Who in the world are you?

[pennyk]

I live in the Dallas area and found these forums while looking up information on taking train trips. At 45 years old I have only ever taken maybe five REAL vacations that weren't just around town. I plan to do one next year and my head absolutely cannot handle the pressure differences being on an airplane so I figured I would look into trains.

Am considering taking two weeks and going to DC by train. It won't be real cheap considering I want at least a roomette but I figure once or twice a year is something I can absorb on a retail paycheck.

Welcome to Amtrak Unlimited. If you have specific questions please feel free to ask in the Amtrak Rail Discussion forum.

 

[NovaPrime]

Good Morning! Dennis from Napa Valley. Taking my first ride on the Zephyr 29 June from Davis to Chicago. On to Boston for 4th fireworks and ultimately to Nova Scotia for 1-month visit. I am a singer/songwriter.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Good Morning! Dennis from Napa Valley. Taking my first ride on the Zephyr 29 June from Davis to Chicago. On to Boston for 4th fireworks and ultimately to Nova Scotia for 1-month visit. I am a singer/songwriter.

Welcome to AU. Nice trip, enjoy the ride, the Journey is the thing, not the destination!

And I wish Amtrak let Artists like you entertain passengers in the Lounge like VIA does in the Great White North!

 

[NovaPrime]

I will definitely be playing my guitar en route. I tried VIA but I am not a Canadian Citizen.

 

[mo.amtrain]

I am a 34 yr old living in Kansas City. I've taken the Missouri River Runner several times between KC and St Louis as part of biking/cycling trips on the KATY trail. I've had a long-time interest in taking a train west, or other scenic routes.

 

[jis]

I am a 34 yr old living in Kansas City. I've taken the Missouri River Runner several times between KC and St Louis as part of biking/cycling trips on the KATY trail. I've had a long-time interest in taking a train west, or other scenic routes.

Welcome aboard!

 

[NovaPrime]

Welcome aboard!

I am a retired LEO/medic/firefighter. I am a singer/songwriter and I am on my way to Nova Scotia via Boston for the Pops/fireworks on the 4th. I am riding CZ6 on the 29th.

 

[jis]

I am a retired LEO/medic/firefighter. I am a singer/songwriter and I am on my way to Nova Scotia via Boston for the Pops/fireworks on the 4th. I am riding CZ6 on the 29th.

Welcome aboard to you too! Hope you have a great trip, and manage to avoid the various typical Amtrak pitfalls.

 

[needforspeed]

Hello all, I have been taking the NEC services for travel between NJ and Washington for several years now and it has become a hobby of sorts to track ongoing infrastructure work going on while on my travels and follow the rollout of the new Acela sets. I feel these two topics are very closely related. My posts will probably be some discussion here or there along with occasional photos of NEC travels.

 

[jis]

Hello all, I have been taking the NEC services for travel between NJ and Washington for several years now and it has become a hobby of sorts to track ongoing infrastructure work going on while on my travels and follow the rollout of the new Acela sets. I feel these two topics are very closely related. My posts will probably be some discussion here or there along with occasional photos of NEC travels.

Welcome aboard. I see you have already started participating very constructively in the NEC HSR and infra related threads. Glad to have you aboard!

 

[tlatrice]

Hello! I'm a train newbie! I've wanted to take a trip on Amtrak since I was a kid and I finally booked the Coast Starlight for August 9! I'm only doing a short portion though from LAX to KFS. I'm taking this on to the end of a trip to Vegas.

About me: 48YO female. Empty nester to an amazing 22YO son who is my everything. Born and raised in Houston, TX, although I did live in Atlanta for a few years. About to enter the last year of an MBA program (class of 2023!!!). 2022 has been a year of Reinvention for me! Traveling will play a huge role in my 'second act'!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Hello! I'm a train newbie! I've wanted to take a trip on Amtrak since I was a kid and I finally booked the Coast Starlight for August 9! I'm only doing a short portion though from LAX to KFS. I'm taking this on to the end of a trip to Vegas.

