My father thinks that taking the train takes longer in the US because of all the freight trains. I tried to explain to him time and time again how much freedom you have onbaord a train. You can relax while sipping a drink or eating great meals in the dining car. You feel so relaxed going by train your almost too relaxed. The seats are comfortable,and while the sleeping car is expensive it's worth it.I can't get it why my father always wants to go by car. I know the train does not go everywhere,but I tell him you can see places you can't see by ca. After every car trip he feels so tired,but on the train someone else is doing the driving so why should it matter if the train is running 3 hours late? 3 hours more=more relaxition and more time in the sleeper car or lounge car. Another benefit is the meals are good and reasonbly priced.
And also you don't have jetlag to deal with. Going by air although faster requires so much of one's time. You check in ,and then wait at the gate,and you have to sit in cramped seats for hours with no room to move. You cannot congregate in the aisle. Traveling by train is like taking a cruise.
We took many trains in Europe that were high speed and went without a hitch. Now I know Europe is lightyears ahead of the US but if one is on vacations can't you expect delays?
Also I will never go on a cross-country car trip because I despise motels. By the time you spend $40 dollars here $40 dolalrs here$300 on gas etc you can take the train in luxury. With my family I will take the train cross country, not my car. I mean even if the rooms are small on the train you can get up at anytime and sit in the lounge car. I find it fun relaxing late at night in the lounge car listening to music.
What is this "we're going cross country and we're going by car business?" Have you heard of rental cars? And If I am going to Disneyworld from Washington DC, I will take the Amtrak Silver Meteor down to Sanford only 30 minutes by car and take a Limo to the stations. Why hassle having a car in a big city . If I want to go to town I 'll take a taxi or bus.
Well If you could think of ways to get my father into chaging his attitude would be great? I tried now I need the experts at trainweb.com. If you can do it that would be great.
I am a die-hard railfan who enjoys walking to train stations in any city just to see the trains go by. I am willing to put up with any late trains on vacation. You see some people think of a late train as"Oh no I'll be home at midnight" But I on the other hand side with Steve Grande and most of the staff at Trainweb a late train just adds to my vacation. With cellphones this is not a problem I just call the person picking me up and voilla it works like clockwork.
And I love it because at the San Jose CA station one can driopp the person off and walk right out to the track in less that 20 seconds!!!
At Union Station it's only a 2-3 minute walk to the tracks from the car. Can airports boast this? I think not. With the security lines,people yelling at you to take your shoes off that's not my kind of travel unless I'm going somewhere and can only stay for a few days or am going to Europe or Hawaii.
I love waiting at LA Union Station or at the San Jose Train Station very relaxing,not too crowded. Man those chairs at Union Station are sooo comfortable,I can hookup my laptop and work or take a snooze.
And while I despise of the buses I'll take it if that's the only option. I am like Steve on this issue too,I would rather go by train.
So I hope you see my poits. Thanks