Train trip

Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 04:42 AM
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Train trip

We're thinking about taking a train next October from Daytona Beach, FL to Washington, D.C. Staying a couple of days before taking another train to Chicago. After a few days there, another train on to Seattle for a couple of days and finally training to Vancouver for some time and finally flying home from there. We would appreciate any advice from anyone who has taken any part of this dream.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 04:53 AM
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Can't offer any advice but that sounds like an amazing trip. Hope you report back on it.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 05:14 AM
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I've done every one of the segments and IMO (and there's at least one other person around who will undoubtedly disagree with what I have to say) here's what has happened to me.

As I said, I've done all the segments; some more than once; usually on Amtrak but have also done them in private RR cars attached to Amtrak services.

be prepared for LATE arrivals; I'm sorry, but Amtrak only owns the right of way in the NE Corridor and uses local freight railroad-owned rights of way for all other routes and the passenger services do NOT get priority.
Ask me about the time I walked into the Portland, Oregon, rail station prepared to depart of the eastbound Empire Builder section and was told, "I'm sorry, but we aren't exactly sure where the train is or if it will even get here."

I thought the food, although adequate, was not, as one of my rail "fan" friends once described it, "A cut above Denny's."

The scenery: wonderful for the most part; the sightseer lounge windows: often dirty.

I wouldn't do it in anything BUT a sleeping car if you can afford to do that; equipment repair can be hit or miss.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 06:03 AM
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I, too have been on all of these routes. What month is your trip planned for?
If the Empire Builder is having a history of late arrivals, the next best option is to take the California Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento and the Coast Starlight north to Portland or Seattle.
The Zephyr arrives in Sacramento mid afternoon and the CS leaves SAC at midnight.
The California Railroad museum is within walking distance of the newly remodeled Sacramento station. (closes 5PM).
I have ridden many thousands of miles in coach on Amtrak and ViaRail but agree that a sleeper is much more comfortable.
You may end up riding the Amtrak bus from Seattle to Vancouver instead of one of the 2 daily trains.
You may find it cheaper to take the bus back to Seattle and flying home from there.
Your choices from Washington to Chicago are the Capitol Limited (daily) and the 3 time per week train through West Virginia.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 07:08 AM
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I've also taken all these legs on multiple trips. I agree with all Dukey said except the food - I actually think its two cuts above Denney's. However, Dukey and I look on all the drawbacks a little differently, I suspect. I board the train understanding it is likely to be late but that's no big thing for me because I always plan enough leeway in my schedule so late doesn't matter. I enjoy the trips for what they are - an opportunity to see a lot of fresh scenery while being transported in relative style.

That being said, I much prefer ViaRail cross country trains to Amtrak but I enjoy both.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 08:14 AM
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Hi joevainella,

I have done every part of your planned route except Seattle-Vancouver by train a few times. Delays on the order of a few hours are not uncommon on the long-distance routes, so one needs to be prepared for this, although sometimes things have run on-time for me on all these routes. For your own peace of mind, don't *plan* to be somewhere 3 hours after a train is expected to arrive. (There is one calculated risk I've always taken with lateness on 5 occasions now-- 4-5 hours after my train was expected to arrive in Chicago from the east, I've planned to take a westbound train out of Chicago & thus far I've always made my connection. If this makes you anxious, an overnight in Chicago would eliminate that anxiety.) I find having a sleeper car allows me to roll with the punches better for these long-distance trips. If you end up with a few hours in Chicago, you can walk from Union Station to Lake Michigan, the Art Institute, the Willis Tower, lots of options!--I've always enjoyed my layover in Chicago!

To add to tomfuller's options, you could catch a Regional train and take the Lake Shore Limited Train out of New York City is another possibility to get to Chicago. The segment from New York City to Utica has some beautiful sections.

You're in for a treat scenically. The Empire Builder train to Seattle has some gorgeous segments-- in Wisconsin along the Mississippi River, through Glacier National Park, into the desert of eastern Washington and the evergreens of the Cascade Mountains. The last bit along the Puget Sound is a treat too. I like the DC to Chicago train as well; the Allegheny River and the scenery in Western Maryland and around Harper's Ferry is just lovely!

Have a great trip! Daniel
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Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 08:26 AM
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I much prefer The Canadian as well: better food; equipment in much better repair, and better sightseeing opportunities in the dome cars than the Sightseer Lounge but to each their own.
Like Amtrak, Via can be notoriously late as in the last trip when we go to Toronto almost 12 hours late.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2016, 05:01 PM
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Thank you, all. You've given us much to think about and we will do just that. It's well we have more than a year.
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