COAST TO COAST RAIL HOLIDAYS IN AMERICA

[old-equestrian]

HI , HUSBAND & I ARE (HOPEFULLY) CELEBRATING 40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY NEXT SEPT. OTHER HALF HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO GO ON A COAST TO COAST RAIL JOURNEY ACROSS AMERICA, JUST STARTED SENDING FOR BROCHURES ETC, BUT WOULD APPRECIATE ANY COMMENTS,TIPS OR DO'S & DON'TS FROM ANY ONE WHO HAS TRIED ONE OF THESE HOLIDAYS. IT WILL BE OUR 'HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME' SO WANT TO GET IT RIGHT. MANY THANKS

[Baldric]

Why are you shouting at us?

[old-equestrian]

so sorry baldric!....didn't realise i was!!!!!!!!!!!! hope this is quiet enough!
would appreciate any sensible answers

[jno]

mmmm.... where would you like to go?

http://www.amtrak.com...stem0211_101web,0.pdf

[old-equestrian]

we are thinking of starting in new york and going west to san francisco-there are several trips offered just hoping to find someone who has experienced this tour

[sddsddean]

The only thing I know about the US rail network is, that apart from the NorthEast Corridor (Washington DC to Boston area), its notorious for hold ups. As most people fly long distance, freight is king on the railways and passenger trains are often 'sidelined' to allow freight to pass. This is not a problem as such, but build plenty of leeway into the flight home from the end of your journey...at least a day if not two. Personally I have only been on the Acela Express from Washington DC to Newark, NJ. A trip of about 2 1/2 hrs which was spot on time and very comfortable.

[Clanad]

Actually (I live in the U.S.BTW) coast to coast rail travel can be very enjoyable. I'd recommend checking into the cost of a "sleeper" room, rather than just a seat. Time was when travelby rail in the U.S. was first rate I remember, as a child going with my parents to e dining car. The waiters whit jackets were so starched it looked like they would break if they bent over.

A any rate, welcome to the U.S. This link should help you ... http://www.seat61.com/UnitedStates.htm

I'd avoid the southern most route, opting or the northen or central routes The northern route is the most scenic, but only after getting to Billings, Montana... Same with the central route... it only becomes scenic after reaching Denver....

[jno]

is that because the Midwest's a bit flat and boring, Clanad? I suppose, when I think about it, that may be why I've never been there.

All the same, I went across Russia by train 30 years ago and there was something fascinating even just going through wheat fields all day long, or birch forests.

[Clanad]

If you've never been through Kansas or Nebraska, jno then the Steppes of Russia could be very scenic by comparison. Flat it is and wheat it is, but not much more... even eastern Colorado is the same until at least Denver...

[jno]

even Dorothy seemed only reluctantly reconciled to Kansas... but I'll bet she moved to LA as soon as she'd saved enough money. I'd like to see the Mississippi properly, but much as I love the USA, I'm not really drawn to the wheatfields.

Still, as part of a rail journey, it'd be only a day or two? And old-equestrian's husband might think it all part of what makes up the country?

[Pumbah]

My step-daughter and her partner just returned from such a journey, old-equestrian, and absolutely loved it. They flew to New York, stayed there a few days then took the train to Boston. A short stay there then a train to Chcago, before taking the train to San Francisco. They ended with a train journey up the West Coast to Portland and Seattle, before flying back via New York. Other travellers on the Chacago/SF and SF/Portland legs were especially friendly. A geologist expained all about the geology of the Rockies and a regular on the SF/Portland train gave them a running commenatry on where they were passing. All in all a month well spent.

[old-equestrian]

Thanks all for your comments- brochures have arrived & husband thinks arranged escorted tour would suit -this tour starts in new york then washington, chicago, denver,monument valley, flagstaff, grand canyon,la & finally san francisco (mostly by train). phew hope i can keep up with him! what will the weather be like in early september, i wonder ? & how will i manage with just one case for three weeks!!

[jno]

the weather depends... you're covering a huge amount of ground; you could have heat in Washington, tornados in the Midwest and fog in San Francisco. But generally it's late summer and should be sunny and warm.

If you've got just the one suitcase, check out the laundry opportunities on the train and during stopovers (good hotels should always offer them). Wash knickers at night whenever you get the chance and hang them up to dry in a cabin (assuming you get a cabin). And check out the actual suitcase sizes allowed, Americans often take a generous view of such things, but I don't know about trains.

Sounds wonderful!

[Clanad]

September is probably the most ideal time of the year to travel anywhere in the U.S. School startsh here last weekof August or so, therefore all the kids are out of the way. Fall colo arust starting and the wather is clear and the nights are cooler. The Grand Canyon is absolutely spectacular in September.. remember, it's over a mile high in altitude, so bring a jacket. Th Aspens wil be turning with brilliant splotches of yellow scattered here and there. Try the SkyWalkif you can... seen here: http://www.google.com...509&bih=795(Apologies for the long URL)
jno.. for future reference.. the tornado season almot anywere in the U.S. is May, June and July... rarely ny after the first of August...

[jno]

thanks, Clanad, but just checking, it seems there were some in Queens only last month (admittedly not exactly in the Midwest)... 100 across the central USA in April... and more back as far as February and March. As with soccer here, it seems the season is just about year-round these days.