Old Amtrak Brochure

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 09/30/2019 at 16:26 • Filed to: None

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This is a photo from a 1970s Amtrak brochure. Note that they are reading Maurice Sendak’s In The Night Kitchen , a wonderful tale of a boy who has an amazing adventure in a dreamscape kitchen where the bread is baked for the morning. They must be looking at one of the pages where you see the main character’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The young boy’s nudity caused a bit of a stir when the book came out, and some people even !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! it. Funny, my mother bought the book for us and we turned out just fine. Well, mostly.

Anyway, you can see more pictures from this brochure !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . And In The Night Kitchen is still being published, and remains a beautiful, fun story about a little boy who, for some reason, has a penis.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 09/30/2019 at 16:30

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Anyone who thinks inappropriate thoughts about a tiny boy’s wee wee should reevaluate their mind set.

This brings back shadows of my romantic fantasies about train travel.  I’ve always wanted to take a cross country train, but every time I looked into it, it was a poor option to driving or flying.  I guess reality will never approximate this particular fantasy.

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 16:32

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I investigated a train ride once, maybe from TX to VA. I was surprised to find that even 20 years ago it was every bit as expensive as an airplane ride and took three days to get there. Maybe there’s something romantic about train travel, but for that amount of time, I’ll just drive. 

Ash78, voting early and often > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 16:43

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The one and only long US train ride I’ve ever taken was pretty logical — Orlando (Sanford) to near DC (Lorton). It’s the auto train, and it’s a great way to take your ca r with you on a trip up or down the east cost.

In our case, we were actually moving, but the main market for the Auto Train is snowbirds making their way in either direction for long stays.

Also, no stops, so don’t plan on getting out anywhere. Basically an upscale freight train.

ranwhenparked > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 16:48

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Ive either never had the time to spare, or didn't make plans early enough to be able to book a roomette (the only way I'd consider a multi day train trip). Im not opposed to doing a Amtrak trip someday, it's just not yet been convenient for me vs plane or driving. Also, with getting rid of dining cars, that's kind of one more argument against them.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 16:58

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Fun fact: You can drive much faster than an amtrack train can traverse the country!

For Sweden > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 17:00

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Don’t compare it with a flight; compare it with a cruise.

Chariotoflove > For Sweden 09/30/2019 at 17:20

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It can’t compare with a flight for efficiency, of course.  But it should make up for that in comfort and adventure.  And it shouldn’t be priced high.  I priced out trips for Christmas time when I had the time to do it and looked at the amenities, schedule, and prices.  It didn’t look so great for a guy in a chair when analyzed in the cold light of day.  They do have handicap sleeper cars though.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 09/30/2019 at 17:22

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That’s just it. It can’t compete on efficiency of travel, and that’s okay. But it has to make up for that in adventure quotient. It has to become the vacation in itself. And with all the delays and lack of  amenities, it seldom works out.

Chariotoflove > Ash78, voting early and often 09/30/2019 at 17:23

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That sounds kinda fun in that circumstance.

Chariotoflove > ranwhenparked 09/30/2019 at 17:24

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Yeah, same.  And I was sad to hear about the dining cars too.

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/30/2019 at 17:25

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For sure.  You’d probably make better time riding a freight train, with their priority access to the rails.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > ttyymmnn 09/30/2019 at 17:42

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Those darn boys. Having male genetals. Dont they know it s 2019!

DipodomysDeserti > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 18:22

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I traversed western europe a few times via train. Every bit as romantic as it sounds and a lot of fun with kids.

smobgirl > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 18:36

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Amtrak can’t keep up there, but I’d love to do one of the trans-Canada trains someday. Or the one across Alaska.

(I pretty much grew up on Amtrak)

Chariotoflove > smobgirl 09/30/2019 at 18:45

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What was it like when you were little?  How has it changed?  What’s it like to do overnight trips?

smobgirl > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 19:13

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It was probably pretty similar to now. We did a lot of east coast trips, up to DC or NYC for touristy stuff or down to Florida to see my grandparents. Anything originating south of DC has always had timeliness issues (rails are still owned by freight lines). We generally got sleeper cars when possible to Florida, either on a normal train or the Auto Train. Back in the day you got your sit down dining car dinners and a little snack basket in the room - I was probably an adult before I realized you could just buy Andes mints at the store. My sister and I actually did a couple unaccompanied overnight train rides to the grandparents when I was maybe 10-11, which I’m pretty sure is also not ok anymore. Since my dad worked for Amtrak I had a rail pass for a couple years in college and it was fantastic to escape for a day or a weekend.

