Lookin at doin some travelin this year to various trapping events hopefully but really don't wanna drive 13hr one way ya know . Was talking to my mom about this and she mentioned how much she liked going on the Amtrak trains anytime she goes to new York or Chicago, so I'm looking at that. Seems cheap enough but wanted to know if anyone travels by train alot . Is it really that good ? Their usually somwhere you can rent a vehicle close by to most stations ?

Not a lot
13 hours by car can be 20+ by train.
Perty but is seems like you go through the best at night.

I have traveled by train a little Wolfdog. It was fun but it eats up a lot of time. It is circuitous to get from "here" to "there". My brother worked installing security equipment at train yard entrances. He said there wasn't enough money in the world to get him on a train. I am of the opinion that everything in life comes with a modicum of risk. I say go for it.

Brandon was a big AmTrack rider....

Trains are great.I travellfe by train a lot.
The night train from Cochrane to Toronto was epic.All night party.

Check on the cost of flying, there are a lot of cheap air fares to be had right now and you are going to be renting a car either way, sometimes you can roll the airfare, vehicle rental, and motel into one package and get a really good deal. Obviously if you are going to buy a lot of supplies you would have to ship them home but I suspect it would be the same way with a train.

I’d check the cost of flying and book 6 weeks ahead. See if someone will pick you up at the airport or get an Uber. You could eat all weekend for the cost of a rental and get a brown bag at the T-man dinner.

It is cheaper to fly, or faster to drive.

One time 30 years ago. From CT to FL. I will NEVER travel by train again. It really sucked. Uncomfortable, loud, couldn't even take a leak without whizzing all over the place. And looking into the "toilet" you see the tracks going by. There WAS a sign that said don't use restroom near the station. When I got off the train I looked down the tracks and TP as far as I could see. Again, 30 years ago, maybe it's changed.

I like trains but I have not done much traveling by train. It may depend if your destination is close to a train station. I would go to New York on a train in a heartbeat if I could get away. Just my 2 cents.

Long-Twin-Silver-Line...............Bob Seger

trains are slow and when you have to get a sleeper because what would take 3 hours in a plane takes 30 hours by train

driving isn't bad at all if you have a partner it gives you so much flexibility in where you go and what you see

13 hours by yourself is a little long some people don't mind some people do audio books help if you are by yourself

the other thing is I lived a 10 blocks from an amtrak station , when you got off the train possibly in the middle of the night there was a coffee shop that opened at 6am next to the track you had to basically have some one there to pick you up.that Was Columbus WI the stop in Sturdivant WI isn't a whole lot more

it isn't like an air port where you can rent a car , return a car , there is a warm place to wait on any layover with food available.


for one person traveling alone you can often get a seat very reasonable , line up a couple people who you could get to meet you at the air port depending on time of flight or plan to rent a car I bet you will find other people going to be at the trapping convention and would give you a ride , you might even be able to borrow a tent and camp at the convention.

When ya have to wait 10 hrs in the bar for the train to depart, the 5 hr trip ain't that bad.

Not legally!!! I have hopped my fair share though. LOL

I did a lot when I was younger and loved it! way better than being stuck in the middle seat of an airliner with a kid kicking the seat behind me some one on the side of me snoring or coughing. Do it get up walk around eat a good meal if you can afford it get a sleeping berth. I would rather walk than fly not sure where your going but if you can get close on train and rent a car do it.

I always get an aisle or window seat in the exit row nearest the front of the plane. You do get to select your seat.

In europe trains are the way to travel (at least they were 20 years ago) -- usa - not so much. Maybe E. coast is different than left coast but probably half of our train tickets are bus trips stopping at train stations.

Interesting, thanks for all the responses everyone

I went to Montana and back by Amtrak and never again. Nasty bathrooms, nasty people, poor food and uncomfortable. I’d look for any other option first.

I have worked many years for a Class 1 freight railroad as a Locomotive Machinist. I have worked on many Amtrak Locomotives in my career when they fail in our yard or on our mainline track and I personally would never even think of riding in one of those piles of junk. Let’s just say I have never seen as many FRA violations on any locomotives as I do on Amtrak’s equipment.