Train Adventures Part 1

Recently I had the opportunity to visit my sister and her family in Indiana. For sake of adventure and economy, this time I decided to take the train! The ride was about 13 1/2 hours. I haven't gone anywhere on train for years so I was a little apprehensive. The ride would be in Coach and much of the journey occurred overnight! We left DC around 4P and I was at my sister's 7:30AM!

I was also a tad naieve about what it would be like. For example, I fretted my ideal comfort shoes of choice- pseudo Crocs- would fall off in walking between the cars! I actually googled crocs and trains and found a Dr. Seuss poem that alleviated that worry! And when I got on the train, I realized that the cars actually connect. You move between cars by pressing a rectangular shape button, then the door to the cabins "slide" (ala pocket door style) and you go between an enclosed connector area. Scary at first but I did it! (though on the way there I was a dork and accidentally passed my seat). For a moment I wondered why the door wouldn't open. Only then did I notice that I was at the very end of the train- the very end- ala the caboose!! Thank God someone had locked the door and that it didn't open!!! But it was fun to pause for a moment and look out the window at that back door.

And I got sort of lost trying to find the cafe car that sells pizza, hotdogs,etc. Turns out it was closed. Eventually I found it!

I loved the observation car- a floor to celing windows with seats that face the scenery..

I loved being able to read! For several reasons, I have not been a diligent reader for some time and this allowed me lots of reading time.

Even the seats in coach were comfy, certainly it is better than air travel. And it was so nice to board without getting a baggage weight check, paying for each bag and getting scanned,etc.

I think my only complaint is that the bathrooms could have been better cleaned.

As we departed DC, we had a fun assitant train conductor, he provided us with basic directions in a military manner. I would guess that he must have served in the military at some point in his life, he really made it sound like we, the passengers of the train, were being recruited to boot camp. For instance, he essentially proclaimed that on this train: "We have Rules. There will be No Musical Chairs... I determine the seats [if you want to switch,  you MUST. SEE. HIM" People chuckled. He also said there will be no smoking- if you are found smoking, they will stop the train and you take the bus! The way he said that almost scared even though I have never smoked in my life! It was funny though that on the return trip, the train stopped for a brief "smoke break" for those who wish to smoke. They emphasized ONLY smokers could get off for that brief break. Somehow that didn't seem fair!

On the return trip, it was fun to approach DC and see kids from Oregon (they had been on trains for 3 days ) and see their excitement at viewing Monuments as the train approached DC. There were also several Amish travelers on the train which was rather cool!

All in all, I had no idea that so many people take train! Sure it takes time but was rather pleasurable. So much nicer than dealing with busy traffic and boring hiways. I love driving by myself and listening to hymns or church talks (ie inspirational CD's) on my long trips. But even that gets boring. As I said, I enjoyed the reading during the night. And during the hours of light, especially on the return trip, there was some lovely scenery.


Oh- and then there is the story of what happened when I decided to go to observaion car at 3:30AM- next post!

This train trip was a fun way to do something different- will definitely do it again!