Shawn Ryu
Conductor
Its been a very long time since I did long distance Amtrak journey. Last being about 2 years ago. I usually take low cast airline carriers back and forth from New York to Chicago and vice versa. But this year I decided to take trains like any intelligent human beings would. In case anyone wonders it was all coach trip.
First of all, I booked a trip in advance and one way to Chicago cost me $97 on the Cardinal. It was very cheap for me. I usually have to pay more to fly uncomfortably. Amtrak coach is very comfortable to travel on actually. At least on long distance trains anyway.
Arrived at Penn station around 3 in the morning. Waiting for train to depart 6:45 AM. there were a lot of bums around. But also there were quite a few travelers waiting to get on a early morning trains. Waited at the Amtrak waiting area, and used my cell to go online while waiting. Amtrak wifi rules.
Finally, at 6:35 or so, I boarded the Cardinal. Left at the scheduled time to Chicago. Nothing uneventful happened until lunch time. No breakfast was served on the train for some reason. Met some interesting people at lunch table. As usual. Met a really interesting guy from Wisconsin at dinner telling me about the days of incredibly corrupt Chicago government and the days when the Outfit ran wild. Some quite interesting stories to say the least. Kept me in diners car seat hours after I was done with my vegetarian pasta. Also met some group of guys drinking wines, 2 guys from Viriginia and one guy in his twenties from South Carolina. describing himself as a redneck. Interesting fellow. talked for hours, the four of us, about favorite drinks and smokes. And food. Fun times.
Got to Ashland around 11:45 EST and met a good kid from there who sat next to me. Good kid in HS going to see his GF in college in Chicago.
Clocks changed to CST once we entered Indiana. Got up from sleeping at my seat around 5 CST when we were I think Lafayette Indiana. Went to the cafe car and sat with the dude from the night before. Had fascinating chat abiut Indiana. The guy doesnt seem to like the state. Interesting guy, construction business, and travelled all over. going to Hawaii via Empire Builder and SEA airport.
Arrived at Chicago around 10 AM.
Will post CL story soon.
First of all, I booked a trip in advance and one way to Chicago cost me $97 on the Cardinal. It was very cheap for me. I usually have to pay more to fly uncomfortably. Amtrak coach is very comfortable to travel on actually. At least on long distance trains anyway.
Arrived at Penn station around 3 in the morning. Waiting for train to depart 6:45 AM. there were a lot of bums around. But also there were quite a few travelers waiting to get on a early morning trains. Waited at the Amtrak waiting area, and used my cell to go online while waiting. Amtrak wifi rules.
Finally, at 6:35 or so, I boarded the Cardinal. Left at the scheduled time to Chicago. Nothing uneventful happened until lunch time. No breakfast was served on the train for some reason. Met some interesting people at lunch table. As usual. Met a really interesting guy from Wisconsin at dinner telling me about the days of incredibly corrupt Chicago government and the days when the Outfit ran wild. Some quite interesting stories to say the least. Kept me in diners car seat hours after I was done with my vegetarian pasta. Also met some group of guys drinking wines, 2 guys from Viriginia and one guy in his twenties from South Carolina. describing himself as a redneck. Interesting fellow. talked for hours, the four of us, about favorite drinks and smokes. And food. Fun times.
Got to Ashland around 11:45 EST and met a good kid from there who sat next to me. Good kid in HS going to see his GF in college in Chicago.
Clocks changed to CST once we entered Indiana. Got up from sleeping at my seat around 5 CST when we were I think Lafayette Indiana. Went to the cafe car and sat with the dude from the night before. Had fascinating chat abiut Indiana. The guy doesnt seem to like the state. Interesting guy, construction business, and travelled all over. going to Hawaii via Empire Builder and SEA airport.
Arrived at Chicago around 10 AM.
Will post CL story soon.