I take a train every year or so, from Los Angeles to Flagstaff, where my brother lives. It's an overnight trip that arrives at an annoying hour (5 am), but I always enjoy it nonetheless. I've take longer trips on the east coast, ATL to DC or Baltimore.
A large part of it, honestly, is the people. It's not really cheaper than flying for most trips, so what you mostly get are people who aren't really in a hurry.
There's something sort of meditative about a train ride, the swaying and the clacking lull you. And with the very roomy seats (or sometime affordable cabins), you feel relaxed and open. I've always had much more open and revealing conversations on a train than on planes. Plus, you just have longer. There's no rush. Just pleasant getting-to-know you conversations. Strangely, it feels very American.
When I was 21, I did the Eurail-backpacking summer thing. Three months of wandering around Europe on trains with far too little money. It was the same sort of thing, though, great leisurely conversations getting to know people from all over. Definitely one of the better experiences of my life.
I suppose to some extent my Amtrak journeys are attempts to recapture that summer, and to some extent, it works.
A large part of it, honestly, is the people. It's not really cheaper than flying for most trips, so what you mostly get are people who aren't really in a hurry.
There's something sort of meditative about a train ride, the swaying and the clacking lull you. And with the very roomy seats (or sometime affordable cabins), you feel relaxed and open. I've always had much more open and revealing conversations on a train than on planes. Plus, you just have longer. There's no rush. Just pleasant getting-to-know you conversations. Strangely, it feels very American.
When I was 21, I did the Eurail-backpacking summer thing. Three months of wandering around Europe on trains with far too little money. It was the same sort of thing, though, great leisurely conversations getting to know people from all over. Definitely one of the better experiences of my life.
I suppose to some extent my Amtrak journeys are attempts to recapture that summer, and to some extent, it works.