Even with its continuing problems, travel by train in the United
States can be rewarding. First of all, in
this fast-paced world, it is a way to take a “time out” and relax with a good
book as the countryside goes by. And you might even get to meet some
interesting people as you enjoy a meal in the dining car. In recent years new
equipment has been added to the Amtrak fleet including new, sleek engines and
high level passenger cars. Today, you don’t climb up steps when you enter the
passenger car - you simply step right in. Then you take a staircase to the
upper level where the majority of seats are. The advantages are that you have a
better view and the ride is more comfortable. Also, you no longer hear the “clickety-clack”
sound of the train on the tracks. The railroads have employed seamless welding
so the rails are one solid piece of steel ribbon.
The passenger cars are fitted out with high-backed seats, foot rests and
pull down trays, similar to what you would expect flying first class. And the
distance between the seats is more than adequate. The long distance trains
include a dining car, snack car, sleeping cars, and an observation car. And
even the short distance trains have a choice between regular coach seating
(which is quite good) to a business class car which is even better. Thus it can
be said that in some respects traveling by rail has never been so comfortable.
And, it is generally economical.
The Question of Equipment
So far so good. Because Amtrak is short on funds you may find yourself
riding in substandard passenger cars. This is especially true on shorter
routes. Most people assumed that Amtrak would have simply dumped all old rail
cars but apparently not. So, instead of riding on new, modern cars, you could
be riding in passenger cars dating back to the 1950s. According to a conductor
on the Pacific Surfliner (which pictures sleek high-level trains on brochures)
you sometimes get the leftovers. “Amtrak doesn’t have the money to buy all the
new cars it needs so it grabs what it can to make up the trains. It depends on
the day of the week.” If you don’t want to be disappointed, it might be a good
idea to call ahead to see what equipment Amtrak is running that particular day.