The Capitol Limited glides through Pennsylvania's fall foliage. Photo courtsey of Amtrak
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The next time you're searching for affordable transportation to your assignment locale—or planning personal travel between
contracts—consider the scenic wonders of traveling by train.
Rail travel isn't just for commuters going to work. It's for anyone interested in witnessing the hidden treasures of the United
States—many of which can only be seen by train. Unlike interstate highways, railways were often built along rivers, coastlines,
and mountains with vistas that are tough to match.
Train, plane, or automobile?
Resources
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With gasoline prices skyrocketing in many parts of the country, you may reconsider your plans for hitting the highways. Historically,
high gasoline prices have a negative impact on travel, reports the Travel Industry Association of America. Volume is forecasted
to grow less than 1 percent this year, partly because of the price at the pump.
Train travel has become a practical alternative, according to Amtrak, because of the high gasoline costs and growing congestion
on the roads. Many train fares are cheaper than a full tank of gas. Such uncertainty in gas prices has been welcome news for
the train travel industry, which is not expected to hike fares.
Train Travel Tips
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Although airplanes are clear winners when it comes to commuting long distances in today's fast-paced society—a transcontinental
rail trip takes about 4½ days—trains can compete on shorter-term excursions. "Airplanes are simply a means of transportation
to get to a vacation," says Jim Loomis, who has crossed America about a dozen times by rail, chronicling his adventures in
his book, All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide.
He likes to point out that trains offer a totally different experience than either flying or driving. Seats are more spacious
in passenger cars than on airplanes. Travelers may walk around, visit the dining room, and enjoy panoramic views from the
observation car. And what other form of transportation offers private bedrooms and bathrooms?
Myriad choices
Operating more than 21,000 miles of track, and serving 500 stations in 46 states, Amtrak offers numerous packages from which
to choose. Whether you plan to venture to parks like the Grand Canyon or the Adirondack Mountains, or to cities like Montreal
or San Francisco, chances are a train is going your way.
If national parks interest you, check out the "Trails and Rails" program. Amtrak and the National Park Service (NPS) have
teamed up to provide opportunities for narrated tours across the country. In the train's lounge area, NPS travel guides share
stories about the history and culture of parks and their surrounding areas. Aboard the Coast Starlight—based out of Klondike
Gold Rush National Historical Park—travelers learn about the gold rush in the Canadian Yukon during the late 1800s. On the
Crescent route—between Atlanta and New Orleans—NPS guides educate travelers about the Civil Rights Movement and life of Martin
Luther King, Jr.
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