I used them a few times for work more recently when I lived in VA and had to get to Philly for a day trip. The commuter stuff is exactly the same - good escape from I-95 traffic and room to get work done (so much room compared to a plane seat!!) . I almost did an overnight ride for work on the Zephyr from Salt Lake City to Truckee a couple years ago. It would’ve been cheaper than a flight to Reno, a hotel, and a car rental but the timing was too precarious (and sure enough, I watched the train roll into town about 2 hours late). I still love it, but it’s definitely not efficient or particularly glamorous. It’s just always been a soothing feeling to me and I love watching the scenery roll by.

Chariotoflove > smobgirl 09/30/2019 at 20:48

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I can see that the East Coast trains would be the best ones to actually use for trips. I’m kind of surprised that a cross country train to Utah would be cheaper than a flight, based on what I’ve priced for my trips. But I’m sure it’s specific to each line.

I like the idea of someone else dealing with traffic while I chill. Of course, most of my road trips aren’t like I95.

ranwhenparked > For Sweden 09/30/2019 at 21:07

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Yeah, but cruises still have quality food, and you get to see either glaciers or blue water and palm trees, instead of abandoned industrial sites and poor people’s backyards.

For Sweden > ranwhenparked 09/30/2019 at 21:22

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But if you open the windows on the train, you can throw rotting food at the poor people.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 21:33

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This. I’d like to do a cross-country (or maybe only across half the country) Amtrak trip, but I’ve never been able to justify it every time I’ve looked into it . One day I’ll do it as a thing where it will be the main focus of a trip and not  the means to get somewhere.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > ttyymmnn 09/30/2019 at 22:34

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My wife had urgent family matters to attend to recently. Fl ying from Chicago to central PA is often either heinously expensive (>$600) or has ludicrous connections (Miami). She found a nice sleeper leaving Chicago at 6 PM. Decent sounding meals and drinks included for $418 and actually faster than flying to Miami and far more comfortable. Incredibly it ran kind of on time too. 

smobgirl > Chariotoflove 09/30/2019 at 23:20

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North of DC they run on their own tracks (so not constantly delayed by CSX) and the Acela is amazing. So much better than driving around there.

As far as that UT/CA trip, it was a weird coincidence where it left Salt Lake at like 10-11 pm, got to Truckee at 8 am (if on time?) and was around $200 for a small room. It would have been absolutely perfect for that trip if it would’ve been on time, especially since I could walk to my project from the station! I think I spent $400ish between the plane, hotel, car, and gas. Then again I would’ve probably been too excited to sleep on the train.

One route I’m eventually going to plan on here is taking the Zephyr through Glenwood Canyon and either spending a couple days there or renting a bicycle to head towards Aspen. It’s an  absolutely beautiful route.

Chariotoflove > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 09/30/2019 at 23:28

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Same. 

Chariotoflove > smobgirl 09/30/2019 at 23:32

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That’s the kind of trip I fantasize about and will probably never get to take. 

pip bip - choose Corrour > ttyymmnn 10/01/2019 at 01:35

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expensive as this?

https://journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/indian-pacific/

Dakotahound > Chariotoflove 10/01/2019 at 06:48

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Not every Amtrak route is romantic, and many are barely tolerable, but some are very nice. T he California Zephyr travels through the Rocky Mountains, and it’s route often goes to remote places with no roads. You can get incredible views from the observation car. It is a bit expensive but g et a sleeper and meals are included. The meals are actually very good.

Of course, Amtrak trains in the Northeast Corridor are generally fast and efficient, but don’t expect scenery.

Chariotoflove > Dakotahound 10/01/2019 at 12:24

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Sounds like a worthy undertaking.  Thanks!