AMTRAK

[hawkgt]

Anyone ever take the Amtrak from Denver to Glenwood Springs? Got some not so active family coming in town this spring and thought it would be a fun, low key trip for them. Any thoughts, pointers?

[stfu&gbtw]

A friend of mine did the amtrak western railroad thing with his son, and they had a great time. Much longer trip, but same idea..

[systemoverblow'd]

I don't know about that route but I have taken a lot of trains. They are slow, expensive and uncomfortable in the US. While the idea of taking a train sounds fun, it blows ass in reality.

[digitaldeath]

weed and cigs

[ate'em]

It's a good route. Definitely the best section of the line, pretty scenery. It's slow, which might be what you want. The delays and such are a definite gamble, I have had friends stuck for hours, but it has always been fine for me. Not cheap, but if the ride is the attraction, then I would give it a go.

[hawkgt]

sounds great to me... I want to take the time and view the scenery, relax a bit. They do not get far from a car so figure this is a way we can all enjoy something off the "driven" track. Also get some time at the springs

I did the Empire Route when moving back to Seattle from MN in the 80's as a kid. Changed my life for someone who did not get a chance to really see mountains. That was a beautiful trip and still remember it fondly. Old man was BNSF for life so got a soft spot for trains.

[Brock Landers]

Took it from Glenwood to SLC, and Im going to guess the ride from Denver to Glenwood is 100000 times more scenic. What is it, 3 hours? Sit tight and relax, the cars probably arent super crowded and are fairly roomy anyway. Easy to get up and walk around if need be.

[ate'em]

oh, and this should be obvious, but bring your own lunch. the only thing worse than Amtrak ticket prices is the food scene. duh.

[uglymoney]

We did the overnight on Amtrack from Iowa to Denver. Rented a huge sleeper room. It kicked ass. If you can't afford a sleeper for a long ride I'd fly.

Haven't done the Denver-Glenwood trip but it is on my must do list! Friend just did the ride to WP last winter with his 8 year old and they had a great time.

[Tippster]

I don't know about that route but I have taken a lot of trains. They are slow, expensive and uncomfortable in the US. While the idea of taking a train sounds fun, it blows ass in reality.

Amtrack between DC & NYC (the Acela only) is awesome. Unfortunately it's also expensive as shit - cost is the same as flying on the Delta or US Air shuttle and it only takes a little longer. My favorite way to travel to Manhattan, but only on someone else's dime.

[Captain Awesome]

Mrs. Awesome and I traveled from Seattle to Whitefish, MT and back a few years back in a sleeper car (we only sprung for the "Roomette"). It was really great. The train was a few hours late leaving from SEA, but we were able to keep drinking at Collins Pub until our train was ready, then got an extra couple of hours to enjoy breakfast before arriving at Whitefish the next morning.

It's a good reminder of how relaxing travel was before post-9-11 security concerns (or even earlier), when you could show up within less than 30 minutes of a plane's departure. We checked our bags early in the afternoon, headed to the pub, and called about every 20 minutes for updates on the expected departure. Once we were within 30 minutes, we walked over to the station, walked right onto the train, and headed off. On the Empire Builder, leaving from SEA, you get a split of champagne, which was nice, and then we headed to dinner (included with the sleeper accommodations).

It's not a fast way to travel, but if you can enjoy it, and think of it as an overnight stay (think of hotel cost) and part of the vacation (as opposed to mere transit), it was great. We're thinking about doing it again this year, or maybe trying to take another long-haul train sometime soon.

But yeah, if you're in a hurry (not on vacation), Amtrak kinda blows for reliability. We often travel by train in Europe, and they're much better there...

[Percy Rideout]

The Glenwood to denver stretch is pretty sweet. Dirtbagged my way from Glenwood to Chicago a few years back, and the only worthwhile part was the mountains.

Bring your own food. Prepare for delays. Bring some beers. Enjoy the ride.

O yea have fun the worlds largest urinal, ironically shaped like a coffin.

[Shredhead]

Glenwood Canyon would be awesome.


But on the whole Amtrak is a poorly run, highly subsidized and grossly inefficient system. Right now they're are getting ton's of bad press for all of the disruptions.

