Hi,
I am new here and to train travel, at least on this continent. I'm feeling stuck in Indiana and trying to plan a trip west just to see the scenery and take a break from my reality. One might advise a short Carribean cruise but everyone else is doing that and I want some time away from them. I want to see if this idea sounds totally nuts: Indy to Chicago and ride the Empire Builder all the way to Portland then get the Cal Zephyr back east to Chicago then Indy and....all in one week? Just for fun? Crazy? I planned this on the Amtrack site and upgrading to Roomettes and business Class wherever possible. It's not cheap--$1100--but for 6 days of travel and all meals included, not too bad, I thought. I'm thinking the last week of January and the scheduling is a little tight in Sacramento (4hr layover) where a delay would really mess me up.
Please advise. Is this too ambitious for a rail newby? Is there a better way to get the similar results? Maybe not go all the way to the coast but still over the mountains?
I'm enjoying spending a cozy New Years researching this and reading your posts. Thanks for that.
Sarah
I am new here and to train travel, at least on this continent. I'm feeling stuck in Indiana and trying to plan a trip west just to see the scenery and take a break from my reality. One might advise a short Carribean cruise but everyone else is doing that and I want some time away from them. I want to see if this idea sounds totally nuts: Indy to Chicago and ride the Empire Builder all the way to Portland then get the Cal Zephyr back east to Chicago then Indy and....all in one week? Just for fun? Crazy? I planned this on the Amtrack site and upgrading to Roomettes and business Class wherever possible. It's not cheap--$1100--but for 6 days of travel and all meals included, not too bad, I thought. I'm thinking the last week of January and the scheduling is a little tight in Sacramento (4hr layover) where a delay would really mess me up.
Please advise. Is this too ambitious for a rail newby? Is there a better way to get the similar results? Maybe not go all the way to the coast but still over the mountains?
I'm enjoying spending a cozy New Years researching this and reading your posts. Thanks for that.
Sarah