Why I Don't Ride A Train

[Panzer Leader]

Well, thought of taking the train to Miami in January. That is untill I saw the route. Go from New Orleans to Chicago (North) then over to Virginia (East) then to Miami (South) OK who screw with the Conductor's Tom-Tom? Or as they say in Connecticut, "Can't get there from here." The most industrialized country in the world, and no mass rail passenger transportation. I guess this will be another Billion Dollar study out of the FEDS. Go figure. All Aboard! Too bad that AMTRACK no longer offers the Rail/Car service. Would be great to go to the National Meet that way. Oh, BTW the return would have been the reverse route. (Damn Siberian RR)

[travis gore]

so how many days would that be. I have taken the trai up to my mother in laws house. 163 miles by car. we wited for an hour leaving the station and made 3 stops. I only did this because my wife was already there and at $35 was cheaper than driving 2 cars. still a pita!

[Struggle]

AMTRACK has to give right away to the big boy commercial trains so it is about the least effecient means of travel known to man.

[Jackalope]

Are you sure? Something doesn't sound quit right, AMTRAK has a direct route form New Orleans to Florida check this map link..... http://www.mapmash.in/amtrak.html

You'd be riding on the famous Sunset Limited route, or at least part of it anyway. Hope this helps dude.

[Panzer Leader]

The Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Orlando, FL has been cancelled untill further notice.

[Jackalope]

The Sunset Limited has been cancelled untill further notice.

Since when and why?

But even if it has been you don't need to go all the way to Chicago. The Cresent route into North Carolina and then down to Florida.

[Crazy Paul]

Why I Don't Ride A Train

Because the clickety-clack noise reminds you of your G8.


(Sorry we couldn't possibly have a Panzer thread without a moan about LCA's).

[Panzer Leader]

Because the clickety-clack noise reminds you of your G8.


(Sorry we couldn't possibly have a Panzer thread without a moan about LCA's).

Now that you have mentioned it CP, it does sound like defective LCAs. And when the train first starts moving forward, the clunk reminds me of the slack in the drivetrain. LOL

I checked the AMTRACK or AMWRECK schedule and thats what it showed. No idea why its been cancelled. I entered departure city and destination city and got back that trip plan. Could be patisans blowing up the tracks. However, I did see where AMwreck still has the car/passenger service to selected cities.

[Andy@SquashPerformance]

Maybe it got cancelled due to snow? Amtrak giving the right of way for freights is laughable...

Andy

[Panzer Leader]

Andy, the snow does not get that deep here on the Gulf Coast. However, at times the water does. LOL

[Jackalope]

AMTRAK doesn't own the rail lines it runs on in most casses, those belong to NS, CSX, UP & BNSF railroads with the exception being the Northest corridor and a few other lines. So AMTRAK has to run around the frieght trains since thats who owns the tracks. The lines I mentioned to Panzer are controlled by NS and I know AMTRAK runs on them cause I work for NS.

Panzer sometimes when you just input the start and finish destinations AMTRAKs system will route you STUPID! If you go to a station and talk to an actual ticket agent your trip should be significantly shorter. Just be awair that NS is spending billions to upgrade their lines right now so they may not be using certain routes due to excessive delays.

[Panzer Leader]

Thanks Jackalope! I will call them and see. I would rather take a sleeper compartment train than get into one of those silver cigar tubes again. I like working with you guys during several military exercises in the 1990s. BTW, although I go by Panzer I ended up with the Transportation Corps "Spearhead of Logistics." or as we would say, "Nothing happens untill something moves."
Thanks again for the help.

BTW how about getting some flat cars to move our cars to the next National Meet. I did see that AMTRACK still does this to selected cities. Chicago would be the closet city I guess. Keep that Black Stallion prancing.

[Jackalope]

The best AMTRAK could/would do would be something like the auto train that runs from Florida to northern Virginia. You wouldn't want to ship them via flat cars due to vandalism issues! I'm not sure but NS does do special trains, they own old antique restored passenger cars from like the 30's that are like a 5 star hotel on rails! Seriously you should see these things! Anyway get a handful of them and slap a few autoracks on the rear and TA DA! You, your friends AND your cars could go anywhere! But I hope you have some DEEEEEEP pockets!

Anyways give them a call at least and see if AMTRAK doesn't have a faster route for youto take, I'd be surprised if they don't.

[66cat389]

I would still rather ride a slow train then get felt up by some scumbag that hasn't showered in a week at an airport. At least you get to see more of the country by rail.