About me: 48YO female. Empty nester to an amazing 22YO son who is my everything. Born and raised in Houston, TX, although I did live in Atlanta for a few years. About to enter the last year of an MBA program (class of 2023!!!). 2022 has been a year of Reinvention for me! Traveling will play a huge role in my 'second act'!

Welcome to AU! What a great way to start your Amtrak Adventures, you'll love the trip on the Starlight up the Coast and on to Oregon!

 

[oregon pioneer]

Hello! I'm a train newbie! I've wanted to take a trip on Amtrak since I was a kid and I finally booked the Coast Starlight for August 9! I'm only doing a short portion though from LAX to KFS. I'm taking this on to the end of a trip to Vegas.

About me: 48YO female. Empty nester to an amazing 22YO son who is my everything. Born and raised in Houston, TX, although I did live in Atlanta for a few years. About to enter the last year of an MBA program (class of 2023!!!). 2022 has been a year of Reinvention for me! Traveling will play a huge role in my 'second act'!

Make sure you get up fairly early in the morning passing Mt. Shasta, which is on the right side of the train going north. Great views, including looking back from the K Falls station (but best when it's close-up). It's the consolation prize if your seat or roomette is on the side away from the ocean.

Whichever side you are on, make sure you find a place in the corridor or the Sightseer Lounge to look left between LAX and SLO, and right in the morning as early as you can stand to be awake.

I hope you have the time to report back here after your trip, and let us know how it went!

 

[20th Century Rider]

You will love the scenery... starting with the West Coast Pacific Shore, the famous loops just outside of San Louis Obispo... the ocean, Mt. Shasta, and more. Klamath Falls is also in a beautiful area... not too far from Crater Lake. AU'ers have an incredible wealth of information... they have answered many questions I have had over the years. Along with other AU'ers welcome to our community... and do have delightful rail trip!

https://amtrakguide.com/routes/coast-starlight/
https://www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train

 

[VastDeaf]

I’m in my 30s and a husband and stepdad. I grew up in northern New England and spent around a decade traveling on and off by train in a way I think would be frowned upon or at least cause verbal commotion on this forum. I became acquainted with grease, train yards and night air.
I worked in agriculture and snowmaking during that time and ultimately became a broadcast tower rigger, which unfortunately keeps me on the road (trying to make an exit).
My wife and I have taken several sleeper trips courtesy of the Amtrak rewards credit card in the past few years which we’ve greatly enjoyed.
My hobbies are reading,
long-distance backpacking, picking wild edibles, old axes, the ocean, magnet fishing, and of course, wasting time on the internet.
I live near Houston at the moment but count the years and days until we are able to leave this humid miasma.
I have also moonlighted as a railroad crewvan driver on the side while deployed at longer-term tower jobs around the country. To that end, I am a United Steelworkers member and also a member of Railway Workers United, a group devoted to ending craft division amongst railroad unions.
I enjoy the folks I’ve met on Amtrak and hope to see you on the rails.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I’m in my 30s and a husband and stepdad. I grew up in northern New England and spent around a decade traveling on and off by train in a way I think would be frowned upon or at least cause verbal commotion on this forum. I became acquainted with grease, train yards and night air.
I worked in agriculture and snowmaking during that time and ultimately became a broadcast tower rigger, which unfortunately keeps me on the road (trying to make an exit).
My wife and I have taken several sleeper trips courtesy of the Amtrak rewards credit card in the past few years which we’ve greatly enjoyed.
My hobbies are reading,
long-distance backpacking, picking wild edibles, old axes, the ocean, magnet fishing, and of course, wasting time on the internet.
I live near Houston at the moment but count the years and days until we are able to leave this humid miasma.
I have also moonlighted as a railroad crewvan driver on the side while deployed at longer-term tower jobs around the country. To that end, I am a United Steelworkers member and also a member of Railway Workers United, a group devoted to ending craft division amongst railroad unions.
I enjoy the folks I’ve met on Amtrak and hope to see you on the rails.

