I agree about the people. We met some very nice people. Most had traveled many times by train. We were the only ones we ran into that had not before. And the food was good.Sounds great! I took Amtrak a few years ago, from DC to Chicago, when I had an absessed tooth (the dentist in DC wouldn't let me fly home for 48 hours) and had a roomette. It was fun (apart from the tooth!). I found there's a whole subculture of people who only take trains -- met some really nice people.
The roomette was pretty small -- I know it's meant for 2 people, but I frankly can't imagine how DH and I would both fit -- our knees would hit each other sitting in the chair. But it was pretty comfy to sleep.
Safety seemed fine, but I basically just stayed in the room except for meals.
Hope you have a great time!
This was becoming a bone of contention on our last train travels (2019/2020) together. A decision to only serve microwaved food on the Silver Service was made and many regular passengers were nightly peeved.And the food was good.
Yes it has. Read my trip report from June 2022, with photos. I had a roomette and it was full service in the restaurant, with 2 chefs cooking to order for all meals.This was becoming a bone of contention on our last train travels (2019/2020) together. A decision to only serve microwaved food on the Silver Service was made and many regular passengers were nightly peeved.
We got around the problem by ordering Italian heroes in Philly from a favorite shop ( I am sooo fussy about food, LOL). For a fee they delivered them to our train on time and we just took beverages and desserts from the dining room. Only meal we needed from the dining car was breakfast and we cobbled something together.
I’m hoping that the food service has been restored as this was a major travel advantage.
Sorry, I thought your trip was solely on the West coast. Our national service is convoluted and the NE Corridor has different train layouts and service. I think the service downgrade (IMO) was only for the NorthEast Corridor but could be wrong. It was particularly stinging because the NE Corridor subsidizes the rest of the passenger system.Yes it has. Read my trip report from June 2022, with photos. I had a roomette and it was full service in the restaurant, with 2 chefs cooking to order for all meals.
Sorry, I thought your trip was solely on the West coast. Our national service is convoluted and the NE Corridor has different train layouts and service. I think the service downgrade (IMO) was only for the NorthEast Corridor but could be wrong. It was particularly stinging because the NE Corridor subsidizes the rest of the passenger system.
I read your report and it warmed my heart
I am an introvert who has watched extroverts have the time of their lives on these trains. Laughing. Insert big wink. So as others have said, it really does depend.
Hands down the best part of that train ride is between Denver and Grand Junction. You’ll miss the best scenery if you get off in Denver.@Minnesota! You have me checking Amtrak prices & schedules!
My niece lives in Southern California, but is getting married in Colorado - I am like hmmm, Chicago to Denver looks interesting.
Absolutely @bcla, you're right - absolutely nothing wrong with being an introvert on a train trip.
I was laughing to myself about a very social friend on one trip. He would be here, there and everywhere constantly bringing us people he had met during the day. To the point we had to tell him "Stop bringing us people! We are quite content in our own little world, thank you so much." I love extroverts, they are so entertaining.
Hello people!
I have far more PTO than anyone else in my house does and I am ready to travel again. I used to take the train 2x a week to/from my college town. I loved it and always felt safe.
I am considering taking myself on a cross-country trek, via Amtrak. Just LITERALLY riding the rails. No plans in any one city, only planning to switch trains and continue on to the next "end of the line" destination.
I have done a ton of reading and research on it, thus far, but now I am looking for "real life" experiences. Have you done something similar? Have you done it solo? I would probably get a roomette for the longer sections and then a seat for the shorter (under 12 hours).
I wouldn't be on a set timetable, so them always running behind wouldn't bug me. But...safety? Of my personal stuff/space, and of the train itself. Has a ton changed on board since the late 90s?
Thoughts, experiences, warnings?
Thanks for anything you can contibute