Barry Sheppard

Routes and Trains in the USA

Travelling across and around America is easy by train....

Before we get to the routes across America let's have a look at what to expect..

Well before that let me ask you a question.

Why do kids wave at trains?

Films, Legends, Scandals, Stories and Songs are amongst those that have created a sense of adventure with train travel. And that is the adventurous side of us. So kids wave at trains. You most probably did the same as a child.

I remember doing it with trains but not buses or planes.

Cross the Mississippi. Call in at Dodge City. Watch the steers on the Kansas Plains. Ride alongside the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Explore the Rockies. Watch a movie. Go to the bar for a drink. Cross deserts and rivers and you can do this all by train.

On top of that. Stretch your legs, have a walk right down the train to the front or back. Enjoy a meal. Have a snooze. Read a book and spend quality time with your children. Kids just love trains. Think about that one.

Last night 3rd December 2006 I was returning from France on Eurostar. I noticed a family, Mom Dad 5 kids, various ages. The eldest with headphones on but not in the least bit bothered about the siblings asking him questions. They were either writing, drawing, talking to Mom or Dad.

Mom dishing out the food and very organised. Dad holding the little one and feeding him bits. And that was coming to the end of only a 5 hour journey. How much did they learn?

We all know travels broadens the mind.

Amtrak is known to be extremely helpful. Their attendants pamper you no end. You have spacious reclining seating in air conditioning carriages, which even have observation domes.

Your whole journey becomes a magnificent picture. Framed in your memory. I know I still remember my travels across America so many years later and know they will never leave me.

I have advocated train travel for years and years.

It's fun.

It's an adventure.

Its learning.

It's an experience.

You will not suffer from jetlag.

It's a holiday on its own. Spend a day here and there. As you choose.

Here's more. There's a lot less pollution from trains, especially from planes

On a more sombre note. I hope that any of you reading this, who have a bad experience with other forms of travel, realise by reading the articles on my site now know.......you can travel the world without a plane. Let the train take the strain.

All Aboard

All name trains preceded by the word "The".... i.e. "The Cardinal"

Adirondack New York - Montreal

California Zephyr Chicago - Emeryville (For San Francisco)

Capitol Limited Washington - Chicago

Cardinal New York - Chicago

City of New Orleans Chicago - New Orleans

Coast Starlight Seattle - Los Angeles

Crescent New York - New Orleans

Empire Builder Chicago - Seattle

Empire Builder Spokane - Portland

Lake Shore Limited Boston/New York - Chicago

Maple Leaf New York - Toronto

Northeast Corridor Boston - Newport News

Northeast Corridor Boston - Washington

Northeast Corridor New Haven - Springfield (for Boston)

Pacific Surfliner Los Angeles - San Diego

Pennsylvanian New York - Pittsburgh

San Joaquin’s San Francisco - Bakersfield

Silver Star New York - Miami

Silver Meteor New York - Miami

Southwest Chief Chicago - Los Angeles

Sunset Limited Orlando - Los Angeles

Texas Eagle Chicago - San Antonio (for Los Angeles)

Vermonter Washington - St Albans (for Montreal)

Wolverine

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