Way to go!
Have you been to New Orleans? T'was my favourite city of the whole trip. Everything about it was inspiring, and in the centre, there's what appears to be a party that's been going on forever! The train-journey from Chicago was an experience too!

When I went, I got two tickets that enabled me to travel the entire network in one month (I was there two months). The sleeping cars were extortionately priced, but sleeping on the seats was free. I'm just glad North American seats are much roomier than their European counterparts.

Am tempted to go back just for the California Zephyr.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:25, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

No, only passed through
When I first went to the States - 14 years ago - I went for three months and did two months on Greyhound, one month on Amtrak.

I can afford to do the sleepers now but yes, you can be quite comfortable in coach.

When you factor in the free meals sleepers are actually quite good value.

I love the Zephyr (did it again last year) and South West Chief.

After next year the only Amtrak train left for me to ride will be the Downeaster - Boston - Portland (Maine).
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:40, Reply)

'Comfortable' is a bit of an overstatement
No matter how much I contorted myself, I could never find "The Ultimate Sleeping Position".
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:50, Reply)

Not a problem for me
Because I'm only 5'6" and wasn't quite as portly then as I am now.

If you end up sitting next to someone large it's not too pleasant.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 21:57, Reply)

I was lucky that most of the time, I had both seats to myself.
These long-distance Amtrak trains are pretty lightly populated.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 22:06, Reply)

Not any more
Suddenly Americans are grasping Amtrak to their hearts and most long distance trains are booked solid.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 22:27, Reply)

.
But at least that could cause them to open up more long-distance trains, and make more of America accessible by train.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Mon 24 Aug 2009, 22:44, Reply)