I love that concept of the “village square” materializing on trains. I’ve noticed that bike touring too. People are so eager to talk to us and offer help and trade stories with us.
We’ve got guest space a few miles from the Amtrak station in Sacramento if needed!
Southbound from Eugene, if you rode two stops beyond Sacto to Martinez you could have a room here. But you would have to catch the Zephyr from Martinez then.
This reminds me, if I may be so bold as to compare Amtrak to Thai Airways, of a flight I took one time from Sydney to Bangkok on a 747.
The ass end of the plane has a hallway, and as the contours of the Big Bird make their way back to the tail section, and seating becomes more difficult, some open areas become available where people can hang out.
And over the vast Outback of Australia we did hang - some locals headed to Thailand for vacation, a friendly young Scottish girl, some retirees, and yours truly.
The Thai airways stewardesses were happy to bring us beer and whisky, and we hung out in the back of that plane the whole way to the orient, shooting the shit and being human.
Probably the only time I’ve ever truly enjoyed being aboard an airplane.
When I read Walter B. Cheadles diary about his trip overland across Canada in 1862-1863 (one of the first tourist trips across the country) he speaks about his time aboard ocean going vessels from Europe. It is clear that this type of social interaction was common back then. People of all backgrounds and types would be forced together and dine and party and discuss politics, literature, philosophy, etc. It truly is something that we are loosing in our modern automobile and airline travel culture and it is sad.
On a Via rail train from Edmonton to Vancouver I experienced the exact same thing you did in the observation car. A random cast of characters forced together, socializing, being a single cohesive group of humans. I also loved that in the dining car they would seat you at a table with strangers, so you'd be cast into a random dinner party. An unforgettable experience that was.
The song "City of New Orleans" by Arlo Gutherie, actually the version of that song covered by Willie Nelson is one of the Great American Songs, and captures this feeling of that particular train being connected to soul of America well.
Wonderful essay with fantastic photos! Absolutely looking forward to following you through various and sundry parts of the country....shake, rattle and roll on!
If you happen to end up in north-west Scotland, give us a shout.... Highland railway lines are stunning, but sadly not cheap. I also totally recommend going to the Faroes. It's beautiful and unusual and locals are extremely friendly.
Wow. Im a long time train rider. I hate planes and I took the Sacramento Amtrack to Orange County twice a month for work for 4 years. A full day . Its like a joyous limbo.
I cant wait till the gas runs dry. And there is only nuclear powered trains to get around :)
I love how you've described such a lively scene that seems to prophesy our upcoming wedding!! Dancing, cake albiet birthday, momentary connections and conversations. If I were a lonely person, I think a ride on the amtrak should cure that, and I hope if any such souls read this that they consider leaving their burdens behind and mingling on the viewer car.
I love that concept of the “village square” materializing on trains. I’ve noticed that bike touring too. People are so eager to talk to us and offer help and trade stories with us.
We’ve got guest space a few miles from the Amtrak station in Sacramento if needed!
Easily one of the best substackers
Thank you brother!
Southbound from Eugene, if you rode two stops beyond Sacto to Martinez you could have a room here. But you would have to catch the Zephyr from Martinez then.
Fantastic article! Roll on!
This reminds me, if I may be so bold as to compare Amtrak to Thai Airways, of a flight I took one time from Sydney to Bangkok on a 747.
The ass end of the plane has a hallway, and as the contours of the Big Bird make their way back to the tail section, and seating becomes more difficult, some open areas become available where people can hang out.
And over the vast Outback of Australia we did hang - some locals headed to Thailand for vacation, a friendly young Scottish girl, some retirees, and yours truly.
The Thai airways stewardesses were happy to bring us beer and whisky, and we hung out in the back of that plane the whole way to the orient, shooting the shit and being human.
Probably the only time I’ve ever truly enjoyed being aboard an airplane.
How long you gonna be in Plattsburgh? I have to be beyond extremely tired to be able to catch a glimmer of z’s in the seated position.
When I read Walter B. Cheadles diary about his trip overland across Canada in 1862-1863 (one of the first tourist trips across the country) he speaks about his time aboard ocean going vessels from Europe. It is clear that this type of social interaction was common back then. People of all backgrounds and types would be forced together and dine and party and discuss politics, literature, philosophy, etc. It truly is something that we are loosing in our modern automobile and airline travel culture and it is sad.
On a Via rail train from Edmonton to Vancouver I experienced the exact same thing you did in the observation car. A random cast of characters forced together, socializing, being a single cohesive group of humans. I also loved that in the dining car they would seat you at a table with strangers, so you'd be cast into a random dinner party. An unforgettable experience that was.
The song "City of New Orleans" by Arlo Gutherie, actually the version of that song covered by Willie Nelson is one of the Great American Songs, and captures this feeling of that particular train being connected to soul of America well.
Wonderful essay with fantastic photos! Absolutely looking forward to following you through various and sundry parts of the country....shake, rattle and roll on!
If you happen to end up in north-west Scotland, give us a shout.... Highland railway lines are stunning, but sadly not cheap. I also totally recommend going to the Faroes. It's beautiful and unusual and locals are extremely friendly.
Wow. Im a long time train rider. I hate planes and I took the Sacramento Amtrack to Orange County twice a month for work for 4 years. A full day . Its like a joyous limbo.
I cant wait till the gas runs dry. And there is only nuclear powered trains to get around :)
I love how you've described such a lively scene that seems to prophesy our upcoming wedding!! Dancing, cake albiet birthday, momentary connections and conversations. If I were a lonely person, I think a ride on the amtrak should cure that, and I hope if any such souls read this that they consider leaving their burdens behind and mingling on the viewer car.