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ABDLTA t1_j3utd6r wrote

Wait, people use Amtrak???

−37

cleverdawny t1_j3uvfqs wrote

Yeah. It beats air travel except for the time. I'd rather spend twelve hours on a train than two on a plane

23

lucky_ducker t1_j3xpy66 wrote

Every time I've compared the cost of getting somewhere, flying was both cheaper and faster than Amtrak (and until today, more reliable).

2

cleverdawny t1_j3xq630 wrote

Train ticket from mt to WA is $120 or so. Plane $500 give or take. You probably live in a big city.

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thisusedyet t1_j3xv7rf wrote

Just as a quick example:

Newark to Miami from 2/13/23 - 2/17/23

by Plane:

$90-$220 in 3-6 hours

By Train:

$130 - $660 in 27-31 hours.

Amtrack won't let me link it.

Go here for NWK -> MIA

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cleverdawny t1_j3ze672 wrote

So yeah you live in a big city

Amtrak is far more useful for people who don't live within driving distance of major airport hubs. I would have to drive two hours to a regional airport, go through security, then take a flight. Doesn't even end up saving that much time

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ABDLTA t1_j3uvjbx wrote

Honestly didn't know they were still in business

−26

cleverdawny t1_j3uvx5p wrote

It's important for rural areas, but yeah, Amtrak long distance trains have a major charm. I took the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago and back. Worth it.

10

yblame t1_j3uxdj5 wrote

Barely. Cross country train travel is a novelty in this country these days. Freight rules the rails, and passengers are an afterthought.

Those songs "City of New Orleans" and "The Gambler" or "Folsom Prison" romanticize things that are no more. Don't even get me started on the ass fucking the railroad unions got recently. Rail travel is dead in this country,.

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Cicero912 t1_j3vln81 wrote

Rail travel is very much alive in the northeast corridor

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thejoeface t1_j3uvzq3 wrote

My wife gets overwhelmingly motion sick on planes, so she takes the train when she can.

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aShittierShitTier4u t1_j3wgnsv wrote

City boys and small town girls alike take the midnight train going anywhere. I don't know if that's because it's late and they don't want to be stuck at the station or what. I just know that they would pay anything to roll the dice just one more time, and gambling addiction is tragic.

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autotelica t1_j3vlcv2 wrote

Yes. I love taking the train from Richmond, VA to DC, Philly, and NYC. Much better than flying or driving. I can't wait for a high speed option.

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oddratio t1_j3uxass wrote

It’s a very useful but expensive way to get between east coast cities. For me I can use it to go from CT to Philly or Washington DC etc

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Bad-Infinite t1_j3yg37i wrote

I take Amtrak 3-4 days a week for work (Milwaukee to Chicago). It's cheaper, quicker, and better for the environment than driving. Plus, I get extra work done, watch Netflix, sleep, or do multiple other things I can't do while driving.

3