Solo Amtrak travel

[cabanafrau]

Be aware that most long distance routes run at most once a day, and sometime not even once a day, so it's hard to avoid sleeping on the train. If you got off and wanted to continue on the same route, you would get back on at the same time the next day, so you wouldn't avoid an overnight on the train.

The Rocky Mountaineer is mapped out for just this option, which is why it appeals for us. The route allows you to sit back and enjoy the scenery, often vistas you can only get on the train, and then you are stopped at a hotel for the night.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

The Rocky Mountaineer is mapped out for just this option, which is why it appeals for us. The route allows you to sit back and enjoy the scenery, often vistas you can only get on the train, and then you are stopped at a hotel for the night.

You can also get on the Zephyr in Denver and just go through the Rockies. It gets to Denver about 7 am I think and we got off twice in Grand Junction around 4ish I think? But you can book your ticket to get off anywhere. The Rockies via Train was really incredible. Even through a train window. We've done it twice so far. Best view on any of the routes we have been on so far.

 

[lisaviolet]

Hands down the best part of that train ride is between Denver and Grand Junction. You’ll miss the best scenery if you get off in Denver.

Thank you!
The wedding is in Golden, so I have to get off in Denver if I decide on this grand adventure.

But maybe I will think about timing it to go past and back down. Great information, thank you.

View attachment 851970

Just love.

Unfortunately on that trip there was an extrovert. He met someone with a common interest in the lounge car. But then he decided to find his new friend and they proceeded to talk in our coach car for about an hour after the lights had been dimmed and people were trying to sleep.

I wanted to put a laughing icon on your post (I think I will go back and change it ) because you wrote it so brilliantly & I could just imagine the person, in full glory.

I actually was that annoying person for someone else in the bunks for one trip, very late one evening. And then early in the morning with my father. I thought that part of the car was empty. But there was one poor lone wolf having to hear me call every family member to rave about the service. Loudly. My father was palliative with glioblastoma (brain cancer) & this was one of his last hurrahs - he was so excited to go. We all had worried about his lack of mobility to even board and get settled (this was before Via's accessible room, but even that is not easy). Poor man, but he was very lovely when I realized he was there & apologized.

----------

For anyone with a disability or even a life-altering condition Via rail is willing and ready. On that trip I met another woman who talked to me openly about being palliative (@cabanafrau, her and her husband were immediately taking The Rocky Mountaineer from The Canadian, and were so very excited)
When I needed some extra care from stewards one explained that people even ride the train with intense medical set-ups & life threatening conditions. A la they are more than used to anything & everything that comes their way.

Exceptional service.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

I'd love to take a train vacation, over here in the UK everyone is so close to each other sleeper carriages just don't exist and the biggest journey is only about 7, 8 hours?

 

[Karin1984]

I'd love to take a train vacation, over here in the UK everyone is so close to each other sleeper carriages just don't exist and the biggest journey is only about 7, 8 hours?

They do exist, leave Edinburgh at night, wake up the following morning in London. Caledonian Sleeper
And you have the Night Riviera Sleeper between London and Penzance.

Never knew Penzance is a real place. Always thought Gilbert & Sullivan made it up.

 

[lisaviolet]

Hands down the best part of that train ride is between Denver and Grand Junction. You’ll miss the best scenery if you get off....

@Minnesota! You have me checking Amtrak prices & schedules!

My niece lives in Southern California, but is getting married in Colorado - I am like hmmm, Chicago to Denver looks interesting.

Hands down the best part of that train ride is between Denver and Grand Junction. You’ll miss the best scenery if you get off in Denver.

View attachment 851970

Booked on Tuesday, during their flash sale.
Toronto - Chicago - Denver

Wedding in Golden, Colorado.

Then due to your wonderful guidance @TheIncredibles , return is Denver to Salt Lake City. And then Salt Lake City - Chicago - Buffalo.

I came in under all their flights Toronto to Denver.

I really wanted to use the USA rail pass but I am sorry to say that the Amtrak agents were driving me bonkers, so I gave up on that.

 

[citruscurtis]

Explore your trip with railrat... I am Coast starlight rider...runs late 4 of 7 days...so be prepared for delays

 

[lisaviolet]

Explore your trip with railrat... I am Coast starlight rider...runs late 4 of 7 days...so be prepared for delays

Back.

Six trains/legs - pretty well on time like clockwork. Hope yours improves, truly.

The laughing emoji was for your send-off.

I guess your president has cancelled all the added funding now. Has he?

 

[lisaviolet]

Well thanks to the thread I did do the train solo, while the rest of my family flew to my niece's wedding.

Did coach on all legs except SLC to CHI on the way home, where I did a roommette.

Some highlights, most from train but some from trip-

 

[lisaviolet]

 

[lisaviolet]

 

[Living42Day]

How fun!!!! I've only been on Amtrak once in my life, we did a roomette when I was in middle school but it was such a fun experience. I was kind of surprised how much fares have went up since then, they are comparable to a first class plane ticket in the routes I have checked out. We would love to do this again, though, it provides such a unique travel experience.

I went on the Eurostar from London to Paris by myself then bopped on the tube all over London my myself and felt safe. Not comparable because of the shorter distances, but I feel like most people are generally decent.

