FOR A CHANGE OF PACE, TRAVEL BY TRAIN

Travelling by Railroad Train: A Step Back To A Less Hectic Time


Long before automobiles and airplanes, people used the train to get from one place to another as quickly as possible. Train travel could get you to your destination fairly quickly, and at a fairly decent price. Even as automobile travel came into being, and air travel began to be used by many of us, the train was still a fairly economical way to travel across the state or across the country. As automobiles became more affordable, and still later when air travel prices came down so that more people could fly to their destinations, the railroad train began to lose its popularity as a means of travel. Even though most people now fly to far away places, you can still get to many destinations by train. If you'd like to try a different type of vacation, in a peaceful, leisurely way, perhaps a trip by train is something to consider. Here's information to help you plan that once in a lifetime train trip. Perhaps you'll enjoy it so much you will do it again! Come on along as we explore a mode of travel that most of us no longer use. You'll be glad you did!


Tours By Railroad

Amtrak is the national railroad of the United States, with some smaller, independent railroads serving specialized locations. There are many types of railroad travel packages available from Amtrak as well as the independents. Here's a brief rundown on what you can find for a railroad vacation:

  • City Trips on Amtrak
    If you've always wanted to visit Seattle, the Grand Canyon, Reno, or Chicago, among others, you can arrange to travel by train to these and other destinations. You can also book separate tour packages which include hotel and sightseeing.
  • Independent Rail Tours
    Travel with one of the Grand Canyon Railroad's tour packages to the edge of the Grand Canyon. Package price includes hotel accomodations and sightseeing. Your trip to the tour site is extra, whether you go by train, plane or automobile. Or book a tour on the Heritage Cities by Rail, a 7 day-6 night package that includes historical tours of New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. If you're on the West coast, the Pacific Coast Rail Journey may be something you'd consider. The trip starts out in Seattle, where you explore that city for a day and part of another, before boarding the train to Los Angeles. At your Los Angeles destination, other tours and activities are included in this rail package.
  • Escorted Rail Tours
    Join a group for a pre-planned vacation by rail that includes your hotel accomodations, guided sight-seeing tours, and meals. Tour Alaska, New England, California, Colorado, and more. The American Legend tour (Chicago and St. Louis) even includes a trip up the Mississippi River by steamboat, with stops along the way to visit cities such as Hannibal, Missouri and Dubuque, Iowa, among others.
  • Luxury US Rail Tours
    This package recreates the nostalgia of the Golden Age of Rail, on board the American Orient Express. Tour packages include trips through the Antebellum South, National Parks of the West, or Pacific Coast packages, to name just a few.

If you're on a budget, consider the individual city tours, as they are shorter and more affordable. If money is no object, the longer Escorted or Luxury tours will give you much more to enjoy. Consider it a cruise on land.

Getting From Here to There

We've presented tour ideas in the preceding paragraph, all available from Vacations By Rail. But if you're interested in a train trip from Point A to Point B, Amtrak can still accomodate your needs if you live near enough to one of the cities they serve. There are stations all over the United States, and the Amtrak web page will give you a list of these stations. As mentioned before, Amtrak is the national railroad. They offer many discounts and rate savings, depending on travel plans, advance tickets, and so forth. For example, there are weekly specials on selected routes. At the time this article was written, specials included Chicago to specific destinations such as Grand Rapids, MI ($13.50 one way); St. Louis ($19.50 one way); and to Indianapolis, IN for $10.80 one way. There are special weekend fares between selected cities. Passenger discounts include 50% off fares for children ages 2-15; senior citizen discounts for ages 62 and older; and discounts for veterans, military, AAA members, and others. You can get discounts by purchasing rail passes, usually for travel within a specific amount of time, but can be for multiple destinations if you want to plan your own vacation. For example, if you're wanting to travel between the US and Canada over a period of 30 days, you can get a North America Rail Pass for $709 for off-peak travel, or $999 for peak travel periods. There are special fares for international (non US or Canada) travelers, multi-ticket passes, and more.

More Points To Consider

Traveling by train is like no other mode of transportation. Where else are you allowed to bring your own food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, onboard. You are encouraged to bring along things to entertain yourself while traveling, such as a deck of cards, books, coloring books for the kiddies, personal pc's, dvd and cd players. For dining onboard, most trains offer either a full dining car or lounge, dinette or cafe cars. Coach class passengers pay extra for dining; first class or those with sleeping accomodations have the price of onboard meals included in their ticket prices. Many trains feature a "Quiet Car," a place for people to go who need to work or rest without distractions and noise. No additional charge for this service. For long-distance travel, many trains have extra sleeping accomodations. You will have to pay extra for this service, but there are extras included with the price. Your onboard meals are free, you get special services like a daily newspaper and fresh linen. Book these early for best selection and price. If you or a travelling companion have disabilities, Amtrak can accomodate most of these. Make your reservations by phone or at an Amtrak ticket counter. Disabled passengers are also eligible for fare discounts. And be sure to bring proper identification with you as you travel. You'll need photo ID, and should be prepared to show it when asked by an Amtrak employee. If this is your first trip by train, you'll find more information at Amtrak.com that will help you with your trip. Enjoy the journey!