[capulin overdrive]

What's the route, having a hard time figuring where it goes through the hills?


Sounds neat anyways, would love to go to Winter Park by train just for the hell of it.


Silverton narrow gauge was kind of scary as a kid. We had rain, and the thing just about didn't make the climb.

[hutash]

Bar car = win.

[Tye 1on]

That's a nice stretch. Amtrak says 'no private alcohol' unless you've rented a roomette/berth. So i went with the to-go coffee mug and a big jug of red wine and taking a look around for an attendant before refilling. Bring all the food you want. This message board is the best by far for current Amtrak info...

[Tippster]

Glenwood Canyon would be awesome.

The part along the Upper Colorado, especially Gore Canyon (between Kremmling and State Bridge,) is probably better - no highway. I used to drive along that stretch daily when I was a whitewater photographer.

[zion zig zag]

Amtrack between DC & NYC (the Acela only) is awesome. Unfortunately it's also expensive as shit - cost is the same as flying on the Delta or US Air shuttle and it only takes a little longer. My favorite way to travel to Manhattan, but only on someone else's dime.

No shit, I recently took Phiily to Baltimore and it was $79!! And they were out of every beer except coors.

[systemoverblow'd]

Amtrack between DC & NYC (the Acela only) is awesome. Unfortunately it's also expensive as shit - cost is the same as flying on the Delta or US Air shuttle and it only takes a little longer. My favorite way to travel to Manhattan, but only on someone else's dime.

When we travel between our NYC office and Boston we have to take the Acela. I hate it. It takes 3.5 hours and is $185 each way. I can get a direct 1 hour flight for $320. So it is cheaper and 3 times faster each way. It's not like the scenery is worth a shit so I don't see the appeal personally. Now through Yurp or something great, but something like MA to NY or NY to DC, I'll pass.

Of, and last time I had to take it the train got stuck for 2 hours because of a faulty crossing sign or something. That was a fun almost 6 hours.

[bushman]

O yea have fun the worlds largest urinal, ironically shaped like a coffin.

I would challenge this claim. Murphy's Tavern in Camp Douglas Wisco has a very large urinal, I'm 6'0 and I don't look over the top. Biggest I've ever seen, and I've been around.

[Tippster]

When we travel between our NYC office and Boston we have to take the Acela. I hate it. It takes 3.5 hours and is $185 each way. I can get a direct 1 hour flight for $320. So it is cheaper and 3 times faster each way. It's not like the scenery is worth a shit so I don't see the appeal personally. Now through Yurp or something great, but something like MA to NY or NY to DC, I'll pass.

Well it takes longer than an hour. You have to go to the airport what - 1.5 hours early? 2? I was factoring that in, as well as (for me) the drive to the airport, parking, and drive from LaGuardia to Times Square. For me Office to Office on the Acela takes just over 3.5 hours, with room to roam and waaaay more legroom. Flying takes just as long, especially if I'm waiting on gear. Come to think of it with the airline luggage surcharge the train is probably cheaper since I can just walk on with my gear for no extra $$$.

That said it's the only train journey I would make in the US that wouldn't be for vacating/scenic reasons.

[Brock Landers]

Travel between boston and NYC fairly often and always take the Acela. 3h 30m from south station to penn. Factoring in the early arrival at the airport, getting a cab from lga/JFK/nwk, and traffic, the Acela is a no brainier. Seats are way roomier and you can walk a little too. Plus the little shop in Penn Station has 25oz beers for the ride home. Can't bring that shit on a plane.

[uglymoney]

Here are a few snapshots from our overnight on the California Zephyr back in 2008. We took the train from Iowa to Denver one way and flew out for our honeymoon without kids after getting married in Breck.

Be prepared and willing to accept delays. We were and we did so it wasn't a negative for us. Fly if this isn't part of the plan.



Barcar man beer me ASAP thank you.



Upstairs in the observation room.



We rented the big room on the bottom of the sleeper that goes across the car and has windows on both sides.



I thought the food was fine. Pretty decent. Of course I live in Iowa where we have limited access to good restaurants so I am easily impressed.



The sleeper cars are out of date but for a family trip totally legit.



Having driven I-80 to Denver or points west probably over a hundred times in my life the change of scenery was great even if a bit morbid in this case