17 hours is fairly quick. But the timing is fantastic. Amtrak leaves after work in Chicago and arrives at hotel check-in time in DC the next day
Outside of major cities, it's generally a thing where you pour in money and faster track speeds come out.
>Additionally, it's running on freight rail, not passenger rail.
In many countries, there are no such distinctions outside of HSR which has it's own requirements - it's all mixed use. In Poland freight trains use the same 160-200km/h tracks as passenger railway, and move aside to let faster trains go through. Also they use tracks more when there are pretty much 0 passenger trains, like in the middle of the night.
>On top of that our cars are grandfathered in and can't be replaced at the moment.
I completely do not understand that part. Your railway cars can't hit 160km/h?
Hopefully with some decent lines appearing in the US, Brightline and California HSR in the future people will start to experience better rail and this stuff will get more focus.
People from Europe don’t quite realize just how much freight the US moves by rail. It’s absolutely batshit.
> U.S. freight movements will rise from around 19.3 billion tons in 2020
Point is, Cascades is one of the better services outside the NE corridor and it still tops out at only 75mph (120km/h). The average trip speed is closer to 50mph (80km/h).
We have a long way to go to achieve anything resembling European levels of service. Japanese levels feel like an impossibility.
I’m from a very small town part in the Midwest that was formerly a Rock Island town, a rail enthusiast (probably not hardcore enough for fan) - but this argument has always been specious. The middle of nowhere towns that the mainlines happen to hit are generally not terribly interesting at all. Ottumwa IA?? Meanwhile there is nothing to Iowa City. It’s a complete farcical misallocation of resources at this point. And because of subsidies the air service to many smaller cities and larger towns are better than rail.
Yes the 9 people average per day that need to go to connellsville, woo wee. Meanwhile fuck everyone in the Lehigh valley I guess.
Sorry but the reachibility argument for rail in the US is plainly stupid as things stand today.
Pros:
+ Comfort. You basically get a first class seat with cafeteria access. You can also purchase a whole room, but is less affordable than a plane ticket if you're traveling alone.
+ Regularity. The train leaves at the same time everyday both from DC and Chicago.
+ It reaches parts of the country not easily accessed by an Airport. If you need to visit someone in middle of nowhere USA, Amtrak might just be a better option.
+ Price. Book it in advance and you'll be saving ~$200 in airfare.
+ No TSA to check your luggage, some trains allow you to bring your bike, and there's always plenty overhead space.
+ Easy access to outlets for charging devices.
Cons:
+ Long! Chicago to DC takes 17 hours. Chicago to San Francisco can take two days. SW Pennsylvania is snaking route that feels like forever. It's really a question of how much you value your time.
+ No WIFI on most trains, so bring a book if you cannot scrum up a hotspot.