Edit: just saw this was an older thread!

 

[citruscurtis]

Booked on Tuesday, during their flash sale.
Toronto - Chicago - Denver

Wedding in Golden, Colorado.

Then due to your wonderful guidance @TheIncredibles , return is Denver to Salt Lake City. And then Salt Lake City - Chicago - Buffalo.

I came in under all their flights Toronto to Denver.

I really wanted to use the USA rail pass but I am sorry to say that the Amtrak agankents were driving me bonkers, so I gave up on that.

Thank you for the photos...if I read railrat correctly.. folks are being bused north of LA the last few days... mudslide threats...8 hours delay....and then freight delay will extend further

 

[PollyannaMom]

Fabulous pics!!

Glad you had a good trip, and thanks for coming back on here to share.

 

[lisaviolet]

Thank you for the photos...if I read railrat correctly.. folks are being bused north of LA the last few days... mudslide threats...8 hours delay....and then freight delay will extend further

Sorry to hear.

------------

Our national rail Via rail must let freight take the lead because CN rail runs our tracks (or did when I took The Canadian, don't keep up on it), so delays on long hauls across the country are quite common in normal conditions.

 

[lisaviolet]

Fabulous pics!!

Glad you had a good trip, and thanks for coming back on here to share.

Now we have to see if @Minnesota! has booked anything as yet.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'd love to take a train vacation, over here in the UK everyone is so close to each other sleeper carriages just don't exist and the biggest journey is only about 7, 8 hours?

It is a bit different in the US, as we as a country are only a bit shy in land mass of the entirety of Europe. Any Canadian routes only boosts the potential that much further.

Sorry to hear.

------------

Our national rail Via rail must let freight take the lead because CN rail runs our tracks (or did when I took The Canadian, don't keep up on it), so delays on long hauls across the country are quite common in normal conditions.

It's my understanding that freight owns the US rails as well and also gets priority. You can drive from where I live in southeast Michigan to Chicago, IL in five hours or less in good weather conditions. I think an Amtrak train will get you there in maybe 6-ish hours at the best due to all the stops. I know of more than a few people who have been stuck on 13+ hour train rides back or forth due to rail slowdowns.

 

[Dug720]

Sounds cool. I fly and cruise solo all the time but have only done train NYC to DC.

I'd personally be hesitant to "get a roommate" unless it was convincing someone I know to go along. I wouldn't trust anyone randomly searching for roommates and I certainly wouldn't trust Amtrak to assign.

 

[bcla]

It is a bit different in the US, as we as a country are only a bit shy in land mass of the entirety of Europe. Any Canadian routes only boosts the potential that much further.

It's my understanding that freight owns the US rails as well and also gets priority. You can drive from where I live in southeast Michigan to Chicago, IL in five hours or less in good weather conditions. I think an Amtrak train will get you there in maybe 6-ish hours at the best due to all the stops. I know of more than a few people who have been stuck on 13+ hour train rides back or forth due to rail slowdowns.

It's a combination of things. Freight rail was obligated to provide passenger service in the past, and in return they got several rights that government would normally have including the right to use eminent domain and the right to have private police with public law enforcement powers. They were also given land holdings that they could turn around and sell at their discretion. Their ability to obtain land has made them a lot of money over the years, but apparently railroad rights of way are extremely valuable, where they've made money from renting out for utility lines. But the federal law that established Amtrak relieved the participating freight railroads from their obligation to provide passenger service. The law also says that freight railroads must give preference in dispatch to passenger trains, but obviously it hasn't worked out that way since the freight railroads provide dispatch for most of the country.

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg...-title49-subtitleV-partC-chap243-sec24308.pdf​

(c) PREFERENCE OVER FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION.—Except in an emergency, intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation provided by or for Amtrak has preference over freight transportation in using a rail line, junction, or crossing unless the Board orders otherwise under this subsection. A rail carrier affected by this subsection may apply to the Board for relief. If the Board, after an opportunity for a hearing under section 553 of title 5, decides that preference for intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation materially will lessen the quality of freight transportation provided to shippers, the Board shall establish the rights of the carrier and Amtrak on reasonable terms.​

Amtrak has gotten determinations from the DOT's Surface Transportation Board that the freight railroads have been in violation of their obligation to provide Amtrak with priority, but they've declined to fine the railroads.

Amtrak owns its own rails in the Northeast Corridor. Stations can be owned by cities, counties, ports, etc. Some stations are even still owned by the freight railroads. But the rails are owned by railroads, even within stations.

 

[lisaviolet]

Sounds cool. I fly and cruise solo all the time but have only done train NYC to DC.

I'd personally be hesitant to "get a roommate" unless it was convincing someone I know to go along. I wouldn't trust anyone randomly searching for roommates and I certainly wouldn't trust Amtrak to assign.

There is some confusion, and not quite sure if it came from my post about getting a roommette (which is the name of a sleeper class room - more like a cubby ), that one can book as a solo traveller. Just in case that is where the confusion came from -- Amtrak does no 'I have someone for you!' Insert wink.

--------

Though on my way home CHI to BUF some man pulled out wine, fed me black licorice and called me his girlfriend. And then asked me to protect him from all the shady people (his thoughts, hardly reality). So you do indeed get all types of personalities.