There is no reason to cross the U.S. by train, but I did it anyway

Re:There is no reason to cross the U.S. by train, but I did ... by godot on Thursday March 21, 2019 @02:23PM (#19455622)

I took the Coast Starlight (connects SF and LA) a couple of times in the past 10 years, and I have had a pleasant experience each time. Food was good and while the train wasn't sparkling clean, at least in the areas I cared about (my seat and car) it was fine. Just the bathrooms weren't great. Admittedly this is a shorter trip than yours; this one is only an 8~10 hours ride.

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Re:There is no reason to cross the U.S. by train, but I did ... by 333c on Thursday March 21, 2019 @04:21PM (#19456847)

I've taken the Coast Starlight about 4-6 times between SF (well, Emeryville) and Portland/Seattle. Most were pretty much on time, except for one time when the train hit a person/car on its trip up from LA. It arrived around 5 hours late at the station and ended up being something like 10 hours late by the time we disembarked.

It can be frustrating to experience long delays if you have a tight schedule, but otherwise I think it makes the most sense to just relax and enjoy the view.

I'll be taking the California Zephyr (Chicago to Emeryville; said to be one of the most picturesque routes) this May, which I'm quite looking forward to. It will be my first time riding that line, and my first time in a sleeper.

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Re:There is no reason to cross the U.S. by train, but I did ... by Kadin on Thursday March 21, 2019 @09:55PM (#19459037)

> It can be frustrating to experience long delays if you have a tight schedule

Very true. Although I've had some awful delays on airlines as well, and given the choice between being stuck on a passenger train and in a plane, I'd take the train every time. (Though admittedly the airlines have gotten slightly better about not leaving passengers on planes to stew in their own juices on the tarmac for hours and hours. But it took some people really slapping them around in court I think.)

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Re:There is no reason to cross the U.S. by train, but I did ... by zehaeva on Thursday March 21, 2019 @05:31PM (#19457559)

I took the California Zephyr ... uh ... 25 years ago? It was a lot of fun! And a beautiful ride! I hope you enjoy it!

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Re:There is no reason to cross the U.S. by train, but I did ... by dang on Thursday March 21, 2019 @02:37PM (#19455822)

I like that train because it's perfect for getting work done.

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Re:There is no reason to cross the U.S. by train, but I did ... by abhgh on Thursday March 21, 2019 @03:49PM (#19456506)

I tried taking the train from Santa Barbara to San Jose - I have heard a lot about the picturesque route - but the train was delayed at arrival by a few hr, and since I had a prior engagement, I'd to rent a car and drive to SJ.

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