Mrs and I are enroute from Madrid to Zaragoza by train. The U.S. is sorely lacking in this kind of transport. Four and a half hours by car, one hour and fifteen minutes by train...and as smooth as a car ride.
Robert
Robert
185 MPH and traveling backwards
- Thread starter raljr1
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ACORN
Member
I'd seriously love a multi day train excursion if wasn't so dang expensive.
I, too, wish we had a better train system in the US.
I think that we are so big and so spread out, and wealthy enough for nearly everyone to own their own car, are reasons we don't.
I think that we are so big and so spread out, and wealthy enough for nearly everyone to own their own car, are reasons we don't.
We have an old train somewhere in the mountains in PA. I think it's a steam loco. Always wanted to take a ride. Leaves will be turning any minute now.
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The US is not the highly advanced technological Nation we once were. Even China's railway system puts ours to shame - and they can't even make sheet rock!
Ahhhh, the good ol' days of train transportation
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I was in China in 2018 and the fast (approx 300 km/hour) from what used to be TsingTao (think of the beer), to Bejing was incredible in First Class in terms of service. Even the second class where my interpreter was made the Amtrack Acela look dated!!
I have also used the European systems many times in years gone by utilizing the Eur-Rail pass which is well worth using.
Remember in the late 1950s early 1960s, GM purchased all of the light rail systems in the US and demolished them so that the Interstates wodul have cars. In addition, Amtrack is forced to use rail lines used /owned by the Freight lines and Amtrack trains always take second place to freight trains, even on the East Coast routes. Dave_n
I had not heard that before so looked it up. Per this article, it is not true.
"...trolley systems were replaced by bus systems for economic reasons, not because of a plot. Bus lines were less expensive to operate than trolleys, and far less costly to build because there were no rails. Extending service to rapidly growing suburbs could be accomplished quickly, by simply building a few bus stops, rather than taking years to construct rail lines. So, buses replaced streetcars.
For similar reasons, with the added one of personal preference for individual transportation, private cars also played an important role in the demise of streetcars. People understandably liked driving their own cars directly to their destinations more than crowding onto trolleys that dropped them blocks from where they were going...."
The GM Trolley Conspiracy: What Really Happened - CBS News
Right on.
Due to circumstances a few years ago my wife and a couple of her friends were going south to attend a convention.
They took the train and from what my wife said never again!
From what she said among other things like very messy rest rooms they ran into way too many "interesting people"
Yes, the USA is truly lacking modern train travel. Lots of beautiful country to see. I oft travel by high speed train in Japan, China and Europe. Very clean, inexpensive, less hassle than flying and you get to actually see and experience the real country, not the touristy stuff.
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kamloops67
Member
Canadas' passenger rail system is lacking as well .
may be better now but I once took a train ride from Williams Lake to Vancouver Usually a 5 hour drive by car, the train took over 12 hours and I could hear the ka-chunk ka-chunk of the steel wheels on the rail joints for days in my head afterward
Never been on a train since
may be better now but I once took a train ride from Williams Lake to Vancouver Usually a 5 hour drive by car, the train took over 12 hours and I could hear the ka-chunk ka-chunk of the steel wheels on the rail joints for days in my head afterward
Never been on a train since
mckenney99
Member
When I was a kid, in the late 60's, my grandmother took a lot of "bluehair" tours with Trailways Bus Lines. Grandma went all over the US on those bus tours and had a blast. When I was about 10 she booked us on a tour that took the train from Cincinnati Terminal to Indy. Grandma said she wanted me to experience train travel before it went away for good. We spent the afternoon at the Indy 500 track including lunch and getting to go around the track a couple of times in a van. We returned to Cincinnati in the normal Trailways bus. I was the only person (other than the driver) who was under the mid 60's. Those old women had a ball and were a real hoot to spend a day with. I still remember grandma allowing me to stand out on the "junction area" between 2 cars or the tail end of the train (I can't recall which it was) and getting to experience the sound, smell and the sensation of the speed of the train.
OP
I'll bet the loved you. Old women and young boys.. probably got all the attention you wanted.
Robert
venomballistics
Member
read the title and thought France introduced a new battle tank
Personally I like going by car/truck. You miss too much flying or going by train. I can stop where ever I want. See what I want and enjoy the trip. On the way to our destination we were able to stop in the middle of nowhere and find a great family diner.
We have gone from getting to our destination as fast as possible to start the vacation to making the drive part of the vacation.
We have gone from getting to our destination as fast as possible to start the vacation to making the drive part of the vacation.
LVSteve
Member
When traveling to or around older cities that were not built for the car, trains and subways make huge sense. My wife and I were blown away by the subway system in Barcelona, and my wife was equally in awe of the London Underground when she got to ride it. Where we stay in England has the best commuter rail line in/out of London, but stay off it at peak times. The prices go up and the trains can get pretty packed.
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A friend of mine.
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Zaragoza! Haven't thought of that place in years! It was the semi annual TDY while on my first tour in Germany! (Stay away from the San Miguel beer- the quality control is terrible! lol)
