I have traveled by train a lot. Certainly not as much as many commuters, but my trips on Amtrak and VIA Rail in Canada have been for long-distance miles and they’ve piled up over the years. I made a rough estimate recently and came up with a figure of at least 300,000 miles. I’m sure…
Let’s start with a simple, indisputable truth: all public transportation is subsidized. That’s true from airlines to bikeways, and everything in between. Amtrak’s troubles began at the time of its creation in the early 1970’s when conservatives in Congress decided that the primary goal for the railroad should be to at least break even. We’ll…
OK, I’ll admit it: while it may be in second place on this list, the Coast Starlight is my personal favorite of all Amtrak long-distance trains. But, since the criteria here is “Most Scenic”, it would be a bit of a stretch to give the Coast Starlight top billing in this specific category, too. …
Riding up to Los Angeles on the train the other day, I sat next to a large man, appearing to be in his 60s, who had to go up to Oakland for business meeting on Monday morning. That took us into the usual conversation about how there’s no pleasure in flying anymore, and he agreed….