My MIL is coming to visit this weekend, and she loves the train. Is there any place to go on the train that there will be something to do once there? I know there are not many walkable areas around, so not sure. In Boston you can get off Amtrak and either walk or use the subway, not sure if anything comes close around here.
I've ridden it several times and my mom is riding it tomorrow. Typically it is a straight ride....no getting off.
not sure about proximity from the train station to do things in Charlotte, but I know the train runs from Raleigh to Charlotte, that would be a nice day trip.
I think I've read that Greensboro (or maybe its Winston-Salem) that makes a good day trip. Now if I were doing that, I'd take my bike so I could have some basic transportation once off the train. Actually, I've never ridden a Amtrak train. I'd like to. Has anyone ever rode the train to Florida...like Orlando?
My last girls trip with my mom and sisters was by Amtrak to Richmond. Once there, we rented a room at a large chain motel and had reservations to see a production of Annie Get Your Gun". It was awesome! The theatre was so quaint and the actors very talented. What a great trip!
I haven't, but i have ridden it up to 30th street (PHL) and back. Its an ok ride. Long, but relaxing. I really enjoy having a 7 hour train ride to myself with a good book. Great way to clear the mind. A tip though: If you're traveling at non-peak times, then spring for a business class ticket. You'll appreciate the extra leg room, and might get a row to yourself. But when you're traveling during the peak season its not worth the extra money (unless you really really want a copy of USA today and a 'free' drink). The seats are just a little bit further apart, and the train will be booked solid, so you'll definitely have a neighbor. I suppose that doesn't matter much when you travel with people, but traveling solo it can be frustrating.
Well I am looking at a picture of it right now. In Richmond Va it boosts the only triple decker train tracks (3 levels of trains on on top of the other) and its near the Richmond train station. Also the train station in Wilmington de is really nice and antique. There is a train ride out in the western part of the state that takes you right past where they filmed the scene from the fugitive with a full size train. Its still there rotting away. Also there is the Tootsie railroad
Hey, thanks for the advice. I bet it would indeed be a relaxing mode of travel. I'd like to go across country at least one time by train. Now what would be considered peak season for Amtrak?
We took Amtrash to Florida two times n one trip, first and last ! North of here, rail is good. Heading south, the regular trains seem to take over the rails and exchanges. We paid for an all inclusive trip, including dinner and breakfast. We got stuff they sell as snacks. We paid for a bedroom as it was a 22 hour trip to Tampa. Didn't get the bedroom. An Amtrak manager was on aboard with us. I introduced myself, and told him how unhappy I was with the poor service, and the response from the train staff that I had to request refund for not having a bedroom, once we got to Tampa, etc. Manager called ahead to Jacksonville to find out some info. He found out his position had been eliminated and that we was laid off as of the end of the month. Needless to say, at that point, I knew my issues were small compared to his. When we got into the train yard near Baldwin (I-10/US301), they unhooked the cars, and the crew left. Unhooking the cars removed the electricity, this the A/C. I can't recall a more miserable three hours, in my life (and that's on top of a military career). You couldn't give us tickets to Florida on Amtrash! DC and northward..they get it. And rail service benefits those from DC Northward and Eastward. You and I, though taxes subsidize the high quality for them, just not for us, apparently.
