I needed to catch a one way to destinations north and tried the train. Here’s the low down:
- On-time, even with an unscheduled stop in Folkston, Georgia, where the conductor handed a troublemaker over to the local authorities. The train stopped at a crossing and two sheriffs hauled him away. Not exactly sure what that was all about, just be sure to behave on the train!
- I liked the schedule. If you can sleep on a train/plane you would too (I typically can’t, and read C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity instead). We arrived in DC at sunrise and were greeted with a view of the monuments, capital and the city.
- The Ride: I expected it to be jerky and it was not – but it was rocking and swaying so if you have trouble with motion sickness you may want to try a dose of something to help. You could see the train cars in front of ours and it was rocking to the beat of a different drum. This make me continually think (and then pray) about and for the good condition and integrity of the cotter pin that holds our car to those ahead.
- The Accomodations: Were comfortable, near first class on the airplane. It would be very unlikely for a 6-year old boy to hit the target 100% in the bathroom while the train is moving.
- Safety: Ha!! Not really sure, maybe I can summarize this with a question: Since we wear a seat belt on a plane but not on a train does that mean we have more hope of living through a plane crash? Just Askin’!!
I liked the train ride and would do it again.
Do you have any funny or interesting train ride stories??
My oldest, Aaron, and I rode the train to Pittsburgh when he was 3. On the way up we had a sleeper (I can’t remember exactly what it was called). It was awesome! Well, other than the fact that the bed folded down over the toilet, so when I had to go in the middle of the night I had to wake Aaron up so that we could step into the hallway and lift up the bed. Three-year-olds aren’t that great at having to get up in the middle of the night! On the way back we were in coach – WOW. Totally different perspective. I’ll just say that I was thrilled when we pulled into Kissimmee many, many hours later and could use a semi-clean bathroom at a gas station LOL.
I would do it again, but only with sleeping accommodations 😉