist passengers with…
Two days ago, I rode your train, the Silver Star, from New York City to Deland, Florida. My sister and her husband live near there and I was overdue for a visit. The two of them ran a small, but very successful construction company on Florida’s Gulf Coast, specializing in high-end homes for people with…