Southwest Chief
Another favorite train is the Southwest Chief. There is something special about watching the buttes, mesas and the Southwest desert that has a beauty all its own. The crew on this train comes out of LA and I have always found the service to be very good on this train, also.
Texas Eagle
I haven’t been on the Texas Eagle for quite a few years. It goes from Chicago to St Louis, Dallas and finally San Antonio. There it meets up with the Sunset Limited coming from New Orleans and going to LA. One time on the Sunset Limited, I woke up in the middle of the night and looked out. It was a night with a full moon and the huge sand dunes in the Sonora desert looked like we were traveling on a distant planet. The Sunset Limited used to be the only cross-country train. However, after Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans to Florida section was not resumed.
Scenic Way to Travel
Amtrak has a for 15, 30, or 45 days so you can experience all these trains at one time (with stopovers where you choose). However, it is not as easy to use as the Railpass in Europe and sometimes it is not the cheapest way to travel. You also need to make advanced reservations and sleeping accommodations are extra. This is an option, though, if you want to see the USA by rail in a short period of time. Just make sure you plan your route ahead, especially if it’s summer and you want a sleeper.
I know this article sounds a little negative, but it isn’t meant to. I actually love riding the rails. However, some of the things I am talking about are issues that come up with my travelers. And, I have always found if your expectations aren’t too high, you won’t be disappointed. Most of the time if you know some of these things might happen, it doesn’t seem quite as bad if it does.
You really do meet some of the nicest people on trains, and there are many who travel all over the US by Amtrak. I think sometimes we can get spoiled by our fast-paced world. At one time, train travel was a luxurious way to travel. It still can be lots of fun, if taken in the spirit of adventure it is. Always remember, “it is the journey and not the destination.”
After traveling by rail, you make start to ask yourself “Will Airlines Force Us Back to Trains?”
Editor’s Note: To read more in-depth about this area, check out Kileen’s book “Journey Beckons”. You can order through her website: www.kileenprather.com or at Amazon either in book format or the Kindle edition. Her latest, “Journey To Port” now also on Kindle.
