Doesn't the low pressure in a plane contribute to the blandless. Not a problem on trains.
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Want airline food? Take Amtrak
21–30 of 225 posts
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#22As a regular rider of Germany's night trains: what's the problem with eating in a roomette (sleeper car cabin)? First of all I already hate it when the cabin mates see me totally groggy - much less a whole fucking dining car. In addition, no dining car can fit as many people as there fit in a single sleeper car, much less a whole train composed of 10-15 sleeper cars.
Having done both, it's much roomier on the Amtrak dining cars, you get better food, and they will bring it to your cabin if you want that, as I recall, so it's not like you're forced to eat in the dining car. I like Germany's night trains a lot, but for Amtrak this is clearly a downgrade.
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
Google say it takes 31h to drive between the two -- any idea why the Amtrak takes twice that time?
3 days is a relatively aggressive schedule for the road trip. The train makes up for its low average speed by not needing to sleep overnight. The real problem is that the cost is greater than or equal to a 4-hour flight.
Why is train travel so much more expensive? Fewer tickets being sold comparatively?
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#24I've taken the California Zephyr between Chicago and SF a couple times now, it's a wonderful experience. 2 1/2 days of solitude from a world with increasingly few remote corners. If you're at all interested, I recommend riding soon. These admittedly impractical long-distance routes are going to be the first to go when budget cuts necessitate it.
Google say it takes 31h to drive between the two -- any idea why the Amtrak takes twice that time?
Driving in shifts for 31h is pretty awful. It’s really an apples to oranges comparison. That’s really a 3 day trip, especially if you’re targeting hotel check in times.
The train is generally pleasant and relaxing. I used to do Albany->NYC a few times a month. It takes less time in that case, but I always looked forward to that trip to work, reflect or just observe.
The problem with the trains is inconsistent times. They share track with freight in many routes and there is little rhyme or reason for many trips. The error bar for arrival for a Boston->Buffalo trip is 3-4 hours, easy.
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
3 days is a relatively aggressive schedule for the road trip. The train makes up for its low average speed by not needing to sleep overnight. The real problem is that the cost is greater than or equal to a 4-hour flight.
Why is train travel so much more expensive? Fewer tickets being sold comparatively?
For shorter routes, it's the inverse; I go from STL to CHI (and back) often, and it's $30-40 for a pretty enjoyable short trip; 5-6 hours (compared to driving (4-5 hours), or flying (1 hour, but 2.5+ with airport time and stress included). Flights are usually $90+.
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
3 days is a relatively aggressive schedule for the road trip. The train makes up for its low average speed by not needing to sleep overnight. The real problem is that the cost is greater than or equal to a 4-hour flight.
Why is train travel so much more expensive? Fewer tickets being sold comparatively?
Also, maintaining tracks is expensive, especially in a large country like USA, as compared to just maintaining two airports.
Kinda makes me wonder how much money is spent on road maintenance that we are not thinking as a cost while driving.
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
33 stops.
I do live in a bad spot for trains (Oklahoma) however they keep trying to build more rails (which make no sense in our region).. to determine how much sense they made to me personally I studied a trip to chicago from oklahoma city. Turns out I couldn't find any destination where trains beat driving or flying in the metrics of time or cost even. I do get that trains work in some regions in the US ~ but we should defin…
Building roads is also a money losing operation. Complain about something else. There's plenty here.
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#28I have a strange love for the Acela Express' cheeseburger. If I wasn't sitting in a meeting right now I would go to Penn Station now and take a ride to Newark for that burger.
wow I'd have guess that was untouchable. Now I'm going to have to try it. Since ShakeShack appeared in Penn station, that and a tall beer or two has been my post-work Acela fare.
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#29Amtrak's current food is far superior to airline food. I'm speaking as a regular Empire Builder, Sunset Limited, and Southwest Chief first class passenger. The only disappointment is that for some reason, I can't get food served in my room on the Sunset Limited. No problems on the other routes. It's kind of sad if Amtrak has to sacrifice freshly-prepared food for airline heat-n-eat fare. But if it means an additional…
> Full trains are a bigger problem than fresh food for Amtrak.
And upgrading their network to Positive Train Control should be a higher priority than full trains and food. They've had several fatal crashes recently that PTC might have avoided.
Re: Want airline food? Take Amtrak
#30I've taken the California Zephyr between Chicago and SF a couple times now, it's a wonderful experience. 2 1/2 days of solitude from a world with increasingly few remote corners. If you're at all interested, I recommend riding soon. These admittedly impractical long-distance routes are going to be the first to go when budget cuts necessitate it.
Google say it takes 31h to drive between the two -- any idea why the Amtrak takes twice that time?
American rail is built for cargo, so there are no sections as fast as a freeway.
Also there are several sections that are particularly slow. The track through the Rockies is the original 1869 route, with original curvy single track and original tunnels. Speed there is around 20mph. Sometimes you come close to I-70, where cars are going 60-80mph. The Sierras also have slow sections. That said, those were my favorite parts of the trip.