First Time Train Travelers

I encourage everyone to experience train travel, especially in America! Try a day trip once and if you enjoy the experience, try a few more and maybe even treat yourself to some overnight travel. Here are some suggestions for first time train travelers:

1) Take a day trip first. Travel Coach Class. I suggest a train that runs on a daily basis, then check the schedules to make sure you have time to catch a return train the same day. Some possibilities include:

CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR - Denver to Granby (Rock Mountain National Park) and back

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS - Chicago to Champagne and back

CRESCENT - Washington DC to Philadelphia and back

TEXAS EAGLE - Austin to Temple and back

These day trips will give you a taste of train travel. You'll have the conductors check your tickets and possibly assign a seat. Sometimes you can choose your own seat. You can hear the conductors cry out "All Aboard"! You can experience more than one station stop before your destination. You can move around and explore the train while its traveling. You can feel how roomy the coach class seats are. You can visit the observation car. All good!

You can disembark and have a little time to visit the town of your destination, then catch the train home - with stories to share!

2) If your first days trips are enjoyable, treat yourself to an overnight train going First Class! These accommodations include a private room or roomette with a bed, a shower and all your meals in the restaurant car. I suggest a train that runs on a daily basis for your first overnight adventure. Some possibilities include:

CAPITOL LIMITED - Washington DC to Chicago overnight and back

SOUTHWEST CHIEF - Los Angeles to Las Vegas overnight and back

TEXAS EAGLE - Dallas to St. Louis overnight and back

These are great trips for a romantic getaway! You can enjoy a day at your destination and catch the train back OR give yourself a night or two at a hotel before catching the train back. Either way, you'll have a richer experience with train travel - and if you're like me, you'll want more!