travel across the continent by train

Last week I had my first Amtrak experience—rode the Crescent from Atlanta to New Orleans and back. I half-expected it to put me off long distance train travel for good, but it was a surprisingly fun experience. I did learn some important lessons, such as:

• Bring a pillow and blanket, because you will want to nap.
• Bring plenty of your own food and bottled water, because the on-board food service is grim,

That being said, I am now seriously considering an eventual transcontinental trip not with Amtrak, but with VIA Rail Canada. They’ve got service from Toronto to Vancouver and the prices for sleeper car service are reasonable. Really wish I had the money to book a trip for next spring…

A few months ago I plotted out a trip from Chicago to Seattle to San Francisco to Chicago, along some of Amtrak’s most scenic routes. Not exactly a transcontinental trip, I know, but it would be close enough to satisfy me.

Rail travel is horrifically expensive these days. And I don’t think there’s any way I could survive a trip of that length without a private sleeping car. I have enough trouble sleeping without trying to do it sitting up in the company of strangers.