It’s been a hellish summer for air travel. FAA staffing shortages, flight cancellations, delays and overcrowding…along with airfares rising higher than the planes themselves. Is this any way to travel?
Steve Fainer thinks not. He’s a “train guy” whose passion makes me look like a wannabe.
“I chose to be without a car for more than 15 years,” he tells me proudly. A Connecticut native (though now living in transit-friendly Northampton, MA) he enjoys senior fares on all manner of buses and trains, which he travels almost daily.
“I belong to a group called Trains in the Valley, which advocates for trains in the western MA area and particularly the ‘knowledge corridor’ that includes Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield.” Almost every day he is at a local train station measuring the on-time performance of Amtrak’s “Valley Flyer” trains and counting the number of passengers boarding and disembarking. A bit nerdy, right?
But last weekend he had to attend a family wedding in Washington, D.C and, apparently, skipped the airport and took the train, detailing his trip on Twitter (@SteveFainer).
Because the Hartford line (trains from New Haven to Springfield) is closed for summer construction work, he ended up taking more buses than trains, but made the entire round trip to Washington without ever once entering a a car
Northampton to Springfield on an express bus cost 75 cents (vs. $11 by train). Then another bus to New Haven ($6.25 although his ticket was never picked up) and a connection to Amtrak.
Because he had booked weeks in advance and taken advantage of one of Amtrak’s occasional “Flash Sales,” his coach fare to DC was only $29 (vs. $82 regularly). The train arrived in Washington five minutes early and was almost sold out, typical for a Friday.
From Union Station in Washington he hopped on the DC Circulator Bus ($1 vs $22 for Uber) arriving at his Air B&B. The next day was a quick walk to the wedding and back.
His round trip on Amtrak cost $56 (also bought in advance) and took eight hours door to door vs an estimated 6.5 hours if he drove, not considering Sunday traffic. Total round trip cost: $87.75
Admittedly, being retired, Fainer is a bit obsessive about saving money and looking for bargains. Booking in advance always saves on ticket prices…assuming you have the flexibility to do so. But even without senior discounts and “flash sales,” taking mass transit is a money saver. Moreover, taking the train is stress-free compared to driving.
Fainer says he doesn’t miss having a car. “Since I haven’t had a car in 15 years, it’s hard to put a dollar figure on what I save, but it’s definitely in the thousands when you consider gas, repairs, taxes, insurance , registration, parking fees, etc. . etc.”
So the next time you’re traveling in the Northeast, consider your options. You can end up saving money and a lot of travel stress if you try taking the train.
Does Amtrak ever Cancelled due to weather?
I have been using AMTRAK and MetroNorth for years and have never experienced delays due to weather, equipment problems, yes, but I have never had any MAJOR accidents.
How does Amtrak handle snow? If a storm is really bad, as in white blizzard conditions, then Amtrak elect may hold or cancel the train to ensure the safety of passengers. Read also : NAVIGATE THIS BEAUTIFUL TRAVEL SEASON WITH THESE SAVING TIPS TO MAKE YOUR TRAVELS MORE WORTHFUL. If something were to happen to a train in a remote location in a true blizzard, it might be difficult to get help there.
Does bad weather affect Amtrak?
During cold weather, Amtrak activates switch heaters, lubricates the switches, and treats them with antifreeze agents. Amtrak trains running along the Northeast and Keystone corridors are powered by overhead electrical wires called a catenary system.
Do Amtrak trains ever get Cancelled?
From Memorial Day weekend to mid-July this year, just over 1 percent of trains across the passenger rail network were canceled, according to Amtrak. Read also : Americans are flocking to the warmer parts of Europe. This is where the Europeans are going instead.
Which direction is better on Coast Starlight?
I think the north is preferable, but I mostly rode the Starlight between Oakland and Portland. To see also : The Boys Mocks from Prime Video Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO Max. Going north, even in winter, you get to see the scenery from the pass between California and Oregon, and if the train is running late, you can even get to see Mt Shasta in the morning.
Which side of the Starlight Coast is best? What Is The Most Scenic Section Of The Starlight Coast. The best section of the Starlight Coast is located on the Pacific Ocean in California from Oxnard, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA. From here you get the best views of the Pacific Ocean.
What is the route of the Coast Starlight?
The Coastal Starlight is a passenger train operated by Amtrak on the West Coast of the United States between Seattle and Los Angeles via Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Is it better to take the Coast Starlight north or south?
Going north you will definitely see the coast. Going south you will miss it if it is very late, however you may be able to enjoy the sunset as you go along the coast. Going north you also see the Cascades better, and you have a better chance of seeing Mount Shasta (especially in the summer).
How long does the Coast Starlight take?
The route, called Coast Starlight, takes 35 hours in total to pass through the state of Washington, cross Oregon and go down the coast of California.
How long is the Coast Starlight train? The Amtrak Coast Starlight runs daily and covers a distance of 1377 miles over 35 hours. There are a total of 28 stops along the way down the west coast to Los Angeles.
How fast does the Coast Starlight travel?
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Superliner |
| Measuring the tracks | 4 ft 81â2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Operating speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) (average) 79 mph (127 km/h) (top) |
Why is Coast Starlight so slow?
Amtrak’s Starlight Coast route from Seattle to Los Angeles is notoriously late. He has been known to work up to 11 hours behind schedule, taking the romance out of train travel for even the most devoted fans. The source of the delay, according to some, is the company that owns the railway tracks.
Is the Coast Starlight scenic?
Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular of all rail routes, the Starlight Coast connects the largest cities on the West Coast. The scenery along the Coast Starlight route is unsurpassed.
Which is better Pacific Surfliner vs Coast Starlight?
Is the Coast Starlight or Pacific Surfliner Better. The Starlight Coast is better than the Pacific Surfliner to see the California Coast and the Pacific Ocean. The Starlight Coast offers observation cars, a dining room, and sleeper cars if needed.
Is Pacific Surfliner scenic? With daily service to San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, the Pacific Surfliner can take you on a scenic ride to some amazing destinations.
What is the most comfortable Amtrak train?
AMTRAK’S CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR Aboard the Zephyr’s two-story, Superliner cars, relax in comfort as you experience a bird’s-eye view of the passing scenery. The train has a range of sleeping accommodations and dining options to complete your experience.
What is the difference between Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight?
The Coastal Starlight, for example, shares the same route as the Pacific Surfliner between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, but only stops at seven stations instead of the 17 stations served by the Pacific Surfliner, and has one train just a day in each. direction (but traveling overnight to Seattle).
