What I learned from taking a train across the US

Thanks for watching! This is our second video in a series of five all about hidden design details, growing trends, and overarching systems in travel. We’ve got three more for you so tune in with us next Tuesday! Check out the first video on the swishes and swoops that define the RV aesthetic: https://youtu.be/oUF8uYPjyQM

The hypocricy in all of this is that people NEVER say that the highways or roads, which are only a thing because of subsidies, need to make a profit. We understand that public infrastructure doesn't need to make a profit for it to be valuable.

I think an overlooked aspect of trains is that most train stations were built in the city center, rather than the far-flung outskirts. When you arrive at your destination, you step out into the middle of the city where you can easily connect to other transit, rather than having to take an hour long taxi or ask someone to pick you up.

In 2011,I took the Amtrak train from Los Angeles back to New York. Yes it was stressful and uncomfortable at times. But there were some moments from the trip that were unbelievably gorgeous. I really wish we would invest more in train travel instead of our metal boxes. The passengers on the trains were very friendly and it felt more like a community because you could spark up a conversation with strangers, ask where they were headed and even get a bit of back story. I'd definitely do it again.

For those who would consider this aside from the lack of shower: Chicago Union Station has the Metropolitan Lounge where you can go to get access to showers and a nice lounge area. I'm not sure why he didn't seem to go there since I'm fairly positive you get access included when you have a sleeper car, but if you don't have one, you can get a day pass for $35. It's always worth it in my opinion. Even when I only have a 2 hour layover, I get one for the priority boarding, free snacks and drinks, more comfortable waiting space, and LUGGAGE STORAGE. They have a storage room where you can store your bags and not have to carry them around the city. Every time I'm there, I stash my bags in the room and walk down to The Bean. Highly recommend doing that instead of carrying everything like he did.

Honestly, given how deliberately starved for resources Amtrak is, it's remarkable how good of a service it's actually able to provide. Especially if you're in the Northeast US, Chicago, or along the West Coast. Train Travel is a phenomenal way to get around. No traffic, no TSA, just a book and some scenery while I drink a coffee. Would recommend to anyone. Edit: I wanted to add that much of what makes Amtrak so special and as good as it is is the hard work of the crew of very dedicated and passionate attendants, conductors, engineers, and mechanics that keep it running despite the odds.

A good followup to this excellent video would be to send Dean on a train trip across Europe or Asia to showcase just how massive the discrepancy is between the US and the rest of the world when it comes to train travel.

As a retired person, I chose the USA Rail pass to check off some bucket list items. The positives outweigh the negatives in my opinion. Meeting people from every walk of life and having time and space to do it without commitment to the future is the best part. You neglected to mention that virtually every station is in the heart of the city, in contrast to airports being farther away, so , you actually arrive at your destination directly. I could go on and on, but the last thing I want to say is the historical perspective in comparing Europe's current railway situation is that WWII destroyed the railways there, and so all have been rebuilt. Our system is largely more than 150 years old...twice as old.

I’ve been taking Amtrak trips from emeryville, CA to Denver every year since I was 3 and I’ve always been fascinated with trains. Train travel is so underrated and relaxing. I remember when they used to play games and show movies at night time. It was easy to meet other travelers along the way.

I want Amtrak to expand. I want them to innovate. Weve become too focused on highways and planes

My brother's a car guy, and even he would prefer high speed trains over driving a car in traffic. Goes to show how much worse cities in the US and Canada have become since the 1950s.

The USPS stopped shipping mail on the passenger rail service in baggage cars. When they shipped mail on passenger lines they offered the railroads bonuses for being on time so the railroads gave passenger service priority and the railroads were privately and publicly owned. Once USPS pulled the mail the rail service went downhill fast.

Amtrak’s Northeast Regional was my primary mode of travel between home and college for holiday and summer breaks. It was affordable, easily accessible via public transit on both ends, and always a good experience. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Amtrak. ❤😊

Over the summer I’m having the pleasure of staying in Japan for a month (studying the language). It’s incredible, the feeling you get, of sitting down in this countries bullet trains, and seeing the countryside go by and incredible speeds. It feels like it’s almost a space ship. Don’t get me wrong, flying is cool too, but there’s something mesmerizing about trains that are actually awesome. And, there’s a ton more legroom than on an airplane.

When I was 21, way back in the Pleistocene (1991), I took Amtrak from Union Station in LA to Atlanta. I had a pass that allowed me to jump off and on the train at every stop to wander and check out the sights. It was an awesome, life-changing trip that really gave me perspective on just how vast this country is and to get a taste of regional cultures. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Is Amtrak hiring? Hmm...

A number of years ago I took the train cross-Canada and I loved it. Every morning we woke up in a different postcard, because the geography outside the window had changed: mountains, prairie, boreal forest, urban, maritime. The sleeper and dining cars were great, and like you just seeing the amazing landscape was a lovely part of the experience. A vacation where the trip was the destination. Having experienced the joy of rail travel in Japan and Europe I yearn for similar levels of capability and capacity here in North America, especially between the many city clusters where high speed rail would be king. Really sobering and sad to see the funding disparity between the federal highway budget (which, BTW, earns no money) and Amtrack funding (that is decried for not earning enough money). Thank you for this exploration and for putting this out there.

I have done both halves of that journey; Ive gone from St Louis to LA and back (one leg in a sleeper car!), I've gone from St Louis to Albuquerque in coach, and I've gone from Chicago to New York in coach. Taking the train is slower than flying, but even in coach class, its far more enjoyable than any plane. The simplicity of just being able to stand up and walk around the train and go sit in the observation car is miles better than being confined to your seat for a whole flight. Trains are also generally quieter than planes; sure you might get the occasional screechy child or iPad kid, but there is no drone of jet engines. You can actually hear yourself think. Taking the train also lets you actually see the country, not just fly above it. You can see beautiful scenery and parts of the country you might never otherwise see (if it isn't night time). And even if you have to sleep in a coach class seat, there is still more leg room and the seats are comfier than economy class in a plane, on par with business or first class on a plane. If Amtrak could actually go more places, I would take the train every time.

After studying abroad & living in Germany, I think one of the big problems outside of Amtrak itself is the effectiveness of "last mile transport" and public transit in general. How you get to that destination once you disembark from a mainline is easier in a big city (subway, commuter rail, etc.). However, in Germany, local buses use train stations as a hub to get you to within walking distance not within town but also in some countryside areas too. Also the DB app is God tier. But in a small town here in the States, you are often dependent on someone picking you up from the station. I think the rise of Uber & Lyft, actually add value to the effectiveness of Amtrak as an alternative. You can fund Amtrak better, but better addressing public transit in general in mid-size cities would definitely reinforce ridership.

I once rode a train (german ICE) 6 hours to Hamburg and my mate and I were basically sitting in the bistro / food carriage the whole time and were drinking beers. Best time of my life. :D Dear friends in the US, DEMAND trains.

Hi from Europe. This summer I took two trips from London to Napoli. The first time I went by train and flew back. The second time I took the train for both legs of the journey. There was no problems with that flight, and yet the whole experience was a problem. Until recently I would say "i go by train if there route is available". Now I say "I will NEVER take a flight if I can get there by train".