Stevenz

Grew up on the Philadelphia Main Line. As a child I took PRR with my mother from Philadelphia* to Pittsburgh several times a year. (*Actually Paoli in the “all trains stop at Paoli” days.) PRR taught me to hate trains. I started getting over that with a few Metroliner rides to NY, Baltimore, etc. The transition was complete with my first TGV ride in 1988, after which I experienced the European HSR extensively and rode rail, tram, cable car, lake steamers, etc throughout Switzerland.

My move to New Zealand in 2007 brought a new crop of trains to my doorstep, and a woman friend who also liked trains. I rode every train there is in NZ. When I retired in 2020, as reported elsewhere, I gave myself the gift of riding The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide, three glorious nights. That was my first overnight on a train and was the best travel experience of my life.

Now, back in the U.S., Milwaukee, specifically, I had my first overnight Amtrak trip this week! The City of New Orleans, roomette. While not to the standards of The Ghan, it was a nice experience I will repeat. I read this forum a lot while planning the trip and I appreciate all the knowledge generously shared.