runnerjefff

Hi At Christmas, we have to fly from the Madison WI to Sacramento CA. I'm claustrophobic, so the idea of possible/likely/bet-on-it flight delays has me concerned already! We're looking into options: train across, or fly down south & then over. Anything to avoid Chicago or Mnpls in winter weather & holiday frenzy. We've had great luck w/trains going north/south, and even once all the way across the country in the summertime. Are trains at Christmas/winter time less likely to be delayed? Assuming of course that we could afford a sleeper car. Or suggestions for reducing significantly the odds of being stuck for hours/days on the tarmac at a midwestern airport? Thanks

janisj

Amtrack is not really a good choice. because freight has priority on the tracks the trains can arrive anywhere from 1 hour to a full day late.

But if you don't feel you can fly - Amtrack is about your only other option.

nytraveler

Frankly I would much rather drive than take Amtrak cross ountry in winter.

runnerjefff

THANK YOU for the quick replies. Looks like Amtrak is probably out. Will see if we can do some creative planning with our flights.

andrews98682

If you're claustrophobic and worried about delays, why would you consider Amtrak -- especially in winter? I wouldn't worry too much about flying through O'Hare or another midwestern hub. Airport shutdowns are rare. Plus, if there is a blizzard in Chicago, I would think the odds of getting off the ground in Madison are slim no matter where you're connecting.

dwooddon

I'm not one of the "beat up on AMTRAK" crowd. I have enjoyed every long-distance train trip I have ever made.

However, if you are concerned about schedules, as you say you are in your post, AMTRAK is probably not a good idea. Every trip is not late but they are late often enough to be an issue if that concerns you.

On the other hand, you get considerably better sightseeing than by air and usually better than by car. If you have the personality for it, there is no better way to see the country than by train. If you don't, at best it will be frustrating and could be infuriating.

dfr4848

To answer your question, we've taken Amtrak several times in the winter, including the Midwest. Have never had weather problems. We thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was very nice, relaxing way to travel, but you can't be tied to a particular schedule. They are often delayed and run late and you just have to be prepared for it.

If you're really concerned about winter weather, your other option, of course, is to fly through a hub like DFW or even IAH. I would add that we've frequently flown to the Midwest in winter through/to DEN, ORD and MSP and have had only one serious problem in DEN.

WICT_106

I'm not one of the "Beat up on Amtrak" crowd here either, as, like dwodden, I've taken the train from the Midwest to both east and west coasts. Having written that, you can be seriously delayed by flying, or driving, as well as the train. It just seems like people are much more tolerant of delays while driving or flying than aboard the rails. Amtrak is the result of decades of reduced investment or outright neglect in the US passenger rail system. As for Amtrak "not being a good choice," Countries such as France and Germany spend upwards of $ 10 billion each year for their pasenger rails, while the US spends between $ 1.1 - 1.4 billion. As the cliche goes, you get what you pay for. If you take this trip, beware that Union Pacific railroad - who owns the portion of the route west of Denver - has indicated that they don't want any passenger trains, lng distance or commuter, over their lines. this antipathy is demonstrated in their handling of Amtrak. It is important to note that your punctuality can be affected by the frieght railroads, as they each do all of the traffic control over their own lines. Some RR's such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe dispatch Amtrak with some semblance of positive attitude. This is different than the air traffic system, where the Feds do all of the traffic control and the airlines have to foillow their orders.

Like other posters, I have experienced delays aboard Amtrak trains, but a delay aboard the train is nothing like a delay aboard an airliner. While aboard the train, I can bring aboard my own shampoo, my own adult beverages (consumed in moderation, of course), and I don't have to worry about being stuck in airports like Denver, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, Seattle. People seem to tolerate the mediocre to poor public service of many airlines, yet willingly fly again. I could also share the horror stories of being stuck on the pavement in several places, most notably Detroit. Mechanical delays, weather delays, being stuck with other argumenative, defensive or hostile passengers


Going to or from Madison, WI will probably involve a bus trip to Union Station in Chicago. The bus is operated by Van Galder bus lines. the route I think you are thinnking of goes across IA and NE, where it is on BNSF lines. Then it switches to UP RR lines from Denver west to CA. As for being more or less delayed, that depends upon the individual stretch of track. In any case, I'd tell you to go ahead and take Amtrak - you might be pleasantly surprised. It is important to adjust your expectations though. I've encountered people having a fun train trip and those who thought they were having the trip from Purgatory on the same train, and the difference was in the levels of expectation. the latter group expected a super luxury trip á la Grand Luxe Tours (née American Orient Express) while the former group was focused upon spending their precious "personal" time with friends and family, no matter what. the different focus led to different levels of expectations regarding the train.

No matter how you eventually choose to travel to CA, I woulod allow for some delays regardless of the method of travel.

kdm

I know you don't want to fly, however if you do, look into Midwest Express Airlines. I haven't been on one of their planes for years, but when I did they were very comfortable and great service. They fly from Milwaukee to San Francisco and from there you can to Sacto. Enjoy your trip

http://www.midwestairlines.com/MAWeb...utLanding.aspx

FainaAgain

If you add hours of getting early to the airport for security scrutiny and the hours of possible delays plus the nerves wasted on worrying about flight, then the train is your best bet. I know, I was there. For a while I couldn't fly for the fear of flight.

I took Chicago-San Francisco train last September. Think of it as a trip itself, or a tour, and it won't be that bad. I'll try to find my report and post the link. Hold on!

FainaAgain

Here is my Amtrak report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34874548

madgirl

I live in Madison, and to get to Amtrak, all you have to do is drive 1/2 hour east to Columbus, WI, where you can catch the Amtrak Empire Builder train. There is one train per day in each direction, southeast toward Chicago's Union Station (about 1 p.m.) or northwest to Minneapolis (about 5 p.m.)and on to either Seattle or Portland. No need to take the Van Galder bus, unless you really like taking a bus.
At busy times such as Christmas, Amtrak will add on extra cars to the trains to accommodate the demand. Personally, I like taking the train if I'm not in a hurry; the coach seating is much more roomy and comfortable than airline seating, and if you have a sleeper, you get privacy and meals in the dining car included in the price. It's relaxing and you can walk through the train to stretch your legs, watch the scenery from the sightseeing car, catch a movie in the club car or get a drink.