Resource Index

Audio-Video-and-Cameras:
Plasma TV, LCD TV, MP3 Players, TIVO, Satellite TV, Dgitial Cameras, Digital Camcorders, Bose iPod Speakers, Multimedia Projectors, GPS, Blu-ray Disc

Computer and Accessories:
Choosing a Laptop Computer, Computer Memory Upgrade, Copying a Hard Drive, Dual Monitors, Networking Computers, Microsoft Office, PDA's, Cheap Ink/Toner, Color Laser Printers, Multifunction Printers, Scanners, USB Flash Drives, Wireless Printers, Dell computers, Wireless Routers, Wireless G Routers, Wireless N Routers, Laptop Carrying Cases

Computer and Video Games:
Age of Empires III, Battlefield 2

Entertainment:
Online Gambling, Poker, Routlette, Blackjack, Craps and other Online Games, Online Casinos, Movies, Online DVD Rentals, Home Theater Systems , Home Theater Components, HDTV, HDTV Buying Tips, HD Radio, Portable DVD Players, Magazine Subscriptions

Fun-Hobbies:
Tropical Fish, Aquariums, Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Geneology, Geocaching, Soap Making, Candle Making

Legal:
Criminal Defense Attorneys, Tax Attorneys, Lemon Law Protection, Structured Settlements, Investment Fraud, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Personal Injury Attorneys, Family Law

CellPhones-and-Communication
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Carriers, Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Ringtones, Headsets, VOIP, Cheap Long Distance, iPhone, Blackberry, Bluetooth Technology, SmartPhones

Jobs-Schooling
Online College Degrees, Business Degrees, Home Schooling, Drivers Education, Job Resumes, Online Job Search
Internet:
Cybercrime Prosecution, IE Security, Affordable Web Hosting, Web Hosting, Domain Name Registration, Search Engines, Web Site Design, Internet Mailing Lists, Blogging, Internet Serive Providers, Free Email, Clip Art

Finance and Insurance:
Auto Insurance, Car Insurance Quotes, RV Insurance, General Insurance, Travel Insurance, Business Insurance, Basic Guide to Consolidating Student Loans, Cash Advance Loans, Federal Student Loan Consolidation, Debt Consolidation, Debt Management, Credit Card Debt Consolidation, Free Credit Reports, Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Mortgage Refinancing, Mortgage Rates, Mortgage Companies, Second Mortgages, Mortgage Brokers, Health Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Term life Insurance, Mortgage note buyer, Renter's Insurance, Household Budgeting

Home:
Home improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Countertops, Espresso Makers, Food Processors, Coffee Makers, Coffee Grinders, Slow Cookers, Popcorn makers, Blenders, Cutting Boards, Refrigerators, Freezers, Washers & Dryers, Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen & Bathroom Faucets, Bathtubs, House Windows, Closet Organizers, Window Treatments, Hardwood Floors, Carpeting, Home Security, Water Heaters, Water Filters, Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Bamboo Flooring, Portable Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers, Siding, House Cleaning Services, Home Organization, Vacuum Cleaners, Cannister Vacuum Cleaners, Handcheld Vacuum Cleaners, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, Stick Vacuum Cleaners, Wet-Dry Vacuum Cleaners, Furnaces, Fireplace Inserts, Electric Space Heaters, Pellet Stoves, Wood Stoves, Heat Pumps, Buying a used car



Business-Office-Supplies:
Discount Office Supplies, Home Office, Office Furniture, Copiers, Home Business, Business Cards, Business Brochures, Mailing List Companies, Affiliates, Franchises, Business Telephone Systems, Employment Agencies, Call Centers, Fax Machines
Health and Wellness:
Fioricet for Migraine Relief, Online Pharmacies, Phentermine for dieting, Tramadol for Chronic Pain Relief, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyers, Acne Treatment, Contact Lenses, Drug Rehabilitation, Cerebral Palsy, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Products, Human Growth Hormones , Diet Pills, Treadmills, Fragrances, Reducing Cholesterol, Diabetes, Obesity, Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Acid reflux, Cialis, Understanding Depression, Unraveling Diet Plans, Erectile dysfunction, Lipitor, Sleep Loss, Viagra, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Living With Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Gifts:
Gift Ideas, Corporate Gifts, Gift Cards, Wristwatches, Replica Watches, Sunglasses, Wholesale Jewelry, Jewelry Boxes, Wedding Gifts, Food Gifts, Books, Music, Flowers, Gift Baskets, Candles & Candleholders, Chocolate & Candy

Sports:
Health Clubs, Home Gyms, Treadmills, Golf, Golf Vacations, Golf Schools, Golf Clubs, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Basketball

Travel:
Railroad Train Travel, Greyhound Bus Travel, Moving Guide, Rental Cars, Luxury Cruises, Maui Vacation, Spain Travel, Panama Cruise, Mexico Travel, Europe Travel, Disneyland Vacation, Disney World Vacation, Airline Tickets, Las Vegas Vacations, Las Vegas Sights, Las Vegas Entertainment, Las Vegas Dining, Lake Tahoe, Reno Vacations, Grand Canyon Vacation, Alaska Vacation, San Juan Island Vacation, Seattle Vacation, San Francisco Vacation, San Diego Vacation, SeaWorld Vacation, Yellowstone Park Vacation, Los Angeles Vacation, Bed & Breakfasts, Las Cruces New Mexico Vacation, Texas Hill Country Vacation, Columbia River Gorge Vacation, Albuquerque Vacation, New Mexico Vacation, Utah Vacation, Denver Vacation, Carlsbad Caverns, Branson, Missouri, Arizona Vacations, Jackson Wyoming, Skiing Wyoming, Skiing Oregon, Skiing Utah, Skiing Colorado, Skiing California, Skiing Washington State, Skiing Idaho

Yard-and-Garden:
Lawn Care, Patio Furniture, Hot Tubs & Spas, Gazebos, Fences, Decks, Barbeque Grills, Greenhouses, Patios, Sprinkler Systems, Landscape Design, Backyard Ponds, Bird Baths, Hedge Trimmers, String Trimmers, Wheelbarrows and Gardencarts, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mowers, Lawn Care Tools, Lawn Edgers, Leaf Blowers, Now Blowers, Rakes