Good train routes in the US?

[Ray Kinsella]

The family and I have taken the Zephyr twice from Omaha to Colorado. In 2017, we took it just to Denver and back. In 2019, we took it over the Rockies to Grand Junction. I loved it; you sleep all night going across Nebraska both ways.

I would love to do it more, maybe drive down to KC to take the Southwest Chief, or drive up to the Twin Cities to take the Empire Builder. But it can be pricey, and the wife tends to get motion sick after too long.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

I love the railroad. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to work in a field I admire so much and aspired for so long to be a part of. I'd like to decrease the stress of fighting for track time against trains and a lot of other uncertainty to get things done properly and on time, but for every bad day I have the track in front of me. And all that wonderment in the ancient.

 

[ThorneStockton]

I'll use this thread to plug one of my favorite YouTube channels and just human, there's not any more videos coming. RIP.

Jim Stobe, Stobe the Hobo.

 

[efg2008]

Exactly how often do these stops occur?

Give up the smokes, pappy.

 

[The-Dude-Abides]

I'll use this thread to plug one of my favorite YouTube channels and just human, there's not any more videos coming. RIP.

Jim Stobe, Stobe the Hobo.

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Casey's pizza shout-out a 1:17! Missed this thread the first time around, but thanks for the great info! I've been meaning to get back on AmTrak for a trip. Took it out to Colorado a few times as a kid, but I really want to ramble around the country at a slower pace. Like Steinbeck's Travels with Charley. Definitely in my retirement plans, God willing.

 

[ThorneStockton]

Casey's pizza shout-out a 1:17! Missed this thread the first time around, but thanks for the great info! I've been meaning to get back on AmTrak for a trip. Took it out to Colorado a few times as a kid, but I really want to ramble around the country at a slower pace. Like Steinbeck's Travels with Charley. Definitely in my retirement plans, God willing.

Casey's pizza is definitely part of Stobe's lore. People still post their pizza pics in his Facebook memorial page.

 

[Bro D]

@ThorneStockton Got my whole trip planned early March. So excited. Galesburg Friday 5 PM to Emeryville CA Sunday 5 PM (chartered bus to SF). Staying in a suite at Orchard Garden Hotel downtown a few blocks away which is right next to China Town. Was gonna stay 1 night but decided to stay 2. Planning to do China Town for dinner first night, alcatraz tour AM, seafood lunch somewhere and then rental car to Muir Woods. Waking up in morning and driving down PCH to Morro Bay for the night, which looks amazing. Then making the trek thru Joshua Tree on my way to Mesa. Im a deal whore so between the train, 3 hotel nights and a rental car for 3 days is all under 1K. Pretty happy w myself.

You were the one who changed my mind on the route! Appreciate the insight!

 

[ThorneStockton]

@ThorneStockton Got my whole trip planned early March. So excited. Galesburg Friday 5 PM to Emeryville CA Sunday 5 PM (chartered bus to SF). Staying in a suite at Orchard Garden Hotel downtown a few blocks away which is right next to China Town. Was gonna stay 1 night but decided to stay 2. Planning to do China Town for dinner first night, alcatraz tour AM, seafood lunch somewhere and then rental car to Muir Woods. Waking up in morning and driving down PCH to Morro Bay for the night, which looks amazing. Then making the trek thru Joshua Tree on my way to Mesa. Im a deal whore so between the train, 3 hotel nights and a rental car for 3 days is all under 1K. Pretty happy w myself.

You were the one who changed my mind on the route! Appreciate the insight!

That sounds excellent! If you like drinking and cool places to do that, on your Chinatown night stop into Li Po Lounge for one of their Mai Tais. Strong, good value, and will likely hear some good stories from the lady behind the bar. Pretty sure Bourdain went there on one of this shows.

Alcatraz is worth it.

 

[Dr. Phil Seuss]

I love train rides, but my experiences in the US haven’t been great. Good scenery, but the trains suck and the staff is worse.

I’ve done the route through NY in the fall, from Syracuse to NYC, it was beautiful.

Seattle to Portland was outstanding.

In Peru, I took the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu and it was how it should be. 4 course roasted duck meal. Pisco sours and wine. Ride through some insane topography into a legendary place. Worth the $500 for 3 hours

 

[sabula]

I agree on the Seattle to Portland route. Great scenery. Also if going to Alcatraz make sure you try to get tickets early if possible. Also get the guided tour headsets, it adds 100% to the tour.

 

[Bro D]

That sounds excellent! If you like drinking and cool places to do that, on your Chinatown night stop into Li Po Lounge for one of their Mai Tais. Strong, good value, and will likely hear some good stories from the lady behind the bar. Pretty sure Bourdain went there on one of this shows.

Alcatraz is worth it.

Li Po is a 5 min walk away.. will definitely be stopping in!