Thursday, October 28, 2004
Ever Travel by Train in the US?
I recently took Amtrak from New York's Penn Station to Washington DC. If you haven't ridden the rails before, let me tell you - it's an eye opening experience. In a lot of ways, it's a real life diorama on the decline of the American empire.
Rail lines were built to support factories and vice versa. A point A to point B trip by rail (in the industrialized east, anyway) is a neverending tour of shuttered, decaying factories, boarded up tenements, crack houses and shooting galleries. It is a tutorial on gang related graffiti, as well as a good illustration of our crumbling infrastructure. Train platforms and stations are in various stages of disrepair, and feature peeling paint, crumbling concrete, rusting metal fixtures and poor (if any) lighting. Even the train cars are in sad shape; if you boarded an airplane that looked like the car I rode in, you'd get the hell off - quick.
Amtrak is in the hole again this year. Let's examine why:
1) It is less expensive and more convenient to travel by air. Regular train fare from NYC to DC is about $30 MORE expensive than a Continental flight.
2) The Acela Express train is about double the cost of flying, and only gets you there thirty minutes faster that Amtrak's regular service.
3) Airports feature convenient, safe parking. Train stations do not.
4) The rail cars are not in good shape and the seats are far from comfortable. Or clean.
5) Beacuse of extensive track work, there really is no such thing as a "on time" arrival. "On time" for Amtrak apparently means less than twenty minutes late.
On the plus side, the people were friendly and the coffee was pretty good. Is that enough to ride Amtrak again? Probably not.
Rail lines were built to support factories and vice versa. A point A to point B trip by rail (in the industrialized east, anyway) is a neverending tour of shuttered, decaying factories, boarded up tenements, crack houses and shooting galleries. It is a tutorial on gang related graffiti, as well as a good illustration of our crumbling infrastructure. Train platforms and stations are in various stages of disrepair, and feature peeling paint, crumbling concrete, rusting metal fixtures and poor (if any) lighting. Even the train cars are in sad shape; if you boarded an airplane that looked like the car I rode in, you'd get the hell off - quick.
Amtrak is in the hole again this year. Let's examine why:
1) It is less expensive and more convenient to travel by air. Regular train fare from NYC to DC is about $30 MORE expensive than a Continental flight.
2) The Acela Express train is about double the cost of flying, and only gets you there thirty minutes faster that Amtrak's regular service.
3) Airports feature convenient, safe parking. Train stations do not.
4) The rail cars are not in good shape and the seats are far from comfortable. Or clean.
5) Beacuse of extensive track work, there really is no such thing as a "on time" arrival. "On time" for Amtrak apparently means less than twenty minutes late.
On the plus side, the people were friendly and the coffee was pretty good. Is that enough to ride Amtrak again? Probably not.
// posted by John Patmos @ 1:34 PM 
Comments:
<< Home
i took a train from seattle to california once..it was such a peaceful way to travel-classic dining car...coffee brought to the sleeping car at night and in the morning..wonderful scenery...i can't believe i haven't done it since, but i don't travel for leisure much anymore.
Darth: I can see how traveling the West by train could be quite enjoyable. Almost took the train from CA to CO once, but there was no way for me to get to the station. Trains sometimes leave from rather remote locations.
Jane: Yes, Washington's Union Station is magnificent; much nicer than any airport. The shops and restaurants are a very nice touch, especailly compared to Penn Stations fast food and homeless junkies.
Togo: I've ridden the underground many times, but never the trains in Britain. What's to fear?
Jane: Yes, Washington's Union Station is magnificent; much nicer than any airport. The shops and restaurants are a very nice touch, especailly compared to Penn Stations fast food and homeless junkies.
Togo: I've ridden the underground many times, but never the trains in Britain. What's to fear?
Yeah, but here's how I see it: when your number's up, your number's up. It doesn't really matter where you are or what you're doing.
Having just been to the Pentagon, I learned the story of one of the facility managers. On September 11, 2001, the plane that hit the Pentagon went right into where his office was located. The good news? He was traveling on business that day. The bad news? He was on one of the airplanes that hit the World Trade Center.
I also met the fuel tanker driver that was kidnapped in April and later escaped. He has an amazing story, but it comes down to this: a whole lot of things had to happen in sequence to put him at risk. He's pretty clear that it was his destiny to be kidnapped, and it was his destiny to escape.
There are things we can control in life and there are things beyond our control. No sense worrying about what you can't change.
Having just been to the Pentagon, I learned the story of one of the facility managers. On September 11, 2001, the plane that hit the Pentagon went right into where his office was located. The good news? He was traveling on business that day. The bad news? He was on one of the airplanes that hit the World Trade Center.
I also met the fuel tanker driver that was kidnapped in April and later escaped. He has an amazing story, but it comes down to this: a whole lot of things had to happen in sequence to put him at risk. He's pretty clear that it was his destiny to be kidnapped, and it was his destiny to escape.
There are things we can control in life and there are things beyond our control. No sense worrying about what you can't change.
I'm glad you brought this up. Need to "create" some jobs? How about revamping the fundamental ground transportation system(s)in this country? You were riding on a system that was developed in the 1700's and implemented in the 1800's. Nothing, and I mean nothing, has changed. Yes, the engines look different and may be able to go faster, but the damn wheels and track mechanisms are pretty much the same as when Lincoln rode on them.
I recognize the density differences between Europe and here but, honestly, a decent rail system between major hubs could get a lot of cars off the road (and yes, I also recognize that its not the major source of pollution from cars...sitting in traffic it). As someone said, the coffee is good and you have space-something you don't get on a plane.
To some cities credit (Washington DC and SanFran),from personal experience, they have made investments in public transportation. I just hope its paying off for them.
I like trains. I just think our are archaic.
Lastly- Bikeguy- there should be a mandatory buffer around railroad tracks but there isn't. Who want's to live next to a noisy train? Somebody too buzzed to know the difference?
I recognize the density differences between Europe and here but, honestly, a decent rail system between major hubs could get a lot of cars off the road (and yes, I also recognize that its not the major source of pollution from cars...sitting in traffic it). As someone said, the coffee is good and you have space-something you don't get on a plane.
To some cities credit (Washington DC and SanFran),from personal experience, they have made investments in public transportation. I just hope its paying off for them.
I like trains. I just think our are archaic.
Lastly- Bikeguy- there should be a mandatory buffer around railroad tracks but there isn't. Who want's to live next to a noisy train? Somebody too buzzed to know the difference?
Togo - I hear you - those buses Are awfully damn comfortable.
Politico - Agreed. Public transportation by me sucks - driving is my only alternative. If I could take a train to work, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
There's got to be a way to privatize local and regional rail service. Keep it clean and well maintained, run the trains on time, build more stops - and people will use it.
Post a Comment
Politico - Agreed. Public transportation by me sucks - driving is my only alternative. If I could take a train to work, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
There's got to be a way to privatize local and regional rail service. Keep it clean and well maintained, run the trains on time, build more stops - and people will use it.
<< Home
