This is about two of Amtrak’s long-distance trains, each one offering a fabulous ride through country that ranges from beautiful to stark, from interesting to spectacular. And each with something else in common. The Cardinal (at Charlottesville, VA, Union Station, above) takes a leisurely southern route between Chicago and New York. It is, in…
It takes a while to notice a groundswell. Gay marriage, for example. Just a few years ago, this was an issue no one discussed. Or, if they did, it was in opposition and with apoplexy. Suddenly, 60-some percent of the country says, “No problem.” The same thing could be happening when it comes to…
My dear mother was merciless when it came to demanding the proper use of the English language by her kids. Even after I had grown up, moved to Hawaii, and raised a family, she would castigate me for every grammatical error or incorrect use of a word in my letters home. I’m glad to say,…
I’ve mentioned this old railroad adage here on several occasions. It may seem too pat or an exaggeration, and certainly a lot depends on where the doubling of service occurs and what population centers are involved. But is it true? OK, take Cincinnati, for example. There are almost 2.25 million people in the metropolitan area,…