You have that very precious commodity called 'youth!' Youth is being able to move adeptly with all those muscles and joints all working quite well... plus the time to expand your intellectual capabilities towards whatever you dream for your career.

Then the 50's bring middle age... the sum of experience and accomplishments... a time that you are actually younger than you realize... aah... until the 70's bringing the 'official age of old.' Ya got wisdom, maybe some savings, and a litany of cares and concerns for the bones, muscles, and other stuff your body needs to function. It is then when yu look back hoping you took advantage of all those years you have been given.., with diminishing time to make the best of what you

have.

If you can have the wisdom at your young age to truly appreciate your potential for a rich future... then you will move forward with appreciation for what young age gives you... and will enjoy your adventurous life.

Training has been a part of my journey through life which has add much richness; memories... and quality.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I’m in my 30s and a husband and stepdad. I grew up in northern New England and spent around a decade traveling on and off by train in a way I think would be frowned upon or at least cause verbal commotion on this forum. I became acquainted with grease, train yards and night air.
I worked in agriculture and snowmaking during that time and ultimately became a broadcast tower rigger, which unfortunately keeps me on the road (trying to make an exit).
My wife and I have taken several sleeper trips courtesy of the Amtrak rewards credit card in the past few years which we’ve greatly enjoyed.
My hobbies are reading,
long-distance backpacking, picking wild edibles, old axes, the ocean, magnet fishing, and of course, wasting time on the internet.
I live near Houston at the moment but count the years and days until we are able to leave this humid miasma.
I have also moonlighted as a railroad crewvan driver on the side while deployed at longer-term tower jobs around the country. To that end, I am a United Steelworkers member and also a member of Railway Workers United, a group devoted to ending craft division amongst railroad unions.
I enjoy the folks I’ve met on Amtrak and hope to see you on the rails.

Welcome to AU and as Native Texan ( I live in the People's Republic of Austin) I hope you are able to get out of Houston very soon!

And also as a Life Member of 2 Unions,(IAFF and CWA) thumbs up for also being a Member of 2 Unions!

 

[Widfara]

I'm 73, single, sadly more sedentary than I should be. Retired Navy (20 years 1 month 13 days), working in electronics as an enlisted man; passing on to Ammunition as a Chief Warrant Officer (The ship and I both survived the experience).
Retired totally now, living near Austin, Texas, and traveling just as much as I can. Love to drive, but love to ride the trains, as well.

 

[Asher]

A Chief Warrant Officer, someone who's been there done that.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I'm 73, single, sadly more sedentary than I should be. Retired Navy (20 years 1 month 13 days), working in electronics as an enlisted man; passing on to Ammunition as a Chief Warrant Officer (The ship and I both survived the experience).
Retired totally now, living near Austin, Texas, and traveling just as much as I can. Love to drive, but love to ride the trains, as well.

Thanks for your Service Sir!( RM2/USN- only served 4 years)

Good to see another Austinite on AU!!!

 

[Steel City Don]

I just want to say, I just became a supporting member right now!

Been on this site for a while and i was inactive for a while but I'm back!

For the record, Don, from Pittsburgh PA

I am current director with usemergalerts.net (UEA01)

My message box is always open!

Stay safe everybody and have a great day!

 

[Steel City Don]

Not new, but changed my name from Emtdon, that chapter of my life has expired and I don't do that kind of work anymore!

 

[kurt5824]

Hi everyone, I'm a 65 y/o retired firefighter in upstate NY. Fairly new to Amtrak with just 2 cross country train trips under my belt. I'm hoping to pick up tips to maximize any future rides with my next one being the CZ in September

 

[Steel City Don]

Hi everyone, I'm a 65 y/o retired firefighter in upstate NY. Fairly new to Amtrak with just 2 cross country train trips under my belt. I'm hoping to pick up tips to maximize any future rides with my next one being the CZ in September

Former volunteer firefighter and EMT here!

 

[jsp]

Greetings. I’m in DC, originally from the home of the PRR’s famous 5.89% incline, and often traveling around the US (Mosier, Ore. this weekend). Started following after becoming a victim of the great sleeper downgrade.