Luxury, old fashioned train rides??

[patz]

I did an AMTRAK trip from LA to Oregon with Joe Bob. We had separate suites and ended up meeting a pair of sisters in the bar car. It was epic. He amended his trip and went back to Colorado with her. Spent a week, snuck out and changed his phone number.

Something about Ambien, Jack Daniels, sleep walking and a meat cleaver. But you know how JB is.

[PorscheGAL]

This is a company I would love to use. Early this year they had a scotch themed train trip through Scotland with tastings, distillery tours and on board classes. I think that would be a blast.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - Belmond Luxury Train Journeys

[GWN7]

Train routes in the Rockies and Pacific | VIA Rail

Via trains thru the Rocky's is a excellent adventure.

Fly to Winnipeg or Edmonton take the train and fly home from Vancouver.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

coast to coast across canada Canada By Design: Designing a Distinct Way to Travel

This is on my bucket list ^^^

I also have done the L.A. to Portland run... and met a girl... but nothing as epic as J.B.'s interaction... but the train was lots of fun anyway!

There is also a Amtrac L.A. to Chicago that looks interesting.

[Daves911L]

I ride Amtrak quite a bit. I like trains and don't like planes. If you approach with the right attitude, it can be quite enjoyable. Not quite like the golden age, but still can be a very pleasant way to travel. Book a compartment. Not cheap, but worth it and includes all meals. Go to breakfast, lunch, and dinner and see who you meet. Spend some time in the lounge car. Make an effort to visit with people. Relax. Read. Walk through the train. Don't be in a hurry, and don't worry about delays. Learn how it all works (seems like no one under the age of 50 can read a RR timetable).

Plan stops off the train for a day or two in some interesting place. One I can highly recommend is the Empire Builder out of Chicago, to East Glacier lodge for a couple nights, then on out to the west coast. Down to LA via the Coast Starlight (compartment gives access to the Parlor car if you like grapes). (I don't but the wife does). Then Southwest Chief to Williams and Grand Canyon. Then on back to Chicago, or wherever. All by train. Or come across the Sierras and Rockies on the Zephyr (a far cry from the vista domed original, but the scenery hasn't changed). Or stop anywhere along the route and fly home. Lots of options. You can figure out how to get just about anywhere without needing a car. Thats part of the fun.

DG

[Jolly Amaranto]

The Rocky Mountaineer is awesome. If you do take it, go all the way with Gold Leaf service. Great views from the double decker cars. The food is served on the lower level and was superb. You do not sleep on the train but they put you up at night in nice hotels.

[masraum]

Thanks for all of the info guys.

Originally Posted by Jolly Amaranto

The Rocky Mountaineer is awesome. If you do take it, go all the way with Gold Leaf service. Great views from the double decker cars. The food is served on the lower level and was superb. You do not sleep on the train but they put you up at night in nice hotels.

Wow, so you've done it?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by masraum

Thanks for all of the info guys...



Wow, so you've done it?

Its a good time to do/book it or vacationing anywhere North of the border for that matter, $1 US is worth $1.30 Cdn.

[Jolly Amaranto]

Originally Posted by masraum

Thanks for all of the info guys.



Wow, so you've done it?

Yes, in September of last year. Went from Vancouver to Jasper on the train, bus down to Banff and then caught the train from there back to Vancouver.